The Daily Herald from Chicago, Illinois • Page 165

Page 2 FOOTBALL Thursday, September 24,1998 CLF12M won't lack motivation when Bears meet Vikings BY Bon LKGEKE Daily Herald Sports Writer Defensive tackle Mike Wells is a little more familiar with the Minnesota Vikings than most of his Bears teammates. Wells was picked by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 1994 draft, but he was cut in training camp. "It was really shocking because I was actually mad I was drafted as low as a fourth-rounder," said Wells, an all-Big 10 performer who set career records at Iowa for sacks (33) and tackles for loss (54). "I thought I was much better than that because I did have a good college career, and I thought I was a real good player. I not a rude awakening." But he got to meet some interest- ing people and left with a lovely parting gift experience.

"I only spent one camp with them, but you do get pretty dose to some of the guys," WeUs said. "Camp's one of the hardest things you're going to do, and when you go through that, you're going to have some kind of bond, "I was in camp with guys like (defensive tackle) Henry Thomas. He was an all-pro. He was actually my mentor. He was.

at Minnesota (in 1994), but then'the following two years he was at Detroit. I played behind him there, so I learned a great deal from him. Even though he cost me my job at Minnesota, I learned from him, and everything I do now I actually got from him." Two other Vikings who left a lasting impression on Wells are future Hall "Making the Bears happy is more what I'm worried about now than showing the Vikings they made a wrong choice." Bears defensive tackle'Mike Wells of Famers John Randle and.Randall McDaniel. Prior to this season, Randle had played mostly defensive tackle, but this year he is being moved around between tackle and end. No matter where he lines up, Randle is the Vikings' best defensive player.

If he isn't accounted for on every play, there's a good chance he'll wreak havoc. "He's nuts. He's awesome," said Wells, who signed with the Bears last Bears coach Dave Wannstedt knows the Bears will lose distance on their punts and kickoffs without Todd Sauerbrun handling those duties. Daily HBOM wnito ioran to take over prating duties Comparisons with injured Sauerbrun don't go far BY Bon Daily Herald Sports Writer BEARS NOTES Mike Koran and Todd Sauerbrun are both punters, and both have had ACL injuries. That's about where the comparison ends.

"Don't expect any Todd Sauerbrun kicks out of me," the 39-year- old Horan said on Wednesday before his first practice with the Bears. "You can expect good hang time, good distance and the ball outside the numbers. That's what I've done my whole career. I don't want to outkick my coverage. Then I'm asking to have to make a tackle, and I'd rather not do that." Sauerbrun was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and will have surgery to repair the anterior cru- ciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee within the next two weeks.

He used to take pleasure in bringing down anyone returning one of his kicks, but at 25 years old, he was better equipped for that type of activity than the 15- year veteran Horan. "If I've got to make a tackle or be involved in tackles, then I've probably done something wrong," said Horan, who has kicked for eight other XFL teams. "That means I probably didn't kick it where I should have or didn't get enough hang time. I would rather let my 10 teammates make the tackle. "I'd just as soon stay away from those.

But I'm not going to shy away from a returner coming at me. If I have to stop him, I'll do my best." That's how Horan suffered his torn ACL, trying to make a tackle after having one of his punts blocked while with the Denver Broncos. mam Just for kicks: The Bears selected Mike Horan over four other candidates Tommy Thompson, Nick Gallery, Shane Edge and John Kidd but there will be a drop-off from Todd Sauerbrun, who was having the best of his four NFL seasons. "Mike can kick the ball directionally as well as anybody," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "But let's face it, when we're backed up and we're kicking the ball and looking for a 50-, 60-yard punt, it's not going to happen.

So we're going to lose field position. "Mike will place the ball, Mike will get good hang time, but we're probably going to lose 5 to 10 yards a punt." The Bears will also lose yardage on kickoffs, a duty which Jeff Jaeger will assume in addition to field goals. Jaeger kicked off most of the second half of last, season because he was more accurate and consistent than Sauerbrun, but he does not have Sauerbrun's leg strength. "In the Jacksonville game, Todd kicked three out of the end zone," Wannstedt said. "Jeff will kick off and Jeff will do fine, but Jeff not going to kick them out of the end zone.

