North County Times from Oceanside, California • 25

NFL SUNDAY, October 27, 1996 North County imes C-3 NFL Previews NFL NOTEPAD Jimmy, Barry ready to rumble Feature Todays KANSAS CITY (5-2) TV: Ch. at DENVER (64) KICKOFF: 1 p.m. LATEST LINE: Broncos by 3 LAST MEETING: Chiefs beat Denver 17-14 at home in Week 4. KEY STAT Denver leads the NFL in offense and rushing. AT A GLANCE: Kansas City looked very impressive beating up literally on Seattle.

Whats more, the Chiefs have had 10 days to prepare for AFC West-leading Denver. But even though the Chiefs have won the past three meetings, including 21-7 last season in Denver, the Broncos are tough to beat at Mile High Stadium. Denver has an AFC-best 6-1 record, thanks mainly to running of Terrell Davis, who leads AFC with 817 yards rushing, and three consecutive 300yard passing games by QB John Elway. The Chiefs won the earlier meeting on Sept 22, but not this time. SAN FRANCISCO (5-2) at HOUSTON (S2j KICKOFF: 10 a.m.

LATEST LINE: 49ers by 5 LAST MEETING: Oilers edged 49ers 10-7 on Chnstmas 1993. KEY STAT: WR Jerry Rice needs eight catches to reach 1,000 for his career. AT A GLANCE: The Oilers acted as though they won a playoff game last week with win over Steelers that staved off early elimination from AFC Central race. Three down (counting tiebreaker) after seven games is not the hole from which you want to climb against the Steelers. But, after that big win, the Oilers have to get their minds on San Francisco, which had to rally to beat Cincinnati.

QB Steve Young is hobbled, but his winning TD run might be the inspiration the 49ers need. lives. Yes, its a special game. Wouldnt it be really special if Johnson could slap a big ol on Switzer? That would have to tweak his longtime rival. Johnson said he doesnt need a win to tweak Switzer.

Although, he trails Switzer, 5-3, when they used to battle one another in college. Johnson faced him while at Oklahoma State and Miami; Switzer was at Oklahoma. I tweak everybody, Johnson said. I tweak (the media) more than I tweak him. I tweak everybody.

And on the same page, yall tweak me on a daily basis. At least someones tweaked ankle appears fit. Dan Marino is expected to play as he returns from an ankle injury. Marino or no Marino, Cowboys guard Nate Newton is looking forward to roping a win in Miami. We cant wait to go down there and punish him, he said.

Little wonder the T-shirts being sold in Miami are titled: The Commotion By The Ocean. Does he use the run and shoot? Patriots coach Bill Parcells isnt writing off veteran Bills quarterback Jim Kelly just yet. The Pats tangle with Kelly tonught in New England. You see those old Western movies where they shoot the guy and then shoot him seven more times to make sure hes dead? Parcells said. That is the way it is with Kelly.

Somebody is going to have to shoot him seven more TAMPA SAY at GREEN KICKOFF: 10 a.m. LATEST UNE: Packers by 17H LAST MEETING: Packers routed Buccaneers 34-3 in Tampa during Week 1. KEY STAT: Tampa Bay ranks 28th in the NFL in passing and overall offense. AT A GLANCE: In their past two meetings, Green has outscored Tampa in the Battle of the Bays, 69-16. Whats more, QB Brett Favre passed for 514 yards and 7 TDs in those two games.

If that werent bad enough, the Packers are coming off a bye week, meaning they should be well-rested for those pesky Bucs, who are coming off a 13-9 hide-the-women-and-kids shootout loss with that pesky Arizona club. times to make sure hes dead. Were going to have to shoot him. Does Subway know about this? Broncos running back Reggie Rivers favorite supper four times a week is a bit different Its tuna on whole wheat topped with butter and grape jelly. What, no piclde? High Five 1.

Packers (6-1): Is God a Packer? Theyre home after bye vs. Bucs. 2. Broncos (6-1): John Elways sunk his teeth into this season. 3.

Steelers (5-2): Stumbled vs. Oilers; still a black gold team. 4. 49ers (5-2): The coach killers Dave Shula are limping along. 5.

Redskins (6-1): Forget Bubba and Bob Norv Turner for president. Low Five 1. Jets (0-8): The worst squad money can buy. 2. Falcons (0-7): Anything but a peach of a team.

