North County Times from Oceanside, California • 20

C-4 Blade-Citizen Monday, December 7, 1 992 INATIQ Chargers Review ONeal finally speaks his mind 1 a as- Ifeft Chargers 27 Cardinals 21 SCORE BY QUARTERS V- 4t Jr? By Jay Paris Staff Writer PHOENIX They said the Chargers would be zeroing in on a playoff berth before defensive end Leslie O'Neal spoke this season. Guess what? Both happened Sunday at Sun Devil Stadium. ONeal, the Chargers talented but quiet pass rusher, entertained the media like a vote-hungry politician after San Diegos 27-21 victory over the Cardinals. 27 21 10 0 10 0 ...0 .14 San Diego Phoenix INDIVIDUAL SCORING '1 1 CHARGERS', notebook FIRST QUARTER PHO Jones 4 pass from Chandler (G Davis kick), 2 45 Drive 28 yards, 4 plays Key plays Small recovery of Harmon fumble on kickoff, Chandler 15 pass to Proehl Phoenix 7, San Diego 0 PHO Johnson 6 run (G Davis kick), 7 36 Drive 73 yards, 4 plays Key plays 43-yard pass interference penalty against Vanhorse gives Cardinals first down at Chargers' 30, Chandler 12 pass to Jones. Chandler 12 pass to Reeves Phoenix 14, San Diego 0.

SECOND QUARTER SD Miller 23 pass from Humphnes (Carney kick), 48 Drive 27 yards, 3 plays. Key play Camngton interception and 37 return Phoenix 14, San Diego 7 SD FG Carney 50, 14 12 Drive 49 yards, 9 plays Key plays Humphnes 17 pass to Lewis, Humphnes 16 pass to Harmon Phoenix 14, San Diego 10 THIRD QUARTER PHO Proehl 63 pass from Chandler (G Davis kick), 7 41 Dnve 85 yards, 7 plays Phoenix 21 San Diego 10 SD Biememy 5 run (Carney kick), 14 17 Drive 55 yards, 4 plays Key plays Humphnes 25 pass to Biememy Humphnes 26 pass to Miller Phoenix 21 San Diego 17. FOURTH QUARTER SD Harmon 1 run (Carney kick), 6 16 Dnve 63 yards, 9 plays Key plays Byrd recovery of Hill fumble, Humphnes 46 pass to Lewis on 3rd and 16 to Cardinals 1 San Diego 24, Phoenix 21 SD FG Carney 43, 1316 Dnve 5 yards, 4 plays Chargers take over on downs as Winter and Neal combine for five-yard sack of Chandler San Diego 27, Phoenix 21 A 26 880 No-shows 2,882 TEAM STATISTICS Associated Press Photo Darren Carrington returns his interception as Bill Lewis (51) and Lance Smith (61) give chase. On the field, he had three sacks to give him a team-high 12s. In the locker room after the game, ONeal said all the right things, smiled freely and probably would have kissed a baby if one was nearby.

O'Neal, who hadnt spoke since Julys training camp, said he had a change of heart after speaking at length with a Sports Illustrated reporter earlier this week. I felt bad talking to him and leaving out our local media, ONeal said. And that was another one of the reasons why I decided to talk. Its not right to talk to him and all of a sudden he might use some of the stuff and it makes our media look bad. And I dont want that.

When linebacker Gary Plummer walked past the cluster of pads and microphones surrounding ONeal, he couldnt resist kidding him. Can we get a picture of this? Plummer asked. Some are saying similar things about the Chargers shocking turnaround. They might be the first NFL squad to start 0-4 and make the playoffs. We are a team thats going out there and making plays happen, ONeal said.

In the past, we wouldnt have gotten the sacks late in the game. And in the past we wouldn't have got the fumble recoveries, the turnovers Now, were starting to make that happen. I think now its a matter of keeping the mentality that we can go out and beat everybody that we play and not let teams slip up on us Not give things away. ONeal, a two-time Pro Bowler, was the NFLs 1986 defensive rookie of the year when he set a rookie record of 12'A sacks. Danny Villa, a veteran of less than 10 NFL plays at left tackle, had the misfortune of blocking ONeal on Sunday.

