Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 23

Oi TIMES-ADVOCATE 2 Astros Back on Top 3 Palomar College Preview 4 NFL Scouting Report 7 Scoreboard DUU FRIDAY, SEPT. 18, 1981 No longer one of the boys By DON NORCROSS T-A Sports Writer SAN DIEGO It was a poignant scene. There on John Jeffersons living room floor sat Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner and a couple other Chargers. In between them was Jefferson, sprawled out on his stomach as the group watched last nights NFL game between Philadelphia and Buffalo. They watched the game like any other group of men might, criticizing the officials, the players, the broadscasters seemingly just a night out with the boys.

If by some impossible means you hadnt heard, seen or read about Jeffersons trade before walking into the room last night, you might have thought nothing had changed. But something had changed. Jeffersons had been dealt by the Chargers to the Green Bay Packers and Jefferson was elated. Im really excited, said J.J., traded to the Packers for what the Chargers announced as future draft choices and future considerations. It was learned that those draft choices were a No.

1 and No. 2 in 1982 and another No. 2 in 1983. A report out of Green Bay fixed the future considerations as the negotiating rights to defensive lineman Bruce Clark. Clark, a former No.

1 draft pick of the Packers, is now playing in Canada. Another report said the future considerations depended Jeffersons performance in Green Bay. If he performs to All-Pro standards, the 83 pick could be upgraded to a No. 1. I hate leaving San Diego and the fans, but my problems with management were beyond, I think, solving, J.J.

continued. I just want to play football. But before Jefferson can do that, he must first pass a Packers physical, a mere formality, and then come to a contract agreement with the Packers, perhaps not a mere formality, although Jefferson doesnt think it will be a problem. He said his agent, Howard Slusher, has already started negotiating with the Packers. I will be talking to Howard, said Jefferson.

Im gonna let them sit down and discuss the whole thing. They pretty much know what we want Im pretty much through talking contracts. Jefferson said that he had already talked yesterday to Packers Head Coach Bart Starr and Passing Coach Lew Carpenter. Starr told me that they would be pleased to have me there and that they were kind of anxious to get me up there and work with me. in turn, said the same thing.

Jefferson said that Starr has always been one of his idols. Growing up in Dallas, it was Green Bay and the Cowboys all the time," said Jefferson. Jefferson was excited that James Lofton, the Packers All-Pro wide receiver and a friend of J.J.s, was not going to the Chargers as part of the trade. Its always nice to know someone where youre going, said Jefferson. Of the Packers offense, J.

J. said, I think Green Bay is beginning to open it up. The Packers dont throw as much as the Chargers. Nobody throws as much as the Chargers, but they throw enough. Jefferson said he doesnt mind going from a contender to a struggling team and that the prospect of playing in cold weather for the first time in his career doesnt bother him either.

Please see Jefferson, C-3 No one wanted to see J.J. leave Padres get into a Heep of trouble SAN DIEGO (AP) Being young, gifted and playing for a pennant contender has its drawbacks. Ask Danny Heep, the Houston Astros promising young talent. The 24-year-old Heep drove in four runs to power Joe Niekro to his ninth victory of the year as the Astros breezed past the San Diego Padres, 9-0, last night. The victory kept the Astros two games ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West race, but wont help Heep stay in the lineup.

Touted in the Astros media guide as one of the top-hitting prospects in the Houston organization, Heep knows his starting role will only last until regular first baseman Cesar Cedeno recovers from a strained thigh muscle. Heep delivered the game-winning RBI for the second consecutive night. Padres starter Steve Mura, 5-13, didnt survive the first inning as Heep delivered a two-run single and Craig Reynolds added a bases-loaded triple for a quick 5-0 lead. Despite a half-price ticket promotion, the Padres drew their smallest crowd of the year 2,428. I dont want to sound like were speaking of a death, but in a way we are.

How many John Jeffersons come along? Dan Fouts, the man who aimed those spirals to Jefferson, seemed angry about yesterdays events. As he stood at an elevator after practice with a handful of teammates, all still dressed in their football equipment, Fouts was asked his opinion of the trade. No comment, said Fouts, his eyes just fixed on the elevators lighted numbers. Asked a second question, Fouts said, I have no comment on the whole situation. When the questioning persisted, Fouts said, That all sounds like negative stuff.

