The Spokesman-Review from Spokane, Washington • 7

Spokane, Wash. Coeur dAlene, Idaho Monday, August 12, 1996 Page C3 KFLArea sportsFrom the Front Page Former Husky apparently faces impossible task Tutens bootin pays off Seahawks notebook KFLnotebookroundup Shuler was the Redskins first-round pick and Frerotte was a seventh-round pick. Shuler was supposed to be the savior and Frerotte was supposed to be a nice backup. But Shulers progress has been slowed by injuries, and Frerotte has flourished. Now, Redskins Coach Norv Turner has to chose one.

The decision will come before the last preseason game against the New England Patriots on Aug. 23. Turner said the key factors in his decision will be the quarterbacks decision-making, their grasp of the offense and how they handle the team. He gives both high marks in all the areas. Close call for Bengals The Bengals, who lost Ki-Jana Carter in the preseason last year, got another first-round draft pick scare Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals.

Playing in his first game, right tackle Willie Anderson, Cincinnatis first-round selection this season, sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and sprained his right foot on a third-quarter play. The 325-pound tackle, who was the 10th player selected over all, is listed as questionable for next weeks game. Bucs lose Copeland The Tampa Bay Buccaneers arent going anywhere to find a replacement for Horace Copeland. Coach Tony Dungy said he is not interested in acquiring a veteran wide receiver to replace the speedy Copeland, who suffered a seasonending knee injury during the Bucs 16-0 exhibition victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The injury, a ruptured patella tendon of the left knee, is not considered career-threatening.

Former owner settles Former New England Patriots owner William Sullivan will receive $11.5 million in a settlement of his lawsuit against the league, according to the Boston Sunday Globe. Sullivan sought $116 million when he sued the NFL in May 1991, From wire reports Eric Bjornson is charged with a task he knows he cannot accomplish. He must replace injured Cowboys tight end Jay Novacek on the football field and in the mind of quarterback Troy Aikman. So Bjornson, the second-year player from the University of Washington, hopes to come close. Its so hard for people to really understand how good Jay is, said Bjornson, 24.

If you look at it on paper, I mean, I run faster than Jay, I lift more than Jay, I weigh more than Jay. But Im not Jay. Jay is better than I am, and he probably always will be. I think I can be a damn good tight end, but I dont know if I can ever get to his level. Back problems leave Novacck, 33, unavailable for the immediate future.

He will probably miss the Cowboys first regular-season game and could miss more. The Cowboys plan when they drafted Bjornson in the fourth round last year was to let him learn from the master. A quarterback and receiver in college, Bjornson was asked to make a big leap to tight end. He put on nearly 30 pounds and packs almost 240 pounds on his 6-foot-4 body. The plan did not include various injuries during Bjornson rookie season, including a late-season abdominal strain, or a training-camp hamstring pull this season.

And it most certainly did not include a starting position in only his second year. But that is where Bjornson and the Cowboys are situated. My mother told me to choose It is one of the most hotly contested races in Washington and it has nothing to do with the White House. Who will be the Redskins starting quarterback for the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles? Gus Frerotte and Heath Shuler have been heading for this showdown since they were both drafted in 1993. Associated Press Redskins quarterback Gus Frerotte, above, Is battling Heath Shuler for the starting job In the season opener.

By John Clayton Tacoma News Tribune KIRKLAND, Wash. For months, Josh Miller heard tales about the strong right leg of punter Rick Tuten. Though it negatively affects Millers job security, the former Canadian Football League all-star still watched a kicking show Sunday. Tuten, a former Pro Bowler, strutted onto the piactice field for about 150 punts that headed ward the clouds that blew over the, practice field. My first punt had a hang time of 5.43 (seconds), then it just went from there, Tuten said.

Its a bad situation. He (Miller) wants to earn a living at sometning he likes to do. I do, too. Im just glad Ive done it well enough that the Seahawks would give me one' more chance." Tuten signed a two-year, $750,000 contract in which he had to take a pay cut from last season. Despite that disappointment, Tuten arrived with a mission.

Nor-'J mally, a 5-second hang time is considered good. Thanks to a new adjustment in, the way he drops the ball, Tuten, who owns about every Seahawks punting record, is kicking better than ever. I had two 5.6s, and a 5.5, Tuten said of his hang times. Ive changed a little something in the off-season. So far, its paying off.

Well see what happens in games. If I get under five (in hang time) now, Im pretty mad. To make room for Tuten on the roster, Seattle placed defensive', lineman Keif Biyant on the in- jured reserve list for the season." Theyve also waived injured line- backer Tyronne Stowe, who is out for the season with a broken arm. Unlucky break Backup linebacker John Solomon was added to the injury list' because of a pulled muscle. He is expected to miss 10 days to two weeks, which should kill his chance of making the 53-man roster.

