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South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 22

Location:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Issue Date:
Page:
22
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

6C Sun-Sentinel, Monday, July 27, 1987 FOOTBALL SUN OLO TANNING All Famala Staff 5 I 10 a.m.-midnight i I lO 782-9947 Of 'It's a do-or-die situation' for Sendlein DEPTH FINDER Shipp could be down to his last chance. The former first-round draft choice just hasn't panned out Inconsistency is a big problem with 0 mm i 50 fl UK V. IhWttt IM. In AfMtt Oh SMiM Gray 10001 OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS CTBlCft rwMStawH mfn 3 'Compound Cnw MdWoiMl 524-0606 Part 2 of a series examining the Dolphins offensive and defensive units looks at the linebackers. By BOB HILL StaffWritar MIAMI Life as a Dolphin linebacker hasn't been easy for Robin Sendlein.

First he was traded from Minnesota to Miami for the rights to wide receiver Anthony Carter in 1985. Carter, a native of Riviera Beach, quickly became a star while Sendlein became a part-time starter and a full-time scapegoat for a declining defense. Sendlein then spent the following offseason beefing up from 220 to 240 pounds, a move that caught the attention of the coaching staff. One week into what could have been a pivotal training camp for Sendlein, the former Texas Longhorn blew out his left knee and missed the 36 season. Sendlein spent the past offseason rehabilitating that knee and further strengthening his body.

His knee is fine. He was timed at 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash last week, which is slightly faster than he was timed before the injury. Yet Sendlein's job could be in jeopardy. Linebacker is the Dolphins 'deepest position on defense, and Sendlein is guaranteed nothing. "It's a do-or-die situation for me now," Sendlein said.

"But it's the same way every year. Everybody has to make the team, especially after a season like last year. It's going to be a free-for-all." The linebackers were far and xjEMFr ill -vs V- li? A look at A bright spot was rookie John NO SAFETY '-mini tJ ft .0 I Shipp. He was replaced as the starter at strong inside linebacker for the final two games last year. The player who replaced him then and who could keep him on the bench this year is Kolic.

Kolic came off a 14-week stint on injured reserve his rookie season and was immediately inserted as a starter. He made 11 tackles and had a fumble recovery in those two games. "I think he played very well in that limited time," Shula said. Brudzinski is expected to be pushed at left outside linebacker by rookie holdout Rick Graf, the first of Miami's two second-round draft choices. Brudzinski had been a pillar of strength and consistency since arriving via a trade with the Los Angeles Rams in 1981.

He had an up-and-down season last year, however. What Brudzinski lacks most is great pass-rushing ability, a talent Graf is said to possess. At the conclusion of minicamp, Shula projected Graf as the starter. He later downplayed that statement. Brown played well last year as a replacement for Green at outside linebacker, starting 11 of the last 13 games and leading the team in sacks, with five.

Brown's play at inside linebacker had deteriorated, but the fact he can now play two positions is a plus. The Dolphins drafted two other linebackers, Lance Sellers and Tim Pidgeon. Sellers plays outside, Pid-geon inside. The best of the free agents is David Marshall, a former Cleveland Brown and last year's defensive MVP for the Toronto Argonauts of theCFL It's too early to tell if any of the three will have an impact "They are pretty confused now," said linebacker coach Chuck Stud-ley. "They are thinking so much it negates their physical ability.

None of them is flashing, as we say, but then there's nobody I want to run off the team, either." As for Sendlein, his future could be bright after all. "He's healthy now and working primarily inside," Shula said. "We've talked about the possibility of working him some outside. If he can hold up physically and move inside and have the knowledge to play outside, he could really help us if the roster limit remains at 45. He would give us a lot of flexibility." Tuesday: The defensive line.

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SUNRISE BLVD. (305) 467-3737 II Li i. mV i' A i A i i Playar Collaqa Ht. Wt Exp. Mark Brown Purdue 6-2 235 5 Bob Brudzinski Ohio State 6-4 223 11 Hugh Green Pitt 6-2 225 7 Robin Sendlein Texas 6-3 225 6 David Frye Purdue 6-2 227 5 Jackie Shipp Oklahoma 6-2 236 Andy Hendel N.