It was a huge mismatch as Villa was forced into action because of starter Luis Sharpe's ankle injury'. He had just a fantastic game, Chargers coach Bobby Ross said. Leslie stood out. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING San Diego Biememy 9-24, Butts 9-5, Harmon 1-1, Humphnes 1 -(minus 1) Phoenix Johnson 15-48, Centers 6-30, Chandler 4-14, Hill 1-4 PASSING San Diego Humphnes 20-32-1-275 Phoenix Chandler 20-35-2-248 RECEIVING San Diego Harmon 6-52, Lewis 4-77, Miller 4-68, Jefferson 2-20, Biememy 1-25, Butts 1-22, Brennan 1-6, Walker 1-5 Phoenix Proehl 6-112, Jones 5-51, Centers 4-58, Hill 2-6, Reeves 1-12, Johnson 1-9, Rolle 1-0 TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS San Diego Richard 8-4-0 ONeal 7-1-3 Seau 5-3-0 Hall 4-1 1 Rolling 4-10 Mims 3-2-0 Winter 3-1-1 Van-horse 3-1-0 Byrd 3-0-0 Camngton 3-0-0 Plummer 2 2-0 Lee 2-0-0 May 2-0-0 Frank 1 1-0 Fields 1-0-0 Thornton 1-00 Pope 1-0-0 Hendrickson 1-0-0 Marve 1-0-0 Jefferson 1-0-0 Phoenix Lynch 6-1-0 McDonald 6-1-0 Stowe 4-1-0 Swann 3-2-0 Zordich 3-1-0 Braxton 3-1-0 Williams 3-0-0 Duerson 2 1-0 Hill 2 1-0 Jones 2-00 Rucker 2-0-0 Bankston 10 0 Massey 1 1-0 Jones 1 0-1 Davis 1-0-0 Davis 1 0 0 Small 1 0-0 Villa 1-0-0 May 10-0 RHilMOO INTERCEPTIONS San Diego Frank, Camngton Phoenix Massey MISSED FIELD GOALS San Diego None Phoenix Davis 25 OFFICIALS Referee Pat Haggerty, Ump Hendi Ancich. HL Eamie Frantz LJ John Alder-ton BJ Al Jury SJ Don Carlsen, FJ Bill Schmitz Time: 3 06 a victory shower with a water bucket at the games conclusion Ross had endured similar treatment at Georgia Tech and Maryland But never at the pro level It was a little cold, a dripping Ross said "It really hit me.

It caught me totally by surprise and took my breath, really badly I dont know where it came from "They got me from the rear, which is real dirty They went behind me Lee, who signed as free agent in October, had two tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble He said with San Diegos victory and key losses by other AFC playoff hopeful teams, he decided an on field show er was in order I've been with two other ballteams (Tampa Bay and Miami) and I haven't seen an organiza tion such as this, Lee said "I think the coaches do an exceptional job and (Ross) never would let us get down He kept us together and he never let down San Diego injury update Bruises were suf fered by wide receiver Shawn Jefferson (quad) and Seau (back) Burt Grossman's sore ankle didnt allow him to play Sunday O'Neal's 12.5 sacks places him second in the AFC behind the Raiders Anthony Smith (13). Linebacker Junior Seau had a slight scare Sunday when he injured his lower back trying to recover a fumble. Seau said he felt a strange sensation when he was on the ground. It was kind of scary. he said.

It was kind of tingling down my leg at my hamstring. The Jets' Dennis Byrd was paralyzed last week on a tackle and Seau admits his thoughts turned to Byrd Oh definitely That goes through your mind Thats part of football, thats the risk that we take when we go out there when you feel that, you know that it could happen to you, he said Seau returned for the second half He had five tackles, but more important it was his forced fumble on Randal Hill which set up Ron me Harmons game winning touchdown It's hurting," Seau said "But when I'm out there on the field it's do-ordie If Im injured. Im going to come back somehow. It was a close game and it was an important game Defensive tackle Shawn Lee, with help from Kevin Murphy and Deems May, gave Coach Ross NEXT WEEK OPPONENT: Cincinnati (4-9) SITE: Jack Murphy Stadium KICKOFF: 1 Sunday Scale 1-4 JAY PARIS BOLT BAROMETER Anthony Miller's 23 yard touchdown catch, slicing the deficit to 14-7 San Diegos John Carney added a season best 50 yard field goal after Greg Davis misfired from 25 yards Midway through the third quarter Chandler clicked with Ricky Proehl for a 63 yard touchdown good for a 21-10 lead But Eric Bie-memy pulled the Chargers to with in 21-17 on a 5 yard touchdown rush near the quarter's end "I think that was the key in the game, Humphnes said The momentum had shifted and the Chargers grasped on, riding it to the end. The Kansas City and Cleveland games maybe helped us today.

