Democrat and Chronicle from Rochester, New York • Page 32

6D DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE, ROCHESTER, N.Y., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER IS, 1993 Chargers to honor ex-great Joiner i 4., 7 0 By Leo Roth Start writer ORCHARD PARK Most members of the Buffalo Bills will use Sunday's open date to forget about football for a day. Wide receivers coach Charlie Joiner will use it to remember the standout career he had with the San Diego Chargers. Joiner, who played 18 seasons in the NFL, 10 for San Diego from 1976-86, will be inducted into the Chargers' Hall of Fame Sunday at Jack Murphy Stadium, before the Chargers' game against Houston. Joiner will go into the team's Hall with the man he helped put into the NFL Hall of Fame last year, quarterback Dan Fouts. When he retired after the 1986 season, Joiner held NFL records for moat catches (750) and yards (12,146) in a career.

He is San Diego's all-time receiver with 586 catches. Of course, honors are nothing new for Joiner. Twice the city of San Diego declared "Charlie Joiner Day." In 1990, the Lake Charles, native was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Joiner is a cinch to make the NFL Hall of Fame at some point. Showing off The Bills plan on stealing a page from hockey, displaying their division, conference and league championship banners inside Rich Stadium.

A preliminary plan calls for the BILLS NOTEBOOK banners to be hung from poles atop the administration building. No time frame has been set to complete the project "It would take a pole or two," general manager John Butler said. "But showing off the great history of this franchise is something we want to do." The Bills own four division and two league titles from the old American Football League and five division and three conference titles- in the NFL. A super Bill Here's one for trivia buffs: Question: What new television star once tried out for the BillsJ? Answer Dean Cain, who stars on ABC's new series, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Cain, an All-American free safety at Princeton, was a free agent in the Bills' 1988 training camp who was eventually cut.

He led NCAA Division I-AA players in interceptions in 1987 with 12. Extra points The Bills are 3-0 in games following off weekends, but each game was a struggle. Buffalo beat the Jets twice and Patriots once in games closer than expected. There were no kickoff returns by either team in last Sunday's Bills-Dallas game. It is believed to be just the seventh time Buffalo has been in a game when that occurred.

The Associated Press Dallas kicker Lin Elliott leaves practice after being cut by the Cowboys. He missed two field goals in Sunday's 13-10 loss to Buffalo. off hoB ffoir Cowboys open week gives Thomas time to heal Owner Jones hedges on Emmitt Smith deal Dallas Morning News and The Associated Press DALLAS Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones appeared to offer a major concession to Emmitt Smith yesterday when he indicated the team would provide the two-time rushing champion a contract tying him with Buffalo's Thur-man Thomas as the highest-paid running back in the NFL. However, the Cowboys have not made the proposal, because Smith and his representative continue to seek considerably more. While he conceded he has lost leverage in the negotiations as the defending Super Bowl champions opened the season with consecutive losses, Jones refuses to negotiate against himself.

"I think it's real clear if we could get them to get real, we could have this done," Jones said. "There is no doubt in my mind his representatives have had no real interest in getting him in here." Smith and Richard Howell, Smith's agent, could not be reached for comment. Jones hinted Smith could have a contract commensurate with the fowyear, $13.5 million Thomas signed with the Bills. But Jones maintains that as recently as discussions held Tuesday, Howell wants a five-year, $21 million agreement that would surpass Green Bay's Reggie White and make Smith the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. "I think it's real clear to everyone concerned in our negotiations where we have had a willingness to get to," Jones said.

"We've basically been reluctant to be firm in the Thurman Thomas area, because we don't want to get in a dialogue of trying to split the difference between Thurman Thomas and Reggie White. We see nothing productive as far as our negotiation to start talking those kinds of numbers, because we know we can't pay that. "Our position has been real clear: We're prepared to pay Emmitt the kind of dollars that the franchise running back will receive over the next four years. If you do those figures and put 20 percent increases with them, you'll see you're nice to have him back there. "He's a real dependable player, and you know when he is in there, he's going to do exactly the right thing.

James is the ultimate team player. Anything we ask him to do, he goes out and does." Pickens accused CINCINNATI An Ohio man alleged that Cincinnati wide receiver Carl Pickens roughed him up when their cars nearly collided on Interstate 71 before the Bengals' game Sunday. Fred Messina, 52, of Jamestown, told police that Pickens slammed Messina against his car and hit him in the chest and mouth with a forearm after their cars almost collided during a lane change in I-71's southbound lanes near downtown. Messina suffered a bruised chest and swollen lip, police said. Charger injured SAN DIEGO Right guard Joe Milinichik underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, forcing the San Diego Chargers to shift their offensive line for Sunday's home game against the Houston Oilers.

