Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 20

TIMES ADVOCATE C4 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1994 crmcznc: PLAYER OF THE GAEE QUOTE OF THE GAE MARTIN JOT HOSTETLER: He gets his brain crambiffd last week and hn hand stepped on this week. But he still passes for 319 yards andtwoTDa. PLAYER CF THE GAKE SAN Dl EGO Last week Tony Martin dropped two touchdown passes but the Chargers still managed to defeat the Rams. Monday night he held on to a 16-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, but it wasn enough to prevent the Chargers from losing 24-17 to the Los Angeles Raiders. The Chargers offense sputtered most of the night But the Chargers wide receivers did come up with 10 catches for 162 yards.

In addition to Martin's scoring catch, Shawn Jefferson had a 29-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. The scores were the first time the Chargers had first-half scoring passes since the first game of the season. But that was little consolation for Martin. l'm not pleased because we lost the game, said Martin. (We played tike we werent ready for (the Raiders).

We didnt play anythin well from the first play to the last 5 ChayatsdetnsAmcoaidnator DRIVE OF THE GAME BALE BAKRT: The Chargers backup quarterback came in late in tfie second quarter when Humphries jammed his thumb hittirgone of the Raiders on a pass. Gilbert complete all three of his passes, including a 16-yard TD pass with seven seconds left in the that tied the game 14-14. PASSING DEFENSE SCORCHED1 LOWS The Chargers defense gave up 317 net passing yards to Raiders quarterbacks Jnff Hostetler and Vince Evans, tt was the most allowed since the openinggame in Denver, when the Broncos passed for 341 yards. lt was a flash back, wasnt it, said strong safety Damn Carrington. lt was a case of missed assignments and broken plays.

They mixed things up well. But we've played a lot better than that. It belongs to the Raiders. cme Immediately after the Chargers had tied things 17 in the fourth quarter. Hostetler moved them 81 yards in nine plays, going 5-for-5 for 68 yards.

His 6yard TD pass to Racket was the game-winner. Alex, give equipment manager EM a raise. He's the miracle-worker for finding enough of those cool blue throwbacks jerseys for the Chargers' Monday Night Football appearance. SUNDAY: The Chargers (94) play San Francisco (11-2) at 1 p.m. at Jack Murphy Stadium.

THE KIGHS AND half Hey, Breaks responsible baby primetime Come the one Matrons wide means The snapped. SEAU STILDIURTIN! GAME ANALYSIS Junior Seau finished as the leadingtackler in the game with 11 and had one sack. But Seau, who is bothered by a pinched nerve in his neck, still wasn't happy with his performance. 1 could have made a big impact in the game, said Seau. But I missed tackles.

Personally, I feel I played a pretty terrible game. I didnt do my part on, Bobby Rosa, Stan Humphries is who gets paid to pass the ball, not Means. That wobbler that missed a open Shannon MKcheN in the end zone Natrone should run the ball, not throw R. MEANS LETS ONESLIP. AWAl The Raiders looked like they wanted this one more than the Chargers.

They were called for a team-record tying 17 penalties and still pulled out a win. They rolled up 410 yards in offense and limited the Chargers to 47 yards rushing. Game over. Fantastic Elastic Defense finally Nothing worked right as they allowed 317 passing yards to a team that loves to go deep and nearly 100 rushing yards to a team that normally cant run. A fumble by running back Natrona Moans in the third quarter ended one Chargers scoring opportunity inside the Raiders 20.

It was only his third fumble of the season and the second he has lost It cost the Chargers a chance to take over the lead. The score was tied 14-14. 1 pretty much cost us, said Means. We had it It happened so fast I didnt know what happened. The ball just came out.

HUMPHRIES SPRAINS THUMB game winning touchdown vs. Chargers Quarterback Stan Humphries had to leave the game late in the second quarter after spraining his right thumb. He hit the thumb on a Raiders player while throwing a pass. Humphries returned to play the second half. "When I threw the ball before the half, it just came down right on top of a helmet and jammed it," said Humphries.

lts more or less in the knuckle. It think it is going to be stiff (this) morning, but I was able to keep gripping a ball trying to keep my hand from stiffening up and able to keep it where I could throw. Humphries said the thumb shouldnt be a problem. 1 can't say it bothers me at all, he said. I think I threw the ball in the second half probably just as well.

