Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 77

Asbury Park Nov. 1 1 1 984 C5 Jets will have mew faces inn secondary Joe adelizzi Bears are jtoo much for Rams knows how to help the other guys, so it's not as much of a burden on me. George and 'Davlin held their own against two pretty good receivers (Miami). But if somebody else goes down that will become difficult" There's nothing good about injuries, but at. least the decimated secondary is going against the Colts, ranked 27th in passing in the league.

However there's no sigh of relief at all from Jets coach Joe Walton. "We played the Colts the last three times and scored 14, 10, and 16 points on offense," said Walton, whose Jets beat the Colts, 23-14 in the season opener. "They have played us tough. It's still a rivalry. They seem to rise to the occassion.

You can call it coaches rhetoric, but it's there in the facts." But still, the Jets are fortunate not to be going against a better passing team. "If we were an exceptionally good passing team then it would be a factor," ssNd Colts coach Frank Kush said. "Unfortunately their problems don't fit in with our offense. It's not an advan A 'if rjl pi 'P 4V, I big game for the Jets in their season-opening Associated Press victory over the Colts. I he running game is alive and well.

I Those who predicted the demise of Jthe ground attack have been silenced. Jin the NFL, it is again the time for the runners. And in Anaheim today, perhaps the game's two best ground gainers will be agoing head-to-head when the Chicago jBears take on the It promises to be old-time football. Two ball control offensive attacks going Jagainst two rugged defenses with one of the teams, the Rams, playing to stay 'alive in the playoff picture. Those dreams, however, may be dimmed against these Bears who have tbrought back memories of George Monsters of the Midway days.

The Bears go into today's contest fwithout their starting quarterback, Jim "McMahan, who was injured while the I Bears were taking the L.A. Raiders japart last week. That shouldn't be enough to stop Mike Ditka's defense from dominating the game. The Bears have Payton to run and Otis Wilson to knock out opposing Iquarterbacks (he's KO'd three in the last two weeks). The Rams are a difficult team to Jguage.

Two weeks ago they fell apart against the San Francisco 49ers, losing 33-0. Last week they shut out the high-! flying St. Louis Cardinals in the second 'half and won 16-13. The Denver Broncos, meanwhile, ust keep finding ways to win. That Jvery well should be the case today against the San Diego Chargers, a once- tproua team inai nas oeen nara nit oy 'injuries and the thought of not making Jthe playoffs.

The Broncos, another team that is living on defense in the NFL, should be 'able to get their offense in high gear against the Chargers and walk away with their 10th victory in 11 tries. 'Last Week: 8-6 Season: 74-64 Last week's bets: 0-2 Bets for season: 10-102 Pool: $875 This week's bets: 10 times ($50) on Broncos giving 1 point. 10 times on Bears taking 2 points. Here are this week's picks: Buffalo at New England: Patriots get a chance to roll score up at home against the hapless Bills. That's what they'll do.

PICK: New England giving 13 Vi points. Indianapolis at Jets: Jets can't afford to let this game slip away. Colts are heading in the wrong direction. PICK: Jets giving 9 points. Detroit at Washington: Redskins still like that home cooking while the Lions are days away from getting a new By WENDY CRUBOW Press Staff Writer I the span of a tew weeks, George Floyd went from injured reserve to being a reserve for the injured to being a starter at right corner.

Nothing like easing into a position. But there was just no time. Three starters in the Jets' secondary cor-nerbacks Russell Carter and Johnny Lynn, suffered sprained ankles and free safety Darrol Ray sprained his foot went down in last week's game against Miami. Floyd came in and took over for Carter at right corner, which is where he'll start today when the 6-4 Jets host the 3-7 Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. at Giants Stadium (Channel 4).

"I've been practicing with the team and I know the system," Floyd said. "I'm a little nervous, but you just have to go out and play. You re going to make mistakes. I feel some pressure, but we have to hang in and do the job." Floyd will have the job for a few weeks. Carter's ankle injury is the most serious of the three.