Carolina State 6-1 230 2 Larry Kolic Ohio State 6-1 238 2 David Marshall Eastern Michigan 6-2 232 2 John Offerdahl Western Michigan 6-2 232 2 Laz Chavez lona 6-0 220 Enrico Corsettl Bates College 6-1 225 Rick Graf Wisconsin 6-5 239 "Pf" Chris Guth Columbia 6-2 219 Tim Pidgeon Syracuse 5-11 237 Lance Sellers 1 Boise State 6-1 1 231 away the bright spot on a dismal defense last year. Even with the loss of Hugh Green to knee injury, the unit gained the defense most of what respectability it had. Much of that was attributable to John Offer-dahl, a starter in the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Offerdahl led the team in tackles with 135. He is the player coach Don Shula said he will build his defense around.

Offerdahl is set at the weak inside linebacker position. If Green is healthy, he is set at right outside linebacker. Green received a clean bill of health last week from his surgeon, Pete Indelicate. The determining factor in Green's comeback will be how he performs under game conditions. Until then, nothing is certain, not when a knee is involved.

The other returning veterans are Jackie Shipp, Bob Brudzinski, Mark Brown, David Frye, Andy Hendel and Larry Kolic. Banks wants By JEFF BROWNE Staff Writer MIAMI With the Dolphins' top three 1987 draft choices sitting out the first week of training camp, the fields at St. Thomas University are full of players with dubious credentials, hoping for a shot at fame. Free agent wide receiver Fred Banks already is famous. Back in Lynchburg, faithful Liberty University fans could tell you stories about how Banks terrorized Division II secondaries with his darting moves and acrobatic catches.

Banks, an Associated Press Little AU-American in 1984, was the first player to have his number (81) retired at Liberty, then called Liberty Baptist College. He caught 109 passes for 1,516 yards in two years there. "It was nice getting all that attention," Banks said. "But pro football is completely different" to go into business as safety-cracker Dolphins' linebackers Offerdahl, a Pro Bowl starter. IN NUMBERS players except interior linemen snouia practice.

However, six unsigned vets ap parently wui torego tne practice Cornerback Don McNaal. full backs Woodv Bannatt and Ron Davenport, linebacker Mark Drown, wiae receiver Nat Moor and quarterback Don Strode could Dractice with the team until the Dolphins put on pads Thursday but proDamy won until tney sign con- A. A AAaB tracts ior mi. "The veterans could be here working out" said Shula. "It's the same situation as tne arait choices.

We just have to wait until tomor row to see. Shula reported no progress on the signings of the Dolphins' top three draft choices, defensive end John Bota, linebacker Rick Graf ana wide receiver Scott Schwodas. Three other veterans remain unsigned nose tackle Bob Baumhowor, guard Larry ana tacue crag Rocn. The Redskins also signed five veteran tree agents, including quarterback Jay Schroeder, who agreed to a contract calling for base salary of about $2.7 million, to oe spreaa over tnree years. Around the NFL The Cleveland Browns signed running oacK Tim Manoa, a third- rouna arait cnoice out of Penn State.

The Indianapolis Colts have waivea saiety Lienor uinucaie. The Buffalo Bills signed fourth-round draft nick Leon Seal from Jackson State, leaving first- rouna picK anaae umiaa as tne oniy rooue not to join the fold. lem he has had since high school The inexperienced Boilermakers finished 3-8. Coach Leon Burtnett was then fired and replaced by former Texas coach Fred Akers. The coaching change stunned George, who thought Akers would install a running game at Purdue and immediately announced his intention to transfer.

George said he chose Miami over Tennessee, Auburn, Kansas, UCLA and Arizona State. This story was supplemented by oun-oenunei wire services. OnTheMove? Get A Beeper 9757557 At Liberty. Banks rarelv nlaved in front of more than 10,000 fans. In 1985, his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns, 80,000 Ohians cheered Banks as he caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Gary Danielson to lead the Browns to a Monday night victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

An eighth-round draft choice, Banks started the first four games of the 1985 season before injuring a hamstring muscle. In all, he played in 10 games for the run-oriented Browns, starting five. Before the 1986 season started, Banks went out with some friends to play basketball He went up for a rebound and came away with a severely sprained foot He spent all of Cleveland's training camp on injured reserve. The Browns finally released him in September. "I felt the foot coming around in the middle of the season," Banks said.

