Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 20

C2 TIMES-ADVOCATE, Escondido, Monday, October 9, 1989 Chargers Notes Chargers admit the penalty, but theyre unhappy with call Tne Assoc weo ess A pass from John Elway slips through the hands of Denver receiver Mark Jackson with Charger Gill Byrd covering. Chargers Continued from page Cl cut the margin to 10-9. Tackle Joel Patten was called for two penalties on the Chargers next possession, effectively killing the teams chance of running down the clock. After Denver took over with 4:25 left, the Broncos had third-and-three at their 33, when rookie defensive end Burt Grossman jumped offside, giving Denver a first down. Later in the same drive, defensive tackle George Hinkle was called for encroachment on third-and-eight.

Denver made the first down in two plays. Just four plays after Hinkles penalty, rookie running back Bobby Humphrey scored on a brilliant 17-yard run with only 1:03 remaining to give the Broncos the victory. The last two mistakes were especially costly, because the Chargers had shut down Elway most of the afternoon. Hes a master of the hard count, no doubt about it, Charger defensive end Lee Williams said. In viewing films, he had been doing it to the previous teams theyve played.

We were a little anxious to put heat on him, and our discipline wasnt up to par. Said defensive coordinator Ron Lynn: He was doing a good job of changing the inflection in his voice, hes a master at that. But weve played against him enough times to know that We need to be more disciplined and take care of ourselves and not worry about him." Added linebacker Billy Ray Smith: When you play Elway, you have to temper your enthusiasm to get at the quarterback because he does that so well. You cant ask the defensive linemen to lay back, but you have to play Elway with more savvy. Chargers Coach Dan Henning couldnt provide an answer as to why his defenders had such a difficult time dealing with Elway.

Its our job to stay onsides. He goes to a hard count. We work on a hard count all the time. We use it ourselves, he said. You expect that on an occasion he might be able to get you off, but not five or six times.

In the first quarter, an offside call cost the Chargers an interception. Cornerback Gill Byrd was flagged before safety Vencie Glenn picked off Elway. The turnover, however, was nullified, and the Broncos eventually scored on readwells first field goal. All totaled, the Chargers jumped offsides on three of Denvers four scoring drives. Through three quarters, the Chargers had done a solid job against Elway and the Broncos.

Leading 10-6, the Chargers had kept Denver out of the end zone. Although the Chargers werent spectacular offensively, they had not turned the ball over in their conservative attack. The Chargers took the opening kickoff and consumed 8.07 their longest drive of the season deftly mixing quarterback Jim McMahons short passes with runs by Spencer and rookie Marion Butts. The drive culminated with Chris Bahrs 39-vard field goal. Denvers only points of the half came on Treadwells two field goals from 46 and 18 yards.

The Broncos used more than eight minutes on both drives, and were aided by Chargers penalties. On the second drive, Elway had scrambled for 13 yards to the Chargers 19. But when linebacker Leslie O'Neal hit Elway out of bounds, it moved the ball to the 9. The drive eventually stalled, setting up Treadways second field goal. The Chargers, who gained only 211 yards to Denvers 335, got a big lift in the third quarter when rookie Dana Brinson returned Mike Horans punt 52 yards to the Denver 28.

Six plays later, Butts scored from the 2, bringing his season total to six touchdowns rushing. Its a disappointing loss for us because I thought we were in it all the way, Henning said. I thought we were in control, but we had too many penalties. Oh, those penalties. In addition to the six offside calls, the Chargers also were flagged another four times for a total of 10 penalties for 57 yards.

Its a game that we felt we gave away, said Smith. Were not a devastated team. I think we were the most physical team out there. I dont think the Broncos beat us. We beat ourselves.

You have a guy like Elway, though, and we just gave him too many opportunities to beat us. Elway, 12 of 23 passing for 118 yards going into the fourthquarter, lit up in the last 15 minutes. He was seven of 12 including two dropped passes for 81 yards in the final quarter. The seven-year pro ended up 19 of 35 for 199 yards, one interception and no touchdowns. And when the Chargers gave up the two costly penalties, Elway made them pay.

Following Hinkles penalty, Humphrey ran for two yards on third-and-three to the Chargers 1985. Tim ran real well today. In fact, all the backs did a good job with the ball," said H-back Joe Caravel-lo, whose crushing blocks opened a number of holes. Spencer was typically low-keyed afterward, instead fretting over his lost fumble at the Chargers 22-yard line that set up David Treadwells 27-yard field goal. I didnt do my job there, which is to protect the ball, he said I did run into one of my lineman (guard Broderick Thompson), but that didnt cause the fumble." Although the replays seemed to indicate that Bronco linebacker Karl Mecklenburg poked the ball away while making the tackle, Spencer disagreed.