Lynn and Ray are listed as doubtful, though there is a slight, very slight possibility they might be available for some action. Davlin Mullen will start at left comer while Ken Schroy will start at free safety. Linebacker-turned-defensive back Bobby Bell will see action in the nickel. Floyd knows all too well the frustration of being injured. The 1982 fourth round draft pick from Eastern Kentucky suffered a knee injury in the final preseason game last year, underwent arthroscopic surgery and was on injured reserve for the entire season.

This year, he didn't even make it that far, spraining his knee in mini-camp, again requiring arthroscopic surgery. "It's really a challenge," Floyd said. "I just figured when I came back I'd play nickel and dime. But we have guys hurt and you just go out and do your best." Strong safety Kirk Springs is the only regular starting defensive back healthy. But he's not all that concerned.

"Those guys have been here," Springs said. "Davlin's been here two years, George has been here for three years." And Schroy, who was replaced by Springs at strong safety is a nine year vet. "Everybody knows the system. Ken This Week In The PITTSBURGH AT CINCINNATI TV None. Sunday, 1 p.m.

Latest line Stealers by 1. Significant Injuries Steelers: QB David Woodley, leg; OT Steve August, knee. Bengals: LB Rick Razzano, foot; CB Ray Horton. neck; WR Mike Martin, neck. Outlook Cincy general manager Paul Brown feels the Bengals (3-7) are due to win a big one.

"I don't know why we're having trouble winning," Brown said. "Don't blame it on the quarterback. Kenny Anderson has been playing really well despite all the abuse his body has taken." Anderson had a late bid for victory thwarted by an interception in the Bengals' 23-17 loss at San Francisco. The Bengals rolled up 263 first-half yards but made only five first downs in the second half. DALLAS AT ST.

LOUIS TV Channel 10, Sunday, 4 p.m. Latest line Cardinals by 44. Significant injuries Cowboys; QB Danny White, left shoulder sprain; DE Ed Jones, knee; Cardinals: DT Mark Duda, dislocated kneecap (out 6-8 weeks); DE Al Baker, ankle; RB Stump Mitcbell, ankle. Outlook Here's one way to bust up a four-way tie for the division lead in the NFC East: Match two of the leaders. The Cardinals haven't beaten the Cowboys twice in the same season since 1970.

St. Louis beat the Cowboys 31-20 earlier hi Dallas. The Cowboys have been unable to spring Tony Dorsett for big yardage and coach Tom Landry has been playing musical chairs at QB with White and Gary Hogeboom. Hogeboom starts this game because of White's injury. tage.

Now if you get (Joe) Klecko and (Mark) Gastineau out then I'd say maybe that would help." Both Klecko and Gastineau, who leads the league with 17'2 sacks, are healthy. And they'll be going against a team that has allowed 37 sacks, the second most in the league. "My big worry is getting enough time with their great defensive line," said Colt quarterback Mike Pagel. Pagel, who has been hampered with a sprained thumb and didn't start last week is expected to start. Kush won't make a final decision until game time.

If it isn't Pagel than Mark Hermmann, who started last week and threw four interceptions, will play. Kush also has the option of going with Art Schlichster who has seen little action this season. The uncertainly at signal caller has made preparing a little more difficult for the Jets. "It makes it a little tougher especially when the secondary is so shaky," Walton said. "Herrmann is more of a passer.

Pagel threw well against us, but he's more of a scrambler." Pagel runs well. In fact, he's the third leading rusher on the Colts with 23 carries for 131 yards. The Colts rushing game had been their strength. Three weeks ago, they led the AFC, but have dropped to INDIANAPOLIS AT JETS TV Channel 4. Sunday, 1 p.m.

Latest line Jets by 9. Significant injuries Colts: CB James Burroughs, ankle; Jets: DB Feranza Burgess, neck; DT Marty Lyons, ankle; CB Russell Carter, ankle; CB Johnny Lynn, ankle; FS Darrol Ray, foot, Outlook The Jets could get healthy this week. They need a bit of a tonic after being knocked around by undefeated Miami 31-17. The Jets (6-4) opened the season in the Hoosier Dome with a 23-14 win over the Colts and have come a long way since then. Playing at home, against the mediocre Colts (3-7), the Jets should be able to live up to all those rave notices the New York media heaps upon them.