BEST HITOFJHFNIGH Compiled by Geoffrey Ooley 15171 AIL Catches Continued from Cl one against Darrien Gordon. The Raiders gave the ball to Calvin Jones for a 1-yard gain, but Ismail saw Chargers free safety Stanley Richard geared to stop the run. "X-slant, Ismail thought, X-slant." Ismail knew he could beat Gordon if the Chargers stayed in the same defense on third-and-1. Full of hope, he returned to the huddle to hear Hostetlers words: X-slant." When he said that in the huddle, my eyes were like, Oh God, Ismail said. It had to be from God." You could scour the Old Testament without seeing a single reference to the Almighty in sil- Martin may have gotten in the best hit of the night.

It came even before the start of the game. Martin reportedly was running pass patterns in pregame warmups and collided with Raiders owner Al Davis, who wound up with a bandage on his lip. WINSLOW HEADS PICKS FOR CHARGERS HALI GlilKCH: Even throwback jerseys cant help Chargers CUAng-RS Continued from Cl passes in the game for 319 yards and two touchdowns. Backup Vince Evans, briefly in late in the second quarter, threw a third Raiders touchdown pass. They also rushed for 93 yards and finished with 410 yards in offense.

"We played like we werent ready for (the Raiders), defensive coordinator Bill Amspar-ger said. We didnt play anything well from the first play to the last. They Raiders won despite being called for 17 penalties tying their club record for most in one game for 146 yards. But the Chargers offense never came close to taking advantage. Quarterback Stan Humphries completed 17 of 33 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown.

Backup Gale Gilbert, who came on briefly when Humphries sprained his right thumb late in the second quarter, threw one just before halftime. "It was a physical war, a physical game out there, said Humphries, who was sacked twice. They made more big plays than we did. Weve got to get more points on the board than 17. Youre not going to win a whole lot of games with just 17 points." The Raiders shut down the Chargers running game.

Natrone Means was limited to 41 yards rushing on 18 attempts, his poorest game of the season. He also cost the Chargers a chance to take the lead early in the third quarter. With the score tied 14-14 and the Chargers at the Raiders 19 early in the third quarter, the Chargers tried a running back option pass. Means overthrew a wide-open Shannon Mitchell on what would have been a TD pass. I just rushed myself and overthrew him, Means said.

He was wide open." Two plays later Means fumbled the ball inside the Raiders 20. The Raiders took over and marched to the Chargers 25 where Jeff Jaegers 43-yard field goal put them ahead 17-14. I cant say its the worst game our defense has played, free safety Stanley Richard said. But its up near the top. It didnt take the Raiders long to score their first touchdown.

Hostetler hit Wright with a 76-yard touchdown pass when Richard got lost in the secondary. The play gave the Raiders a 7-0 lead just 1:10 into the game. "It was lack of discipline on my part, Richard said. "I had seen them run that route over and over in practice. I was trying to make something happen and I jumped out of my coverage.

But the Raiders defense disintegrated the next time the Chargers had the ball. The Chargers went 63 yards in four plays. Defensive lineman Jerry Ball was offside on three consecutive plays. A personal foul against Nolan Harrison put the Chargers on the Los Angeles 29. Humphries then hit wide receiver Shawn Jefferson with a 29-yard scoring toss to make it 7-7 with 11:09 left in the first quarter.

The Raiders answered with an impressive 14-play, 82-yard drive. They had to overcome two more penalties of their own. But two penalties against the Chargers helped keep it alive. Dwayne Harper was called for illegal hands to the face on third-and-18. It gave the Raiders an automatic first down.

A holding call against Richard cost the Chargers a sack of Hostetler that would have set up a third-and-15. The Raiders went ahead 14-7 when backup quarterback Vince Evans threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ismail. Despite the loss, the Chargers still hold a two-game lead over the Raiders, Denver and Kansas City, who are all tied for second at 7-6. A victory this week over visiting San Francisco will clinch the AFC West title. We didnt push it in when we should have pushed it in, Martin said.