One of their guys grabbed me and I was trying for some extra yards and it just slipped out, Spencer said. Overall, the Chargers ran the ball effectively. The team ran for 118 yards on 26 carries (4.5 aver-age). Kicking opposites: While Denver placekicker David Treadwell attempted four field goals Sunday making three his Charger counterpart, Chris Bahr, had only his second field goal try of the season. Bahr nailed a 39-yarder to make him 2-for-2 this season.

Treadwell was much busier, hitting from 46, 18 and 27 yards. His lone miss was from 54 yards out at the end of the first half. It marked the first missed field goal for readwell after 1 1 attempts. That tied a Denver record for most consecutive field goals made at the start of a career (11). Dot to dot: The Broncos had advantages in virtually every offensive category, including total yards (335-221), first downs (24-12), plays (73-48) and time of possession Charger cornerback Gill Byrd picked off his fourth pass this season, and the teams eighth.

The team had 16 interceptions all last season Charger quarterback Jim McMahon, 10 of 19 for 1 16 yards and one interception, completed only three passes to his wide receivers The Chargers used wide receiver Anthony Miller on their final two kickoff returns, the first time this season the speedy wide receiver has been used in that capacity Last season. Miller was third in the AFC. By Kevin Scattareggia Tunes Advocate Sportswfitet DENVER Although they admit they commited a penalty, the Chargers were hot about the manner in which a call was made late in their 16-10 loss to Denver Sunday at Mile High Stadium. Trailing 10-9, Denver had the ball on its 33-yard line with less than four minutes left. On third-and-three, Elway used a sharp snap count to draw a couple of Chargers defensive linemen into the neutral zone.

However, since they got back before the ball was snapped, no penalty was called. Elway used the sharp snap count again. This time when rookie defensive end Burt Grossman crossed the line of scrimmage, center Keith Bishop snapped the ball and Elway ran behind Bishop for two yards. Remarkably, there were no penalty flags thrown despite an obvious infraction by Grossman. With no penalty, the Broncos would have been forced to punt on fourth-and-one from their 35.

But the officials huddled together, and some 30 seconds after the play was blown dead, an official threw a flag high in the air. The call was offside on Grossman. I dont think youre allowed to throw a flag after the whistle, said Chargers Coach Dan Henning. In fact, Im sure of it." Said Charger linebacker Billy Ray Smith: Ive seen referees do some funny things before but that was ridiculous. As far as Im concerned, said nose tackle Joe Phillips, he was stopped.

I thought it should have been fourth down. They never called a penalty until after it was all over. The explanation? He (the referee who threw the flag) said he didnt know the ball was snapped, Henning said. I know there was a play run, and there was a ball snapped, and there were no flags. Therefore, they didnt make the first down.

It should have been fourth down. No flash, but all substance: It may not gather much notice, but veteran running back Tim Spencer turned in one of his best performances as a Charger Sunday. The former Ohio State star carried a career-high 15 times and gained 78 yards in the Chargers loss. Spencers top rushing performance as a Charger is 86 yards in Hidden Valley Steel Scrap, 1 342 Simpson Way, Esc. can 747-6330 8-5 Sat.

8-1 i i The Assoc lea Press right, congratulate running back touchdown run. took the ball up the middle, ran through safety Vencie Glenns tackle at the 8, and carried corner-back Elvis Patterson from the 5, and eventually also took linebacker Gary Plummer and ONeal into the end zone with him. Our offensive line freed me at the line of scrimmage, got some great blocks and it was up to me to cross the goal line, said Humphrey, who rushed for 102 yards on 23 carries. I just put my head down and kept fighting. We had to get it in the end zone.

John Elway, left, and Steve Sewell, Bobby Humphrey after his 17-yard 37. On fourth-and-one, the Broncos surprised the Chargers. Instead of running the ball between the tackles, Denver Coach Dan Reeves gambled by faking into the line and calling a reverse to Steve Sewell. The play netted seven yards around left end to the 30. That was a hell of a call, said Williams.

You wouldnt think theyd run that in that situation. On the next play, Elway hit wide receiver Vance Johnson for 13 yards to the 17. Then Humphrey Raiders Shell game one for the books COPPER BRASS ALUMINUM STAINLESS RADIATORS Inc. WE PAY TOP PRICES, WITH FAST FRIENDLY TRANSMISSION SERVICE SPECIAL Gibraltar TRANSMISSIONS swered because of Shells hectic schedule. Interview requests were running at about 15 a day.

