St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 35

3 DEC 31989 Buddy Ryan: The Coach America Loves To Hate PRO FOOTBALL It I i jiifaiin Vv'. and the safest punt in NFL history was executed without mishap. Was Ryan sheepish about employing such a questionable tactic? Hardly. When Al Meltzer asked during the taping of Ryan's weekly television show about the propriety of having 14 men on the field, the coach did note a flaw in the strategy. "There should have been 15," he snapped.

It was a couple of years ago that Ryan's Eagles induced a flag by having the punter arch a pass into the air. The players assigned to block the outside pursuit men down-field were penalized for unwittingly interfering with eligible pass receivers. That rule subsequently was tightened. "I've been, in the league a long time," Ryan said yesterday, "and I know the rules. We throw a pass in the air off punt formation and they change the rules.

They'll probably change this rule, too." But NFL rulesmakers always will be a step behind such a devious mind. After all, Ryan had Wes Hopkins, his veteran safety, fake an injury during a game last season to stop the clock. Because Hopkins had returned from a serious knee injury, many observers assumed his career was in jeopardy when they saw him carted off the field. But when newsmen got to the clubhouse, they found him hale, hearty and making dinner plans. Ryan confessed to the subterfuge on his radio show the next night.

The man rarely has hid behind coachspeak. Recall that he roared into Philadelphia in 1986, promising a division championship in his first season even though the team needed a total overhaul. He says now that his prediction and other outrageous statements were designed to take the heat off the team, which promptly went 5-10-1, and place the focus on himself. Three years later, the Eagles are defending NFC Eastern Division champions and can take a huge step toward repeating by winning Sunday. Yet the focus still is on Ryan.

In addition to his TV and radio shows, during which he fields questions from an audience, he has authorized a 900 telephone number with his taped comments. Callers are greeted with a welcome to the "Buddy Line." On the eve of the Eagles' first game against the Washington Redskins, he reportedly entertained the public with the observation that the Washington safeties were "terrible." The subject was broached during a telephone news conference with Washington writers before the return engagement in November. Ryan denied making the statement. When one scribe persisted, saying he personally had monitored the tape, Ryan hung up. End of interview.

Alas, there were no shocking disclosures on Wednesday's edition of the "Buddy Line." He announced no bounties, trashed no opponents and sounded, as much as possible, like a conservative coach measuring every word for impact. But Ryan's comments, pledged a recorded voice, will be updated Thursday. There still is ample time for the man to offend someone, to assume center stage in Giants Stadium before Sunday's kickoff. Stay tuned. By Joe Gergen (c) 1989, Newsday Buddy Ryan performs a valuable public service for the National Football League.

He has assumed the role last filled by a television commentator whose presence prompted saloonkeepers to sell bricks for assault upon the little screen. The coach of the Philadelphia Eagles has become a unifying force, a man much of the nation loves to hate. In addition to his ability to motivate a team, Ryan has the knack of getting under the skin or, in the case of Jimmy Johnson, the hair of opponents or those he perceives as adversaries. Of course, at the moment, Johnson is the most prominent member of the Buddy Ryan Fan Club. A week ago, while much of America was digesting Its Thanksgiving turkey, Johnson found himself unable to swallow the Eagles' manhandling of the Cowboys.

The first-year coach became so upset with his team's 11th defeat in 12 games that a few of his remarkably disciplined strands of hair jumped offsides. In a post-game diatribe, he accused Ryan of putting bounties on his quarterback and place-kicker and publicly indicated they would have had a confrontation on the field if Ryan hadn't quickly moved his "fat butt" to the sanctuary of the clubhouse in Texas Stadium. A league investigation of the charges is under way and should be completed in time for the return engagement on Dec. 10. "When someone makes a big deal out of nothing," Ryan said Wednesday, "I think the league has to check It out But I think when all the marbles are in, there'll be no question who's the clown." The issue of NFL justice was raised several times during a telephonic news conference with reporters at Giants Stadium In advance of Sunday's critical contest, which New York Giants coach Bill Parcells identified as "the division championshipgame." Although reluctant to belabor the subject, Ryan suggested Johnson's naivete was responsible for the misunderstanding.

