Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 21

1 i um have been sold for Sunday night's game with the Raiders. The number of tickets distributed is a record, surpassing 1 the 60,692 at last year's game against the a relatively low number of -shows, the Chargers should set a new record for in-house attendance as well. The current record is 58,566, set Nov. 10, 1985 against the Raiders. Fans attending Sunday's game will be given the Chargers' version of the Minnesota "'Homer Hankie," a cross between a towel and a hankie called a "Game Ball Fan Flag." The gifts don't stop there.

All fans purchasing a program will receive a free Chargers' Auto Shade. At least one other home game will sell out; there are only about 200 seats remaining for the Nov. 29 game against Denver. The Raiders have lost five straight to fall out of contention in the AFC West, but Saunders remains wary. "They're going to explode on somebody," he said.

"They have the best talent on any team in the AFC." Injury report: The Chargers reported no significant injuries coming out of Sunday's win at Indianapolis. Saunders said linebacker Chip Banks suffered a slight shoulder separation, but Banks is not expected to miss any practice time. Banks played the final three quarters Sunday with the injury. Saunders said he doesn't expect linebacker Steve Busick to be activated this week. The former Bron- co and Ram missed practice last week to return home where his wife was experiencing complications with her pregnancy.

A All is fine at home, but it's doubtful Busick will be ready to play this week. When he is ready, there's a chance he could start at the inside linebacker spot occupied by Mike Hu miston. "'I'm not discounting that possibil ity," defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said. Once Busick begins playing, the Chargers will have five defenders; who have played in the playoffs for other teams. The others: corne rback Elvis Patterson, linebacker Chip Banks, nose tackle Mike Charles and safety Mike Davis.

"I don't think you can underestimate the plus of having those guys he re," Lynn said. "It would be more of a plus if they were all playing at Pro Bowl level, but they've all ad- de something." Credit originally was given to Billy Ray Smith for forcing Eric Dickerson to fumble at a crucial point in Sunday's game. However, after viewing the tapes, the Chargers credited both Smith and Patter son. had the ball started out, and Elvis got a shoulder pad on the guy at the same time," Lynn said. "It: was a legitimate contact fumble." Lynn, after viewing tape of the fourth-quarter pass interferen ce penalty called against Danny alters Sunday: "I didn't see anywhere in there where it was justified.

In fact, I thought it was a heck of a play on (Walters') part." Robert Times Advocate Les Miller is happy to be one of three replacement starters. ATOP THE AFC American Conference West Pct. LA Raiders 3 5 375 San Diego 7 .875 Seattle 5 3 625 Denver 4 3 00-00 563 Kansas City 7 .125 East Buffalo 4 0 .500 Indianapolis 500 Miami 4 0 .500 New England A NY Jets 4 0 .500 Central Cleveland 5 3 0 .625 Houston 5 3 0 625 Pittsburgh 5 3 .625 Cincinnati 2 6 0 250 fenders Elvis Patterson, Les Miller and Mike Humiston. Three others were acquired either by trade linebacker Banks and safety Martin Bayless or on waivers nose tackle Mike Charles. The latter two have played better than expected, while Banks is just what the Chargers thought he would be outstanding.

return to break a scoreless tie in the second quarter. "It was our night and we regained the character that carried us the last few years," Townsell said. "We have to keep building on it." The Jets built a 13-0 lead as Pat Leahy kicked field goals of 35 and 36 yards. Then Townsell fumbled a punt early in the third period and Seattle recovered at the New York 3. Curt Warner scored from there.

On the Seahawks' next possession, Dave Krieg hit Steve Largent with a 29-yard scoring pass, giving Seattle the lead. "We had a chance to control the game and we didn't," said Krieg, who was harassed into a 12-for-29 night by a scrappy New York defense. "We weren't flat. We took: the lead and they came right back." O'Brien, who was 23-for-30 for 226 yards and showed a new nim-. bleness in avoiding the pass rush, guided New York 82 yards in 111 plays.

The Jets recaptured the lead on Griggs' touchdown one play after a fleaflicker backfired and TIMES-ADVOCATE, Escondido, Tuesday, November 10, 1987 C3 Chargers Notes Saunders: Winslow is back to form By Jay Posner Times Advocate Sportswriter SAN DIEGO Fifteen catches in three poststrike games has led Chargers Coach Al Saunders to proclaim tight end Kellen Winslow back in -Pro form. "He is truly a great player," Saunders said Monday, "and when he's playing intense football like he is now it's been a long time since any of us have seen him get the ball, run up the sidelines and actually run over defensive backs. He was actually punishing the secondary like he did in '82 and '83 and '84. It was just exciting to see. Kellen's playing like Kellen Winslow, and that's great news for us.

