Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • 13

'(Slttbiana Qiazette Sports Earnhardt captured Aaron's 499. Page 16. IT gat Classifieds inside Monday, April 22, 2002 Page 13 Steelers' draftees reflect versatility, productivity inside, he plays outside. He's played four or five positions. So he does have the ability to be backup receiver" he said, "if somebody goes down he's not locked into one position." Glover thought lie might be chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals, a fact that he made known from die second he was contacted to speak with Pittsburgh-area media.

"I didn't expect Ito be chosen byl the Steelers at ail," he said. "I ll make (the Bengals pay) when we play against them." Glover, 23, played for a first-year staff that emphasized blitzes and man-to-man coverage, the latter which he viewed as his strength. The native of Dayton, Ohio, has a chance to pick up where Jason Simmons left off when he signed with the Houston Texans. Keiscl, 23, was a teammate of current Steeler Chris Hoke and of Ryan Dcnney, a second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills. Keisel and Denney combined to give the Cougars one of the top pass rushes in the Mountain West Conference.

By RICK WEAVER Gazette Sports Writer PITTSBURGH Versatility appeared to be just as important as productivity Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers sought players who could not only lend depth but perform willingly and ably on special teams. "We fed all these kids maybe with the exception of Kendall Simmons will contribute and help on the special teams," said director of football operations Kevin Colbert. "The theme that was common throughout this whole draft was we felt every one of these picks had a purpose." Special teams play proved to be all thai stood between the AFC Central division champions and the franchise's sixth Super Bowl appearance. The club gave up two punt return touchdowns in as many playoff games lri January The second, by Troy Brown, came after a mental gaffe by Troy Edwards and catapulted the New England Patriots to the gan's meeting with Penn State last season. He returned an interception 21 yards and made eight stops in 2000.

And his last-minute fumble recovery in 1999 preserved the Wolverines' 31-27 victory over Penn State. Haynes, a durable fullback, missed only one practice in three years at Georgia. That came as the result of a hit made by current Steelers inside linebacker Kendrell Bell during a practice. "They've had some battles before said Cowher. "Kendrell never did like going against him because he was too low to get underneath." Cowher and Colbert agreed that Haynes reminded them of a young Tim Lester, a Stccler from 1995-98.

Lester came through college as a productive tailback before growing into a punishing fullback. Haynes will probably battle former Grove City College star RJ. Bowers for the second-string fullback job. Either offers a halfback option, as well. The selection of Haynes further clouds the future of veteran Jon Wit-man.

The Steelers left him unpro perform on special teams, an area where the Steelers proved to be vulnerable last season. "Whatever it takes, whatever the coaches want me to do to get on the field," said Foote, who will be asked to contribute depth at inside linebacker. Archer said Foote will bring enthusiasm, swagger and decisiveness to the team. "He is very decisive when he sees something and he gets there," said Archer. "He is a physical player, fie is not really that big, but he throws his body around." "I'm the same way in practice, when I'm working out and every time that I step onto the field," said Footc, a semifinalist for the Butkus award (linebackers).

Those Perm State fans who also root for the Steelers can finally start to like Foote. At Michigan seemingly all he did in three seasons as a starter was give Nittany Lions fans reason to curse him. Foote made seven stops, three behind the line scrimmage, in Michi first NFL tide in dub history "When you look at breakdowns in the kicking game, they're made by young college players because they don't play the kicking game in college," said head coach Bill Cowher. Experience on special teams coverage proved to be as much a factor as anything, especially with the Steelers' last five picks in the NFL draft, which concluded Sunday. The Steelers chose Larry Footc, an inside linebacker from Michigan; fullback Verron Haynes, Georgia; wide receiver Lee Mays, Texas-El Paso; LaVar Glover, cornerback, and Brett Kissell, a defensive end from Brigham Young.

"They should be pretty good in the kicking game because every one of them will do whatever you ask them to do," said Cowher. Foote, 21, will be expected to play primarily in what die Steelers call the "Mack" position. In layman's terms, he will play on die side opposite of where the tight end lines up. Linebackers coach Mike Archer also assured liim he would get a chance to tected in the expansion draft, but Wit man has held out hope that he will be able to re-sign with die Ankle and back miseries have made the Penn State product a risky signing, even if all the Steelers have at fullback are Dan Kreidcr, Haynes and Bowers. "He wants to play.