Balls are going to be returned." Balanced attack: The Vikings present the Bears with more problems than just a talented group of wide receivers. Minnesota running back Robert Smith is third in the NFC with 308 rushing yards, and he's averaging 5.5 yards per carry. That's bad news for a team ranked 29th in rushing yards allowed and 30th in average gain allowed per rushing attempt "They're balanced as far as running the ball and throwing it" Dave Wannstedt said. "Everybody thinks of Minnesota, and your first thought is, 'Bombs That's not true, except for third down. They have been running it as much as throwing it." Injury report: Safety John Mangum is out this week with a concussion.

Mangum will see a neurologist, and the Bears will be extra cautious since the special-teams standout has a history of concussions. Weak-side linebacker Sean Harris is questionable with a sprained right shoulder, but he practiced on Wednesday. This time, Hosteller's season is over Associated I ASHBURN, Va. The Washington Redskins aren't sure when it happened or how it happened. They say they didn't even find out about it until two days after it happened.

For the team, all that really matters is the net result: Jeff Hosteller, an unhappy third-string presence in the locker room, is gone for the season after apparently re-injuring his right knee while on the sideline during Sunday's game at Seattle. "I found out about this last night," general manager Charley Casserly said Wednesday. "I didn't get into specifics with him. He said his leg was hit I believe by a helmet, and that caused the instability in the knee." So, for the second consecutive Wednesday, Hosteller cleaned out his locker and left Redskin Park without comment. This time, it's certain that he won't be back this year.

The Redskins placed him on injured reserve, and the 15-year veteran started making arrangements for an operation that could require up to six months of rehabilitation. Hosteller's departure brings to a close a messy and embarrassing episode for the Redskins. Upset that he had been demoted to No. 3 quarterback, Hosteller packed his things and left lasl week because he said he thought he had been granted his release. The Redskins said he made him come back the next day.

With both sides refusing lo budge, Ihe only answer appeared lo be surgery on the knee that the 37-year-old Hosteller hurt in an exhibition game. Doctors had said the has damaged cartilage and also may need work on the anterior cruciate ligament require surgery eventually anyway. Re-injuring the knee while standing on a sideline something Casserly said he couldn't remember ever happening before seemed like an amazing coincidence that suited everyone well. "We know where we stand now," coach Norv Turner said. "So I guess from thai standpoint (it's good) to have that type of resolution." Certainly, there's never a boring day when it comes to the quarterbacks with this season's Redskins, an 0-3 team that has promoted ca- reer bench-warmer Trent Green to starter over a player with an $18 million contract (Gus Frerotte) and one who has a Super Bowl ring (Hosteller).

During one recent practice, Frerotte was zipping the ball with authority, leaving his teammates shaking their heads and wondering why he didn't throw it like that when he was starting. Frerotte's answer was simple: The pressure is off. "I'm just getting myself ready to play, doing the scout team stuff, just slinging the bomb. No worries and no pressures," Frerotte said. "Don't care if it's high or low, you just go out there and throw it.

You know it's kind of fun being the other team's QB once in a while." Meanwhile, the receivers are adjusting to Green's weaker arm and growing pains. Leslie Shepherd, while making allowances for Green's inexperience, said he was frustrated after Sunday's 24-14 defeat because he "was open the whole game." "I prepare hard during the week and I run routes and I get to the game and I ran past these guys," Shepherd said. "And I'm not getting the ball." off-season as a free agent after four seasons in Detroit "Before Ihey cut me in Minnesota, Ihey moved me from defensive line lo offensiye line, and he got me in practice during the 1-on-ls. They used to call me 'Josie Wells' (from the Clint Eastwood movie, "The Outlaw Josie Wales'). So he'd get up to the line and say, You gonna block me Josie I'd say, and then he'd go by me and say, 'No you're He'd talk to me while he was beating me.

