North County Times from Oceanside, California • 20

C-2 Blade-Citizen Tuesday, December 15, 1992 NFL agreement still needs work Briefs Lakers deny they are for sale to Sony By Frank Cooney San Francisco Examiner A major battle must be won before National Football League owners ratify terms of a new, six-year collective bargaining agreement that includes unconditional free agency for players. Wrhen commissioner Paul Tagli-abue gave a tentative approval to the framework for a new CBA last Thursday, he did so without the backing of four members of the seven-man Management Council Executive Committee, according to sources close to that committee. Arizona forward named Pac-10 player of week. BOBBY HEBERT Could become a free agent from 12 rounds) with each team paying no more than about $2 million in total signing bonuses. An extra 28 picks will be allocated to compensate teams who lost players to free agency.

A 67 percent league-wide salary cap. Owners are now paying 57 percent of the gross. But dont count those free agents until the owners tally their votes in Dallas next week. On another note, as usual Davis has been an intriguing figure on the MCEC. When he was placed on the committee it was generally believed that he would be a liberal because he has long agreed that free agency was inevitable.

However, negotiators for the players found Davis to be most difficult to deal with. Does that sound familiar? A1 is the ultimate chucklehead, said players attorney Jim Quinn. Other than Mike Brown, who still lives in the 16th century, A1 is the farthest to the right among owners on the committee. Hes sort of an enlightened Tex Schramm, although thats an oxymoron. Davis reportedly wanted each team to have 10 moves in addition to designating a franchise player in order to protect more players from free agency.

This surprised some because when Davis moved his team to Los Angeles it was because he was searching for a stadium that could support his team in a free agent player market that he believed would arrive in the 1980s. one. Then none. Otherwise players with at least five years of experience will become unrestricted free agents when their contracts expire. For example, the 49ers could protect quarterback Steve Young as a franchise player and maintain the right to match offers for at least two other players, perhaps key defensive players Pierce Holt and Bill Romanowski.

Appropriately, the benefactors of such a free agency agreement would be the 563 survivors of those 1987 strike replacement games that management foisted upon the striking union and innocent fans. Those players should have a minimum of five years experience. It is imperative that the owners work quickly because they must ratify an agreement before it can be put to the players. And before some 1,550 players can make a collective move, they must recertify the NFL Players Association as a union. That done, they could vote on a hew CBA.

This would be best accomplished before the regular season ends in two weeks. While the players would benefit from free agency, the owners need a CBA in order to conduct a draft and to be able to market their product at a good price to the television networks. Highlights of the proposal; Designated franchise players will be so-named for the term of their contract and must be paid in line with the top players at their position in the league. A seven-round draft (down Eeacting swiftly to a published report that Sony Pictures Entertainment was said to be showing interest in buying the Los Angeles Lakers, a spokesman said Monday that the NBA team isnt for sale. "I guarantee you that (Lakers owner) Jerry Buss will not sell the Lakers.

said Bob Steiner, the public relations director for California Sports. He loves them too much. Quoting sources, the Wall Street Journal reported that Sonys movie unit is exploring the purchase of the Lakers and their arena, the Forum, both owned by Buss. Locally Vista and Oceanside highs battled to a scorless tie in a nondeague boys soccer match. Panthers goalie Eric Minicilli had seven saves, while Pirates goalie Mareelino Baza had six.

Commentary There could be four dissenting members A1 Davis of the Raiders; Mike Brown, Bengals; John Cook, Redskins; and John Shaw, Rams. They could spearhead a move at the owners meeting in Dallas today and Wednesday to increase the number of players teams can protect from free agency. Even more important is the question of whether players with pending lawsuits could be protected from free agency by their current teams. According to sources close to negotiations, the agreement allows these players to become free agents no matter what. That would automatically place on the free agent market some 20 players, including Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, running back Marcus Allen, Chargers defensive back Gill Byrd, Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner, Eagles defensive end Reggie White and Chiefs defensive back Albert Lewis.

Members of the MCEC and owners are expected to balk at this. The committee is scheduled to meet today with Tagliabue. Along with Davis, Brown, Cook and Shaw, the MCEC also includes Dan Rooney of the Steelers, Wellington Mara of the Giants and Pat Bowlen, the Broncos owner. The league owners will meet in Dallas on Wednesday. Negotiators for the players were adamant in their demands to allow teams to protect only one franchise player from free agency.

