The Sentinel from Carlisle, Pennsylvania • 27

Thursday Mr 20, 2000 Football The Sentinel Page C5 Franks leaves Eagles, friends In clar NFL Roundup yy c- At SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Just one week ago, former Utah defensive end John Frank was eagerly looking forward to his first NFL training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. On Wednesday, he was three days removed from the camp in Bethlehem, and a lot of peo-; ph were trying to find him. Tm just as in the dark as anyone." Utah defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham said. "Fm told he wasn't real fired up about his position coach. Apparently, he didn't feel he wanted to go on." Alan Frank said his son wasn't in any danger.

However, he refused to disclose his whereabouts or say why he walked away from the Eagles. "He's just had some mixed emotions is all," Alan Frank said. It's a bizarre turnaround for a player who, according to Whittingham, "was always very dedicated in the weight room and very committed to playing football." Frank was last season's Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Frank left Utah as the school's career leader with 27 sacks. Philadelphia drafted him in the sixth round, the 178th selection overall.

But shortly after checking into rookie camp Saturday, he told coaches he wasn't planning to stay. Frank surrendered a $63,000 bonus and the Eagles voided his three-year, $900000 contract. "All of us are trying to figure how we could have seen that or done it differently. We look back immediately as soon as it happened at some of the reports and who visited with him and everything was very positive," Eagles director of football operations Tom Modrak said. "Some people could just choose to stay and collect a check and he decided he had other things he wanted to do.

It is better to know now than later or in the middle of the Johnson said. "It's more important to he at the top of the depth chart the end of camp." Blackwell underwent knee surgery earlier this summer and is on ie physically unable to pcrfon He isn't expected to return until after the season opener Sept. 3 against Baltimore. Offer. Mve coordinator Kevin Gilbriile said Johnson looks more if-assured and confident with everything he is being asked to do.

However. Johnson doesn't add any speed to a position where the Steelers badlv need it. "This summer's going to bring out the best in the receivers, and we're always up for the competition," Johnson said. "You don't like to use the word potential, hut that's what this group has. And I think we've got a bunch of it.

We've just got to gain experience as we go." Earlier this week. Troy Edwards, last year's first-round pick, said the Steelers with the addition of Burress could have one of the best receiving corps the NFL this season. Johnson only had two catches for 23 yards in the six games that he dressed as a rookie last season, and he expects those numbers to improve immediately. He had 100 receptions as a three-year starter at Noire Dame. "Big receivers are successful in the NFL right Johnson said.

"They have played well in the past and have led the path for me. So, I'm just trying to follow in those guys' footsteps in order to make my ow mark." NOTES: The Steelers continued to work on their passing game during two practice sessions Wednesday. The afternoon practice session was conducted despite heavy rain showers. Burress and third-round pick Hank Poteat both missed camp for a third successive day, even though Burress' agent. Leigh Steinberg, was continuing to negotiate with Steelers vice president Art Rooney II.

Eagles expect offensive surge The numbers tell the story. The Philadelphia Eagles ranked last in the NFL in 1999 in passing yards and next to last in completion percentage. Something had to give. At least the Eagles hope so in 2000. "We're looking to leapfrog last year," said wide receiver Charles Johnson, who fought through an injury -plagued 1999 to catch a disappointing 34 passes and scored only one touchdown.

"I foresee a huge improvemen'. We all know the system better. We're learning and moving at 100 miles an hour. I think it's all falling into place." Philadelphia will conduct the first of its full-squad, full-pads two-a-day practices on Thursday at Lehigh University with an emphasis on the passing game. Quarterback Donovan McNabb enters his first full season as the starter, and he will work with an interesting blend of receivers.

Johnson and Torrance Small, who caught a team-high 49 passes last year, are the veterans. Second-round pick Todd Pinkston and fourth-round draft choice Gari Scott are the rookies. Na Brown, who caught 18 passes in limited time in 1999, is a second-year player. Then there are another eight players fighting for another spot on the roster. "We've got a lot of players in the mix, a lot of good players," said Brown, a fourth-round 1999 draft choice from North Carolina.

"There's a lot of competition." That's what it's all about for head coach Andy Reid, who is looking to move forward on a 5-1 1 season in his first year as the head man. To do so, he knows he's got to get the ball down the field via the passing game. "We spent the first three days of camp working predominantly on the passing game and that's tremendous for the wide receivers and the quarterbacks," Reid said. "I thought they progressed. It was good work for the group.

They received a lot of individual attention and coach-ing." If the Eagles can get the passing game going, they can be dangerous. Running back Duce Sta-ley has recorded back-to-back rushing seasons and the Eagles went out and spent $30 million on right tackle Jon Runyan, whom they believe is a Pro Bowl tackle in the making. Getting McNabb and his receivers on the same page is critical in these next five weeks of training camp and the remainder of the preseason. "I'm real excited about it," said Johnson, who worked out with McNabb for four weeks in Arizona in the off-season. "Last year we were a new team and we didn't know each other or the system very well.

