Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 32

Chicago Tribune, Sunday, January 13, 1985 Section 3 5 Pro football NFL planning no new anti-defense rules braces on the outside of the knee. It might help, although no brace protects the knee completely." LeBaron will get no argument on that from Art Model, owner of the Cleveland Browns. "I've said all along that better pre- and postnatal care, vitamin additives, health foods and Nautilus training have made the play- skirts," adds Schramm. The "Tribune recently interviewed the five members of the NFL's competition committee Schramm, LeBaron, Paul Brown, Chuck Noll and Don Shula in an attempt to determine whether the league is contemplating any significant rules changes to further protect the quarterbacks and the offense. The overall feeling appeared to be that the league lias gone far enough with the offenses, and it was lime to allow the defenses a chance to catch up.

"We've been getting a lot of dissension from the defensive line people," says LeBaron. "They feel we're overprotecting the offense." But there still are a few modifications to protect quarterbacks and offensive players that the committee is contemplating recommending to the owners for approval before next season. "ONE OF THE things we're talking about," says LeBaron, "is changing the rule on the slide, where the quarterback is automatically down once he slides and defensive people cannot hit him. "We're also looking into requiring everyone to wear knee By Sam Smith FOR SOME reason, it never seemed the Chicago Bears were in sync with the rest of the National Football League. While the NFL moguls continued to change the rules to make scoring points easier, the Bears worked to develop one of the best and toughest defenses in the NFL.

And the Bears built that defense at a time when the league did the following to hamstring the defense: Offensive linemen were allowed to use their hands to slow down the defensive charge. Defensive backs could no longer hit a receiver more than five yards from the line of scrimmage. Penalties were called more frequently for face-mask violations and blocking below the waist. A quarterback could not be hit in the head, and a quarterback was deemed down as soon as he was touched by a defensive player. WHILE WELCOMED by many quarterbacks and teams around the league, some of these protections haven't been met with the same enthusiasm by the Bears.

Not when your quarterback roster caught in a pile-up." LeBaron agrees. "Most of the quarterback injuries we've seen this year would be hard to stop with rules changes," he says. Noll, the Pittsburgh Steelers" coach, says there are better ways to protect players than changing the rules. "I find that when players are better able to concentrate on what they're doing, it minimizes the injury factor, Noll says. "I FEEL IF you approach the game positively, you minimize the risk.

When you end up being cautious, that's when you get injured. And there's something else. "There is an assumption of risk in football. You don't nave to play the game. But if you decide to play, the people in charge of the game will help as much as they can.

But there is that risk." "Historically," adds Schramm, "the defense always seems to catch up with the offense after rules changes to make scoring easier. I think we see that happening now." Ana for the moment, the NFLj seems satisfied to let that happen. Which can only be good news for the Bears. 1 in the last two decades includes, in alphabetical order: Bob Avellini, Rudy Bukich, Joe Barnes, Virgil Carter, Jack Concannon, Bobby Douglass, Vince Evans, Gary Huff, John Huarte, Kent Nix, Mike Phipps and Larry Rakestraw. Bui now, the rulesmakers seem content that they've done about all they can to protect those valuable offensive properties.

"I think we've done about all we can do to protect the quarterback when he's in the act of passing, which is a defenseless position for him," says Tex Schramm, president of the Dallas Cowboys and chairman of the NFL's rulesmaking competition committee. "And when the quarterback starts to run, he's got to be a football player like any other." "WE DON'T WANT to get Into a situation where the quarterback couldn't be tackled," says Eddie LeBaron, executive vice president of the Atlanta Falcons. "We've got highly paid defensive linemen in this game, and they've got to be allowed to play, too." "We're getting so the defensive people are asking me whether we're going to make them wear to keep pace with the rest of the body." But Brown, vice president of the Cincinnati Bengals, adds that there appears to be no additional outcry to protect the quarterbacks, although many have been injured this year, including his starter, Ken Anderson, in Cincinnati. "WITH McMAHON and Steve Fuller, I understand it was an accidental type of thing, nothing you could prevent with a rules change," Brown says. "We'd be open to any new suggestions, but I really haven't heard anyone making any this year." "Actually, most of the injuries we find with quarterbacks now are freak," says Schramm, "where a guy falls the wrong way or gets -m XjW l' Jfcs v' iiMSt! -In AP Laseiphoto Bear QB Jim McMahon wasn't-helped much by the rules.