And if Johnson allowed himself to become hopping mad, that was his problem. Ryan doesn't plan to apologize for riling someone whose job it is to beat the Eagles. It was his second such triumph in a span of five days, following the ploy that left Minnesota General Manager Mike Lynn promising rule changes as he departed Veterans Stadium the previous Sunday. Having just watched his Vikings lose, 10-9, Lynn was rankled by the sight of what the Eagles called their "Polish punt team." In a most unusual formation, designed to prevent a blocked kick or a long runback, Ryan sent 14 men onto the field for a crucial last-minute punt. At the worst, the expected penalty for too many men on the field would set the Eagles back 5 yards but drain precious seconds from the clock.

To the surprise of the Eagles, no flag was forthcoming I I Iff A y' As s-7 AD nr "The smoke of controversy continues to swirl around Eagles coach Buddy Ryan. mL Patriots To Start Quarterback No. 4 Jets Try To Keep lO'Brien Protected V- A) "j''" Of iiiws sri ha) iri ill I Wj din. Haley but this is the most formidable test because they can't concentrate on one player. The Chargers will attack from different directions, using many different schemes.

"They really rely on their front seven," said O'Brien, who has been sacked 42 times this season. "They're not giving people time to throw down-field. They do a good job of messing up blocking schemes and confusing the offense." Technically, the Chargers employ a 3-4 defense, but it's more of a 4-3 because O'Neal often is positioned as a down lineman. O'Neal lines up on both sides, which creates problems for the offensive line. The Jets are planning to counter by employing two tight ends, Neubert and Greg Werner.

They will assist tackles Jeff Criswell and Reggie McElroy. In an effort to protect O'Brien, Coach Joe Walton has added many new wrinkles to the offensive game plan. "There's a lot of different stuff this week," said quarterback Tony Eason, who has been trying to learn the system since being acquired three weeks ago. Neutralizing O'Neal is the key. O'Neal, formerly a defensive end, is playing linebacker for the first time, and he seems to enjoy the increased He's used in pass coverage, but he still gets to rush the quarterback.

"I love it. It's fun," O'Neal said of his new position. "You get a chance to make a lot of big plays from this position. The only thing that bothers me is that teams can take you out of the game by running away from you." O'Neal never has played against the Jets, but he has seen O'Brien on tape and is amazed at the amount of punishment he absorbs each week. "He By Rich Cimini (c) 1989, Newsday HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.

In six sea-! sons as the New York Jets' quarter-J back, Ken O'Brien has been subjected to physical abuse from every AFC team except the San Diego Chargers, The Jets haven't faced the Chargers since the 1983 season opener, when O'Brien was a rookie on the bench. Since, then, every other team in the conference has sacked him at least JonCe. The Chargers are hoping to ad- minister last licks Sunday in San Die- go, and the Jets are concerned. O'Brien has suffered a mild concus- sion in each of the last two games. 2 Both times, he was removed in the 1 fourth quarter, complaining of groggi- ness.The Jets are satisfied that O'Bri- en is well enough to play Sunday, but a they are taking every step to prevent a third strike.

Their game plan is 5 geared toward protecting O'Brien Jirom the Chargers' formidable pass Tush. If O'Brien's head aches, the Jets have a huge headache. "We always try to keep guys off Kenny, but sometimes we don't do it 3 as well as we should," tight end Keith 5 Neubert said. "This is one week we can't afford to let up." That's an understatement. The Chargers (4-8) aren't a good team, but they boast the most prolific pass-rush-Z ing trio in the AFC.

Linebacker Leslie O'Neal leads the AFC with 10'2 sacks, end Lee Williams has 10 and rookie end Burt Grossman has 6i2- The 27 sacks is eight more than the entire Jets team. The Jets (3-9) have faced many out-5 standing pass rushers this season such as the Buffalo Bills' Bruce Smith 2 and the San Francisco 49ers' Charles larc Wilson (above) will be the fourth quarterback to start this season for New England. Tony Eason (now with the Jets), Doug Flutie (now third string) and Steve Grogan each started at least three games. UPI Jets QB Ken O'Brien hopes to stay safe, sound takes a lick and goes back and keeps tive knee surgery three years ago. playing," said O'Neal, who Is com- "That shows what type of competitor pletely recovered from reconstruc- he is." By Terry Price (c) 1989, The Hartford Courant FOXBORO, Mass.