3. Buccaneers (1-6): Dont get the Bays mixed up one stinks like bad cheese. 4. Bengals (1-6): Different coach, same bad bunch. 5.

Cardinals (3-4): That smell on the Mississippi isnt the water Three dot lounge The Skins six-game winning streak is their longest since their Super Bowl season of '91, when they started il-O. Colts QB Jim Harbaugh will have a Darth Vader look to him today. After suffenng a broken nose last week, he's wearing a shield on his face mask. He may need a suit of armor if his pass protection doesnt pick up 13 sacks in three games. The Lions' Bany Sanders hasnt rushed for 100 yards in five games.

He had a real confidence about him that just carries over to other people. PAUL MOYNEUR Former Orange Glen football coach on Sean Salisbury I ST. LOUIS mEmmsm KICKOFF: 10 a.m. LATEST UNE: Ravens by 6 LAST MEETING: Ravens (as Browns) beat the LA Rams 42-14 in Cleveland. KEY STAT St.

Louis is averaging league-low 206.6 yards in total offense. AT A GLANCE: St. Louis is starting to like these AFC teams. Its only two victones so far are against Cincinnati and Jacksonville. Now they get another Baltimore which is allowing more points (201, second worst in AFC) than coach Ted MarcMbroda would prefer.

That is not good news for Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, the former Steelers assistant who is finding out that defensive schemes work better when your LBs are Levon Kirkland and Chad Brown and your secondary includes Rod Woodson and Camell Lake. NEW YORK GIANTS (2-5) at KICKOFF: 10 a.m. LATEST UNE: Lions by 10 LAST MEETING: Lions beat Giants 28-25 in OT at Giants Stadium in October 1994. KEY STAT Lions WR Herman Moore leads NFL in catches (55) and yards receiving (723). AT A GLANCE: Hey, seven games into the season and no more ultimatums from Henry Ford, the Detroit owner, to Wayne Fontes.

The Lions coach already has one win at-least one playoff game or else and even that one appears precanous right now. But the Lions have played better than their record would indicate, and they are coming off a bye week as they prepare for the Giants. JACKSONVftil (3-5) at CINCINNATI (1-6 KICKOFF: 10 a.m. LATEST UNE: Bengals by 3 LAST MEETING: Bengals completed 1995 sweep with 17-13 win in Jacksonville. KEY STAT Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell threw for 421 yards vs.

Rams. AT A GLANCE: As the song that was sweeping Cincinnati implored, the Shoe was given the boot. Finally. David Shula lasted longer than most thought he would as Bengals coach. The Bengals will try to revive their offense under intenm head man Bruce Coslet, former head coach of the Jets.

While there, Coslet compiled a 26-39 record that looks sterling compared to the young Shulas (19-52). Cincy owner Mike Brown said Shulas losing record had nothing to do with his firing. What was it his sunglasses? INDIANAPOLIS (5-2) at WASHINGTON (6-1! KICKOFF: 10 a.m. LATEST UNE: Redskins by 3 LAST MEETING: Redskins beat Colts in Indianapolis 41-27 in 1994. KEY STAT: QB Gus Frerotte is third in NFC with 82.8 rating.

AT A GLANCE: This used to be a short trip for the Colts, just nght across the Beltway. But the Colts dont reside in Baltimore anymore, so the tnp back to Indianapolis will seem just a little longer after a loss. And why not? The Redskins have won six straight after a seasonopening loss and, dating to last season, nine of their past 11. The Colts, who already have a laundry list of injured, lost another when RB Zack Crockett went on injured reserve. Even Patton couldn't withstand that many losses.

Yipee, the showdown is finally here. Those big, bad Cowboys go traipsing down to South Florida today to rassle with an old friend. Hey, all, its Jimmy. The tussle NFL fans have been salivating for since Jimmy Johnson was hired by the Dolphins has arrived. Johnson, the coach Cowboys owner Jerry Jones put his boot to after winning two Super Bowls, can deliver a swift one to his old boss.

Forget that Johnson and Cowboys coach Barry Switzer are both downplaying the game. Theyre running that coach speak that says its just another game, were both 4-3, blah, blah, blah. Switzer would no more wear a pair of Reeboks while sipping a Coca-Cola than lose to Johnson. And Johnson would rather run out of hair spray that get pasted by the Cowboys. This is a fussin and cussin country feud if there ever was one.