Candidates for I Hall make 1 choosing tough a Ditka picks 49ers By Cooper Rollow ONE OF THE MOST glittering arrays of superstars in the history Of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is likely to be inducted next July in Canton, Ohio, as a result of voting to De conducted in San rancisco this week by the board's 29 electors. -jl Fifteen of pro football's glamor names are included urr' in the list of those eligible for this year's voting, and up to seven may De taDDea tor inauc- tion next summer under Hall of--V Vama niloc i'il-1 in Here are a few eligible combinations: How about a quarterbacking trio of Joe Namath, Fran Tarkenton and Rneer Stanhnrh? Namath and MM notes Tarkenton have failed previously to command the necessary votes, and Staubach is eligible for the first time after being retired for five years. How about a running back duo consisting of the slashing thrusts -and blocking of Paul Hornung and the breathtaking change of pace of O.J. Simpson? Hornung, who missed a year of competition with the Green BayPackers after being suspended for gambling, is an annual bridesmaid in Hall of Fame selections, whereas The Juice comes IK up for the first time. CONSIDER A RECEIVING tandem of Fred Bilet- nikoff and Don Maynard, an executive who just hap-pens to be commissioner of the National Football League Pete Rozelle, and, for a touch of spice, throw in a picturesque "old" coach, John Madden.

Or, envision a defensive group headed by three former Kansas City ChiefsBuck Buchanan, Willie Lanier and Johnny Robinson and including Carl Eller n7i-and Willie Wood. And, for an old-timer, there's Frank Gatski, a longtime center on the Cleveland Browns. All are eligible for enshrinement, in any combination regardless of position, as long as the number of inductees doesn exceed seven. UPl photo Miami's Dan Marino is smiling now, but Bears' coach Mike Ditka doesn't think he'll be smiling after the Super Bowl. The 15 finalists, who were determined by vote by the 29 selectors, will be the only nominees considered at the meeting next Saturday, the day before Super Bowl XIX.

The selection committee is made up of one media at Of I representative from each NFL city, with a 29th mem- ber coming from the Pro Football Writers Association. OVER THE YEARS, there has been considerable squabbling and politicking at the election meeting. i uiiu auiiicbu.rca iumuwo yai uaau mica, jicutui a uiu uv Ampnpnn pities, for instanpp fl thpirM(i-4 American Conference cities, for instance, feel their candidates often are still treated as representatives of an interior league by selectors trom the established if Bears' coach feels defense the key By Don Pierson SUPER BOWL XIX apparently will survive without the Bears. Except for San Francisco merchants, who would have preferred two out-of-town entrants, anticipation over next Sunday's game between the Miami Dolphins ana San Francisco 49ers in Palo Alto, is thriving. Not often do two teams boasting the two best regular-season records in football emerge.

It last happened after the 1977 season, when the only two 12-2 teams, Dallas and Denver, met in Super Bowl XII. It happened only two other times in the history of Roman numerals in Super Bowl XI between Oakland and Minnesota, and in Super Bowl I between Green Bay and Kansas City. Curiously, all three of those dream matchups turned into routs. Green Bay beat Kansas City 35-10, Oakland beat Minnesota 32-14 and Dallas beat Denver 27-10. A RUNAWAY THIS time would surprise the oddsmakers, who make the 49ers a 2 '-to-3-point favorite.

A passaway would be more believable, because Miami quarterback Dan! Marino is unbelievable. His 48 touchdown passes on the season' looks more like a typographical error than a typical National Football League record. For instance, San Francisco's Joe Montana finished first in the NFC during the regular season with 28. 'Thfee touchdown passes by Marino is an average day. In Chicago, Bears' quarterbacks have accomplished it twice in the last 63 games.

But Chicago likes defense and coach Mike Ditka likes the 49ers for that reason. Although the Bears and their No. I-ranked defense failed to make it, Ditka thinks this Super Bowl between the No. 1 and No. 2 offenses in the league still will include some defense.

Marino never has thrown more ceptions in a game than touchdown passes. Ditka thinks that day is inevitable. "THE THING ABOUT him is he throws the ball into situations you tell quarterbacks not to throw the hall in. And he's such a good passer, such an accurate passer, that he gets it into places," said Ditka. "He hasn't been shellshocked with that big interception game.

The problem in doing what he's doing is eventually it's going to come. It's got to come throwing the ball like that. That's why he throws so many touchdowns. He lust throws the ball where he thinks it should go, period." Marino's Mark II receivers, Clayton and Duper, come up with big catches consistently. "He gets rid of it in a hurry and he's got a great arm," said Ditka.