The Seahawks still have 10 linebackers in camp, but only eight are healthy. Outside linebacker James Logan is out until after the regular-season opener, healing from a broken leg. Injury updates Fourth-round choice Phillip Daniels (ankle) and haltback Dou Innocent (broken right index finger) returned to practice. Erick-' son isnt sure that the cast hand would allow him to successfully catch passes, but he 1 needs to see how the halfback can do on coverage teams. Guard Pete Kendall missed practice with a calf injury.

He might be able to practice today. Defensive end Matt LaBounty had fluid drained from his left knee Saturday, but practiced. 1 claiming its refusal to allow him to sell public stock forced him to sell the team to Victor Kiam in October 1988 for what Sullivan considered to be a low price, $84 million. League owners were notified Saturday that Sullivan will receive $11.5 million over the next four years to settle the antitrust suit, the newspaper said. Ex-Bronco lands In jail Former Denver Broncos cornerback Michael Harden was being held without bond on misdemeanor domestic violence charges In Denver.

Harden, 38, was arrested Saturday night after working as a color receiver, the 1991 Heisman Trophy winners heroics before a crowd of 59,284 largest ever for a Lambeau Field exhibition probably earned him a role on special teams. Pittsburghs Kordell Stewart threw a 53-yard TD pass to Corey Holliday, who outjumped the pack in the end zone, as the first half expired. Bears 24, Dolphins 21 Kevin Butler kicked a 22-yard field goal on the final play as the host Chicago Bears beat Miami 24-21, handing Jimmy Johnson his first loss as Dolphins coach. The Beai blew a 19-0 lead, then came back to tie it on a late safety. commentator for a Denver radio station on the Broncos exhibition game against the Carolina Panthers at Mile High Stadium.

Harden joined the Broncos in 1980, becoming one of the cornerstones of the defense. Sundays exhibitions Packers 24, Steeters 17 Desmond 1 toward, fighting for a spot on the roster, returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown that lifted Green Bay past visiting Pittsburgh. Howard took Shayne Edges punt at his 23-year-line and raced down the right sideline for a 21-14 lead with 42 seconds left in the third quarter. With Green Bay well stocked at Cowboys busy preseason adding big bucks to owners wallet previous exhibition games and scrimmages. The Cowboys are hurting at tight end, where they lost Kendall Watkins with a season-ending knee injury during the El Paso scrimmage with the Houston Oilers.

Jay Novacek is nursing a bad back and second-year tight end Eric Bjornson has hamstring problems. Dallas has been experimenting with fullbacks Daryl Johnston and Herschel Walker at tight end. We have to look at some different combinations at tight end and see what kind of production wc can get, said head coach Barry Switzer. 32-6 to Kansas City last Monday in Monterrey, Mexico, and scrimmaged the Houston Oilers three nights later before 51,000 fans in El Paso. The team also squeezed in Austin workouts between those appearances.

Some players have been openly griping about the rigorous summer camp schedule. Dallas opened the exhibition season way back on July 24 by beating the Oakland Raiders 35-34 at Texas Stadium. The Cowboys scrimmaged the Raiders for three consecutive days after that. It has been a tough, hard training camp, said defensive coordinator Dave Campo. But thats how you find out who your players are.

The Cowboys have certainly been testing their younger players. Ten starters from last years Super Bowl team havent played in a game yet, and wont appear against the Patriots. One is running back Emmitt Smith, who sprained a knee in a blocking drill last week. Smith will be fine, but the Cowboys are taking no chances. Quarterback Troy Aikman was expected to play the first quarter, as he has done in all Associated Press IRVING, Texas Super Bowl success is turning into big preseason dollars for the Dallas Cowboys and, more precisely, for owner Jerry Jones.

The Cowboys, who have had the busiest exhibition schedule in the NFL, play again tonight at Texas Stadium against the New England Patriots, After that, Jones has scheduled yet another game for Saturday night in Texas Stadium against the Denver Broncos. Just over the past week, the Cowboys tost Triathlon: Seeley repeats mens amateur title by John Force you feel real good, said Densham. Densham, whose right leg was in a cast and had a bum shoulder following an engine explosion at Sonoma, two weeks ago, put behind much of the discomfort with the win. We hope weve turned it around here. Weve had a great year so far, except for the last two weeks said the Bellflower, high school shop teacher.

While he hasnt won a race on the NHRA circuit, Denshams in the top ten in points. Hoover, who last won here 20 years ago in 1977 said, I thought today was our day. Hoover was runner-up for the fifth time in his last six visits to Spokane. Its a real crapshoot here, Hoover said. The track is real tricky.

The big dogs dont always have a chance. mile mark of the run. Her lead was nearly 3 minutes when she came off Tubbs Hill. By the four-mile mark, Seifert had overtaken another pro, Kristen Whelan of Ontario, but by that, time Bruigoms lead was insurmountable. She was out of sight.

I never saw her on the run, Seifert said. For most of the top finishers and several of the age-group winners, CdA was a tuneup for the World Championships at Cleveland on Aug. 25. That group includes Seeley, who is the Northw ests top-ranked amateur. Sunday, he was never challenged, finishing well ahead of runner-up Lee OConner, 25, of Bend, Ore.