But can he play? I don't know. We have to wait and see what the medical people say," said running backs coach Dick Koak of Witman. Mays caught 70 passes in 2000 for 1.100 yards at 'lexas-El Paso, adding 52 receptions for 724 yards a year ago. He has a chance to fill a significant void that Bobby Shaw created when he signed with Jacksonville. Shaw turned out to be a clutch receiver on third down.

Receivers coach Kenny Jackson said he was not sure whether Mays would line up in the slot or on the outside. Jackson added he was impressed with Mays' poise. Cowher said Mays' versatility made him that much more attractive. "He plays every position. He plays Bledsoe heads for Buffalo Benson resumes throwing By ALAN ROBINSON AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Dave littierield and manager Lloyd McClendon had much the same reaction when hearing the injury update on pitcher Kris Benson.

A sigh of relief. Benson resumed throwing Sunday after learning he hasn't re injured his surgically rebuilt elbow, and is expected to make his next rehabilitation start on Thursday. Benson, who missed last season after reconstructive right eibow surgery, returned to Pittsburgh to be examined by team doctors after missing two consecutive scheduled starts at Triple-A Nashville with arm tenderness. Tests revealed only minor irritation of the triceps muscle, and Benson was able to throw Sunday. He will throw again today in Pittsburgh, then fly to Nashville.

"There was a little bit of concern because he had some discomfort for vt The senior members of the Indiana High School hockey team received special recognition with (erseys featuring their name and number and photos depicting their family and hockey career. Pictured, from left, are Mike lady, Clint Pizarchik, Jordan Chandler and Nicko Spielman. (Gazette photo by Jim Wakefield Tribute paid to IHS hockey team By BARRY WILNER AP Football Writer NEW YORK David Carr was the most newsworthy quarterback of the NFL draft's opening round. Drew Bledsoe stole the headlines In the final round. Carr, the Fresno State star, joined the HoustonTexans to begin the proceedings on Saturday.

As the first player ever drafted by the expansion team, Carr got right into the mood of things, declaring: "They do it big in Texas. I can't say enough how I feel about the Texan organization. I'm proud to be a Texan and I want to -beat up on the Cowboys more than anyone els.e He'll get a chance in the season opener Sept 8. That same day, Bledsoe will make his regular-season debut with the Buffalo Bills against the New fark Jets. Bledsoe was acquired from New England during Sunday's seventh and last round of the draft.

The Patriots received Buffalo's first-round choice next year for the nine-year veteran, who lost his job to Tom Brady during the Patriots march to the NFL title last season. "Everybody talks about the need for quarterbacks," Bills general manager Tom Donahoe said. "All we know is, we're happy to know that we were in that position and had a chance to do this Among the teams helping themselves at the position were Detroit, which took Oregon's Joey Harrington third overall, and Wasltington. The Redskins traded down twice in the first round, gathering extra picks. turning head coach, overseeing the JV squad.

Of Giavach must also find a way to replace his four departing seniors. The class of defenseman Jordan Chandler, goaltenderMike Lady, forward Clint Pizarchik and two-way standout Nicko Spielman represent a ton of production despite their small number. "You Ipse 45 points from Nicko and 31 from Clint," said Giavach. "Then you have a real 'got-to' defenseman in Jordan Chandler, and where do you start with Mike Lady? This is only four players but these are four real contributors." Lady was recognized as the team's outstanding student-athlete. The program's emphasis on academics was evident from the banquet program.

While it would be expected for such a successful team to load its program with statistics and accomplishments, event organizers instead listed players that had achieved academic honors during the season. There were 31 players securing academic honors among the varsity, JV and freshmen squads. Pizarchik shared the honor as the team's most improved player with sophomore Zach Diamond, who enjoyed a terrific offensive season after having missed the previous year with a knee injury. Spielman was named Most Valuable Player by his fellow players and split the Coaches' MVP award with freshman Casey Haines, who finished second in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League scoring among Gass AA players. NOTES: Jake McCoy's memory was very much alive during the evening.