"But I think a good secondary that could switch some zone and man on him will give him a harder time." DITKA THINKS San Francisco's secondary of cornerbacks Eric Wright and Ronnie Lott and safeties Carlton Williamson and Dwight Hicks could be Marino's Waterloo. "I have to say honestly I don't think he'll beat the 49ers because the 49ers are a better overall football team," said Ditka. "The biggest challenge is how well their cornerbacks hold up against those: receivers of Miami, but I think they'll do it because they play smart, resourceful defense and they re tough. They'll knock your head off." Ditka said Marino will pick on Lott, who is not as good a cover man as Wright. Because of injuries, Lott played most of the season at safety, switching National uonterence cities.

Hornung, one of pro football's most prolific kickers and scorers, has plenty to kick about. The man Vince Lombardi once branded as invaluable to the Green Bay Packers has been snubbed by Hall of Fame voters year after year. Nobody knows whether the problem is Hornung's suspension in 1963, his flamboyant xiuiliuiiKa unc-veai ouapcnaiuii in ivvo, ma iiaiiiwyam Notre Dame Golden Boy image or the fact that the' 4, Canton shrine already is loaded with Lombardi Pack- ers. ROZELLE IS ANOTHER puzzling case. Regarded as one of the greatest commissioners in sports history throughout most of his tenure, Rozelle has Deen ignored.

by electors in recent years as his popularity seemingly ebbed and he lost courtroom battles to owner Al Davis. Some selectors have openly stated they believe Rozelle mAt chmilfl rtri ha onchrino1 until aftor ha has mtiroA ne I in iii. in. ill, in 1 1 .1 MnMjh if.S OflfWifiirnrm 1 iff rftiiL I- m- ii 1 4- UIIVTUIU kV H.l.lt "UU commissioner. Selection procedures and the exact breakdown of voting traditionally have been kept top-secret by the Hall of Fame.

Only recently have the Hall officials realized that the secrecy adds to the appearance of collusion and factionalism among voters. Beginning this year, the selection procedures are an open book, although votes will continue to be kept secret. r-Kf HERE'S HOW THE system works: Fourteen of the 15 finalists are chosen by a mail vote of the selection committee from a preliminary list of more than 50 modern-era candidates. The remaining 'J candidate Gatski this year was recommended by an -i old-timers' committee that devoted a full day to A screening candidates in a special meeting at Canton "fi last spring. mM To be eligible for election, modern-era players must be retired five years; a coach needs only to be retired, 1 UPl.

AP Dholos A nominee whose contributions came in areas other than playing or coaching Rozelle, for instance does not necessarily have to be retired to be considered. nrftLiJ Super Bowl XIX will match two of the NFL's best coaches the 49ers' Bill Walsh left and the Dolphins' Don Shula. Three of the 1985 finalists Eller, Staubach and Simp- son are eligible for the first time. Each ended his active playing career after the 1979 season. Gatski, the i old-timers nominee, must receive the same affirmative -1 f't majority approximately 82 percent needed to elect anv mnrifrn-fra candidate.

till. only 13 times all season. San Francisco is capable of pressuring Marino better than most other teams, Ditka feels. "Overall on both sides of the ball, the -49ers are the strongest team in football," said Ditka. "I think they have more strengths position by position.

Whether or not that's enough to offset that high-powered offense, I don't know." That's what half the country will watch next Sunday to find out and why television advertisers are being asked to pay $1 million a minute. twice to Miami. They don't agree with Ditka's forecast of a 49er victory. "It's Miami's year," said Steeler cor-nerback Dwayne Woodruff. "It doesn't matter who they play.

I see nothing but victory for them and it might be a big one. I don't think I've ever seen a quarterback with more poise than Marino. We didn't even slow them down." The Dolphins did lose to the Raiders and to the Chargers. The Raiders rushed Marino better than any other team, sacking him three times. He was sacked Hicks.

"They'll go right after Lott," said Ditka. 'Jusf make him play. Challenge him, challenge him, challenge him. That's how you have to play those guys. You have to go after whatever you think their Achilles heel is and just stay after it.

Don't worry about too many plays or changing too much. If you think they have an Achilles heel, stay with it. "Miami is capable of doing that." THE PITTSBURGH Steelers, the only team to beat the 49ers this season, lost "i 4. NO LESS THAN four and no more than seven new members must be elected each year. If there is a class of seven, one of those elected must be the old-timer.

Names of the seven remaining candidates, after the field of 15 has been trimmed, will be announced immediately after the meeting Saturday. Votes will be tabulated by an independent accounting firm, and even the electors won't know who they have elected when they walk out of the meeting. That announcement will come the following Tuesday, Jan. 22. ,4.