Raymond Berry arrived five years ago in a pickup truck with an empty barrel rolling around in the back. He came with a mission: win a Super Bowl. The New England Patriots haven't made the grade yet, but Berry is as determined as ever to achieve his goal. "I want to finish the job here," Berry said Wednesday. "I believe, when the Job is finished here, I'll know it." And, to better gauge the Patriots' future quarterback situation, Berry said Marc Wilson would start at quarterback Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Berry has been guaranteed more time to.continue his mission by owner Victor Kiam, who said Tuesday that Berry would receive an extension of his contract. Berry is signed through the end of the 1990 season. How long the extension will be apparently has not been discussed, and Berry said all contract talks would wait until after this season is completed. The Patriots have a 4-8 record and are in danger of having their first losing season under Berry. Berry said he had been assured by Kiam at least a month ago that his job was not in Jeopardy.

"I haven't been concerned about that for quite some time," Berry said. Patriots General Manager Patrick Sullivan said the club also would like to extend the contract of Dick Steinberg, director of player development, also signed through the end of next season. Considered one of the better NFL talent scouts, Steinberg has come under some fire this season with the release of three former No. 1 draft picks quarterback Tony Eason, center Trevor Matich and running back Reggie Dupard. Steinberg has been mentioned as a potential candidate for other positions in the league, but Sullivan said the Patriots had not been contacted by any other club requesting permission to talk to Steinberg.

Sullivan said unusual circumstances led to the Patriots' poor season, not bad coaching. Sullivan mentioned injuries, a muddled situation at quarterback and late signings as major contributing factors. "Raymond deserves an acknowledgement that, given a series of circumstances out of his control, the season could have been much different," Sullivan said. Berry said the contract talks would be after the season to avoid any possible distraction from continuing the process of trying to improve the team. Besides injuries, Berry said instability at quarterback was the leading factor in the Patriots' disappointing season.

"The No. 1 requirement is we've got to get a healthy team and a stable quarterback situation," Berry said. "And get our kicking situation stabilized. Those are three things I can think of right now." Wilson will be the fourth quarterback to start this season for New England. Eason (now with the Jets), Doug Flutie (now third string) and Steve Grogan each started at least three games.

Berry said he would take the quarterback situation game by game. He said he just wanted to get a look at Wilson to facilitate making quarterback decisions next year. He said Wil- Lbhmiller's Aim: Regain Consistency Rut Sevier countered: "We weren't Just because he's missed four of his last six, don't put the blame on Chip. In the game before this, there were some bad snaps in there. I don't feel I've been as consistent as last year.

11 DAVE HARBOUR, Lohmiller's snapper By Jom Friend i (c) 1989, The Washington Post WASHINGTON The goal posts Jthave been narrowing lately for Chip ftohmiller, the Washington Redskins kicker who earlier was in a Jan Sten-. erud kind of groove. Lohmiller in fact resembles Sten- erud, the former Kansas City, Green a Bay and Minnesota all-pro, in leg pow-j er, leg whip and leg extension. It's just that lately the ball won't stay straight. His season seemed to take a turn for lhe worse three games ago in Phila son would not win the starting job outright for next season even if he plays exceptionally well.

"That's something we will look at later on," Berry said. Kiam's decision to stay with Berry apparently was made without any assurances from the coach that he would name an offensive coordinator. Earlier this season, when the the Patriots were having trouble generating an attack, Kiam said the team would have an offensive coordinator in 1990. This season, offensive plays are being called by Berry, with the help of two assistant coaches. "I'll be making decisions," Berry said.

"I've been satisfied with the way it's been going. I'll leave it open to my own instinct and judgment." Berry has a 47-36 record with the Patriots, his only head-coaching job in the NFL. He coached Patriots wide receivers from 1978-81 under Chuck Fairbanks and Ron Erhardt. Berry has one AFC East title (1986) and one AFC championship (1985). The Patriots lost Super Bowl XX to the Chicago Bears, 46-10.

Berry said he has not lost his zest for coaching despite the losing season. "I don't enjoy coaching all the time," he said. "I enjoy it when we win. and I'm miserable when we lose. But one thing I don't like at all and that's boredom.