Colts' QB Mark Herrmann was intercepted four times in a 38-10 loss to San Diego last Sunday. LA. RAIDERS AT SEATTLE TV Channel 6,7. Monday, 9 p.m. Latest line Seahawks by 34.

Significant injuries Raiders: QB Marc Wilson, right thumb; QB David Humm, knee (out, injured reserve); Don Mosebar, back. Seahawks: Edwin Bailey, knee (out at least 2 weeks, arthroscopic surgery). Outlook The Raiders' medical report is grim and voluminous after Sunday's losing brawl with the Bears. "The plane ride home was depressing," said Al LoCasale, senior aide to owner Al Davis. The wounded Raiders (7-3) are lucky they have an extra day to get ready for the Seahawks (8-2).

QB Jim Plunkett may come back from injured reserve earlier than planned. Plunkett has been throwing but hasn't had contact. Free agent Jerry Golsteyn has signed on as a backup to Wilson. DENVER AT SAN DIEGO TV Channel 3. Sunday, 4 p.m.

Latest line Broncos by 1. Significant Injuries Broncos: TE John Sawyer, knee; Keith Bishop, arch. Chargers: TE Eric Sievers, knee; TE Pete Holohan, ankle; CB Danny Walters, ankle. Outlook For the first time since 1981, the Broncos (9-1) are all alone in first place in the AFC West. The Chargers (5-5) must win to keep their remote playoff hopes alive.

They're bolstered by the return of WR Wes Chandler, who caught a TD pass last week against Indianapolis and takes the pressure off Charlie Joiner. The Broncos have scored 211 points, and 109 of them relate directly to 43 turnovers forced by the defense. Running back Freeman McNeil had a fourth. That decline can be traced to injuries. Last week they gained just 90 yards againt San Diego.

Curtis Dickey (115-482) is slowed by a knee he strained four weeks ago against Washington. Fullback Randy McMillan leads the rushers with 110 carries for 487 yards. The biggest injury to the Colts running game was the loss of left guard Chris Hinton, who broke his leg, also in the Washington game. The Colts have had plenty of injuries on their home Astroturf. Sixteen to be exact, many of them ankle ailments GIANTS AT TAMPA BAY TV Channel 2.

Sunday, 4 p.m. Latest line Giants by 3. Significant Injuries Buccaneers: LB Hugh Green, thigh; LB Danny Spradlin, calf. Giants: DE Curtis McGriff, back. Outlook While the Buccaneers are out on the field in Tampa Stadium with all those orange T-shirts and blazers in the background, they'll be sneaking one of their final looks on the sideline at dapper John McKay, the man who has coached them since their inception eight years ago.

McKay, who announced he will step down or up after the season to the club presidency, said he felt the Bucs were only "one play away" from winning five more games this season and carrying an 8-2 record rather than 3-7. Giants have been making like a playoff team the last two weeks with wins over Washington and Dallas. CHICAGO at LA. RAMS TV None, Sunday 4 p.m. Latest line Rams by 3.

Significant injuries Bears: QB Jim McMahon. lacerated kidney (out indefinitely); DT Dan Hampton, elbow; CB Leslie Frazier, foot (out). Rams: LB George Andrews, knee. Outlook The only two NFL teams with more rushing than passing yardage collide in Anaheim. That means Walter Payton vs.

Eric Dickerson. Both clubs will start backup quarterbacks, although Jeff Kemp has become virtually a Ram regular in relief of ailing Vince Ferragamo. Steve Fuller makes his first start as McMahon's stand-in, which makes Payton's task and that of the Bear defense all the more critical. Kemp had better beware; the Bears have 20 sacks in the last two games. DETROIT AT WASHINGTON TV None.

Sunday, 1 p.m. Latest line Redskins by 10. Significant injuries Lions: Amos Fowler, ankle; OG Homer Elias, stomach muscle; TE Rob Rubick, wrist; Don Greco, calf. Redskins: TE Don Warren, thigh; RB Joe Washington, leg; RB Otis Wonsley. ankle.

