Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 17

Your A A A TIMES ADVOCATE LEMIEUX: Injuries, illness force star to miss this season from C1 to ask even from a team that has ey for at least a year, even if he's Continued tirement. added Luc Robitaille and locked trim and fit and filled with Penguins coach Eddie John- up rising star Jaromir Jagr gy next spring. ston certainly isn't as eager to with a new contract since learn- "He's had a lot of trauma and open training camp next week ing a month ago Lemieux proba- medication. He's been minus Mario, but now he must. bly wouldn't play.

punched and prodded and "When you lose the best play- Lemieux will resume rehabil- poked and zapped and rezaper in the world it's got to hurt, itation when, and if, his ped," agent Tom Reich said. "It's but I think we'll challenge any- strength and stamina return. a very, very difficult decision body for the Stanley Cup," he He plans on watching games that's been made, but (medicalsaid. and even taking a few road ly) it was a crystal clear deciStill, that might be too much trips, but there will be no hock- sion." SPANOS CHARGERS NOTEBOOK "You have to spend it," said Spanos. "You cannot treat it like a Continued from C1 have a difficult time," think we have at least equaled we have some great, great Spanos.

"Our guys or bettered ourselves. I think ers. Now it remains to be The Vance Johnson situation is a perfect example. The veteran wide receiver was signed to a $2.4 million, two-year contract in an effort to help replace Anthony Miller. But Johnson, coming off a broken ankle, wasn't able to recapture his previous form.

The Chargers cut him and have nothing to show for the $850,000 signing bonus they gave Johnson. It also counts against their salary cap. Said Spanos: "You look at Vance Johnson, $850,000. It's tough to admit you are mistaken. That's what I admire about Bobby.

We had to pay $850,000, but if the man isn't going to help our team you may as well make the changes now and move on." It is now Dean Spanos who discusses player signings and evaluations with Beathard. He is well aware many predict the Chargers face a tough season. "We lost some veteran players and we were one of the more active teams in bringing in free agents," said Dean Spanos. "One of the big uncertainties is how all the player movement is going to affect teams." He understands why the experts have low expectations for the team. But after watching the changes Beathard has made this season, he doesn't happen to agree with them.

"We were the most active team so they are saying we are going to said Dean TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1994 C3 NEW: 7.5 Ft. HIGH DELUXE POWER SYSTEM OVER 200 CHANNELS SPORTS MOVIES INT'L SALE PRICE INSTALLED. REG. 3200 -800-595-2250 MINT CONDITION (FLEER 86-87) ROOKIE CARDS MICHAEL JORDAN ($800 MINT CONDITION) HAKEEM OLAJUWON ($150 MINT CONDITION) PATRICK EWING ($100 MINT CONDITION) CHARLES BARKLEY ($150 MINT CONDITION) $795.00 (A 1200 VALUE AS PUBLISHED BY BECKETT PRICE GUIDE). OWN THE BEST OF WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

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Holidays not included. Please present this ad. Offer good until Sept. 15, 1994. THE VINEYARD Nominated a as Best New Public Golf Course in California Located across from North County Fair at 925 San Pasqual Road in Escondido.

From I-15 exit take Via Rancho Parkway east. Phone 735-9545. CHARGERS PICK UP CULVER SAN DIEGO The Chargers added a veteran running back Monday by claiming Rodney Culver, who was placed on waivers by the Indianapolis Colts. Culver is a third -year veteran who was the Colts' fourth-round pick in 1992 from Notre Dame. The 5-foot-9, 224-pound Culver rushed for 471 yards and caught 37 passes in two seasons with the Colts.

"Itwas something we weren't prepared to do, but when his name came up we thought that he was just too good a player to pass on so we made the move," said coach Bobby Ross. Culver was used mostly in short-yardage situations by the Colts. He rushed for 10 touchdowns, including seven his rookie season, and also caught three TD passes in two years. Ross said Culver will become the team's fourth-string back behind Natrone Means, Eric Bleniemy and Ronnie Harmon. "The bottom line is he's had some years of experience playing in the league," Ross said.

"It's something we felt we had to do." The team cut rookie running back Ron Rivers to make room for Culver. HENDRICKSON READY TO PLAY As expected, the club also signed linebacker Steve Hendrickson, cut last week by the Los Angeles Raiders. Ross said he expects Hendrickson, who played for the Chargers the past four seasons, to contribute immediately. "Steve knows everything that we are Ross said. "He'll start right away as a third- short- linebacker, a special teams guy and there is a good chance he will be in offensively (on short Hendrickson said the Kansas City Chiefs were also interested in signing him.

But one reason he wanted to return to the Chargers was to stay close to his wife and 2-year-old daughter and their Escondido home. Hendrickson said he was happy to be back in San Diego. "I'm just a blue collar guy, a fan who should be in the stands cheering," drickson said. "But I work real hard sol' I'm playing. I think that's why a lot of peopie relate to me.

I'm just one of the guys." Hendrickson joined the Raiders as a free agent during the offseason, signing a $1.85 million, three year contract. It included a $350,000 signing bonus. He had to take a substantial cut from the $450,000 base salary he was scheduled to earn in Los Angeles to sign with the Chargers. NOTES AND QUOTES The Chargers signed four players to their developmental squad: punter Darren Bennett, offensive lineman Raymond Smoot, wide receiver Chris Thomas and running back Tony Vinson. They can still add one more player.

Said Ross: "The probability is that it will be a defensive The club released linebacker Terry Crews to make room for Hendrickson on the roster. Wide receiver Shawn Jefferson left practice limping because of pain in his lower back. Ross said the condition isn't serious. The players elected four team captains for the season on Monday. They are center Courtney Hall, offensive tackle Harry Swayne, defensive end Leslie O'Neal and linebacker Junior Seau.

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