The first year of the contract they may also retain the right to match offers for two others. The second year it is Basketball Allen says Al Davis is out to ruin him NFL notes A three-man partnership trying to buy the Houston Rockets dropped its offer, apparently after the trio couldnt figure out who would be boss. Arizona's Chris Mills, who scored 37 points in a pair of Wildcats victories last w'eek, was named the Pacific-10 player of the week. Hockey The NHL schedule shows that the Boston Bruins were to host the Buffalo Sabres last night. But it was the Boss, not the Bs and Sabres, cheered inside Boston Garden.

By mutual agreement, the Bruins and Sabres agreed to push back their game until today to allow Bruce Springsteen to play the second night of a two-night concert stay at Boston Garden. Los Angeles Kings left wing Lonnie Loach will be sidelined for four weeks because of a broken left thumb. Boxing Tw o-time world champion Vinny Pazienza returns to the ring today following a year of rehabilitation from a broken neck Pazienza. 31 5-0. with 24 knockouts, will fight veteran Luis Santana of the Dominican Republic in a middleweight bout.

Et cetera The Associated Press Tailback Marcus Allen, whose playing time has dropped significantly this season, accused Los Angeles Raiders owner Al Davis of attempting to ruin his career in an interview broadcast Monday night. Allen described his relationship with Davis as acrimonious at best. The two allegedly have feuded throughout Allens 12 years in Los Angeles, although Allens comments Monday were his strongest yet about the relationship. Davis dismissed Allens comments as totally fraudulent. The interview, taped last weekend, was aired at halftime of ABCs Monday Night Football game between the Raiders and the Dolphins at Miami.

What do you think about a guy that has attempted to ruin your career? Allen said. When someone messes with your livelihood this is what Ive wanted to do since I was 8 years this other phase corrected." BAD BOY Rich Kotite said he will discipline linebacker Seth Joyner for his public description of the Philadelphia Eagles coach as a puppet" of club owner Norman Braman. Joyner said: "I was misquoted." IMPROVEMENT Dennis Byrd's neurological condition has improved some" as he continues his rehabilitation program for a broken neck, his doctor said. The New York Jets' defensive end is paralyzed below the waist, although he has had some movement in his feet and toes and in certain leg muscles. COMINGS AND GOINGS Quarterback Vinny Testaverde could be offered a new contract to rematn in Tampa Bay as early as next week, his agent said John Elway said on Sunday that his bruised shoulder has healed enough for him to play next Sunday against Seattle Chiefs comerback Albert Lewis who has been on injured reserve after suffenng a broken left arm Nov 8 is scheduled to begin practice this week old and this very thing has been taken away from me and not, I dont think, for a business reason, but for a personal reason." Asked if he believes Davis has a personal vendetta against him, Allen replied, "No question about it.

Absolutely. In conversations with Davis, Allen said, He told me-he was going to get me. I dont know for what reason, but he told me hes going to get me." CONFIDENCE, SORT OF A day after Cleveland Gary lost two fumbles in a 37-14 loss to New Orleans, Los Angeles Rams coach Chuck Knox gave a qualified vote of confidence to his fumble-plagued running back. He is (still No. 1) right now," Knox said.

Hes an excellent back. I'm hoping we can get A1 Rube Walker, a catcher with the Chicago Cubs and the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles for 11 years, died at age 66. The Pacific-10 Conference has publicly reprimanded the University of Oregon for an NCAA rule violation involving former track and field star Pedro daSilva. Lakers rookie Anthony Peeler, taking partial credit for Vlade Divacs career-high seven blocked shots Friday against the Washington Bullets: Vlade and I worked together. I told him that my man would be getting around me so he should get ready to block the shot every time, and it seemed to work out.

as Ive seen a defensive back make, Shula said. The play came 20 seconds after Pete Stoyanovich broke a scoreless tie with a 26-yard field goal. Stoyanovich added a 25-yarder in the fourth quarter. Miami's offense ended its drought in the third period when Marino handed off to Mark Higgs, took a pitch back and threw long to Duper. The veteran receiver slipped behind Ronnie Lott and Lionel stayed on his feet and grabbed only air.

Even if I had tried to make the i tackle, I'd have gotten blocked, and he would have scored anyway, Marino said Anderson's interception return I was the longest in Raiders history. The previous team record of 97 yards was set by Mike Haynes against Miami in 1984. The best threat by the Raiders offense came in the third quarter following Brown's 30-yard punt return to the Dolphins' 38. Washington, caught the ball over his shoulder at the 20 and dashed to the end zone for a 17-0 lead. Miami threatened again after Dwight Hollier recovered a punt muffed by Tim Brown at the Raiders 16.

