South Florida Sun Sentinel from Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Page 37

rrrrrrrrrrrT rrrrrnniiM B9 Sun-Sentinel, Monday, October 27, 1997 Section PB J.J., Dolphins worry about Bear trap Winless opponent being treated with respect you can see they're a much better team than their record shows," wide receiver Lamar Thomas said. "They have a lot of productive players, especially at cornerback." "This team has made some big plays, it's just that they've given up a couple, too. They're not far from being really good," cornerback Terrell Buckley said. Given another week or so, the Dolphins might be claiming that PLEASE SEE DOLPHINS 21 By JASON COLE Staff Writer There have been times that Jimmy Johnson would have looked beyond a team like the 0-7 Chicago Bears. In 1991, Johnson and the Dallas Cowboys were about to open the season against Cleveland, with archrival Washington the week after.

Johnson, who had yet to win a per Bowl or even have a winning U(j record with Dallas, imparted some fi interesting wisdom upon his assistant coaches. "I told them, 'Forget about Cleveland. If we're any good, we'll beat them easy they won 26-14. We have to start getting ready for the Redskins, said Johnson, recalling the conversation with a smile. "Offensive coordinator Norv Turner kind of gave me a funny look when I said that." Refund policy.

21C This week, with a game in Buffalo looming after tonight's game against the Bears at Pro Player Stadium, which was moved from Sunday at 4 p.m. because of last night's World Series Game 7, it seems like another opportunity for Johnson to flash his trademark KICKOFF: 9 p.m., Pro Player Stadium (capacity BROADCAST: TV CD: Radio WQAM (560-AM), WJNO (1230-AM), WQBA (1140-AM, Spanish). RECORDS: Dolphins are 5-2, Bears are 0-7. LINE: Opening Dolphins by 914; Today Dolphins by M. they stiaondl snil Stint in minors upsets Panthers backup goalie r0 s--y'r he )ri) bio.

i in i Ly 1 By DAVE JOSEPH Staff Writer BOSTON Mark Fitzpatrick is not happy. After spending two days last week riding the bus between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, the Panthers goalie is smarting over management's decision to send him to the International League for what was termed a conditioning assignment. Fitzpatrick, who rejoined the Panthers on Saturday in Boston, voiced displeasure and Fitzpatrick frustration late in the evening after backing up John Vanbies-brouck in a 5-4 victory over the Bruins. "If I had to go back and make the same decision, there's not a snowball's chance in hell I'd go," Fitzpatrick said. As for management's public stance that Fitzpatrick was sent to the IHL to build confidence, he said, "I don't buy it." After Fitzpatrick sprained a knee Oct.

11 in St. Louis in his only start and running his winless streak to 15 games (0-8-7) dating to Dec. 23 General Manager Bryan Murray asked him last Monday to travel to the club's IHL affiliate in Fort Wayne to get in some conditioning. Murray later said the move was also to get Fitzpatrick a victory and boost his confidence. But Fitzpatrick said Saturday that the trip was useless.

1 V' yonD'Sedl D.C. United goalkeeper Scott Garlick D.C. beats A fc bravado. Instead, Johnson has spent the past eight days making the winless Bears sound like a potential juggernaut. "The Bears are better than half the teams we have played this season," Johnson said in what has become a mantra for him and the players.

"You just look at the tapes and AP photoDOUG MILLS with a 2-1 win against Colorado. MLS tide playoffs with the league's eighth-best record, did well to keep it a one-goal game. But, while Colorado and D.C. each had nine shots on goal, United had the more dangerous chances. "I don't remember watching a game with that many shots right at the goalkeeper," Colorado coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick said.