Now it's different. We're a team that has a lot of confidence and a lot of young talent." Steelers see depth at wide receiver Second-year Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Malcolm Johnson is trying to take advantage of the training camp absence of top draft pick Plaxico Burress and an injury to Will Blackwell. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Johnson was listed as the starting split end as training camp opened earlier this week. He was a fifth-round pick from Notre Dame last year, when he barely got off the bench until late in the season. There's no shortage of competition for the receiver's job, and there will be even more when Burress signs his contract.

"Sure, I'm grateful for the notice and the opportunity ahead of me, but the depth chart really doesn't mean anything now," Philadelphia Eagles' sixth round draft pick John Franks, seen here with his University of Utah teammates practicing for the Las Vegas Bowl last December, left the Eagles' training camp after giving back his $63,000 signing bonus. Only his father knows where he is. (AP) fourth quarter some time." Nobody on the Utah campus seems to know what's happened. Frank hasn't returned calls left by Utah coach Ron McBride. Whittingham called Frank's parents but couldn't reach them.

"He's a very stable guy," Whittingham said. "There was nothing that I know of that would create a huge problem for (the Eagles). It's surprising to us." Still, Whittingham said Frank "marches to his own beat." At 26, he's older than most NFL rookies after serving a two-year Mormon mission in Spain. An accomplished saxophone player, Frank sang the national anthem before Utah basketball games and performed at Salt Lake City nightclubs. "I don't even know what state he's in," Whittingham said, 'i wish I could tell you where he is or how he's doing.

I'm afraid I don't know more than anyone else." $SiitBS Commissioner clears Lewis on a team considered a ers Super Bowl It's 1 i NEW-YORK (AP) Ray Lewis has suffered enough, NFL commissioner Paul Tagli-abue said Wednesday in explaining why he did not suspend the All-Pro linebacker who pleaded guilty to obstructing justice in a murder case. "It's the courts who have the primary responsibility in this case," Tagliabue said. "We're not a substitute for the courts." Lewis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing justice in a deal with Atlanta prosecutors, who dropped mur served to teach him and others a lesson." Lewis was charged in the aftermath of a post-Super Bowl brawl outside an Atlanta night club in which two men were stabbed to death. He interrupted his trial last month to plead guilty to a misdemeanor for telling his two codefendants to keep their mouths shut and also for not telling the police the full truth. He then testified against the two other men and received a year's probation.

Continued from C1 'the camps are held. Parking at the Giants' camp is next highest at $5, and a season pass is $10, meaning that fans can get into every Giants practice for the cost of one admis-sion at Redskins Park. Jerry Jones has made a mint selling corporate sponsorship tents in Dallas, but general admission to the practices is free and fans can 'enter the Cowboys' "NFL experience" area for a 1 donation to charity. "Charging our fans for admission or parking at training camp is something that we have rejected," said Joe Banner, vice president of the Philadelphia Eagles. "We view our training camp, first and foremost, as an opportunity to give back to our fans.

It gives many people who might not have an opportunity to see the Eagles either due to the economics or the sold-out status of our games." Baldacci says the games, souvenirs and food make a day with the Redskins worth the money. Actually, the biggest draw might be the talent on the field: Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Darrell Green and oth We're not a substitute for the courts -Paul Tagliabue NFL commissioner 33 No charges have been filed. Tagliabue said those cases seem to have made other players aware of how easy it is for public figures to get into trouble. Lewis noted that himself hen he spoke at a seminar for rookies that highlighted the pitfalls of fame. "Players now know that you can't control chain reactions that can occur when you don't expect them to." Tagliabue said.

"Sou can be an innocent player in a group, or a posse, or whatever and suddenly find yourself in the midst of trouble without doing anything to cause it." Tagliabue also suggested that perhaps professional athletes should not be looked to as role models. "Start looking within your own familv." he said. "There are role models in all walks of life policemen, people who have worked their way through school, teachers and coaches, not necessarily professional athletes." hard to imagine, for example, 7.000 paying to watch practice after the team went 6-10 two years ago. Market forces will determine whether the idea succeeds or fails. In past years, fans drove three hours and stayed in hotels to watch training camp when it was held in the Maryland mountains, so the expense is not a barrier for many.

Certainly, if charging admission turns out to be a big moneymaker for the Redskins, other teams are sure to follow. But is it value for money? Guard Keith Sims, who regularly pays $7 to watch a movie, thinks it is. "Part of practice may be boring for the average fan," Sims said. "But they'll get a sense of hat we go through twice a day for this five-, six-week period to get an opportunity to play the season." Notes: The Redskins were hoping to wrap up negotiations with No. 3 overall draft pick LaVar Arrington late Wednesday.

