Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 69

rHA5 rTOOURIERP i THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1985 3E PRO FOOTBALL Eagles have to untrack 'Little Train Eagles, and James went about carving a niche for himself among the illustrious cast of characters in the San Diego offense. San Diego's wide-open passing attack has been perfectly suited to a player of James' skills. Hisspeed, hands and elusiveness in the open field make him an ideal weapon in an offense that tries to spread the field and includes players like Chandler, Winslow and Joiner, who demand the attention of a defense. "Our offense is a skill position players' dream," James said. "It's wide open, it's like playing in the backyard and drawing up plays in the sand.

But it's more organized." James has made the most of the Chargers' offensive scheme. He gained 290 combined yards against Seattle and 316 yards against Cincinnati and racked up an incredible 345 yards the second-highest single-game total in league history as well as scoring the winning touchdown in a victory over the Los Angeles Raiders. James needs 269 combined yards to break Terry Metcalf's single-season record. He needs only two receiving yards to pass Lenny Moore's record for running backs. "When I go on the field, I'm as big as the other guy," James said.

"I never pay attention to the size of the other guy. You have to believe in yourself listen to what other people tell you, and find things out for The relatively low draft position (two selections earlier, the Eagles picked running back Andre Hardy) was another indicationof the doubts that have accompanied James through his football career. In high school, in college, and in the professional ranks, there always has been someone a coach, a scout, a teammate, an opponent who thought James was too small, and said so. "It has been a motivating force," James said. "To prove to myself and to prove to others that I could play.

I've learned to leave the doubts of my mind. I've ha to deal ith it at every level of football I've ever played. But I've always believed in myself." The doubts arose again in training camp this season. The Chargers were actively purusing two USFL running backs, Tim Spencer and Gary Anderson. Moreover, the reduction of roster sizes froim 4 9 to 4 5 meant many teams were unable carry strict return specialists, and James had been nothing more than that in 1984.

"I was really scared," James going into training camp, I was working at both running back and wide receiver. I felt the year before I hadn't proven myself either as a running back or return man. But the more I could do, the better my chances were of making the team." James' fears were unfounded. The Chargers cleared roster space in part by trading leading rusher Earnest Jackson to the and two-game winning streak into the matchup against the 6-8 Eagles. "It's not really hard in our offense to rack up a lot of yards," James said.

"There are a lot of people who can make big plays, a lot of peoplethatdefenseshavetoworryabouUt's very easy for individuals to have big days." San Diego has the most prolific offense in the NFL, rankingf irst in yardage(399), passing yardage (300.4) and points (29.5) per game. The Chargers have scored 30 more touchdowns than the Eagles(54to24)andare averaging 39 points per game over the last five weeks. Their offensive lineup reads like a Who's Fouts. Tight end Kellen Winslow. Wide receivers Wes Chandler and Charlie Joiner.

RunningbacksTimSpencer, Gary Anderson and last, but not least, Lionel James. "We knew he'd be good but we never thought he'd be this good," assistant head coach Ernie Zampese has said of James. "He's given us an added dimension. He's just unbelievable." The Chargers were looking for a return specialist when they drafted James in the fifth round of the 1984 draft. James had a distinguished but unspectacular career at Auburn, where oneof his primary duties was blocking out of the wishbone offense for then-sophomore Bo Jackson, this season's Heisman Trophy winner.

By PHIL ANASTASIA Of the Courier-Post PHILADELPHIA Lionel James' small stature has not stopped him from making short work of opposing defenses. At 5-6, James is the shortest player in the National Football League. But the man nicknamed "Little Train" is on track to become the biggest producer of combined yardage in a single season in the history of the league. "There are not many players like Lionel James," San Diego Coach Don Coryell said yesterday by telephoneconf erence call. "No question, for an exception in our minds.

Maybe not with some other teams, but in our minds." James is the Chargers' Little Big Man. James has been the single most productive player in the NFL this season, and his unique combination of rushing, receiving and returning skills will be on display when the Chargers host the Eagles Sunday (4 p.m., Channel 10) in an inter-conference game in Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego. James leads the NFL in combined yards with 2,194, an average of 1 56.7 per game. He is second in the league with 75 receptions, good for 937 yards. He has 92 rushing attempts for 470 yards.