Outlook The Redskins held Billy Sims to 18 yards in five carries last year when Sims and the Lions invaded RFK Stadium. This year, the Redskins won't have to worry at all about the injured Sims, and probably aren't fretting unduly about any of Sims' teammates. Washington's biggest danger in this obvious mismatch is complacency. The Redskins (6-4) are one of four teams locked in a tie for the NFC East lead. Detroit is 3-6-1 in the NFC Central after last week's tie with Philadelphia.

for a couple of games in a row." Colts punter Rohn Stark leads the league in punting with a 47.2 average The Colts have given up 1 1 1 points in the second period, more than twice as many as any other quarter. CB Bobby Jackson, on injured reserve with a pulled hamstring: "I'm trying to heal faster. I'll play Sunday if they let me line up 20 yards deep." Jet RB Freeman McNeil recorded his sixth 100-yard plus day of the season last He continues to lead the AFC in rushing with 843 yards, surpassing his pervious single season of 786 in 1982. SAN FRANCISCO AT CLEVELAND TV None. Sunday, 1 p.m.

Latest line 49ers by 64. Significant injuries 49ers: WR Mike Wilson, knee. Browns: SS Don Rogers, shoulder; CB Frank Minnifield, leg. Outlook The Browns beat Buffalo 13-10 to end their five-game losing streak, but Cleveland coach Marty Schottenheimer says it was no fluke. "I would call it a combination of good fortune and great effort on the part of Earnest Byner and Willis Adams," Schottenheimer said.

The Browns trailed 10-6 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Paul McDonald threw a short pass to wide receiver Adams, who fumbled. Byner, a fullback who was trailing the play, picked up the ball, stumbled, then ran 55 yards to score. NEW ORLEANS AT ATLANTA TV None. Sunday, 1 p.m. Latest line Falcons by 1.

Significant Injuries Falcons: QB Steve Bartkowski, sprained knee (out); OT Eric Sanders, sprained knee (out); Jeff Van Note, finger; Saints: Joel Hilgenberg, elbow; LB Jim Kovach, knee; OT Chris Ward, ankle; TE John Tice, foot. Outlook Saints coach Bum Phillips believes he has the best backfield in the NFL. Both George Rogers and Earl Campbell think the coach is half right. Rogers and Campbell don't particularly like having each other hanging around, but neither is in a position to do anything about it. This game matches two teams in need of revival.

The Falcons (3-7) want to break a four-game losing streak. The Saints (4-6) expected a playoff season but are five games behind the 49ers in the NFC West. MINNESOTA VS. GREEN BAY TV None. Sunday, 1 p.m.

in Milwaukee. Latest line Packers by 64. Significant injuries Packers: OT Greg Koch, back; Vikings: DE Mark Mullaney, neck; DE Doug Martin, knee. Outlook After a slow start, the Packer offense is starting to roll. QB Lynn Dickey finally is being well protected by the offensive line.

"We're making fewer mental mistakes," coach Forrest Gregg says. Gregg admits he made a mistake in trading kicker Jan Stenerud to the Vikings before the season. Viking QB Tommy Kramer is throwing lightly in practice, but isn't ready to expose his ailing shoulder to contact. So Wade Wilson starts again, with Archie Manning, also hurting, on the sideline. many in that Washington game including cornerback James Burroughs, who was placed on injured reserve Friday.

The Colts defense, ranked 27th in the league was having enough problems, but perhaps will be helped strong safety Larry Anderson, activated this week. "The turf is sticky, causing guys to catch ankles and knees," Pagel said. "We were going good for a while. Then came the injuries. We have the potential to have a good offense if everybody stays healthy PHILADELPHIA AT MIAMI TV: Channel 10.

Sunday, 1 p.m. Latest line Dolphins by 144. Significant injuries Dolphins: DE Mike Charles, bruised knee; CB Don McNeal, bruised knee; FB Woody Bennett, ankle; RB Eddie Hill, ankle; LB Ron Hester, knee (out). Eagles: OL Gerry Feehery, knee. Outlook The Jets put up the best fight of any Dolphin opponent this season, taking the lead twice before succumbing 31-17.

