Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 14

B-2 JIMES-ADVOCATE, ESCONDIDO. SUN 24. 1977 DAVE HOFF Verdict savior for writers, too Rams agree to terms with top draft pick FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) The Rams have agreed to a series of one-year contracts with their top draft choice, Bob Brudzinski, the National Football League Club announced Saturday. Brudzinski, a linebacker who played defensive end for Ohio State, has been absent from the Rams training camp at California State University at Fullerton.

But he was expected to report today. Weve agreed to terms, said a Rams spokesman. Hes coming in to sign. The 6-4, 230-pound Brudzinski was Ohio State's Most Valuable Player last year, as well as being named first team All American. He is from Fremont, Ohio.

and time. You seldom see any of the FOBs in the paper, but heres your chance. Quoted verbatim, for your reading pleasure, here are a couple of FOBs: This one is titled Ecology working at the Rancho Bernardo Inns Golf Course. Rancho Bernardo Inns golf course provides enough oxygen to support over 10,000 people daily during the growing season, April through October. Through the process of photosynthesis, the ground cover serves as an enormous air conditioner for the Rancho Bernardo Community.

In addition, the trees surrounding the course help reduce dust and cool the air; the lakes help store ground water and reduce run off. The championship SCGA-rated course does all of this and also adds to the beauty and physical well being of the community. Interesting, heh? Informative. Stimulating. I can see the headline for the story now: GOLF COURSE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING 10,000 ALIVE IN RANCHO BERNARDO.

The next example of an FOB comes from an advertising agency in Orange County which promotes the bullfights in Tijuana. This particular release was concerned with the Casa Blanca ranch near Juarez which raises fighting bulls. Casa Blanca, a half dozen seed bulls keep a hundred or so brave-blooded cows contented and in a nearly constant state of maternal condition. And, as the fighting bull gets his size and strength from his father, but his bravery and killer instinct come from his mother, the cow is tested at two years of age. If the cows pass their tests, theyre allowed to breed.

Otherwise, we have a barbeque, smiled the Major (Salvador Lopez Hurtado, ranch owner). The headline: COWS FAIL SEX TESTS; BARBEQUE ON TAP. There has been a Pony League All-Star Tournament going on this past week in Escondido, and while league officials have been lax turning in results to the newspaper, somebody deserves plaudits for their efforts at the tournament. Its the Vincent DiGiovanni family, owners of Lenas Liquor, which has supplied mounds of ice every day of this scorching week at no charge. The Chargers paid $250,000 a year to get a 40-year-old Johnny Unitas.

They let 33-year-old Gary Garrison go for the $100 waiver price. Something, as usual, is amiss. Notes and Quotes: That court decision that came out of San Francisco Friday not only got Chuck Noll off the hook, but also made work a little easier for that group of riffraff which is always looking for an easier way sports writers. Before explaining, lets set the stage for the courtroom drama. George Atkinson, a DH (designated hit man) for the Oakland Raiders, had taken Noll to task for what he felt were comments somewhat unbecoming concerning Georges enthusiasm for his job.

Noll coaches the Pittsburgh Steelers, not exactly members of the Salvation Army band thefnselves, and was upset when Atkinson tried to behead one of his players, Lynn Swann, during a game last season. Noll was so perturbed by the Atkinson-caused Swann dive, that he linked the Raider defender to the criminal element in the National Football League. Atkinson felt those dirty words were worth about $2 million and thats what he sued Noll for. Fortunately, the jury decided that Nolls description of Mr. Atkinson was appropriate.

In fact, anybody who saw Atkinsons act of mayhem might agree that the wrong man was on trial. Perhaps Atkinson should have been the defendent, charged with assault. In defense of Atkinson, one of his teammates testified that football is not a kissing contest. True. Nor is: it a killing or maiming contest.

We' left that game behind with the gladiators. Football is rough, but its still a game where the participants are expected to walk away, not be dragged away like a loser in a bullfight. So what does this have to do with sports writers? Suppose that jury had found Noll guilty to the tune of $2 million or a portion of that sum. Coaches everywhere would start clamming up. Theyd be afraid to talk.

Theyd be afraid that what they said to a newspaper guy would be used against them in court. Coaches may be in a. high-income bracket, but they wouldnt be for long if they started getting sued for criticism of tire enemy. Coaches who talk are a godsend foir sports writers. Coaches who dont are a big headache.

So now that its not costing you anything, keep on talking Chuck. If you didnt, wed have to make up something. There are two basic types of press releases: FOI (full of information) and FOB (full of baloney). The FOIs usually find their way into the newspaper, but the FOBs are a waste of stamps, envelopes SAN Staff Photo by Rick Hoff DIEGO WIDE RECEIVER JOHNNY RODGERS Fouts tells Prothro hes No doubts about offense Rodgers Firing rumors about Martin may be truth NEW YORK (AP) Manager Billy Martin of the New York Yankees held a closed door clubhouse meeting Saturday to apparently gain support from his players amid strong rumors that he would be fired shortly. After the meeting, Martin voiced the belief that he would lose his job in the near future.

I believe 'the rumor is pretty strong, the beleagured Yankee manager told reporters. I believe I have something to worry about. I hope Im still talking to you a month from now. Both principal Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and General Manager Gabe Paul were conspicuous by their absence at Yankee Stadium during the clubs 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday. Steinbrenner was said to be on a business trip, and Paul was unavailable for comment.

Martin was besieged by clubhouse visitors Saturday, many of them voicing questions about his situation. "About 50 people told me youre going to be fired, said Phil Rizzuto, one of the Yankee broadcasters and a one-time teammate of Martins. I dont know a thing, Martin answered. Brooklyn sees Forego drop second straight NEW YORK (AP) Great Contractor shot inside of Forego and Co Host with a little more than a quarter-mile left and went on to win the $111,000 Brooklyn Handicap Saturday at Belmont Park. Forego, a three-time Horse of the Year owned by Martha Gerry was spotting from 22 to 30 pounds to 12 rivals.