"It doesnt get any easier. We get San Francisco next week. It gets tougher. "We let one slip through our hands tonight, Jefferson said. We still control our own destiny and all that, but we had a chance to wrap it up and we didnt do it.

The Chargers on Monday added three more players to the team's Hall of Fame, bringing the total to 17 inductees. Tight end Kellen Winslow, tackle Russ Washington and defensive backretum specialist Leslie Speedy" Duncan will be honored formally during a game next season. Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns as a Charger from 1979-87. Washington, a defensive end his first two seasons, played 13 more seasons after switching to offense. In his career from 1968-82, Washington, who now owns a carwash in National City, established Chargers records for games (200), starts (196), consecutive games (178) and consecutive starts (148).

Duncan, a Chargerfrom 1964-70 before finishing with the Washington Redskins, averaged 25.3 yards on kickoff returns with the Chargers, 12.0yards on punt returns and intercepted 21 passes. For Winslow, now a budding sports agent for the law firm of Shook, Hardy and Bacon in Kansas City, the honor doesnt exactly erase the bad memories of his departure from San Diego. Winslow retired because of a knee injury, but the club insisted he was fit to play and withheld his guaranteed salary before a settlement was reached. Tve really got to admit, Winslow said by telephone. Tm a little uncertain in my reaction to this.

You all are aware of the situation and how my career ended. I would be lying if I said it still doesn't bother me. But the time will come, the time will come. Duncan, a physical education teacher at OFarrell Community School in San Diego, also remembers some run-ins with management, though his bring a smile. Duncan played when Ski Glllman doubled as Chargers coach and general manager.

PLAYOFF GLANC Continued from Cl by-blue throwback jerseys were secretly brought back. But when it was time to open the presents, the Raiders instead stole the tree, the stockings and even the milk and cookies. This was a gift, said Chargers safety Stanley Richard, who was the first giver of the evening, getting beat by Alexander Wright for a 76-yard touchdown pass on the Raiders first offensive play of the game. Christmas was going to come early, but we didnt want it enough. Not that the Raiders werent in a giving mood.

Heck, they were flagged for 17 penalties totaling 146 yards. Even given that the Chargers got manhandled by a Raiders team that looked as good Monday night as they had in a long time. With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Mondays game, you might think the Chargers a fairly young team were distracted. ver and black. But whatever forces were behind the play call, it worked.

The Chargers defense bought Hostetlers play fake, Ismail got a step on Gordon and the quarterback drilled the ball for a 6-yard touchdown that gave the Raiders their 24-17 advantage with 7:23 to play. Click. "Rocket, said Raiders coach Art Shell, "you gotta get the ball in his hands. He makes things happen. Ismail also had a 6-yard touchdown reception to put the Raiders ahead 14-7 in the second quarter.

That came from backup quarterback Vince Evans, after Hostetler went out for three plays because of an iiyury to his left hand. No, Im not even going to go into that young team thing, said defensive tackle Shawn Lee. A lot of guys here know how it is to win and how it is to lose. The most important thing is we have to realize theres only one shot when we get into the playoffs. You lose one game, youre out.

There are no second chances. This game, the difference was they still have a chance to go to the playoffs. They knew they had to win this game. A lot is on the line as far as were concerned, but during the week we probably took too many things for granted. We knew what we had to do, we knew what was riding on it," said Stan Humphries, not believing in the distraction theory.

I felt like everybody was intense, everybody was into the game. We knew what was going on. It was a question of going out and doing it. Some Chargers felt it was a question of the Raiders on the verge of being eliminated from a potential postseason berth. I think the Raiders wanted the game more than we did, gers and probably never will, a doctor said.

He has no sensation below his belly button, neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Schlitt told a news conference at Overtake Medical Center, where Frier and teammates Chris Warren and Lamar Smith were brought after last Thursday's crash. Meanwhile, at Kirkland, Rick Mirers broken left thumb will sideline him the rest of this season. A Seattle hand specialist. Dr.

