The Kerrville Times from Kerrville, Texas • Page 9

Sports iKcmtiUe ilailiT GJtwrii Friday, August 17, 1990 IB Players cut after tirade by Johnson LA JOLLA, Calif. (AP) Three reserves were cut by Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, who was livid over a lack of effort from his backup players this week. Receiver Jarrod Delaney, defensive tackle Anthony Spears and offensive tackle R.C. Mullin of Southwest Louisiana were waived Thursday, one day after Johnson's tirade. The Cowboys are practicing on the campus of Cal-San Diego as they continue to prepare for Saturday afternoon's exhibition game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

"I feel bad for our first-unit players," Johnson said. "They're trying to get better. Unfortunately, some of the bottom players on the 80-man roster can't execute well enough to give our first unit players a picture (of the Raiders' offense and defense). They're not putting forth the effort to simulate the opponent That gives us a false picture of what we'll see. "As I told them, they're eating and I want them to earn their chow.

I can find some people who'll give us an effort." Spears was among the Cowboys' league-high 16 Plan free agents, becoming the second Plan acquisition to be cut this week. Safety Antonio Gibson was waived on Monday. We didn't come away from Plan thinking every guy we signed was going to make the roster," Johnson said. In another camp development, quarterback Troy Aikman had his sore right elbow examined by Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe on Wednesday.

Aikman said the exam was strictly precautionary and that the soreness he has experienced in the elbow is natural after throwing as many as 200 balls a day for a month of camp. Also, the Cowboys on Wednesday worked out all-time team rushing leader Tony Dorsett at their Valley Ranch headquarters in Irving, Texas. Times Photos by Ken Schmidt THE FIRST HITS OF THE SEASON TOOK PLACE THIS MORNING Antlers will learn how to hit this coming week PADS WENT ON FOR THE FIRST TIME Dahse, left, helps Matthew Skowron Antlers get down to hitting business By CLIFF NEWELL Times Sports Editor Now that the Tivy Antlers have had their first week of practice, they are starting over. That's because pads went on for the first time this morning, and that is when a coach begins to really find out about his football team. "We're at the point in shorts where we can't go much further," said head coach Donnic Laurence.

"We have to start all over in pads. We'll start teaching how to hit instead of who to hit." The defense, which is seen as Tivy's biggest strongpoint this season, has drawn much praise after the first week of practice. "Rather than pick out one individual, I'd say our entire defense is as quick as it can be and strong, strong, strong," Laurence said. 'They know what to do and they play as a unit. I 'd have to say they're all pretty impressive.

"Before I start pointing out individuals, we've got to get them in pads and see who's making the tackles. But I've got a feeling this could be one of the best defensive teams we've ever had." On the offensive side, Laurence is pleased with the development of the passing attack with starting quarterback Dan Abel and backup Shawn Menchaca. "The quarterbacks are throwing the ball much, much better," Laurence said. "We've accomplishing everything we've set out to do." A plus for Tivy is the development of Menchaca, the jayvee starter last year. "Shawn has made a lot of improvement," Laurence said.

"I'm proud of his progress. His arm is getting better and better, and he's showing a lot of pride in his execution and the way he handles the ball. This is his first year on varsity, and we've thrown a lot more at him than he's ever had to take before." Tivy is in fine shape at running back with Blair Hunt and Yoncy Edmonds. Hunt was a jayvee sensation last year, and now he appears ready for big varsity success. Edmonds should have a banner season after making all-district at defensive back last year.

Laurence said, "Yoncy has it all down. He's as quick as ever and twice as strong." Laurence does admit to some Football silhouette Center Point High School football players are outlined against the sky at dusk near the end of practice on Wednesday. Area players have been working hard at two-a-day practices this week to get ready for the up- Tivy's Sweeten signs with TCU Tivy's standout pitcher David Sweeten has announced that he signet! a letier of intent today to ai- lend Texas Chrislian Universily. The signing with TCU climaxed a "crazy summer" for Sweeten in which he found it extremely difficult to pick the school he wanted. "Il was really crazy," Sweeten said.

"Since it all began, 1 was contacted by 14 differenl schools. The ones I was considering most were Houston, St. Edward's and Arkansas. seemed whenever I ihoughi I'd decided where 1 wanied to go I 'd be gelling a call from another school one minute bier. "I'm really glad 1 finally made the decision so I can get ready for school." Sweeten said the major factors in his choosing the Horned Frogs was the pitching knowledge of head coach Lance Brown and assistant Rob Stramp, TCU's high academics and the faci thai he should soon gel a chance to show his ability.

Texas Christian's team has 13 seniors, including eight pitchers. "My lime's coming," Sweeten said. "I'll be the only freshman player on scholarship." As for his chances of making ihe varsily squad as a freshman, Sweeten said, "I'll go to fall practice and iry to squeeze into the rotation. If I'm too far behind the other guys, they'll probably red- shirt me." The 6-3 righthander has not played much baseball this summer, preferring to rest his arm alter a strenuous season with the Antlers. "After I pitched all those innings, people told me it would be a good idea to lake a rest," he said.

"I've been keeping in shape with my workout program." Sweeten helped ihe Antlers make two straight trips to ihe state playoffs. He had an outstanding senior campaign this year with a 9-3 record, 1.85 earned run average and 86 strikeouts in 85 innings. He earned first learn all-district honors. He praised Tivy's former baseball coaches for his success in earning a scholarship. "1 wouldn't be where 1 am if it hadn't been for Dick Summers and Tom Ward," Sweeten said.