Others agree as more than 800 press credentials have been issued. I think the media circled this game, Johnson said. I dont think I circled the game. I circled the Patriots game, which was the first one of the season. Jimmy, Jimmy.

As they say down South, we aint fixin to believe that. It is an emotional game for me, because theres a lot of people there that I truly care about, said Johnson, and he wasnt referring to the other double J. People who are friends and will remain friends for the rest of our Chargers Matchup OPPONENT; Seattle Helmet signifies team rated the edge rmm RUNNING GAME: Is this the day when the Chargers running attack produces more than grief? Coaches hope a front line without veteran Courtney Hall blocks instead of doing its revolving door routine. Leonard Russell gets call again, desperately seeking find some running lanes. Seahawks rugged in middle with Pro Bowler Cortez Kennedy and Sam Adams plus LB Terry Wooden is back, their leading tackier in '95.

But their run defense is spotty. PASSING GAME: Can local boy make good? Orange Glen Highs Sean Salisbury pinch hits for QB Stan Humphries (shoulder) with first start in two seasons. Tony Martin is usually a 'Hawks killer and rookie Charlie Jones is getting more comfortable. Shaky Seattle corners Carlton Gray and Corey Harris put on notice earlier this week. Again, line has to give Salisbury time to see more than opposing face masks.

huh RUNNING GAME: A productive Chris Warren and Big Foot two rare sightings this year in the Pacific Northwest. 'Hawks having trouble running, too, with a line as shoddy as the Chargers. The Bolts defense playing OK against run; thats with LB Junior Seau. Overall, the defense is putrid with the All-Pro. Whats in store without No.

55? PASSING GAME: Secondary sees familiar arm in John Friesz; then says a prayer considering his weapons. Tough to chill with Frieszs targets: Joey Galloway, Brian Blades, Mike Pritchard and Ricky Proehl. CB Dwayne Harper (hamstring) still on shelf; so is the 94 version of Darrien Gordon, his replacement Parental discretion advised. WHAT TO EXPECT The gimpy Chargers arrive here in charter aircraft, although an ambulance is more appropnate for this bandaged and battered bunch. This is hardly the same Chargers outfit that spanked Hawks in the opener no Humphries, Seau, Hall, Harper or running game.

With a good portion of the Chargers salary cap hugging the sidelines, it pays off in a Seahawks home win. PICK; Seahawks 17, Chargers 13 Jay Paris 4 (LA) BAY (6-1 DETROIT (34 I LATEST UNE: Patriots by 4 at home in Week 2. Wire Services dislocated wrist. They had to put a pin in, and they found the ligaments and tendons around needed (surgery) to get better, Seifert said. Stokes, who had 18 catches in six games, was shut out in his last two starts despite having 10 passes aimed at him.

He has been replaced by Terrell Owens, who caught a touchdown pass in last weekends 28-21 come-from-behind win over Cincinnati. To replace Stokes, the 49ers added tight end Adrian Cooper to the active roster. Cooper has been bothered by a knee injury that prevented him from practicing this season until last week. CAROLINA (32) at PHILADELPHIA (5-2! Mike McGregor with Lee Hamilton has worked 454 Chargers games. SCHOLFIELD Continued from Cl off the air, everyone wants to know what happened, but I dont get excited.

The main thing is to remain calm, and with the help of the studio engineer at XTRA, Mike Forrester, we figure it out. Starting in Stockton McGregor, a native of Stock-ton, came to San Diego in 1968 as a top-40 disc jockey on KDEO radio. He never had thoughts of producing sports play-by-play broadcasts, but when KDEO got the Chargers contract, they called on McGregor. The station didnt know how to put the package together and I had experience, so I was elected, McGregor said. I had done some producing of University of Pacific sports and had what they call a first-class radio engineers license.

Except for the 1976 season, McGregor has been part of the Chargers radio broadcasts ever since with four different stations. When XTRA goes on the air today it will mark the 455th game McGregor has produced. Condemn it Through those many games there are some horror stories McGregor remembers well. For instance, he says the worst facility is RFK Stadium. We were in a raging blizzard, and our radio booth was an open Quonset hut on the roof of the stadium, McGregor said of the December game in 1989.

The worst part for McGregor was lugging 125 pounds of equip- ment up 44 steps laden with snow. Frozen digits Then there was the famous Ice Bowl game against Cincin- nati Jan. 10, 1982. The wind-chill factor was 59 below. Announcers Tom Kelly and John DeMott and McGregor operated out of an open booth at Riverfront Stadium that was little more than a slab of cement.