And it's not only physically, Kellen is really emotionally into it right now. When he's that way, he provides a spark for Dan Fouts, and when the situation is a critical situation, it's back to the old Dan Fouts- Kellen Winslow tandem. In my opinion, he is the best tight end in football, and he's playing up to that standard right now. Why is Winslow playing better? Saunders said health, determination and the fact the team is depending on him. "Kellen responds to that," Saunders said.

The Chargers announced that all 61.750 seats in San Diego Stadi- Chargers Continued from page C1 strong during the strike, it's just been positive." In no particular order, a few other factors: Attitude The Chargers' attitude as a team seemed to change after the strike as well. "We may not be the most highly recognizable team in terms of personnel and we may not be individually the most talented team," Saunders said, "but collectively, we've had the most success so far. It's a credit to these players who have made a commitment to be successful." Added defensive coordinator Ron Lynn: "There's the belief that we can go out and win a game every time we step on the field." That belief is illustrated by the club's last two victories. The Chargers came from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Cleveland, and from 13 points down at halftime to top Indianapolis. The replacement team had come from behind in all three of its victories.

Luck There are years when everything breaks right for one team, and this appears to be one of those years for the Chargers. Just ask St. Louis, which saw a possible comeback victory slip through the fingers of Earl Ferrell at the goal line. There have been few injuries, and the -week strike allowed older players like Fouts, Kellen Winslow and Don Macek to rest bodies that normally are beat up by this point in the season. Plus, the strike allowed the Chargers a break in the schedule; all three replacement team victories came on the road.

Dan Fouts Steve Ortmayer is new to the Chargers, but it hasn't taken the director of football operations long to realize what Fouts means to the club. "He is the guts of this whole team," Ortmayer said. As always, Fouts has been particularly masterful with the game on the line. He completed 11 of 14 fourth-quarter passes against Cleveland and 11 of 18 second-half passes against Indianapolis. "His greatness comes out when the situation is most critical," Saunders said.

Defense From a personnel standpoint, Lynn's unit was the chief beneficiary of the strike. Three of the Chargers' nine leftover replacements are starting de- Jets Continued from page C1 were talking about it. There was a little different feeling in the air. It felt good. We had to get back to being the old Jets." The old, old Jets always lost to Seattle.

These Jets have victories over the Seahawks in three successive seasons. "We just made too many mistakes to win," Seahawks Coach Chuck Knox said. "Offense, defense, special teams. It just wasn't our night." "They put our fire out," Fredd Young added. "They wanted it more." JoJo Townsell "wanted a chance to contribute.

It was definitely a must-win situation. We wanted to avoid a losing streak and needed to regain our confidence." Townsell, a backup wide receiver who figures to see much more action because Wesley Walker separated his shoulder Monday, bolted 91 yards untouched with a punt Notes Free Continued from page C1 Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, has said he's fearful the owners will continue shunning the free agents. learned how to play the game," Fehr said. Commissioner Peter Ueberroth has said: "To what extent a club desires to participate in the market for free agents is an individual matter to be determined solely by each club." Schmidt and Ripken, both eligible for free agency, agreed to new contracts minutes before midnight. Schmidt settled on a twoyear pact worth $4.5 million with Philadelphia while Ripken got a multi-year deal with Baltimore, believed to be for two seasons at about $1.7 million per year.

Others who got new contracts instead becoming free agents were Cincinnati catcher Bo Diaz, in- Schmidt Continued from page C1 almost certainly would have been consummated in a day or two, long before arbitration was necessary. After all the haggling over fine print, the contract terms announced by the Phillies Monday night were a model of simplicity. Next year Schmidt will receive a base salary of $2.15 million (a slight raise from the $2.133 he earned last season). Also, $100.000 will go to a charity of Schmidt's choice. All that money is guaranteed.