A portion of torn cartilage was removed from Milinichik's knee by team physician Gary Losse, trainer Keoki Kamau said. Milinichik also sprained a ligament in his left knee during a 34-17 loss at Denver on Sunday and is expected to be out 2-4 weeks. Noble replacement GREEN BAY, Wis. Keith Traylor comes to the Green Bay Packers with plenty of raw physical talent and a history of off-the-field problems. Pro personnel director Jesse Kaye said Traylor comes "with a new lease on life." Traylor, 24, takes the roster spot vacated by ninth-year linebacker Brian Noble, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending knee injury Sunday in the Packers' 20-17 loss to Philadelphia.

"Our thinking is (Traylor) will come in here and work hard and let his natural ability take over so he can contribute on defense or special teams," said Kaye. "Everything else, we're hopeful he can put it behind him." UPDATE approaching Thurman Thomas numbers." Cowboys change kickers IRVING, Texas Lin Elliott wasn't blind-sided. He knew the hit was coming. "I kind of dug my own hole," the Dallas Cowboys kicker said after he was released Tuesday. "Maybe if the team had been playing better I would have kicked better." Elliott sat in the equipment room while eight kickers tried to take his job.

Eight was enough. Coach Jimmy Johnson found one he liked. Eddie Murray, who has 14 years of NFL experience, and Tracy Bennett, a former World League kicker who was cut twice by Denver, were the finalists. The Cowboys signed Murray, who played in 182 games, making 249 of 334 field goal attempts with a long of 54 yards and all but five of 399 extra points. "It will be kind of strange kicking for the Cowboys because I kicked against them in the past," said Murray, who kicked for the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cutting Elliott was difficult for Johnson, who brought him along as a rookie. "I tried to stay with Lin like I did last year," Johnson said. "But he lost confidence." The Browns' biggest back CLEVELAND You can almost set your watch by it. Exactly once a year, 290-pound defensive tackle James Jones will find a way to score a touchdown. As a Cleveland Browns rookie in 1991, Jones scored on an interception.

In 1992, he lined up as a blocking back in a short-yardage situaton and tricked the Houston Oilers by catching a 1-yard pass from Bernie Kosar. On Monday night, he did it again, this time taking a handoff from Kosar and plodding 1 yard to the end zone during the Browns' 23-13 upset of the San Francisco 49ers. What's next? Running back "James showed his versatility," coach Bill Belichick said. "He can run. He can catch.

It's BILLS from page ID ma State and is one of the best second-round draft pick (1988) in NFL history "In the Big Eight, it's straight up-the-gut running, carrying the ball 35 times. I'm used to this, knowing what I'm going to feel like for a couple days after the game." In five pro seasons, Thomas has touched the ball an average of 21 times a game for an average of 5.5 yards per play. That's 1,675 carries or catches, 1,675 times running hard or getting hit hard. At 27, one wonders how much more pounding he can endure before a noticeable drop in his production occurs. Last year, Thomas suffered a myriad of minor injuries, mostly to his legs, yet turned in his best season.

He carried the ball a career-high 312 times for a career-best 1,487 yards (4.8 average) and added 58 catches (only four fewer than his team-record 62 caught in 1991) for another 626 yards. His 2,113 combined yards was a personal best and the ninth highest total in NFL history. The key to Thomas' success? Well-timed relief from supersub Kenneth Davis, who ran a career-high 139 times for 613 yards. Aside from making him play in a suit of armor, the Bills know no other way to preserve Thomas. Besides, if you have a cannon, you fire it.

Buffalo is 29-2 in games Thomas gains 100 yards. "A great running back is going to have to run 20 or so times a game," coach Marv Levy said. "Kenneth Davis is there to spell him but his yards are going to be tough. They always are. All running backs take quite a pounding." Thomas is not lobbying for less work.

"I think if they cut back my carries, Mr. Wilson might say something," he said with a grin. Owner Ralph Wilson gave Thomas a new four-year, $13.5 million contract in July. Now he's earning it. With 49 carries for 189 yards, he's the NFL's third-leading rusher behind Detroit's Barry Sanders (58-238) and the New York Giants' Rodney Hampton (51-210).