I haven't had that problem with this job. I've always enjoyed a good challenge. It seems like that factors into this job, too." delphia, the very place his career turned for the better as a rookie last year. He beat the Eagles in December 1988 with a 44-yard field goal into a swirling wind, then converted 20 of his next 24 three-point tries before visit- exactly on with every snap earlier in the year, and we still made the kicks." The consensus at Redskin Park is that the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Lohmiller has the strong leg, the size and the flatness of foot to be a Pro Bowl kicker, but has yet to arrive at that level. He is Stenerud's look-alike as far as technique, but has not yet had enough game-winning chances to show the Redskins he has Stenerud's ability ia the clutch.

Lohmiller has been mobbed after just one Redskins kick last year's game-winner against the Eagles. He beat Pittsburgh last year with a 19-yarder, beat Green Bay last year with a 20-yaler, but mis-hit a 36-yard potential game-clincher against the Giants and a similar 29-yarder against Cincinnati. On the other hand, some of the league's finest kickers, including Mark Moseley and Nick Lowery, were cut and in their late 20s before turning dependable. Sevier said he has never seen a soccer-style kicker achieve more consistent height on a kick than Lohmiller, and it has much to do with his flat feet. Many sidewinders hit the ball near their toes; Lohmiller connects lower, with the inside of his foot.

The flat foot helps, because he can get' under the ball properly. Lohmiller has never had a regular-season kick blocked, and was using only a quarter-inch tee his senior college season. Tees have since been banned in NCAA games and Lohmiller said, "Have you seen how low the kicks are going?" JJ Ing Veterans Stadium again. This time, into another unpredict-ible gust, Lohmiller pushed a 35-yard Kttempt wide right in the final 70 sec- onds. Washington held on to win, 10-3, but Lohmiller has now sent four of his last six field-goal attempts wide left or right.

we have warm-weather games in our last four, and I think it can get me back on a roll." (The Redskins play at Phoenix, Atlanta and Indoors in Seattle with a home game against San Diego.) "I'm not struggling, though." Not to be ignored in all of this are Lohmiller's snapper, Dave Harbour, and his holder, Ralf Mojsiejenko. Harbour admits his season has been a tad inconsistent, and it's never been clear how seriously the Redskins have considered replacing him. Punter Mojsiejenko is thought to be a glue-fingered holder, but indications are he is not as accomplished as Lohmiller's holder much of last season, Greg Coleman. Few are. "Just because he's missed four of his last six, don't put the blame on Chip," Harbour said.

"In the game before this vs. the Broncos, there were some bad snaps in there. I don't feel I've been as consistent as last year. I don't know. I because you have one bad snap and someone gets on you, you start thinking." was on for a while.

To say he's struggling, well, I'd say if you look at his overall season he's made 20 of 27, what was a tremendous first half is now just a good year." Lohmiller, 23 and a second-round draft choice out of Minnesota, did out-kick all-pro Morten Andersen in a head-to-head duel in New Orleans and made 10 in a row in one September-October stretch, part of an 18-of-20 run before the Philadelphia misfire. Lohmiller seems to stay on an even keel emotionally. Said Sevier: "You want a guy to come back and make great kicks after that Eagles game, and he hasn't. Hey, I don't want one kick to affect his thinking." Analyzing his Philadelphia miss, Lohmiller said: "Well, it's against the wind, and I had to make sure I stayed down on it. You need to drive through it got to make sure you follow through.

Guess I didn't. "How do I feel things are going? I don't know. I'm kind of mad. I missed a couple. I won't make every kick but 2 une of those misses was extremely long (a 55-yard knuckler Sunday against Chicago) and one was into a wicked wind against Denver on a Monday night (from 38 yards).

Two dther kicks have special-teams coach Wayne Sevier slightly more disturbed: the Philadelphia miss and a 40-yarder Sunday against the Bears that faded We mean business! Check the business section each day lor Ihc closing market rosults and the latest Imancial lads To begin home delivery ol the Posl Dispatch, call 622 7111 or toll Irce 1-800 231 1991. ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH jflght with the score 0-0. "I'd say as consistent and as grooved as he was earlier, now he Isn't," Sevier said. "It's not the roll he.