After a series of early United forays resulted only in frustration, Sanneh set up Moreno for PLEASE SEE MLS14C knocked out of game The Dallas Cowboys lost Troy Aikman in the first quarter, then lost the game in the final minute. Aikman suffered a mild concussion and strained neck when he was sacked early in the Cowboys' game at Philadelphia. The Eagles scored a TD with 45 seconds left to win 13-12. Story, 23C. V.w 1 i i I f.

vV 1 second straight MLS Championship for second right. The 46-degree temperatures and all-day rain was nearly a carbon copy of last year's final in Foxboro, which D.C. won 3-2 over Los Angeles. United rallied from a two-goal deficit to claim its first title, but on Sunday it was in control from the outset. Moreno terrorized Colorado defenders with his speed and one-on-one flair and Sanneh found ample space on the right flank against the Rapids' defense.

Colorado, which entered the The Broncos had to (1) hugs David Vudreuil after winning their Colorado slender win, though a bit better finishing, especially at game's end, could have made the win more decisive. While the score-line didn't reflect the difference between the teams, it helped make for entertaining, compelling soccer. "This a great day for professional soccer in this city," said D.C. United coach Bruce Arena. "Who would have envisioned this five years ago?" Arena, warmed in the afterglow of victory, also called it a great day for MLS, and he was Barkley throws man through bar window 'I defended myself; he got what he deserved' "If I had to go back and make the same decision, there's not a snowball's chance in hell I'd go." Mark Fitzpatrick "When they asked me, I was shocked," Fitzpatrick said.

"How many 10-year veterans miss a week with an injury and then get sent down to the minors? I don't know of any. I didn't have a great game in St. Louis, but if every team went by their goal-tender's first game of the season, half the goalies would be in the PLEASE SEE PANTHERS 1 1 myself. Let there be no debate. If you bother me, I'm going to whip your ass.

The guy threw ice in my face, and I slammed his ass into the window. I'm not denying that. I defended myself. He got what he deserved." Sunday night, before Barkley and the Rockets played an exhibition game against the Orlando Magic, Barkley made it clear he would do the same again. "I'm going to defend myself and whoever I'm with at all times," he said.

"I made that clear in my years in the NBA. I will never back down from the public. I will never back down. They are going to respect me, or I'm going to defend myself." Barkley, charged with aggravated battery and resisting arrest PLEASE SEE BARKLEY 12C Minnesota 10. Tampa Bay 6-Iejine5see4LArjzQnal4.

SarLDiefla35Jndianapoli8.19 Pittstmrgti23JJatk3onvlllejlLjQI Seattle45jaaklancL34-. Carolina 21, Atlanta 12 'II (hi bli) It By KENNETH A. HARRIS and TIM POVTAK The Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO Houston Rockets power forward Charles Barkley offered no apologies about charges he wrestled a man from an officer's grasp Sunday morning and hurled him through a glass window at Phin-eas Phoggs, a bar in Church Barkley Street Station. "What police and witnesses said happened, happened," Barkley said. "What he did was inappropriate.

I'm going to defend A i I -10J By JEFF RUSNAK Special to the Sun-Sentinel WASHINGTON When it was over, RFK Stadium shook, confetti fell with the rain and D.C. United was again the class of Major League Soccer. On a cold, inclement day better spent inside, D.C. United rewarded 57,431 fans with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids to remain the only champion MLS has known in its two-year existence. Goals by Jaime Moreno and Tony Sanneh gave United the It Oil 1 nod ri Broncos withstand flurry Aikman i-B-V lliil Baltimore 20.

Washlnoto New York Giants Philadelphia 13. Dalle withstand a 20-point fourth quarter by the Bills to win 23-20 in overtime. Terrell Davis ran for 207 yards and scored one Denver 23. Buffalo San Francisco 23, New Orleans 0 Green Bay (5-2) at New England (5-2) 9 p.m., Blacked out locally for Dolphins-Bears game )U touchdown, while Jason Elam kicked three field goals, including a 33-yarder with 1:56 left in overtime, as the Broncos won one day after battling through a blizzard back home. Story, 24C For scores, call Source Line at 523-5463 In Broward, 496-5463 In Boca-Delray and 625-5463 In Boynton Beach.

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