Fouts did say that he felt the Chargers still had a Super Bowl caliber team even without J.J. Shaw thought he understood why Fouts wasnt too talkative. Look what he lost, said Shaw. Dan might say exactly whats on his mind. And whats on his mind Please see J.

C-3 By DON NORCROSS T-A Sports Writer SAN DIEGO He had played three seasons with many of them, had shared in the great victories, the frustrating defeats, the long, tedious practices and the rowdy plane trips. He was one of them. And when the Chargers found out yesterday that John Jefferson was in reality no longer one of them their reaction was predictable. Its a damn shame, said Louie Kelcher of J.J.s trade to the Green Bay Packers, announced yesterday by Chargers owner Gene Klein. I just think its a shame that it got to this point.

We had probably one of the premier receivers youll ever see and now hes gone. Its just seems to me a big price to pay for something that could have been comprimised. There isnt anybody who wanted to lose him, said safety Pete Shaw. Everybody liked him. The players loved him.

Its a deep loss. Chargers' owner Gene Klein announces that John Jefferson has been traded Green Bay now boasts two of the NFL's best receivers Starr said Jefferson seems to feel fine about the prospect of playing for the Packers. But I dont want to get overly optimistic until we have him on the field, he said. Im very excited, but we dont have him in the fold at this point, so were somewhat reserved, he said. Were delighted with the move.

Were just hopeful of getting him here. We think the chances of signing Jefferson are good or we wouldnt have made the trade, he said. We have to have it develop and have him in here, or weve missed our guess. Starr said the Packers initiated the trade discussions several days ago and that he conferred with John Sanders, the Chargers general manager. Jefferson had said earlier yesterday that he could not play for the Chargers.

earn more than he does. Ironically, Lofton, also a Pro Bowl participant, threatened not to report to the Packers training camp in July because he wanted his contract rene- gotiated. The Packers have a policy against renegotiation, although they substantially improved various incentive clauses in Loftons existing contract, and reportedly paid him a $90,000 bonus just to report to Starr said he was confident the Packers could reach an agreement with Jefferson consistent with their policy. I believe were capable of handling that and reaching an agreement, and yet having that agreement compatible with what weve done with other people, Starr said. Starr said he spoke briefly with Jefferson by telephone shortly after the trade was made, and planned to get back to him as soon as possible.

Last year, Jefferson became the first player in NFL history to gain at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons. He has caught 199 passes in three seasons, including 82 last season for 1,340 yards. He led the NFL in receptions for touchdowns last year with 13. Jefferson has been named to the American Conference Pro Bowl squad three times, the last two years as a starter. Lofton caught 71 passes for 1,226 yards and four TDs last year.

In three NFL seasons, he has 171 catches for 3,012 yards. Like Jefferson, Lofton was named to the Pro Bowl last year. The Green Bay quarterback is veteran Lynn Dickey. Jefferson did not report to the Chargers this year because he has demanded that' the club renegotiate his contract. He has contended that at least three receivers in the NFL GREEN BAY, Wis.

(AP) The Green Bay Packers and not the San Diego Chargers now have two of the best receivers in professional football. Last year, the Chargers boasted a potent combination of John Jefferson and Charlie Joiner. Now the Packers have Jefferson to go along with James Lofton. The Packers acquired the All-Pro Jefferson yesterday in a deal contingent upon their signing him within an unspecified period of time. Jefferson, who had not reported to the San Diego Chargers this year because of a contract dispute with the National Football League club, was obtained by the Packers in exchange for future undisclosed draft choices and other considerations to be determined at a later date.

The trade is conditional upon Jefferson reporting and passing his ohysical, the Packers announce ment said. Coach Bart Starr, at a press conference late yesterday, did not say how much time the Packers' have to sign Jefferson under terms of the trade. Starr said Bob Harlan, the Packers corporate assistant, was assigned to begin negotiations immediately with Jeffersons agent, Howard Slusher. Therq is a time limit as to how long we have to consummate this, Starr said. We hope to move rapidly.

Asked if he expected any problems signing Jefferson, Starr said, I would hope not. I dont anticipate any, but lets just hope we dont. Well keep our fingers crossed until that signing comes to fruition. Jefferson, should he report, would team with Lofton to give the Packers perhaps the premier set of wide receivers in the NFL. 0- -v.