No deal is expected with running back Stephen Davis anytime soon. The two sides haven't talked for three weeks' der charges against the Balti- Taaliabue more Ravens' star. Lewis and his lawyers met with Tagliabue on July 10 to discuss the situation. NFL officials said a fine was still possible, but reiterated that there would be no suspension, which can be imposed against players convicted of various offenses. During the offseason, for example, Tagliabue suspended Jumbo Elliott of the Jets and Matt O'Dwyer of the Bengals and fined the Jets' Jason Fabini after they pleaded to various charges stemming from a bar fight.

But Tagliabue made it clear that wouldn't be the case with Lewis. "The offense was a misdemeanor. He had no problems before that and hadn't violated league policies," Tagliabue said of Lewis' plea. "I felt he had suffered a lot and paid a high price, both in terms of reputation and the trauma that was caused. This thing The other men were eventually acquitted.

Tagliabue made his comments on a conference call to publicize the return of almost all living Hall of Fame members for induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, the weekend of July 28-31. But he inevitably was asked about a year of offseason problems involving NFL players. In addition to Lew is. former Carolina ide receiver Rae Carruth has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial, and former Green Bay tight end Mark Chmura is awaiting trial on charges of sexual assault after his children's 17-year-old baby-sitter accused him of having sex with her without her consent. And two weeks ago, Indianapolis running back Fred Lane was shot in his home in Charlotte, N.C., after a dispute with his wife.

XFL lands Butkus as head coach Sports Briefs Raiders' Woodson sentenced for DWI DETROIT (AP) Oakland Raiders comerback Charles Woodson was placed on probation for a year Wednesday for driving while impaired after a charity golf event. Woodson, the 1997 Heisman Trophy winner from Michigan, must perform 60 hours of community service by speaking to youth groups in California and undergo alcohol coinisclin. Woodson faced up to 93 days in jail. He was arrested Mav 24 and pleaded guilty June 15 to the impaired driving charge. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop misdemeanor charges of operating under the influence of liquor and driving with a suspended license.

"It was something that he made a mistake, and he's learned from it," Woodson's agent, Kevin Poston, said. "He's turning a negative into a positive." The NFL can fine Woodson up to S20.000 in this case. spokesman Dan Masonson said the league has made no decision on hether to fine him. High School Football Star Dies OPA-LOCKA. Fla.

(AP) A star high school football player died after he collapsed while running laps on the track. Brian Bell. 17. was pronounced dead on arrival Tuesdav night at Parkway Regional Medical Center. He was working out with the football team, having just finished lifting weights and running laps at Monsignor Edward Pace High School, officials said.

Bell, a 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back, was a first-team All-Dado County selection last season. He also restled at the school and would have been a senior this fall. "We're gonna have people hitting people if I can help it," Butkus said. Butkus, who turned to acting after he retired from football in 1973. has spent a lot more time on "Fantasy Island" and in "Night Court" and pitching Miller Lite than worrying about passes and blitzes in recent years.

But Butkus seemed unconcerned about the fact that he hasn't "coached in awhile, or at all." "How difficult is it?" Butkus said. "You just get the guys there and demand (they) work hard and let the chips fall where they may." As for his own time commitment, Butkus said he has completed taping his Saturday morning TV show, "Hang Time." He guessed he'd be done with any other non-XFL duties by about November. Coaching "is not going to be a mail-in type deal," he said. Nor, apparently, is it going to take a round-the-clock commitment. "I don't believe that we have to sleep in our offices to get our work done," he said.

"But we're going to put in a good effort." CHICAGO (AP) Dick Butkus has never been a coach, he's played one on TV. He was a lovable basketball coach on a children's sitcom. As for football, he did coach one game against Al Pacino in an Oliver Stone movie. All that was good enough for Vince McMahon, the chairman of the World Wrestling Federation, whose new football league, the XFL, debuts in February. On Wednesday, McMahon introduced Butkus as the head coach of Chicago's XFL team.

"Dick Butkus is the personification of the XFL," said McMahon, whose league doesn't have any other coaches and whose Chicago franchise doesn't yet have a name. Butkus. the Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker, was still wearing the familiar buzz cut that reminds longtime Bears fans of one of the most ferocious players in NFL history. He had McMahon beaming with his talk about body parts -guts and heart. And Butkus had him positively glowing when talked about the tough-guy fool-bull he promised his team would play.

1. A 'rV A Retired Chicago Bears linebacker and NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus talks to the media Wednesday after being announced as the head coach of the Chicago franchise in Vince McMahon's XFL. (AP).