Before that horrific day was ovei; McGregor had frostbite in his toes. The nerve ends are still a little sensitive, McGregor said. I walk funny when it is too cold or too warm. Surrounded Another adventure took place on opening day last year in Oak-" land. Because of the construction of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the radio facility was in the end zone looking directly into the sun.

That was only half the prob-, lem. You see, they werent in a booth. We were sitting outside right in the middle of Oakland fans, McGregor said. Not exactly a friendly place to I be if you are extolling the posi-: tive virtues of the Chargers. For- tunately, nothing was said.

But I think someone picked my pocket, teased McGregor. International incident The trip to Tokyo this year posed other problems. The day before the game McGregor and Hamilton spent nine hours trying to get their equipment running. They worked with seven Japanese engineers, but only one of them spoke English. McGregor and Hamilton went through a ritual of asking a ques-f tion, then bowing politely, before receiving an answer, Naturally, just prior to kickoff, S'-the satellite feed went down.

Fortunately for McGregor, the signal was quickly restored. I' Today should be an easier expe- rience for McGregor because the Seatde Kingdome is one of the finest facilities for broadcasters. Doing a game in the King- dome is like being in your living room, Hamilton said. And when you are listening to the game today, remember that Mike McGregors quiet, calm expertise is at work. Steve Scholfleld Is executive sports "editor of the NortiCounty Times.

KICKOFF: 10 a.m. LATEST UNE: Eagles by 4 LAST MEETING: First meeting. KEY STAT: Philadelphia is only NFL team without a Sunday loss in 1996 (50). AT A GLANCE: Philadelphia, with fy Detmer, their new QB, is 2-0 since Rodney Peete was injured. The Eagles looked impressive last week in a 35-28 win against the Dolphins, beating them via the run (Ricky Watters, 173 yards) and pass (Irving Fryar, 4 TDs).

Carolina, though, is tied for the NFL lead with 26 sacks and will chase Detmer onto Broad Street PITTSBURGH (32) at ATLANTA (0-' KICKOFF: 10 a.m. LATEST UNE: Steelers by 5 LAST MEETING: Pittsburgh routed Falcons 4517 in Atlanta three years ago. KEY STAT: Steelers have won last seven meetings. AT A GLANCE: This is the way it works in the NFL: If the Steelers had defeated the Oilers in Houston, they would have sauntered into Atlanta and lost to the Falcons, who are due for a victory. They would be 52 after eight games.

Whats the difference if they lose to Houston and beat Atlanta, which they have done the past seven meetings? WMMEMESK NEW YORK JETS KICKOFF: 1 p.m. LATEST UNE: Cardinals by 4 LAST MEETING: Jets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 23-10 at home in October 1978. KEY STAT: Jets rank 28th in defending the run and 26th in overall defense. AT A GLANCE: The list includes Dave Shula and Jbn Mora.

It may also include Rich Brooks, Dan Reeves and June Jones before the season is over. So how, then, does Rich Kotlte, a nice guy with a poor record, survive with the Jets? Dating back to his days with the Eagles, he is 3-28 in the past 31 games he has been head coach. CHARGERS Continued from Cl coach Bobby Ross said about the eight-year pro. Hell do fine. That was always the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Salisburys line.

He was North Countys shining prep star before Junior Seaus galaxy raced through Oceanside. Seau, out with a knee injury this week, remembers Salisburys three-sport reputation. He was the man, Seau said. He was Mr. Everything.

But tracing Salisburys route from Orange Glen to the King-dome makes one dizzy. His career bobbed and weaved, much like a reveler getting home too late. Forget his travels through USC, the CFL and the NFL before sitting out last year in a contract disagreement. Salisbury was lucky to survive childhood. One afternoon at his Escondido home, Salisbury intercepted a toss from Curtis, his brother.

But it was a dart, not a football, and it landed near his heart. I almost died, Salisbury said. The tip of the dart was scraping the heart area. Another inch and it would have punctured it. But like other obstacles, the determined Salisbury carried on.

Which helps explains the lone attribute matching his gift of gab confidence. Tm very confident, said Salisbury, who was an analyst last season with Sports Fan Radio. Im not an uptight football player. His ex-high school coach agrees. He had a real confidence about him that carried over to other people, said Paul Moyneur, the former Orange Glen coach who is now an assistant at San Pasqual.