But on second and goal at the 3. Anderson stepped in front of a pass intended for Keith Jack-son and weaved his way the length of the field. Marino had a clear chance to tackle Anderson at the Miami 20 but made a halfhearted attempt. Dolphins From Page C-1 Miami's first touchdown came when Brown stepped in front of intended receiver Willie Gault on a squareout pattern, caught Jay Schroeders pass in full stride and raced untouched down the sideline to the First touchdown of his four-year career. That was about as nice a move Dehere leads The Hall College basketball Chargers The Associated Press Terry Dehere scored nine of his 27 points in a game-breaking 19-2 run and No.

7 Seton Hall rolled to an 88-54 victory over St. Peters on Monday night. The victory was the fourth straight for Seton Ilall (7-1) and its seventh straight over the Peacocks (3-2), who were limited to 35 percent shooting from the field. Seton Hall broke the game open from 3-point range. The Pirates hit 7 of their first 13 shots from downtown, including three during the big run that started after Oyango Mernman's basket got St.

Peter's within 27-25 with 3.14 left in the half. Dehere, who hit 10 of 16 from the field, hit a 3 pointer and a foulline juniper to start the run John Leahy followed with another 3-pointer when the Peacocks got a little too conscious of Dehere and left him alone. It felt good, San Diego's leading rusher said after Monday's practice. "Its the same thing, the medial collateral strain, thats all. I expect to be practicing in a couple of days.

It aint hurt that bad. Its been worse this season. Butts carried but six times and gained 47 yards Sunday. Safety Stanley Richard didn't play Sunday after suffering a strained hip flexor in Fridays practice. He didnt work out Monday.

Richard is having a solid season with 74 tackles (No. 2 on the team), three interceptions and a fumble recovery. The field was wet (Friday) and I took a false step and I kind of slipped and caused it to strain, Richard said. Now what I'm experiencing, is when I start jogging, picking my leg up, the muscle starts cramping. And thats the defense, I guess, they say, the way the muscle tries to defend itself by causing my leg to cramp.

When the muscle gets a little stronger, it's not going to cramp up when I run." Defensive end Chris Mims didn't practice Monday with a sore knee. It is not considered serious, as he returned to Sundays game after sustaining the injury. With Sundays victory, Humphries is now the winningest Chargers quarterback since Dan Fouts retired after the 1987 season. Humphries nine triumphs in 13 games are one more than Billy Joe Tolliver's total in 19 games. The others are: John Friesz (four) Jim McMahon (four).

Babe Laufenberg (two), Mark Malone (two), Mark Vlasic (two) and Bob Gagliano (zero). Millers 933 receiving yards are tops in the AFC. He had four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown Sunday. Harmon's eight catches for 80 yards against the Bengals give him 72 receptions and 841 yards on the season. No NFL running back has more.

Wide receiver Robert Claiborne cleared waivers and was reassigned to the Chargers practice squad. Running back Howard Griffith also returned to that squad after being let go last week so running back Rod Bernstine could practice. Merriman, who led the Peacocks with 15 points, hit a foul-line jumper to cut the deficit to 35-27 just 44 seconds before halftime, but Jerry Walker put in an offensive rebound to make it a 10-point bulge. In other games: Michigan 88, Cleveland St. 56 Juwan Howard and Chris Webber each scored 21 points to lead No 6 Michigan (4-1) to a victory over Cleveland State and spoil the return of two former Wolverines The game marked Cleveland State coach Mike Boyd's first return to Ann Arbor since leaving his job as a Wolverines assistant coach two years ago Boyd is now 0-2 against his former team Also making a return visit for Cleveland State (1-1) was Sam Mitchell, who started seven games for the Wolverines as a freshman in 1990-91 before transferring midway through his sophomore year He finished with 14 points UCSB 60, Pepperdins 55 Chris Ford scored 12 points off the bench and the Gau-chos scored a win in the Waves' gym to snap a nine-game Pepperdine home victory streak From Page C-1 you throw the football to eight different guys Ronnie Harmon.

Anthony Miller, Nate (Lewis), Shawn, all the guys. They're making plays when they catch the football and thats something that turns the whole thing around. Reilly said it's the personnel that makes it work. Stan does a good job at it, he said. And it comes down to players making the plays.

Everybody has been involved with it. All the receivers and the tight ends have all caught the ball in those situations and I think we have spread it out. even though Ronnie and Anthony have probably the higher numbers. But still the other guys are catching passes. And everybody feels like they are part of the situation.

Running back Marion Butts, who reinjured his knee against the Bengals, is confident about returning Sunday in L.A. Baseball whatever they have because under the current system whatever comes in goes out, he said. Ravitch also questioned the wisdom of the current signings without criticizing individual teams. Im not either pleading poverty on their behalf or arguing they should be the objects of sympathy, he said. Fehr said owners reluctance to increase the percentage of revenue they share among themselves was the key problem.