The 1989 contract calls for the same money, $2.15 million in sala- fielder Ed Romero of Boston, Baltimore outfielder Jim Dwyer, infielder Mickey Hatcher of Los Angeles and pitchers Dave Schmidt of Baltimore and Jim Gott of Pittsburgh. The New York Mets have exercised their option to keep pitcher Bob Ojeda while St. Louis released first baseman Dan Driessen. Also filing for free agency Monday were pitchers Tommy John of the New York Yankees, Joaquin Andujar of Oakland, Ed Lynch and Dickie Noles and infielder Manny Trillo of the Chicago Cubs; pitcher Mike LaCoss, outfielder Eddie Milner and utilityman Joel Youngblood of San Francisco; outfielder Ken Griffey and infielder Graig of Atlanta; utilityman Jamie Quirk of Kansas City; pitcher Mark Clear of Milwaukee; outfielder Ken Landreaux of Los Angeles; pitcher Moose Haas of Oakland and pitcher Greg Minton of California. Pitchers Dan Petry of Detroit, Bob Forsch of St.

Louis and Steve ry and $100,000 to charity, but it is not guaranteed. It can be renewed at the Phillies' option. There are some remaining questions. For example: Are there performance levels (games played, at-bats) Schmidt can reach next year that will automatically guarantee his contract for 1989? Does this mean that Schmidt, 38, will, in fact, play for two more years? In the past, he has hinted that even though he wanted to sign a two-year deal, he still reserved the right to retire after playing one more year. And, if he does play two more seasons, will they both be at third base, a position at which he has ex- Carlton of Minnesota and Twins designated hitter Don Baylor were among those who were eligible to file for free agency but did not.

Monday was also the deadline for eligible players to demand a trade. Pitchers Jeff Reardon of Minnesota and Greg Harris of Texas and infielder Alfredo Griffin did so, although that move, like declaring agency, often is a negotiating tool. Minnesota's Gary Gaetti, the American League playoff MVP, St. Louis' Jack Clark and Milwaukee's Paul Molitor each became free agents although all would prefer to remain with their teams. "Paul has told me he wants to come back and his agent feels this is the place for him to play," Milwaukee General Manager Harry Dalton said.

Whether Morris, Witt and Righetti stay with their clubs is uncertain. Righetti, who saved 31 games for the Yankees, has hinted he would like to play for San Francisco. celled, winning 10 Gold Gloves? Or will aching knees force a move to first base in 1989? Well, those are questions that will be answered later. The negotiations with the next player on the agenda, second baseman Juan Samuel, might not go SO smoothly. Samuel had a monster season (37 doubles, 15 triples, 28 homers and 100 runs batted in, despite batting lead-off half the season) and will look to be paid accordingly.

Samuel, who made $640,000 last year, would like a contract similar to the three-year, $3.9 million package Von Hayes signed before last season. 7 America's Favorite Store ATO-36 the Sauring Place LOW TIRE PRICES EVERYDAY auto center avanti 225 STEEL BELTED RADIALS a a Our priced most tread steel wearout belted economically warranty. 80R13 radial. Details in store Mounting included -No trade-in or required Road hazard warranty available AVANTI 225 AVANTI PLUS SIZE PRICE SIZE PRICE 31.97 34.97 avanti plus 32.97 36.97 33.97 37.97 STEEL BELTED RADIALS 35.97 39.97 37.97 43.97 40.97 45.97 97 41.97 46.97 32 42.97 47.97 80R13 44.97 48.97 46.97 51.97 Quality all-season steel belted 48.97 53.97 radials at an economy price. "If there's a better linebacker in the game, I don't know who it is," Ortmayer said.

The newcomers and a handful of holdovers have combined to lift the Chargers defense into 10th place in the NFL rankings (not counting night's game). Special teams Under the direction of Sevier, Ralf Mojsiejenko leads the conference in punting, Lionel James is No. 1 in punt returns, and Vince Abbott has made his last five field goals, including the game-winners against the Browns and Colts. "I am very pleased with our specialists," Sevier said. "I'm 1 not very pleased with guys covering punts and kickoffs and guys blocking for returns.

We're being bailed out because our specialists are operating at a very high level. "If we really want to challenge as one of the top teams, which our record indicates, we have to play! better on special teams." The lack of kick coverage cost the Chargers in their only loss, to Kansas City on opening day. Little has gone wrong since. terback, who could not find anyone deep. He did find Freeman open McNeil in the flat and McNeil turned O'Brien's desperation shovel pass into a 26-yard gain.

then worked. O'Brien handed the ball to RogVick on first down at the Seattle er :30. Vick pitched back to the quar- Petty's race car goes on display The Times Advocate VISTA The No. 43 Pontiac Grand Prix, which is driven by Richard Petty, the winningest driver in NASCAR history, will be on display through Wednesday at Motors. The red, white and blue Pontiac is perhaps the most recognized car in auto racing.

Petty has collected more than 200 victories on the NASCAR circuit. The car will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the dealership, 1082 S. Santa Fe in Vista.

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