"The next time he'd line up and say 'You gonna block me Josie Wells? I'd say, "Yeah, 1 and he'd say, "You gotta be more while he was going by me. He used to whup my (butt) all the time and talk to me while he was doing it." Wells, who was picked up by the Lions after being cut by the Vikings and spent the next four seasons in Detroit, has a closer relationship with McDaniel, whom he will go head to head with on Sunday. McDaniel has been voted to the Pro Bowl and named an all-pro for the last nine years. Only Lawrence Taylor and Mike Singletary, each with 10, played in more Pro Bowls, McDaniel is one of the most ath- lelic offensive linemen ever to play the game. At 279 pounds, he's smaller than the average NFL guard, but he doesn't play small.

"He's a real strong guy," Wells said. "He's got a death grip. He's got great balance, and he's got cat-like quickness. He's about 280, but he plays like he's 320. The guy feels so solid.

"Most of the time I'd say I really prefer to play against a quick guy because usually I can get my hands on them and throw them around. But he's as quick as a 275-pound guy can be, and he's as strong as a 320-pound guy can be, so he's a unique package." Wells said the matchup with McDaniel and getting the Bears headed in the right direction provide more motivation for him than avenging his release four years ago. Holcombe will start for Rams; Hway may sit out vs. Redskins Associated Press The St. Louis Rams will have a new running back Sunday, but it won't be Lawrence Phillips.

Coach Dick Vermeil said Wednesday rookie Robert Holcombe will start when the Rams (1-2) play host to the JJCB Arizona Cardinals (1- 2). Vermeil also said NOTES his brief flirtation with bringing back Phillips is over. "I really don't feel it's a possibility at this time," said yermeil, who apologized for even bringing it up. The Rams' running back situation was thrown back into disarray when Greg Hill broke his leg in the fourth quarter of a 34-33 win at Buffalo on Sunday. He is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks, and may miss the rest of the season.

Hill, who gained 158 yards and scored 2 touchdowns against the Bills, was named NFC offensive player of the week. Hill's loss prompted Vermeil to say Monday in response to a question that he would consider bringing back Phillips, the team's top draft pick in 1996. Phillips rushed for 1,265 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in 25 games with the Rams. But his low yards-per-carry average, his tendency to miss meetings and his off-field problems caused them to finally release him late last season. Holcombe, the team's second- round draft pick out of Illinois, will become the third player in four games to start at running back Jerald Moore started in the season opener but fumbled three times and gamed just 24 yards in a 24-17 loss to New Orleans, He was replaced by Hill, who gained 240 yards, scored 4 touchdowns and averaged 6 yards per carry in two games.

Holcombe hasn't played since the preseason he was inactive for the first three games. Elway's dilemma: Determined to keep his strained right hamstring from lingering throughout the season, John Elway might skip Sunday's game at Washington. "It's a matter of whether I think I can go in there and perform, not hold us back and also not set myself back," Elway said Wednesday. "The last thing you want to do is set yourself back for three or four weeks," The Denver Broncos' quarterback was injured in the fourth quarter of a 42-23 win over Dallas two weeks ago. After missing most of last week's practice, he worked out on Friday and played in Sunday's 34-17 victory at Oakland, only to aggravate the injury and depart in the second quarter.

Backup Bubby Brister took over, completing 10 of 17 passes for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception. Elway has missed only 10 games in his career because of injury or illness. Asked if he feared the injury could persist all season, Elway said: "With a week of rest, I don't think it would. That's why it's got to be the right decision that I can go play against the Redskins and not have to worry about it getting worse and lingering the rest of the year." Aikman eager: TroyAikman's broken collarbone still aches, but it hurts him more to watch an NFL game from the sidelines. So he's already set Oct.

11 against Carolina as his target game to return to the Dallas Cowboys lineup. He also says he'll run again if he has to even though he got hurt running against Denver. Aikman said Wednesday he was a stung by the criticism that he shouldn't have run in the loss to the Broncos on Sept. 13. "I was sitting down and not taking on the linebacker," Aikman said.