He has returned 21 punts for 185 yards and he has returned 27 kickof fs for another 602 yards. "He's what we've been hoping for," said Coryell, whose team will take a 7-7 record n.T- SIDELINES Packers sign Ferragamo The Green Bay Packers have signed veteran quarterback Vince Ferragamo to a one-year contract, the National Football League team said yesterday. Ferragamo, 31, who was traded by the Los Angeles Rams in July to Buffalo, reported to Green Bay yesterday morning, Packers coach Forrest Gregg said. The Bills released Ferragamo a week ago. Ferragamo was a fourth-round draft choice in 1977 by the Rams and during his seven years there he completed 730 of 1,288 pass attempts for 9,376 yards and 70 touchdowns.

He threw 71 interceptions. He started the first nine games of the season for Buffalo, completing 149 of 287 pass attempts for 1,677 yards and five touchdowns. He had 17 interceptions. Sutter to undergo surgery Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Bruce Sutter is scheduled to undergo surgery today on his right shoulder. Sutter has a pinched nerve in his right shoulder, which bothered the right-handed pitcher during the 1985 season.

Doctors originally prescribed rest, but the shoulder did not respond as hoped and the surgery was ordered. A Braves spokesman said Sutter is expected to be available to pitch on opening day. 'Blue Moon' Odom arrested Former All-Star major league pitcher John Lee 'Blue Moon' Odom was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail yesterday in Fountain Valley, after a six-hour standoff with police, who said he had threatened to shoot his wife. Arraignment on a charge of felony assault was scheduled for today. Odom, 40, pitched for the Oakland A's from 1968 to 1975 and was named to the American League All-Star team in 1968 and 1969.

Police were called to his apartment about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. They found Odom holding his wife at gunpoint with a shotgun and threatening to kill her, said Fountain Valley police Sgt. Norm Satterield. His wife was released unharmed about 30 minutes later, and special weapons and hostage negotiation teams began talking to Odom on the telephone, Satterfield said.

Three hours later, Odom cut off negotiations. About 1:30 a.m., police lobbed four tear-gas canisters into the apartment. Satterfield said Odom surrendered immediately. Stolz coach at San Diego State Denny Stolz, coach of the undefeated Bowling Green eleven, was named football coach at San Diego State yesterday, replacing the fired Doug Scovil. Stolz has been coach of the year in the Big Ten and Mid-American conferences.

His current team is in Fresno, preparing for Saturday's California Bowl game against Fresno State. Bowling Green won the Mid-American Conference and Fresno State won the Pacific Coast Athletic Association this year. Stolz, 51, coached at Michigan State from 1973 to 1975 before taking the Bowling Green position in 1977. His record over nine seasons there is 56-44-1, including 14 consecutivive wins dating to the 1984 season. His overall coaching record is 109-73-2.

Southern Cal on probation The Pacific-10 Conference has placed the University of Southern California football team on probation for two years and cut the number of scholarships the football program can offer. But the action will not affect the Trojans' eligibility for post-season games or television of their games. In another action, the conference put Arizona State's basketball program on probation for one year, and will not allow the Sun Devils to grant new scholarships in that sport during the year. ICE HOCKEY Oilers, Chicago tie mark Associated Press Space walk New York Rangers winger Kelly Miller heads for a crash landing after tangling with Pat Verbeek of the New Jersey Devils. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Eagles' lineup the same Continued from Page 1E weeks of the regular season with a neck injury and has played only special teams since joining the active roster.

Drake is a 300-pound nose tackle who has played only in goal-line defensive situations. Other young players who might benefit from more playing time include wide receiver Keith Baker, corner-back Elbert Foules, and running back Herman Hunter, who has carried the football only 28 times. BUT CAMPBELL thinks it's important that the Eagles win their final two games, and not only because of his own tenuous job security. Campbell thinks the players in the starting lineup deserve to play the final two games, and that a pair of victories would send the team into the off-season with an immense measure of confidence and momentum. "Hell, we've already got a young football team with our starting football team," Campbell said.

"They've got to continue to grow, to make themselves better. We may let some people play some, but there will be no changes in the lineup." EAGLE EYES Diminutive San Diego running back Lionel James on his blocking skills: "The way 1 look at blocking is that if I can put 175 pounds on somebody's legs, I have the advantage. I don't think anybody's legs weigh maybe the Ref rigarator's" Of the Chargers' 45 active players, 21 were not on the roster last season and seven played in the USFL. "Def en-sively, we're brand new," Coach Don Coryell said. "We drafted five defensive backs, and all five are playing.