He finished a distant second in losing his second straight race. However, the $24,420 second money made Forego only the second thoroughbred ever to win at least $1.8 million. His bankroll now is $1,818,935., The lVa-mile race was unusual in that Forego, topweighted at 137 pounds, went for the lead with about a mile left. The big 7-year-old geldings usual style is to lay off the pace, then make a big run on the turn. Apparently, the slow early pace forced Foregos rider, Bill Shoemaker, to change tactics.

Whatever the reason, Forego had little left at the end as he finished llVa lengths back of Great Contractor and a neck in front of American History. It was the first victory in eight starts this year for Howard P. Wilsons Great Contractor whose last victory was in the 1-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup in his final start of 1976. Sports writer Larry Littlefield is on vacation. His column will resume when he returns.

of Bowl an year (40-6), Johnny the practices the man, far big the to at hes not reporting LA JOLLA San Diego Chargers head coach Tommy Prothro finally made contact with quarterback Dan Fouts Friday, but the disgruntled pass-thrower is still continuing his absence from training camp, making him the only veteran that did not report to the NFL clubs training headquarters at University of California, San Diego. The Chargers now have 69 of the 70 people on the roster in camp, and the team must shave 25 off that total by the beginning of the season. Prothro said that he reached Fouts by telephone at the home of the quarterbacks sister in San Francisco. I told him that I wouldnt want to talk him into anything, said Prothro, and I didnt want him to feel that he had painted himself into a comer. I told him that if he reported, the matter would be forgotten in two or three days.

"He told me he didnt feel that he had painted himself into a comer, and while he didnt plan to come, he appreciated me calling. Other Charger developments saw seven-year veteran safety Chris Fletcher placed on waivers, along with wide receiver John Tuttle, and pass defenders Jeff Barton, Barney Pearson and Darnell Meyers. Running back Mercury Morris, who earlier had said he would retire if he won a recent court decision to gain custody of his son, won the decision and informed the club he would carry out his plans. Morris has been placed on reserved-retired status. Verdict vindicates Noll Cont.

From Page B-l the decade, and he did it again with another dazzler in the Huskers Orange win (45-6) over Alabama, capping unblemished season. Rodgers senior saw nothing short of the Heisman Trophy and another Orange Bowl rout this time over Notre Dame. Four years have passed since the Chargers made the fleet Rodgers their number one choice in 1973. Those four years were spent with the Montreal Canadians of the Canadian Football League, where Rodgers averaged 18.6 yards per catch, 28.0 yards per kickoff return and 13.7 yards per punt return. Rodgers was also a champion in Montreal, where he was known as R.

Superstar, and hes hoping to do same in San Diego. Rodgers was caught between recently at the UCSD camp, and he talked about his days with Nebraska, CFL and his first week with the Chargers. An articulate and handsome Rodgers makes it clear that he expects the Chargers to go places. There are no doubts in my mind as as our offense is concerned. Last year, the team did not have the ingredients that it has this year, with Ja-James (Harris), Charlie (Joiner), the tight end, Pat Curran, and myself on same team.

Right now, we dont think that we cant win it. We're going have to split with Oakland, first. Those guys were just at the right place the right time last season. Rodgers has nothing but confidence regarding his new quarterback. James is the man.

Hes working real hard to be part of the team, and I think left most of those problems with A tkinson loses slander suit SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The failure of George Atkinsons $2 million slander suit either vindicated Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Chuck Noll or gave him the right to say anything he wants about anybody he wants, depending on which side you listen to. A federal court jury determined Friday that Noll and the Steelers could not be held liable for comments in which Noll linked Atkinson, a defensive back for the Oakland Raiders, to a criminal element in pro football. The vindication of Chuck Noll and the Steelers is a very good thing for football, Steelers attorney James Macln-nis said Friday. It will put a stop to the kind of thing for which he criticized I am pleased, a relieved Steeler President Dan Rooney said moments after the verdict was announced. It has been the most depressing experience of my life.

Im happy. Atkinson, who was not present when the verdict was read, was not available for comment. He had said earlier in the trial had he did not want to go to court, but would have settled for a retraction by Noll. Contacted at the Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Nolls only comment was were very happy. Swann said his reaction was one of complete ecstacy.

The Steelers told newsmen following the verdict they harbored no ill will for Atkinson and did not think the trial would do anything to heighten the tense Steeler-Raider rivalry. We dont feel there is any bad blood on our side, Rooney said, adding that the trial left no bitter taste in my mouth. "As for George Atkinson, said Maclnnis, for whom we have nothing but good wishes, the verdict may be an indication of how he should play and it may in the end make him a better and more glorious player. Brown said an appeal will be studied. "I dont understand how any citizens could sit back and let someone say someone is a criminal element without doing anything about it," Brown said.

George Atkinson. The jury has substantially sanctioned Chuck Nolls right to use that term against anyone he deems it appropriate to do so, said Willie attorney for Atkinson. They should be ashamed of themselves. The two-man, four-woman jury deliberated four hours at the end of a nine-day U.S. District Court trial before returning a verdict in favor of the defendants.

Atkinson had filed suit seeking a million dollars each from the Steelers and Noll after Noll made the criminal element accusation and charged Atkinson had deliberately tried to maim receiver Lynn Swann. I SWIMMING'S TOP QB Los Angeles Rams quarterback Joe Namath spends several hours a day in the swimming pool as a replacement for the running endured by his Ram teammates. Doctors say that running would have a negative effect on Namath's feeble knees, so the Rams' training staff laid out a swimming program for Broadway Joe. I i.