"I just got hurt sliding. Then I get criticism. One week the talking heads are saying I did a good job scrambling to help us win a game. The next week they are saying I shouldn't have run." Aikman, who has had seven concussions playing football, said when he does come back he's not just John" Elway is being cautious with right hamstring and may sit out Sunday's game against the Redskins. Associated Press Photo going to sit back in the pocket and take a beating.

"My approach isn't changing," Aikman said. "If I think it's important for us to get a first down then I'll do it again. There will probably be a time when I get hurt again. I do what I have to do to win football games. You'll see it every week," Aikman said the success of the Cowboys behind Jason Garrett in a 31-7 win over the New York Giants on Monday night might delay his return.

"What I'm hoping for and what I'm saying is one thing but I don't know what the doctors will say," Aikman said. "The position of our team (in the standings) will have something to do with it But my target is missing two games (Oakland and Washington) and being back against Carolina." Hoying hurting: Philadelphia quarterback Bobby Hoying, who strained his lower back in Philadelphia's loss to Arizona last week, did not practice on Wednesday. Although he says he will be ready to play, his status is in doubt for the Eagles' game against Kansas City on Sunday. "Bobby's a little sore," coach Ray Rhodes said. "It was the trainer's decision to hold him out of practice.

I'm expecting him to be able to practice Thursday. If he's healthy, he's going to play." If Hoying can't play, Rodney Peete will replace him. Ravens backfield: Desperate to revive an offense that is averaging only 1 touchdown a game, Baltimore Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda named Eric Zeier his starting quarterback and gave the halfback job to unheralded Priest Holmes. Holmes, who played exclusively on special teams as a rookie last year, will make his first NFL start Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Zeier, who appeared in relief in each of the Ravens' first three games, will start for the eighth time in his four seasons as a pro.

The Ravens (1-2) must beat Cincinnati (1-2) in order to avoid an 0-3 start within the AFC Central. Zeier replaces Jim Harbaugh, who struggled in his first three starts and has yet to play in the second half this season. While conceding that Harbaugh has been hampered by a finger injury, Marchibroda said the job is Zeier's to lose. "Eric has played well off the bench. Now we have to see if he can play for 13 ball games.

We find out from here on out what he can and can't do," Marchibroda said. "Can Eric play 13 games and be a winner? We hope he can. I have faith in him." Holmes, who scored 3 touchdowns for Texas in the 1996 Big 12 championship game against Nebraska, becomes the third starter at the position in four weeks. He follows Errict Rhett and Jay Graham. "Priest really played well in the preseason and he's done an excellent job on special teams," Marchi- broda said.

"I feel he deserves a chance. What I need to have is a definite halfback this gives him the opportunity to be that guy." Grbac setback: One day after thinking he might be ready to start Sunday against Philadelphia, Kansas City quarterback Elvis Grbac says he's almost certain to remain sidelined. Grbac, who suffered a mild shoulder separation in the Chiefs' season opener, felt pain when throwing on Wednesday. Backup Rich Gannon, who has started the last two games, will be the starter against the winless Eagles. "I did a couple of things with the tight ends, but it felt really funny," Grbac said.

"And it was really sore afterward. So I said that's it. I'm not going to go anymore." That was all the coaches needed to see. not going to start this week, I'll tell you that," coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "I don't think he's ready yet.

He'll probably go from probable to questionable. He's got to get his timing and rhythm down. That's something we're struggling with right now in the passing game." Sapp to start: Three years into his NFL career, Patrick Sapp is still dealing with questions about whether he's completed the transition from quarterback to linebacker. "Frankly, I'm tired of it," Sapp said Wednesday after practicing with the Arizona Cardinals' first- team defense for the first time. "That's one thing I wanted to shake this year.

Coming to a new team gave me a chance to set up ground for myself, set a stage for my career." For the second time, an injury may thrust Sapp, a quarterback in college, onto the field before anyone knows if he's ready. Jamir Miller, an outside linebacker who had a career-high tackles last season, dislocated his left wrist Sunday against Philadel-. phia and was listed as doubtful for. the next game against St. Louis..