A former player who passed away following an extended illness, McCoy would have been a member of this season's senior class. Red Line Club President Sherry Kuckuck announced that 11 players have committed to next year's freshmen team and that a squad will be Fielded should at least two additional players join the fold. By BILL BALINT Gazette Sports Writer There was a clear message communicated at die annual Indiana High Hockey banquet on Sunday evening. The Indians and their followers got a taste of playing at Mellon Arena with a berth in the state finals on the tine and plan on making a return trip next year. "If you were a new coach walking into a Penguins Cup finalist that's losing only four players, you would-, n't pass it up," said Dom Giavach, the team's top assistant the past three years and new head coach with Ron Hellens move out of the area.

"Make no mistake, our goal is to be right back in Pittsburgh next March." While preparations are already underway for next season, Sunday nights activities concentrated on this past winter's highly successful year. Indiana went 20-2-1, its lone defeats to eventual state champion Peters Township. The Indians cruised to their second consecutive division title and rolled into the Penguins Cup final for the second time in school history, thumping three consecutive playoff opponents. "It was a great season and the support from the community along the way was special," said Giavach, who had also been Hell en's assistant on. the Indiana Junior Thunder squad.

Giavach, an Indiana resident and-Ebensburg native, does not expect to make many changes. "(Hellen) and I were best-friends; and our philosophy is the same," said Giavach. "His shoes are hard to fill, but it will be the same here in that we remember that this is a kid's game. We want to win, but we won't lose sight of the fact that this is a high school sport." The one major change will be in the area of the coaching staff. Giavach must name two varsity assistants and a pair of freshmen team coaches for next season.

Don Hogan is slated to be the program's lone re Pirates, Kendall pound Pliillies a few days Uttleficld said. "But the elbow is fine, and we are very confident there is no problem. "Obviously, we're not going to do anything to jeopardize his career. We have a plan in place and we'll see how it unfolds." That means Benson probably will throw fewer pitches Thursday than the B0 he threw in his last start April 10, when he struck out 10 in 4 2-3 innings. It also means the Pirates may ask major league baseball to extend the 30-day limit it usually invokes on a pitcher's minor league rehabilitation stay.

The Pirates likely will argue that because Benson will go two weeks between starts, he has not had the benefit of the full 30 days. Still, the Pirates don't think Benson's setback will significantly delay his return to their starting rotation. They have projected a return in mid- to late May since spring training, and that still seems to be a realistic timetable. Meanwhile, Benson will be joined at Nashville by outfielder Chad Her-m an sen, who has been out nearly three weeks with a strained left buttocks muscle that occurred during the final week of spring training. Herman sen, a former top prospect who is out of minor league options, hit .382 with three homers and seven RBIs in spring training.

He will begin a 20-day rehabilitation assignment today. Double-A catcher J.R. House, another prospect, will be examined Monday by Pirates doctors for a strained abdominal muscle the same injury that bothered him throughout spring training. House once was projected to be the Pirates' starting catcher as early as this season, if jason Kendall moved to another position. But House has had a series of nagging injuries since last season, and there is a possibility he may need surgery to repair the abdominal muscle.

Uttleficld also said he has gotten good reports on right-handed reliever Josias Manzanillo, who didn't accept the clubs arbitration offer and can't return to the Pirates until May 1. He is throwing about 93 mph at Nashville. Kendall returned to the lineup and still got its quarterDacK ol tnc future in Tulane's Patrick Ramsey to conclude die first round. Even Harrington was stunned when the Lions chose him right after North Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers went to Carotin a. 1 was just about to sit down with my mom and dad and watch the Lions pick someone else, and I got a phone call.

I was shocked. I was caught off guard, but I'm thrilled to be there," Harrington said. Ramsey will be tutored by Steve Spurrier, who worked with many top-notch QBs at Florida. But few of those Gators passers made an impact in the pros, and now that Spurrier has been hired by the Redskins, he's decided to build his first NFL attack with Ramsey. "It's a quarterback's dream to play for him," Ramsey said.