"But even then I was only about 85 percent The whole season sures but noted the financial infor mation would be available to anyone who wanted to buy the team. Last season, the Patriots won the AFC East division title and sold out every game in their stadium, yet they lost $1.3 million, the newspaper said. For the 1985-86 season, which ended with the Patriots losing 46-10 to the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl, the Patriots reported a loss of $9.7 million. Of that, $3.6 million was paid to stockholders who won a lawsuit against the team. That was more than triple the loss of the previous year, $2.99 I fl fl I I I fl fl II fl fl Coupon Service Special "EXPRESS LUBE ALSO AVAILABLE" Patriots owners $78 million in the red report was nrettv much ruined." Banks' agent contacted Buffalo, Cleveland, Dallas and finally Miami before he found a team willing to give Banks a chance to play again.

His chances may be slim, though, as with veteran receivers Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Nat Moore and James Pruitt returning. If coach Don Shula decides to carry five receivers instead of four, as he did last year, Banks' stock increases. Even if he doesn't make the Dolphins, Banks is hoping a good camp will give him a head start toward making a team that isn't so deep in receivers. "I'm looking at that of course," Banks said. "But I like the situation down here and I want to play for the Dolphins.

I feel I have a good chance to make the team." Every Dolphin involved in the passing game is supposed to report to camp today for 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. workouts. That means all Patriots' internal reports show they are $33 million in debt on team business and nearly $78 million when other ventures are included, the Globe said. Redskins sign top pick CARLISLE, Pa.

For the first time in four years, the Washington Redskins have all their rookies in attendance at the beginning of training camp. The Redskins announced that the remainder of their draft choices, including top pick Brian Davis of Nebraska, have agreed to terms. Davis, a cornerback drafted in the second round, agreed to a four-year pact worth an estimated $1 million. steps of UM quarterbacks Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testa' verde. Illinois, along with the UM, UCLA and Purdue, was one of George's top choices out of Warren Central after the 1985 season.

George, the '85 national high school player of the year, chose Purdue because of the Boilermakers passing tradition and the school's proximity to his home. George missed part of one game last season with a concussion and four others because of a back prob "3 1 Sun-Sentinal wire mtvIcm BOSTON The owners of the New England Patriots, members of the Sullivan family, have lost more than $75 million managing the team, Sullivan Stadium and related ventures including a tour by singer Michael Jackson, a newspaper reported Sunday. The Patriots balance sheet for the past three years shows the team lost $14 million, despite playing in the Super Bowl one year and twice making the playoffs, The Boston Globe reported. Patriots spokesman Jim Green-idge said Sunday the team would have no comment on the disclo FROM PAGE 1C UM coach says he wants George but won't cajole ferred, he would be given the quarterback job. Erick-son decided to accept George's challenge and enroll "George is a great Erickson said at the time.

"But if I go to UM, he's not the only competition. They've got some pretty good bhake" special" A Wkl nan I It tiiivBia nan MaAf a I Adjust Braka I 21.95 Pack WhMl I Parti Bearing FILTER I I CompMa chatat lubrication I I i n9'n MOSTQ M. Chang oil Altar cars only I MR QtZ Partt I FRONT DAUGTnt" WHEEL BALANCE SPECIAL I unji- 7 I a mitCL DALANbE KtUAL ADJUST CAMBER ADJUST CASTER I INSPECT TIE ROD ENDS AND CON- I2i.ARM9 ADJU8T TOE-IN IN. I SPECT TIRES BALANCE 4 WHEELS I n.ua nee nn most n. I TIAE ROTATION )1Q DE CAHt ONLr I au.

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PERFORMANCE CARS ONLY I Lauderdale Lakes QUARTERBACK quarterbacks already." Johnson said he worried earlier this year that George's transfer might force Erickson to sign with another school "Now it turns out that Jeff is concerned about Craig," Johnson said. "That's what he has expressed to me here's a local quarterback, and an exceptional one." In a highly publicized press conference at Indianapolis Warren Central High School in February, George said he was leaving Purdue and wanted to follow in the foot (Midway BstwMn Sunn's Oakland Park Blvd.) Phone 739-1400 SERVICE HOURS FRL SERVICE SPECIALS EXPIRE 73187 7A.M.5J0P.M. COUPONlBBBainBlBB.

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