It was pretty close to a perfect race, Seeley said. I felt stronger and stronger all the way through the race. I felt at the end I had one more gear left, if I had to kick it up. Im going to need that at Cleveland because there I wont know my competition. Ill have to finish strong there to' have a chance.

Complete results were not available Sunday because of computer problems. Race officials hope to release results today. Drags: Densham happy with win Continued from Cl decided to stay with it in case he (Ranncy) broke or something. Despite the problems, Passey still ran an early career best of 5.88. While you cant really call Densham a have-not, the veteran hasnt seen many trips to the winners circle over his long career.

He got there Sunday by whipping Paula Martin in round one and then staging an upset win over a tire-smoking John Force to reach the finals. Denshams win over John Force in round two was his first of the season in two head-to-head meetings this season competition, When you get A handful of pros competed in the race, although there was no prize purse. Its the first year since the pro division debuted in 1987 that the pros havent competed. Conditions were ideal for the triathletes, who plunged into a comfortable Lake Coeur dAlene at 7:16 a.m. The air temperature was 62 degrees when the race began and the thermometer had risen only to the mid-70s by the time the first athletes crossed the finish line.

Im happy overall, my time was better than last year Seifert said moments before learning she was the female champion. We (Bruigom) came out of the water together, she was right in front of me, But Bruigom wasted no time mounting her bike in the transition area. She built a 30-second lead about one mile into the bike and extended it to nearly 2 minutes halfway up the Mica grade on U.S. Highway 95. Bruigom widened her advantage near the two- Continued from Cl Columbia, competing at Coeur.

dAlene for the first time, is not an amateur but a first-year professional. Seifert, 39, runner-up last year and a previous three-time winner at CdA, finished in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 30 seconds, nearly 3 minutes behind Bruigom. Bruigom, 25, completed the three-phase race 1.5-kilomcter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run in 2:14:40. She finished first overall, too, just ahead of male pro Brian Rhodes of New Zealand Defending male amateur champion Matt Seeley, 25, started 5 minutes behind Rhodes (20 minutes behind the women), and nearly caught the pro triathlete. Seeley, of Missoula, ran unopposed, finishing in a personal-best and 25-29 age-group record time of 1:57:30.

He broke the old mark of 2:01:16. He also easily eclipsed his 1995 winning time of 2:01:04. Shadow: First red card for Violent conduct Less than 3 minutes later, the Seals capitalized on their manpower advantage. Black headed the hall to Rob Bonta, who sent a 30-yard pass across the goal to McDonald for the easy game-winner. I was really impressed with Spokane," San Francisco Bay coach Tom Simpson said.

I was impressed with their will to win, their will to compete with a man down and their desire to protect their own goal, even though they were down numbers. "It would have been a different game (11 on 11). Its hard to predict, but it would have been mote fun for us. I dont like to play a man up it can lead to a feeding frenzy. We should have been more disciplined when we got up by two (players)," Seals 3, Shadow 2 First half- 1 Spokane Saunders (Higgins) 7 00 2 an Francisco McDonald (Black), 4 00 Second halt 3 San Francisco Black Sb 00 4, Spokane Brown lAscoiese), 80 00 5, ban Francisco McDonald (Bonin) 81 00 Shols on goal San Francisco 13 Spokane 12 Saves San Franusco Karrilr 5 Spokane May 4 A 1 408 later, Stuart Rose of the Shadow was sent to the locker room with his second yellow card, which automatically becomes a red card.

The official report said the second card was for persistent infringement of the rules after receiving a (first yellow Card. Obviously, you have to make big changes, Saunders said. We chose to switch on defense and go man-to-man. Im surprised they didnt try to attack us more. It was more difficult.

We dont normally mark up man-to-man, and in that case, we had to. Spokane kept attacking and, amazingly, tied the game with 9 minutes left. After Kierian Baiton sent a corner kick to the back post, Joe Ascolcse kept the ball alive. The ball bounced back to Chad Brown at about 18 yards, and Brown dulled it through the crowd and into the net. Continued from Cl continued after Saunders first goalof the season until Dave Bcrto was ejected for tripping a rival player from behind 5 minutes later.

Referee Neil Pinski and the other officials would not explain the call, made on a play 15 yards behind the action, but gave the Shadow permission to share their copy of the game report. Officially, Bcrto was red-carded for violent i conduct away from the ball. Still, Spokane hung on until Chris McDonald tied the game a minute before halftime. His shot, after a pass front Mike Black, hit the left post, caromed to the right post and rolled into the goal. Black scored on a free kick from about 23 yards 12 minutes into the second half and, just 2 minutes 12 oz T-Bone' Wednesday Night Dinner Specldl lOoz Prime 16 oz Ed's Includes salad ft garlic toast Midnight everyday 926-9640 oz T-Bone Includes salad ft baked potato Sprague Pines His 6 am to I ,1 4 I SMMtaAs SMMSBfei "i' tir".