Humphries said "Wed been there before. We knew hat we had to do Maybe those games helped us in these situations. Youre down and you have to come back, and the guys believe that we can come back now shocked Stowe couldnt hold on If he stops, he catches it, Humphries said That pass should have never been thrown I should have thrown it up in the stands and let someone take it home for a sou venir" For the majority of the game, it appeared the Chargers would head home with nothing more than an embarrassing loss. Phoenixs offense was chewing up yards and the Chargers running game was among the no-shows The games tone was set when Harmon fumbled the opening kickoff and it was recovered by Jessie Small on the San Diego 28 Quarterback Chris Chandler quickly threw a 4-yard scoring pass to Ernie Jones for a 7-0 lead. Next was Johnny Johnson scam pering in from 6 yards out for a 14 0 advantage.

Darren Carrington's interception in the second quarter set up added five more. We had a great chance to put the game away, Phoenix coach Joe Bugel said. The thing you cant do in the NFL is to put the ball on the ground and expect to win The Chargers trailed 14-0 in the first quarter, 14-10 at halftime. They were behind 21-10 in the third quarter, 21-17 to start the fourth But when linebacker Junior Seau separated Randal Hill from the ball and it was pounced on by Byrd with 13 26 remaining. San Diego had life.

Quarterback Stan Humphries directed a 63 yard touchdown march which culminated with Ronnie Harmon running around right tackle from the 1 for the go-ahead score. The generous Cards were playing with less than a full deck just nine defenders were on the field. The drives big play was Humphries 46-yard pass to Nate Lewis. Humphries didn't hang his head after being intercepted on the Chargers previous possession It was an overthrow, Humphries said. I had (Brian Brennan) wide open In a game like this when everything isnt clicking, I think I have to bear down and make it work.

I was upset I missed. Humphries dodged another bullet on the play before Harmons touchdown run. After scrambling, Humphries hit linebacker TYronne Stowes uniform number instead of throwing the ball away. But a Chargers From Page C-1 How else can you explain a team which started 0-4 and is now residing in the AFC West penthouse in Decembers second week? It feels good and it sounds good, veteran cornerback Gill Byrd said. Im like a kid in a candy store.

I've never been here before. This is new territory for me Not since 1987's strike season have the Chargers been in first this late in a year. It doesnt even matter, about the first place, said ONeal, who had three sacks and let loose with quotes in snapping his no-comment streak dating to training camp. What matters is having the chance to get to the playoffs. Im so hungry to get to the playoffs, I dont care if we are a wild-card or a divisional leader.

But San Diego nearly let Sundays opportunity slide by with a performance worthy of last seasons 4-12 squad. We didnt focus like we should have this week, Byrd said. We got bit, but we got out in time. Luckily, the Cards (3-10) dont have many teeth to bite back with. They haven't beat a December visitor since moving here in 1988.

Phoenix showed why it's last in the NFC East. It had six turnovers last week while getting demolished by Washington. Sunday, the Cards IMPACT PLAYER GOOD SEX LIFE can be yours in just a few weeks Chinese Royal doctor's meihods may eliminate impotence increase libido endurance. No drugs Be tiger tonight Call lor an appointment NOW Over 33 000 treated since 19)7 tDR. K.C.

CHANs Painless Acupuncture Clinic Visla San Diego El Caion fTl 758-5930 275-01 ft 579-6il1 CS Of Chan IS a Doctor Ot Owntai Median who has bean prarftang 33 With three sacks Sunday, the suddenly vocal Leslie O'Neal is only four shy of breaking Gary "Big Hands Johnsons team record of 67. ONeal, in his final contract year, is making a statement loud and clear both on and off the field: He wants to stay in San Diego. And maybe pick up a talk radio show as well. Could we call him, Sacksaw? itTsop: ifp1 i fe- SELF-STORAGE SALEH nSSlEEEEGri On selected units pay for 2 months get 3rd month free! wm ADDITIONAL AMMUNITION AND OUR This autographed Magic Johnson jersey is just one of the many items you II find at The Wherehouse Art Of Giving Auction We re taking bids on dozens of one-of-a-kind memorabilia gifts for movie music and sports fans The Wherehouse has a deep-seated commitment to the fight against AIDS Thats why all net profits from The Art Of Giving Auction will be donated to AIDS education, research and care, including the Magic Johnson Foundation For more information and full auction details visit any Wherehouse store Pick up a brochure and see the full array of items and how to bid For The Wherehouse nearest you call 1-800-825-2000 WMEIlEHOijSi! BID AsroCK'-HARDCAST LEAD x1 0UR lP BULLETS LAST 2 flOIl- 0N sflLE at -WEEKSV REDUCED PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES BRING YOUR EMPTY BRASS AND SAVE 4035 Oceanside Suite A-3 West of College Oceanside Pinamonti Industrial Park A SELF STORAGE CENTERS OF AMERICA 3560 MISSION AVE. OCEANSIDE, CA 92054 722-1355 3001.