Stephen Fuhs, operated on the right-handed Mirer late Monday at Seattles Swedish Hospital. Eagles: At Philadelphia, coach Rich Ko-tite, upset about the Interception that cost the Eagles a chance to beat Dallas Sunday, said he may bench Randall Cunningham against Pittsburgh. Kotite said that if Cunningham was replaced by Bubby Brister, who made 57 starts at quarterback for the Steelers from 1986-92, he would announce the decision Wednesday. Cowboys: At Irving, Texas, Dallas special teams ace Bill Bates underwent surgery to repair a fractured right thumb, and Joe Fishback was activated to take his place on the roster. The Cowboys put running back Derrick Lassie on Injured reserve and defensive end Jim Jeff coat agreed to restructure his contract to keep the team under the salary cap.

Patriots: At Foboro, New En The Chargers still have a two-game lead over Kansas City, Denver and the Raiders in the AFC West with three games to play. The only way the Chargers will notwin the division title is if they lose all three of their final games and Denver, Kansas City or the Raiders win all three of theirs. The Chargers hold the tie-breaker advantage over all three teams should they finish the season In a tie with any of them. The Chargers also have a one-game lead over Miami to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. If they finish with the same records, the tie-breaker Is conference record.

Both are currently 7-3 with one game to play. The Dolphins host Kansas City next week. The Chargers close the season at home against Pittsburgh. They can still have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs by finishing with the AFC's best record. If they finish with the same record as Pittsburgh, they can earn homefield advantage by defeating the Steelers in the final game of the season.

The nights work for Ismail included four receptions for 31 yards and the two touchdowns. He gained 46 yards on three kickoff returns and 13 yards on a reverse run that would have been a loss had Ismail not eluded defensive end Leslie ONeal, who was camped in the back-field. More important to Ismail, though, is the fact that Hostetler spread the ball around to eight different Raiders. Brown led the way with seven receptions for 96 yards, but Hostetler totaled 319 yards on 22-for-29 passing. "He knows that when he puts the ball up, were going to come down with it," Ismail said.

It all came to fruition tonight. said cornerback Darrien Gordon. I dont think we played with the hunger that you need to win an AFC Championship thats on the line. Probably the only thing that all Chargers agreed upon in the locker room after the game was just how much the Raiders dominated. The fact that the Chargers actually had an outside chance of winning it in the final four seconds was a miracle on Friars Road.

"I could stand up here and be very analytical, coach Bobby Ross said to reporters after the game. "But I think we just got an old-fashioned whupping. "We missed out on a golden opportunity. We had the opportunity and we did not do it. Much to the Chargers credit, they didnt blame Frank, Al, Dan, Chris Berman, ESPN, the fireworks, the balloons or even the baby-blue throwback uniforms.

They blamed themselves. They had a gift and the Raiders stole it. John Blsognano is sports editor of the Times Advocate. gland placed starting nose tackle Tim Goad, a severvyear veteran, on injured reserve as a result of a fractured right tibia he suffered In Sunday's win over the New York Jets. Bengali: At San Francisco, a woman who claimed she was raped by Bengals football players in a Seattle-area motel must abide by a $30,000 settlement she accepted, but her children may be able to sue independently, a federal appeals court ruled.

VSdngK At Eden Prairie, Minnesota put starting tight end Adrian Cooper on injured reserve and filled his roster spot with free agent linebacker Richard Brown. Steelers: At Pittsburgh, Steelers running back Barry Foster has two broken bones In his lower back, not a contusion Initially diagnosed, but could play again ai soon as Sunday. Rama: At SL Louis, the group trying to bring a National Football League team to SL Louis has denied reports that a deal had been finalized with the Rams. Former Sen. Thomas F.

Eagleton, point man for FANS said at a news conference hat while he was still confident thata deal could be worked ouL It was far from being finalized. I ESPN had reported on a pregame show on Sunday that FANS Inc. had closed a I deal with the Rams late last week. INJURY REPORT! Offensive guard Joe Cocozzo left In the second quarter with a strained foot Humphries bruised his right thumb in the second quarter but returned in the second half. Tight end Duane Young aggravated a groin injury and left the game in the third quarter.