"I get the best of both worlds. I get tD go the NFL, and I get to play for Coach Spurrier." In all, 15 quarterbacks were taken, many in the later rounds perhaps inspired by New England's success with Brady, a sixth-rounder in 2000. Such college QBs asAntwaan Ran die El of Indiana (second round to Pittsburgh), Hcisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch (third round to St. Louis) and Steve Bclissari of Ohio State (sixth round to the Rams) will be tried at other positions. The most popular position in the draft was defensive back: 52 comer-backs or safeties were chosen, including CBs Quentin Jammer of Texas (fifth overall to San Diego), Phillip Buchanon of Miami (17th to Oakland), Lito She paid of.

Florida (26th to and Mike Rumph of Miami (27th to San Francisco) in the first round. Safeties Roy Williams, the eighth overall choice by Dallas, and Ed Reed, 24th to Baltimore, also were first-rounders. The national champion Hurricanes had 1 1 players taken Bve in the first round with the Tennessee Volunteers getting 10 chosen. istically low .136 average. He drove in four runs with a bases-loaded triple and a single Kendall returned after sitting out Saturday's game because of a concussion caused when he was struck in the face mask by a foul tip.

"Who knows, maybe 111 keep this Kendall said. "It's nice to finally help the offense. It's been a tough three weeks." Except when Kendall looks at the NL Central standings, which the Pirates unexpectedly lead by 246 games over Cincinnati. A year ago, the Pirates were already well on their way to being out of the race with a 7-10 record. Still, Phillies aren't totally impressed, with reliever Rheal Cormier saying, "How many ground balls did the Pirates hit through the infield? What can you do when a team is hot like the Pirates? "I know we're a better team than the Pirates." Not right now, they're not.

The Phillies are 7-12, a big dropoff from last years 13-6. "All I can tell you is I'm very disappointed in our pitching," manager Larry Bowa said. "Hopefully, they're disappointed, too. I'm not picking out one person, I'm saying our pitching as a whole- When you get a well-pitched game, you've got a chance to win." By ALAN ROBINSON AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH As the Pittsburgh Pirates sat through another long rain delay, a replay of their Game 5 victory over Adanta in the 1992 NL playoffs was shown on the PNC Park scoreboard. Lloyd McClendon, now.

the Pirates manager, was glad there was enough time before play began to show his run-scoring double. "My players were waiting to give it to mc," McClendon said. "But I got a double and they couldn't say anything." No, but, perhaps inspired by their manager, they did do something with their own bats. After waiting out the 82-minute delay, they needed far less time than that Sunday to work over Phillies pitcher Brandon Duckworth, who gave up seven runs in 1 2-3 innings of Pittsburgh's 9 -3 victory. McClendon welcomed seeing the Pirates get season highs in runs (9) and hits (15) after they spent the first three weeks of the season relying on their pitching and defense to launch a surprisingly good 1 2-5 start.

"We haven't been swinging the bats, so maybe this will be a big help," McClendon said. Jason Kendall came Into the game without an RBI, and an uncharacter ff Bobby Abreu and his Phillies teammates suffered through a lost (AP photo) weekend in Pittsburgh. his 25th birthday. The Pirates didn't need long to finish their first three-game sweep of the Phillies in Pittsburgh since 1992. They put together five singles in a span of six batters to open a 2-0 lead in the first, with Armando Rios and Kendall driving in runs.

They batted around In the second, with Adrian Brown's double, Abraham Nunez's RBI single and Giles' walk leading up to Kendall's triple and Rob Mack-owiak's RBI double. With Duckworth giving up as many hits (9) in 1 2-3 innings as he did in 13 innings in his previous two starts, the Phillies' ERA climbed to 4.75. Even though the Pirates were without injured regulars Aramis Ramirez and Pokey Reese, every Pittsburgh starter had at least one hit, including pitcher Kip Wells. Wells (3-1) lasted seven innings despite giving up Jason Michaels' first career homer, a two-run shot. Wells struck out seven and walked one on Sunday after sitting out Saturday's game with a concussion, but second baseman Pokey Reese (strained right hamstring) and third baseman Aramis Ramirez (sprained ankle) remained out.

Reese may return Tuesday against Los Angeles..