With 177 yards on the ground against New England and 100 against Dallas, the Bills are off to another good start. And they've done it with two new starters on the line, John Fina at left tackle for departed free agent Will Wolford and John Davis at center for the injured Kent Hull, who's expected back for Miami. "This has given me a lot of confidence the new guys can do the job," Thomas said. "This is the NFL and to gain 100 yards with two new players in there that you're not used to working with is quite an accomplishment." Syracuse's fiHanf-elous' combo UPDATE f.yi i $im The Associated Press Orangemen wide receiver Marvin Harrison caught this first-quarter touchdown pass in Thursday's 41-22 victory over East Carolina. Nancy Greenlaw and Tina Warner each scored a goal to give William Smith their 20th straight win.

William Smith has won 25 of their last 26 games. Bioomiburg 2, Ithaca 1 (OT) TODAY Cortland at Oneonta. 3:30 p.m. SOCCER Geneseo 2, Alfred 1: At Geneseo, Betsy Balling (Brockport) scored the game winning goal with :30 left in the game on an assist Irom Jen Hogan (Irondequoit) lor the Lady Knights (5-0). Tracy Florence scored the first goal for Geneseo.

Jenny Wetzel (Rush-Henrietta) scored the lone Alfred (0-3) goal. Geneseo outshot Alfred 16-5. Ithaca 1, Binghamton 1 (OT): At Bingham-ton, Jenn Guyer scored on an assist from Paige Miller with 30 minutes left to tie the game for Ithaca (3-0-1). Naomi Freedman scored for Binghamton (4-0-1). Keuka 4, Elmira 0: At Keuka.

Natasha Dennis scored a goal and had an assist and Wendy Hurlburt (Seneca Falls) also had an assist for Keuka (3-2-1). Elmira is 1-2. St. John Fiaher 5, Fredonia 3: At St. John Fisher.

Stephanie Long (Caledonia-Mumford) scored three goals, Beth Laursen (Penn Yan) and Alessandra Palumbo both added a goal lor the Cardinals. Shostal Mesmer (Brockport) and Pattie Farah (Greece Arcadia) both had one assist for St. John Fisher (3-2-1). Fredonia is 3-2. TODAY Cazenovia College at MCC.

Buffalo State at Brockport, 4 p.m.; William Smith at Hamilton, 4.30 p.m.; Hartwick at Cortland, 7 p.m. TENNIS Oawego 7, Clarkaon 2: At Oswego, in filth singles Rebecca Taccone (Spencerport) of Oswego defeated Laura Cichanowitz 6-0, 6-2. In first singles Clarkson's Stephanie Sealer defeated Cara Bonn (Fairport) 6-1, 6-0. Rebecca Taccone-Cara Bonn won in third doubles. TODAY Alfred at Elmira, Nazareth at RIT.

3:30 Utica College at St. John Fisher, MCC at Herkimer Community, Wells at Brockport, 4 m. VOLLEYBALL tthaca 15-15-15, Oneonta 9-5-3: At Oneonta. Cindie Shollenberger had 31 assists and Lisa Black had 12 kills for the Bombers (11-3). Melissa Kryz had 10 kills and three solo blocks lor Ithaca.

RIT 15-15-15, Alfred 6-6-10: At Alfred, Senior Cameo Hill had eight kills and 13 digs for Alfred (4-6). Canisiui 15-15-15, St. Bonavtntur 4-10- 10 TODAY St. John Fisher at Cortland, 7 p.m. Harrison joins Graves to make dangerous team By Gary Fallesen Staff writer SYRACUSE He is the other Marvin in Syracuse University's offense.

Not to mention, the other wide receiver. But sophomore Marvin Harrison is quickly making a name for himself on an Orange football team that features Heisman Trophy candidate Marvin Graves at quarterback and Playboy All-American Shelby Hill at wideout. "He is going to be an All-American before he is done at Syracuse," ESPN's Mike Patrick said of Harrison during last Thursday night's game at East Carolina. The 6-foot, 173-pound Philadel-phian caught seven passes for 180 yards and one touchdown in Syracuse's 41-22 victory. It was only his second start, yet he already has stolen the spotlight from Hill, who, believe it or not, had a career-high nine catches the third-best game in Syracuse history.

Harrison's 180-yard game ranks fourth all-time among Orange receivers. "This guy," Patrick said about Harrison, not Hill, "is writing his name in the record book in a hurry." Harrison has 10 receptions for a team-high 253 yards for sixth-ranked Syracuse (2-0), which plays at Texas (0-1) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. He ranks 10th nationally in receiv- MEN CROSS COUNTRY TODAY MCC-Finger Lakes (dual meet) at MCC GOLF Ithaca 424, LeMoyrt 436: At Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, Medalist Ian Breen (Ithaca) shot a career best round of 75. Jonathan Cupp (Ithaca) came in second with 79. TODAY Nazareth at LeMoyne.