Our six defensive linemen have a total of five years experience" Eagles place-kicker Paul MiFadden leads the league in field goal accuracy (21-for-24, 87.5 percent) and needs only to make his next attempt to tie Lou Groza as the third most accurate single-season kicker in NFL history The Eagles rank last in the NFC and 25th in the league in takeawaygiveaway ration with minus 8. The Eagles have 26 takeaways (16 interceptions, 10 recovered fumbles) and 34 giveaways (23 interceptions, 1 1 lost fumbles) The Eagles' injury list: linebacker Rich Kraynak (calf), nose tackle Ken Clarke (shoulder) and offensive tackle Leonard Mitchell (thumb) are "questionable" and linebacker Joel Williams(hamstring), cor-nerback Andre Waters (lower leg), linebacker Anthony Griggs (calf), defensive end Greg Brown (knee) and punt returner Evan Cooper (ribs) are "probable." No interest in merger DALLAS (AP) National Football League owners approved yesterday a resolution avowing that the NFL has no interest in merging with the United States Football League or settling the USFL's $1.2 billion antitrust suit against it. The resolution, which NFL spokesman Joe Browne said was in response to continuing rumors of mergers, was approved at a meetingcalled to discuss revenue-sharing by 27 of the NFL's 28 teams. The 28th team, the Los Angeles Raiders, are not named in the USFL's lawsuit and did not vote. Kansas coach in line at Pitt; Penn's Berndt turned down Associated Press "I thought there was a full moon out tonight," said Edmonton coach Glen Sather after his Oilers skated to a 12-9 triumph over the Chicago Black Hawks in "one of the weirdest hockey games of my life." "And when you think we tied a record for most goals ever scored in a National Hockey League game, it makes you wonder even more whether strange creatures may have been lurking outside the Stadium." The Montreal Canadiens beat the Toronto St.

Pat's 14-7 on Jan. 10, 1920 to establish the mark tied by Edmonton and Chicago. Not even Wayne Gretzky's NHL record-tying seven assists and the most points ever scored in an NHL contest could prevent Sather from singing the Blues. "After we took a 6-0 lead in the second period, we wanted to make it 10-0," said Sather. "But because of our style of play, the Hawks were able to almost catch up, and that made me very upset." But Gretzky took it all in stride.

"A lot of teams think they can outs-kate us," he said. "We do make mistakes, (but) we always seem to save something and know that we can come back." As for his seven assists he first did it on Feb. 15, 1980 against Washington Gretzky said, "With Glenn Anderson and Jari Kurri as my wingers, it's a lot of fun setting them up, and tonight was a bigger thrill because those guys scored three goals apiece." Anderson's 21st goal of the year ignited a four-goal first period for the Oilers. The 62 points by both teams set a National Hockey League record for most points in a game. The previous high of 53 was set on Feb.

22,1981 when Quebec beat Washington 11-7. The Black Hawks suffered their fourth consecutive loss and dropped into a second-place tie with Minnesota in the Norris Division. Gretzky's seven assists gave the NHL's top scorer 74 points for the season. Anderson, who collected his 13th career hat trick, had three assists. Kurri also collected a hat trick, giving him 22 goals for the year.

Toronto 6, St. Louis 4: Second-period goals by Bob McGill, Miroslav Frycer and Al Iaf rate lifted the Maple Leafs to victory and out of the Norris Division basement. N.Y. Rangers 4, New Jersey 2: Tom Laidlaw, Mike Ridley and Mark Pave-lich scored consecutive goals to lead the Rangers in snapping the Devils' three-game winning streak. Minnesota 10, Detroit 2: Brian Bellows scored four goals, Scott Bjugstad three and Keith Acton a pair to lead the North Stars.

Montreal 3, Hartford 1: The Canadiens won on goals by Bob Gainey, Mats Naslund and Chris Nilan to move into a tie for second place in the tight Adams Division. N.Y. Islanders 4, Pittsburgh 4: Mike Bullard scored his second goal of the game midway through the third period to give the Penguins a tie. Winnipeg 6, Vancouver 3: Laurie Boschman scored two goals to pace the Jets. Blazers' Carr has surgery Six-foot-7 forward Kenny Carr underwent arthroscopic surgery to his right knee yesterday and will not be able to play for at least three weeks, says John White, Portland Trail Blazer spokesman.