And rightly so, because he could do a lot of things. As a junior, Salisbury was San Diego Countys football player of the year. That sent a steady stream of recruiters from the biggest colleges beating a path to Orange Glen. One was Gerry Faust, then coaching at Notre Dame. He met Salisbury during basketball season, approaching him in the Orange Glen gym.

Fausts strategy was simple, if not odd. If Faust sank a half-court shot, Salisbury would attend Notre Dame. If Salisbury drained his shot, Faust would hit the door. Faust hit nothing but net. Is that binding? a befuddled Salisbury asked Faust, now singing die Fighting Irish fight song.

It wasnt, and Salisbury headed for USC. Once there, Salisbury rarely turned in early. Out running the LA. streets? Hardly. I remember when we were freshmen we would stay up all night eating pizzas and drinking sodas, said Tim Ware, a USC teammate and ex-Chargers wide receiver.

I never had the big-time dream to play in the NFL, but Sean had that dream. And KICKOFF: 1p.m. LATEST UNE: Cowboys by 3 LAST MEETING: Dolphins pulled out wild 1993 Thanksgiving game 1514 in Dallas. KEY STAT DE Tony Tolbert's eight sacks tie for NFL best. AT A GLANCE: This game would probably mean more to the Dallas players who used to play for Jimmy Johnson.

But why would they want to beat their former coach? Why would they want to exact revenge? He only helped them win consecutive Super Bowls. If anything, they might more want to thank him. No, the person with something to prove and to gain, is Johnson, the Dolphins coach. Hell make sure his new players are aware of his desire to beat the Super Bowl champs. Plus, Dan Marino is 30 lifetime vs.

the Cowboys. thats what we talked about, playing in the NFL. I mean, in 1981 they were already talking about Sean being the first quarterback selected in the 85 draft. But Salisburys USC stint was mixed. Many mention he finished his career there as the schools all-time passing leader; others remember the knee and shoulder injuries that torpedoed his NFL value.

Instead of finding NFL riches, Salisbury went undrafted in 86. Seattle signed him as a free agent, but he was placed on injured reserve with a bad shoulder. Salisbury never took a snap for the Seahawks and was cut prior to the 87 opener. I had a great time Salisbury said. But I was scared to death.

Salisbury landed with the Colts for two 87 games, hitting eight of 12 passes. Actually, eight of 10, if you throw out his two interceptions. He played briefly in a playoff loss to the Browns, then was slipped the pink slip again. That cant-miss kid from Orange Glen was doing just that missing. And a discouraged Salisbury came as close to quitting as that dart did to his thought.

Do I really want to do this anymore? he said. I was about to get married and I thought I would put my degree (broadcasting) to work. As usual, father knew best Richard Salisbury, SeanS dad, called an audible. Hey, you know how tough it is to earn a buck, he told Sean. Youre still doing what you love to do.

Theres going to come a time when youre not going to have a choice. So Salisburys road to the NFL turned north. He spent two seasons with the Canadian Football Leagues Winnipeg Blue Bombers, directing them to the Grey Cup title in 88. Salisbury got a sniff from the Vikings and won a 90 training camp competition for a job that lasted five years. But he started only 10 games, going 55.

Today, with his smiling parents in attendance, he starts No. 11. And he does it with the team that always has been No. 1 to the 33-year-old Salisbury. Fm in a situation I wouldnt trade for anything, he said.

Whether it lasts one week, one year or 10 years. I wouldnt trade it fqr anything in the world. 1 BUFFALO (5-2) art NEW ENGLAND (43! KICKOFF: 5 p.m. LAST MEETING: Bills beat Patriots 17-10 KEY STAT: New England has scored 154 points in last five games. AT A GLANCE: For all its problems, Buffalo is 52 for the eighth time in nine seasons and tied for the lead in AFC East.

The Bills offense managed 25 points last week against the Jets, but it was a combination of one touchdown and six Steve Christie field goals. Stokes shelved for season San Jose Mercury News HOUSTON The season officially ended for the San Francisco 49ers J.J. Stokes on Saturday when coach George Seifert announced the wide receiver had been put on injured reserve. The move, made one day after Stokes underwent surgery on his injured right wrist, makes him ineligible to return until the 1997 season. Stokes, a starter, was hurt just over a week ago when he jumped to catch a pass, stumbled and put his hand down to keep from falling.

It was later detetpained he had suffered a i I.