GEOFFREY OOLEY and SHAUN O'NEILL Elway expected to play Sunday Ctagara summary MDBS 24, OUMOV 17 LA Mu 7 71 10-2 MB 7 71 1-47 taria IA WMgM 76 pass from Hosteller (Jaeger Mck), 1:10. LffAte SO-Jefferson 29 pass from Humphries (Carney kick), 151. Orffe. 63 yarts, 4 plays. Key piers lSyard uraeorn-mnfle conduct penalty on Rader Harlson; ttwe offside penalties on Raiders.

ta 7, Lea tafta 7. (atari Qaariar U-tsmal 6 pass from Evans (Jaeger kick). 13. Drive: 82 yards. 14 plays.

Key piavs: HosteOer 18 pass to Rathman to Chargers 47; Ismal 13 rw to Chargers 24; Hosteller 7 run on 3rdtd to Chargers 7. Ill ta 14, to Diego 7. SO-Martin 16 pass from GOPert (Carney Mck). 14:51 Otter 55 yards. 9 plays.

Key plays: Homphrtes 24 pass to Seay on 3rdndl8: Gated 14 pass to Harmon to Raders 20. Lea ariia 14, taDtap 14. Fiarfi tariff UM5 Jaeger 41 55. Orar 55 yards, 10 plays. Key plays: Hostetler 13 pass to Brown Hostetler 11 run.

lea ta In 17. tan 14. SD-fB Carney 24, 236. Orta 18 yards, 5 plays. Key plays: Catenae 68 MAoff return; Means 11 run.

Us ta 17, tan 17. LMsmal 6 pass from Hostetler (Jaeger kick), 7:37. Drtee- 81 yards. 9 plays. Key plffs: Hoatetter 31 and 16 pasa-as to Broiin.

Us llaaa 14, ta Dtego 17. Noshow-592. NFL ROUNDUP: Knee injury not as serious as first feared; Seattle QB Rick Mirer out for season Wire Servicer At Denver, John Elways knee injury isnt as serious as first thought, and the Denver Broncos quarterback intends to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Raiders. Its real encouraging right now, coach Wade Phillips said Monday. There is a possibility he can play.

It depends on how he responds to treatment. Doctors diagnosed the injury to the left knee as a strained muscle with mildly stretched ligaments. Elway said he is sore, but looking toward the Raiders game, and hoping to keep the Broncos alive for the playoffs. Seahawks: At Bellevue, Mike Frier, the Seahawks defensive tackle who broke his neck In a car accident, can flex his biceps but can't move his legs or fin- WOmDUris. 5T ATtSTICS RUSHW Los Angelea-H.

Williams 2041, CJones 521, Hostetler 218, Ismal 1-11 Sff Dtego-Means 1841 Harmon 44. PASSIM Los Angetes-Hosteder 22-29-1-319. Evans 2-209. San Orego-Humphnes 17-330202, Gilbert 13034, Mens 01-00. RECEMM Los Angeles Bream 7-96.

Rathman 434. Ismail 431, H. Wiliams 415, Bender 2-14, Wright 1-76, Jett 1-54, Glow 1-8. Sen Otego-Seay 461. Harmon 440, Jefferson 258, Matte 143, MRchril 216, Means 28, D.Young 16, Pupuna 14.

TXCnEMURTMKXS Los Angeles-Fredrickson 6-10, Bates 500, Lewis 400, Anderson 224. Btekeri 324, N.Hantson 104, McDaniel 200, Moss 144, McGlockton 224. Stitt) 201. Frank 240. Wallace lOL Ball 144.

HosMni 144. San Drego-Seau 101-L Gibson 914. Griggs 740, Gos don 604. Carington 444. Mims 301 ONeal 104, R.Daris 214.

Lee 2-14, Bchanl 2-14. Hamer 140, Vanhorse 144. M1BREPTXM Ins Angeles None. San Dtego-Griggs. MBSEOFBOKMJ las Angeles- Hone.

Sen Diego Hone. OfHClALS-fleferee Geny Austin, Umo John Keck, HI Bobby McGrath. Ron Baynes, BJ Tom MANS, SJ Mite Bor ganL FJ Jack Vaugwn. Tine: 313..