Team physician Robert D. Cook found a small cartilage tear in Carr's knee, White said, adding that the team had no immediate plans to replace Carr. Carr had been leading the Trail Blazers in rebounds with 8.7 per game. A starter, he was averaging 11 points per game. Yukica sues to keep job With Joe Paterno and Jack Bicknell among those lined up with him, football coach Joe Yukica is ready to make an unusual goal line stand to keep his job at Dartmouth College.

Yukica, who was fired Nov. 29 after eight seasons at the Ivy League school, has sued Athletic Director Ted Leland, hoping for a court decision that would allow him to continue as coach for the 1 years left on his contract. A hearing has been set for tomorrow in Haverill, and Yukica has enlisted old friends Joe Paterno, coach of Penn State's top-ranked college football team, and Coach Jack Bicknell of Boston College to testify. Former Dartmouth coach Bob Blackman, who later coached at Illinois and Cornell before retiring, also is to testify for Yukica. HENRY QUINTON TELEVISION lcHockey- PRISM-Canadiens at Flyers, 7:30 Pro Baskatbsll 17-Sixers at Bulls, 8:30 Collg Basketball WGN-DePaul at Houston, 8:30 "Pitt has had serious discussions with other people," O'Brien said.

"It's like the Miss America contest, where they starting counting down the candidates: 5-4-3-2-1. (Jones) was one of the candidates, but not the only one." Jones also didn't say whether a firm offer was made. "I sincerely appreciate the interest shown by the University of Pittsburgh and the first-class manner in which Dr. Ed Bozik treated me," Jones said in a statement. "I do feel, however, it's in my best interest to stay at Oklahoma State and lead this program." There was speculation that Gottfried has emerged as the top candidate because of the timing of his meeting with Bozik.

Gottfried has a 1 5-18-1 record in three seasons at Kansas, including a 6-6 record this season. "He's a great coach and a great person. He'll do anything for you," said Kansas offensive guard Bob Pieper. Gottfried has a 49-39-2 college coaching record after beginning his career at two Ohio high schools, Roseville and Norwalk St. Paul.

"He is an outstanding coach," said Gil Brandt, player personnel director of the Dallas Cowboys. "He is the type of guy everyone is going to be proud of. He's the type of coach who grows on you." Several Kansas players recently told the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World that they hoped speculation that Gottfried would leave doesn't turn out to be true. "Hesaid he'd be here until we graduated and we believe him," said defensive back Jamey Stein-hauser. "I hate to think about it.

I love the guy He's been a big influence on my life. I just hope and pray he stays here," said free safety Wayne Ziegler. Fazio was fired with three years remaining on his contract after Pitt's second consecutive non-winning season. He was 25-18-3 in four seasons after replacing Jackie Sherrill, now at Texas AiM. PITTSBURGH (AP) The University of Pittsburgh may have neared the end to its 2Vt -week search for a successor to ousted football coach Foge Fazio as University of Kansas Coach Mike Gottfried, a former Big Eight coach of the year, met with Pitt of icials.

Pitt Athletic Director Ed Bozik, who met yesterday afternoon with Gottfried, said "there is no timetable, no deadline" and the Panthers' only concern "is to get the best football coach for the University of Pittsburgh." Bozik said Pitt plans to hire a successful coach on the NCAA Division I-A level and O'Brien compared the search to "executive head-hunting." Jim O'Brien, Pitt's sports information director, refused tospeculate on Fazio's successor, but said, "I'm hoping that we're close to naming a coach." Gottfried, former coach at Cincinnati and Murray State, huddled with Pitt officials several hours after Oklahoma State Coach Pat Jones announced he had agreed to a new eight-year contract and pay raise and was no longer interested in Pitt. Gottfried, 40, was the only coach to meet yesterday with Bozik, according to a Pitt official who did not want to be named. Another known candidate is Furman University Coach Dick Sheridan. PennCoach Jerry Berndt had been a candidate, but Berndt said he was told by Pitt Associate Athletic Director Dean Billick yesterday that he was no longer being considered "because of a lack of (Division) I-A experience." Jones, 38 and a former Pitt assistant, met twice last week with Bozik once in Pittsburgh and was regarded as the top candidate to succeed Fazio, who was fired Nov. 25 after a 5-5-1 season.

Pitt officials refused to say whether Jones was offered the job, although Oklahoma State Athletic Director Myron Roderick said he was. Bozik told Pitt players Tuesday that no offer had been extended to any coach. 4'.