All this is nice, Shell said. But after (Monday nights game) is over, I hope it all kind of goes away so we can get back to understanding the most important thing here is the football team, not the head coach. But in this case, the head coach has had an immediate impact on the football team. The funereal atmosphere that hung over the Raiders practice complex like a toxic cloud has lifted. Several of Shanahan's rules no sitting on helmets at practice, sitting in assigned seats at team meetings have been erased.

When the players walked out of their first team meeting under Shell, many appeared as though they had just been released from 19 months of boot camp. I feel like I'm home again, defensive end Howie Long said. You can feel the difference. Guys are loose again. One reason is the practice schedule.

Last season, several veterans privately complained that Shanahans practice sessions were too physical. Consequently, many By Jay Lawrence Orange County Register EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. At some point tonight. Art Shell will reflect on the historical significance of what is about to happen. Hell give thanks to the people who made it possible then hell move on.

I dont want to lose sight of whats important here, Shell said. Whats important here is the team. That might be true, but its Shell who will command the spotlight tonight, when the Los Angeles Raiders meet the New York Jets at Giants Stadium (6 p.m., Channel 10, KFMB-760). A sellout crowd of 77,000 and a national television audience will be sitting in on history when Shell makes his debut as the first black head coach of the NFLs modern era. Since replacing Mike Shanahan, who was fired Tuesday, Shell has endured a whirlwind week.

The three major television networks wanted time with him, as did People magazine, which sent a correspondent to the Raiders camp last week. Dozens of phone calls from former teammates and friends went unan players had tired legs early in the season. The problem continued into this year, prompting Marcus Allen to speak to Shanahan on behalf of the team. I didnt have any idea he was going to get released, but I talked to him (last Monday) and I suggested that these guys arent 18 or 19, Allen said. They dont have the resilience.

They get tired. Its not that they dont have the desire in that last quarter, but maybe we can attribute that to such long practices in pads all the time. I think Arts approach were going to be a lot fresher for the game. Because were going to taper down. Thats part of the advantage of being a player before.

Shanahans playbook also has been modified after several players grumbled that their assignments were overly complicated. It contributed to mistakes, which is one reason the Raiders are 1-3. The Raiders will be met with more than the usual amount of resistance. The Jets are ranked 26th in the league in overall defense, but are fifth against the run. With this coupon at participating locations.

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I like the fact that we havent lost, Robinson said. But being above everybody it doesnt mean a damn thing. December gets here fast. Its too early. Were just getting started.

We obviously have seven weeks of games thatll curl your hair a little bit. We have to improve to face those seven. Against Atlanta, the Rams took an early, 17-7 lead, then turned things over to Lansford and a defense that allowed the Falcons to have most of their fun between the goal lines. Lansford, who kicked the game-winner at San Francisco last week, booted field goals of 48, 35, 27 and 42 yards. It was the 35-yarder, and the plays that led to it, that kept the Rams in control.

The Falcons were faced with a fourth-and-goal play from the Ram 1 midway through the second quarter. A field goal would have cut the Rams' lead to 17-14, but Atlanta coach Marion Campbell elected to try for the touchdown. Running back John Settle was stopped short of the goal line by defensive end Doug Reed and cornerback Jerry Gray. The Rams proceeded to drive 81 yards in eight plays to put Lansford in place for the field goal that gave them a 20-7 lead. That was a big play huge, Campbell said.

Had we gotten it, it would have been a different ball-game. Instead, they got three points out of it, and they got jacked up because of it. The Rams goal-line stand was more impressive considering it came on the dirt that would be near first base in the Big As baseball configuration. Said defensive tackle Mike Piel: It was like playing on tile. Reed said the Ram huddle was filled with determination once the Falcons decided to go for six.

Were not gonna say, Cant nobody get in on us, or any bold statement like that, he said. But hey, just try it. If you think you can get it, try it and well see. The play was indicative of the way the Ram defense stretched without snapping. The Rams came into this week ranked 26th in the league in passing defense.

They dont figure to climb very high after Atlanta quarterback Chris Miller completed 28 of 39 passes for 340 yards. 0 qHV- Specialists since 1947 Complete Relme, American Light Trucks add $10 Most Cars Disc Brakes 00 Met Pads Extra The AMooa'ed Press Rams linebacker Brett Faryniarz, out of San Diego State, celebrates after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against Atlanta. 4 i.