"They called a lot of schools and recommended me." questions about the offensive line, saying, "I wonder what's going to happen." Still, the play of returning starters Lee Secor and Adam Currie has been a highlight, and Laurence has been pleased by the development of big tackle Robert Mihatsch. Laurence described Mihatsch last year as "strong enough to knock a hole in the wind" but lacking in some areas. This year he could be a standout. "Last year Robert was 290 pounds, and how he's down to 255," Laurence said. "He's really gotten in good shape.

He's a very intelligent young man. When you tell him something once, he's got it" Laurence also likes the work of the tight ends. He calls the work habits of returning starter Louis Genovesi "50 times betlcr" this year Times Photo by Ken Schmidt coming season. Next week, teams will engage in contact work and get ready for their first scrimmages against outside opposition. limes Photo DAVID SWEETEN long summer and also praised the play of big newcomer Roy White.

The Antler boss says he will be extremely interested in how the team performs in its first scrimmage this afternoon at 5:45. "We want to be able to see what we need to work on as coaches," Laurence said. "We want to sec if we can protect our quarterback. If we can't keep him off his back, everything we've done isn't much good." Following the scrimmage, it will be a couple of well-deserved days of rest for the Antlers after a week of two-a-days. 'The kids are tired," Laurence said.

"We don't want to keep them going until they give out" Tivy will be setting its sight on its scrimmage at San Angelo Lakcvicw on Thursday. Cowboys, Raiders to meet Saturday LOS ANGELES (AP) Never known for making much of a commitment to excellence during the preseason, the Los Angeles Raiders shoot for their second straight victory Saturday when they meet the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff time at the Los Angeles Coliseum in the Raiders' first home game of the preseason is 1 p.m.PDT, The Raiders lost to New Orleans 17-10 in their preseason opener Aug. 5 before beating the defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers 23-13 at Candlestick Park last Saturday night While the Raiders were beating the 49ers, the Cowboys were losing to the San Diego Chargers 28-16 in the preseason opener for both of those teams. The Raiders were 0-4 last summer, giving them a 13-27 record in preseason games during the 1980s.

Their regular-season record the last 10 years is 89-63. The Raiders haven't won more than two games during a preseason since 1979 and have won as many as two games during a preseason just once since 1982. Under first-year coach Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys were 3-1 last summer including a 27-20 victory over the Raiders at the Coliseum. But as if to show how little preseason records usually mean, Dallas was 1-15 during the regular season while the Raiders were 8-8. "Winning is important any time you hit the field," Raiders coach Art Shell said.

"But the most important thing is to play well. When you win, it's an added plus. I was just happy we came out of the game (against the 49ers) with no serious injuries." As far as playing the Cowboys is concerned. Shell said, "It's going to be good work for us. They have an outstanding quarterback (Troy Aikman) who's capable of throwing the ball.

And they have speed." Aikman, starting his second NFL season, and Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder, starting his seventh, both played at UCLA. Both are expected to play about a half Saturday. Aikman completed nine of 14 passes for 141 yards and rushed twice for SI yards against the Chargers while Schroeder has completed 12of 29passes for 132 yards. Touted rookie George to start against Seattle (AP) After getting his feet wet in the NFL, Indianapolis quarterback Jeff George will dive in headfirst tonight. The highly-touted George, who made his pro football debut last weekend, will make his first start tonight in the Coils' exhibition game against Seattle.

"It was an exciting lime for me, but 1 was glad to gel that one over with," George said of his professional debut in last weekend 16-7 loss 10 Denver. In thai game, George compleied eight of 16 passes for 82 yards and no touchdowns in relief of Jack Trudeau. George ihrew iwo inierceplions. George, the No. 1 pick in the April draft by the Colls, is confident about his first NFL season.

"Football is football," he said. There'll always be people out there who are going to criticize you and wonder, 'Is he worth it or Bui you can'i put thai added pressure on yourself." George signed a SI5 million, six- year contract with the Colts, forgoing his senior year at Illinois. "He throws a strong, tight spiral, very similar to (Terry) Bradshaw," Indianapolis coach Ron Meyer said ol George. "That's saying a mouthful, I know, but we gave up half the ranch to get him. "He has a quick, dart throw, with a lot of velocity, that I really like.

We better like it, or you'll be talking to another guy." The Colts traded up to select first in this year's draft They sent six- lime Pro Bowl tackle Chris Hinton, wide receiver Andre Rison and the team's No. 1 draft pick in 1991 to Atlanta for the right to pick George. The Colls drafted quarterback Art Schlichter in the first round in 1982 and traded quarterback John Elway, their 1983 first-round pick, to Denver in moves thai have haunted their franchise. Their latest quarterback move was greeted with skepticism in Indianapolis, even though George is a former Indianapolis high school hero. "I think all of this conversalion (will cease) when we gel George on the field," Colts owner Robert Irsay said.

The Indianapolis-Seattle game is one of exhibitions tonight, kicking off a long weekend that also will feature games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. In to- nighi's other games, it's Buffalo at Detroit and Pittsburgh at Washington. Minnesota visits Cleveland on Sunday and San Francisco is ai Denver on Monday..