Financial figures released with three parties are involved in negotiations the large-market clubs, small-market clubs and the players. In his concurring opinion, Aaron criticized by the majority report, also written by former Federal Reserve Board chairman Paul Volcker, Rockefeller Foundation chairman Peter Goldmark and David Feller, a law professor at the University of California at Berkeley. The report skirts central issues, Aaron said. It substitutes nomic Studies at the Brookings Institution, agreed with Fehr, saying the big-market, small-market problem was a significant issue. The common perception among the public is that two major parties are involved in labor negotiations the players and owners, wrote Aaron, picked for the committee by the players' association.

"In a certain sense this view is obviously correct. A deeper insight into the current situation emerges if one recognizes that for practical purposes, the report show teams shared 26 percent of their total 1991 revenue of $1,537,395,000. If the clubs are unwilling to change their own system in a meaningful way and they say that the small-market clubs need help, the only place they can come to for help is the players, Fehr said. The report says the highest-rev-enue club in 1991 took in $98 million. while the lowest took in $39 million matching the player payroll of the Oakland Athletics.

Henry J. Aaron, director of Eco hortatory and saccharine rhetoric appropriate to childrens novels or sentimental movies for clear analysis. The financial statements showed teams got 34 percent of their money in 1991 from gate receipts, 22 percent from national broadcasting and 20 percent from local television and radio. It also showed 51 percent of expenses were on major league players, 13 percent went to scouting and player development and 12 percent went to administration. From Page C-1 owners say they want.

It also recommended owners start sharing ticket receipts and local broadcast money. Ravitch said this fall's free-agent signings over $400 million committed to them thus far showed the current labor agreement was flawed. People are going to spend Worthy ferent role than hes played in the past, Pfund said. I think he feels good about that. I think he feels that when hes got the ball in the post and he's expected to break down the entire defense, thats a difficult way for us to play.

We want to get to being a little more active, a little more motion (oriented), a little less predictable. Which means that, instead of Worthy being in the post and getting the ball right away, he might be in the open floor, or might cut from one side of the key to the other, or he might be the second or third option. And its not just James. Pfund said. Were not posting Sam (Perkins) as much as we used to, either.

James has not shot the ball well. He knows that, you know that, I know that. I dont think anybody's hiding behind the fact that James has sive 124-111 victory over Portland. Worthy, who has averaged 14.8 shots and 3.1 assists per game over his career, shot nine times and passed for 12 assists. He also has gone over videotapes, taken extra shots before and after practice, and allowed as how he might need to go to the offensive boards a little harder, or maybe step up his defensive aggressiveness in order to get back into the flow of a particular game.

But one thing he wont do is listen to talk that the end is near. When players hit nine, 10, 11 years in the league, I think thats just common, he said. Ive heard that about a lot of ballplayers. Im not the type of person who's going to dwell on it, because I know I can snap out of it. struggled shooting the ball.

But of more concern to me is: Is he getting the right shots? Are we giving him the right minutes? I think hes been getting good looks (at the basket), and hopefully were going into a stretch where hes going to hit the shots that he's missed. Worthy maintains that his left knee, which underwent arthroscopic surgery March 20, is not a problem. But he acknowledged that it has to be monitored closely; swelling in the knee forced him to sit out three games and three practice days during the preseason. The wear and tear of 11 seasons in the NBA is a factor, too. Certainly, he can't do some of the things he could do at 22, trainer Gary Vitti said.

"But I've seen him blow by some people this season I Still, Worthy hasnt done so as consistently as in the past, when he would routinely beat a defender with that explosive first step and sail to the hoop for a finger-roll or dunk. Jumping ability, athletic ability, has a tendency to diminish, Worthy said. I watched Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) go through it. You have to do extra work. Some things you eliminate, and you have to incorporate new things.

That type of adjustment for me is tough. I only know one way to play (but) you get to the point where you have to start doing other things and really self-evaluating your game as a whole. It can be overwhelming at times, but thats the nature of this business. I've seen players do it. A glimpse of that process might have been seen last week in the Lakers impres- From Page C-1 inches short on the jump, whereas Im used to shooting over people.

But I've had some great shots. A couple of times in Phoenix I had some shots go down in the hole and come out. Those are the type of things that frustrate you. His coach, Randy Pfund, has tried to shoulder some of the blame. Pfund suggested that the adjustments he is making in the Lakers offense have something to do with Worthy's scoring drop-off.

and that Worthy still is adjusting to a role different from his one time status as first option in the low post. five asked James to play a little bit dif- v. A I.