1 p.m. SOCCER Cornell 1, Colgate 1: At Ithaca. Patrick Walsh (Pitlsford) headed in a shot in the first half for Cornell (2-0). Colgate is 1-3. Fredonia State 3, Nazareth 2 (OT): At Nazareth.

Matt Deutscher (Greece Olympia) scored the game winning goal with 5:48 left in the second overtime for the Blue Devils (2-1). Joe Lincoln (Naples) and Dan Lplanich also scored for Fredonia State. Massimo Al-bano (East Rochester) and Paul Lucci scored lor Nazareth (1-5). Monro Community College 5, Genesee Community College (h At Batavia. Jamie Bel-den (Warsaw).

Vince Tata (Gates Chili), Pat O'Reilly. Josh Sonoga (Greece Arcadia) and Scott Jermyn (Irondequoit) each scored for MCC (3-0). Genesee is 3-2. Niagara 1, Canisius 0: At Niagara. Sean Holmes scored for Niagara (1-1).

Jason Frank made 12 saves for the Purple Eagles. Niagara County Community College 2, Alfred Stat 1 (OT): At Niagara County CC. Eric Fuller converted a penalty kick for the winning goal his second for Niagara CCC (3-0). Oli Theodorssen (Honeoye Falls-Lima) scored lor Alfred State (2-2). Rochester 1, Hobart 1 (OT): At Geneva.

Jesse McCullogh scored lor Hobart (1-1-1) with 1 44 left in regulation to tie the game. Dave Lowe made 10 saves for Hobart. Jon Piezia scored on an assist from Jason Walker with 9 50 left in the first half for Rochester (2-0-1). Marc Farley made nine saves for the Yellowjackets. TODAY Oswego at Ithaca.

Cortland at Utica Rome, Roberts Wesleyan at St. John Fisher, 4 p.m. WOMEN FIELD HOCKEY St. Lawrence 4, Oswego State 0: At Oswego State. Oswego is 3-2 in non-league play and St.

Lawrence is 1-2. William Smith 2, Brockport 0: At Geneva, Harrison's second career touchdown. He may eventually threaten Moore's school record of 22. When Harrison received a letter from then-coach Dick MacPherson as a junior in high school, he didn't know how good Syracuse was but he knew of Moore. He since has learned about the Orangemen's tradition of winning as well as producing NFL wide receivers from Art Monk, Scott Schwedes and Tommy Kane in the '80s to Moore, Rob Carpenter arid Ismail in the '90s.

"As far as the tradition of wide receivers, I guess I'm in that position where I can carry it on," he said. Pasqualoni said Harrison probably should have gotten an earlier start, playing more as a freshman. His two catches came in mop-up duties in his hometown against Temple. However, the Orangemen's other Marvin didn't mind watching Graves connecting with the upper-class pass catchers. "The receivers we had, they did a good job," Harrison said.

"They were seniors. They deserved to play. They had to wait longer than I did. They didn't start playing until they were juniors. I'm just lucky I got a chance to play as a sophomore." Luck has nothing to do with it.

Harrison is proving he is good. He may seem to be invisible to opposing defensive backs, but he is catching some of the Orange limelight "We're tickled pink with his progress," offensive coordinator George DeLeone said. "He looks like a veteran out there." He is proving that the coaching staff made the right choice by going with him. He is The Philadelphia Story of the college football season. "We're surprised by his ability to outrun people," coach Paul Pasqua-loni said.

"We knew he was fast, but, at times, he just seems invisible." Not to the unblinking eye of television. ESPN caught and, thanks to Patrick, commented on his every move. "I guess they were trying to make it like we're in competition," Harrison said, referring to Hill and himself. "I don't look at it as that. We both had a good game.

It just hap-. pened that the passes I caught were longer." Harrison followed Hill's 27-yard touchdown reception with a 57-yard TD catch in the first quarter. It was ing yards per game (126.5). The school's sophomore pass-catching record is 44, set by the New York Jets' Rob Moore in 1988. Moore holds the Orange mark for most yards gained in a season 1,064 in 1989.

"It's a little bit of a surprise," Harrison said the other day about his year to date. "I didn't think it would turn out to be like this." Harrison didn't even know if he would be starting when the season opened. He was the only wide receiver other than Hill who had a college reception he made two last year playing behind seniors Qadry Ismail, Antonio Johnson and Kerry Ferrell. And he had been told by receivers coach Dennis Goldman that the job was his to lose. But the position seemed to Harrison to be "up for grabs" in preseason camp..