Coach Don Shula was elated after watching the Dolphins protect their unbeaten status while hiking their record to 10-0. Philly coach Marion Campbell projects the Eagles will have to score at least 30 points to beat the rampaging Dolphins. The Eagles (4-5) are the only team in the NFC East that doesn't own a temporary share of first place. BUFFAV0 AT NEW ENGLAND TV None. Sunday, 1 p.m.

Latest line Patriots by 134. Significant injuries Patriots: CB Ernest Gibson, ankle; WR Irving Fryar, shoulder; LB Brian Ingram, hamstring. Bills: QB Joe Dufek, knee. Outlook How bad are the Buffalo Bills? Well, as Johnny Carson would say with a smirk, the Bills are so bad that not even the coaches' wives want to watch the games. So bad that a Rochester travel agent couldn't get rid of Bills seats he had purchased in advance without guaranteeing a Buffalo victory (he lost).

The hapless Bills (0-10) haven't scored an offensive touchdown in three weeks, even with quarterback Joe Ferguson back in the lineup. Buffalo's big hope is tc exploit the Patriots' left cornerback spot, which is weak. HOUSTON AT KANSAS CITY TV None. Sunday, 1 p.m. Latest line Chiefs by 134.

Significant Injuries Chiefs: QB Bill Kenney. shoulder, elbow: OT Matt Herkenhoff, arm; Bob Rush, back spasms. Oilers: OT Dean Steinkuhler, knee (out. arthroscopic surgery); PK Florian Kempf, back. Outlook The Oilers' dismal statistics continue to mount.

Latest update: Houston (0-10) has an 11 -game losing streak dating back to last year's closing 20-10 loss in the Colts' last game in Baltimore. The Oilers have dropped 31 of their last 33 games. They rank last in the AFC in defense and third from last in offense. The most recent Oiler atrocity was a 35-7 loss to Pittsburgh. And to top it all off, the Oilers are losing ugly.

Kansas City is 5-5 in the AFC West after a 45-0 beating at Seattle. coach. PICK: Washington giving 9 points. Houston at Kansas City: At last the Chiefs can get healthy. The Oilers have failed every week why should things "change now? PICK: Kansas City giving 13 Vi points.

Minnesota vs. Green Bay: Packers may have started too late to make playoffs but they are about to make a bunch of fans in Milwaukee happy this week and teams in the NFL miserable for the rest of this season. PICK: Green Bay giving 6 Vi points. New Orleans at Atlanta: Saints have to start winning games sometime. What better place for Bum to start than in Atlanta against the wingless Falcons.

PICK: New Orleans taking 1 point. Philadelphia at Miami: Eagles get a chance to check out a warm-weather site. With thoughts of Arizona dancing in their heads they'll have little chance against Dan Marino and company. PICK: Miami giving 14 points. Pittsburgh at Cincinnati: Bengals have a habit of playing Pittsburgh tough at home.

If Bengals have any dreams of playoffs they'll have to start winning today. PICK: Cincinnati taking 1 point. San Francisco at Cleveland: Browns finally won a close one last week and their defense can keep any team in check. Just a hunch that the Browns luck is about to change. PICK: Cleveland taking 6 points.

Chicago at L.A. Rams: Defense vs. defense and Dickerson vs. Payton promises to make this an "old-time" football game. In old times you always took the Bears.

PICK: Chicago taking 2 points. Dallas at St. Louis: Have the Cowboys sunk to such depths that they are the pushovers in the NFC East? It sure looks that way and today's loss will make it official. PICK: St Louis giving 4 points. Denver at San Diego: Broncos always find a way to win these days.

This week the way may be scoring points against the Chargers defense. PICK: Denver giving 1 point Giants at Tampa Bay: Can the Giants let all the good get away by losing in Tampa Bay? Will the defense itop James Wilder? Will they keep pace in the NFC East? No. Yes, Yes. PICK: Giants giving 2 Vt points. LA.

Raiders at Seattle: The Raiders getting points in a Monday Night game? That's too good to pass up despite the lack of a quarterback and the prospect of a strong opponent 'PICK: Raiders taking 3 points. Adelizzi is The Press sports editor. His column appears on Sunday..