Fort Worth Star-Telegram from Fort Worth, Texas • 149

1 Sunday August 30 1987 Fort Worth Star-Telegram I Section 8 Page 39 FOOTBALL '87 CAPSULES By NIARJOME LBIlS 1 ftr COLDS CY 1111 1 Grand Opening Special One Week 1 with this ad Come enjoy the finest fitness center anywhere enjoy free instruction seminars nutritional I guides and much more 3 mucn more Buffalo Mary Levy LA LICENSEE OF GOLDS GYM ENT INC me Va 7( I Pvg pg and 367-0000 I 1704 Cherry Lane I Raiders Tom Flores ish baseball season with Kansas City then join Raiders Acquired wide receiver James Lofton from Green Bay and Mervyn Fernandez from Canada Sent wide receiver Rod Barksdale to Cowboys for cornerback Ron Fellows Forecast: Third Notes: Quarterback Marc Wilson has one year remaining on guaranteed contract that will pay him $1 million Defense end Sean Jones led AFC with 155 sacks Running back Napoleon McCallum (536 yards) may be out until 1991 with Navy commitments first six draft picks Top pick Shane Conlin of Penn State expected to start at left outside linebacker Forecast: Fourth Notes: Running back Robb Riddick who missed two of last five seasons to injury replaced injured Greg Bell and ran for 632 yards Running back Ronnie Harmon first round pick in '86 has shown great promise despite struggling with minor injuries last season FREE INITIAL EXAM- Families with Dental Insurance Apple Dental Center will accept your dental insurance for covered treatment Patient is responsible for amount not covered by insurance Prevents large initial Cash Outlay LA Coach: Strengths: Tight end Todd Christensen caught 95 passes marking fourth consecutive season with 80 or more Defense generated league-high 63 sacks Safety Vann McElroy team's top tackler had seven interceptions Weaknesses: Rusty Hilger is expected to start at quarterback although he has thrown only 51 passes in two seasons Offensive line allowed 63 sacks Ranked 16th in league scoring Club had league-high 49 turnovers Changes: Bolstered running game by signing Bo Jackson Jackson will fin Strengths: Quarterback Dan Marino has led the league in passing yardage and touchdowns each of the last three years Wide receivers Mark Clayton and Mark Duper are game-breakers Center Dwight Stephenson and guard Roy Foster anchor line Weaknesses: Biggest problem has been defense Inconsistent running game meant 76 percent of the Dolphins' yardage last season came through the air Forecast First Changes: Tom Olivadotti replaces Art I Coach: Miami Don Shula Cincinnati Sam Wyche OPEN EVENINGS SATURDAYS 261-0900 APPLE T2A0NILAIEYF A DDS DENTAL ARLINGTON TX 76013 CENTER 14:21 nom 0 safety Hoping top pick BYU tackle Jason Buck can step in Forecast: Second Notes: Cincinnati's 10-6 record is best under Wyche who is entering fourth year Two of last three years Bengals had playoff chances entering final week Twice they needed another team to win and twice the other team lost Good nucleus in linebackers Emanuel King Joe Kelly and Reggie Williams vMH ittr Chuck Studley as defensive coordinator and faces mammoth job Notes: Dolphins were 1-4 when they scored less than 20 points Knee injuries to linebacker Hugh Green and cornerback Paul Lankford may keep them from being 100 percent Linebacker John Offerdahl a Pro Bowl performer as a rookie last season will miss the first six weeks with a bleep injury Marino is expected to return for the regular season opener after having injured a finger on his throwing hand Sean Farrell by giving up second- seventh- and ninth-round picks Forecast: Second Notes: The running game will be in better shape with the return of Reggie Dupard who was out most of last season with turf toe Wide receiver Stanley Morgan is returning from one of the best years (84 catches 1491 yards 10 touchdowns) of his 10-year career Irving Fryar who had 43 receptions in '86 needs to emerge as a big-play receiver Cleveland Marty Schottenheimer New England Coach: Raymond Berry While-U-Walt 4 Cyl Reg $42" 6 Cyl Reg 84499 8 Cyl Reg $4699- 910 OFF ANY TUNE UP WITH THIS AD 136 PIPILINI ROAD 2220 SURINAM' 382-2797 926-3611 011ANSURY ID 3220 NI 21711U Ill NINDUISON 294-3737 831-3211 877-3203 expires Solt 9-1947 ers for draft choices Ozzie Newsome returns after injury-plagued season last year Forecast First Notes: Despite its fine reputation the Browns' defense ranked 19th last season in yards allowed He's still underrated but Kosar 23 has developed into one of the sharpest and most reliable operators in the game The Browns didn't get a much-needed burner in the draft but the offense still should be stronger 014 IINE-UPSPIVAUS near 171t11 ii WAi Certified Mechanics (I Coupon Only Per Tune-Up) AUT 40 a a a a a HURRY WHILE LAST ECLIPSE 0 00 13' 0 ARLINGTON 116 Collins LOWOUT 1716 STD MINIM! 923-9701 SOI SPUR 341 1400 OLD 246-0631 'TflM9C OFF 4 1 0 RETAIL Denver Dan Reeves NY Jets Joe Walton Strengths: Linebackers look solid Andre Tippett may be reaching peak Pass defense held quarterbacks to a league low of 1861 yards per game Quarterback Tony Eason had only 10 interceptions last year Pro Bowl kicker Tony Franklin had 140 points (32 of 41 field-goal attempts) Weaknesses: The Patriots had virtually no running game last season They averaged 29 yards per carry last in the NFL Changes: Acquired Tampa Bay guard Strengths: Quarterback Ken O'Brien showed great potential through 10-1 start Al Toon has been a near-unstoppable receiver (85 catches 1176 yards eight touchdowns Freeman McNeil (856 yards five touchdowns) is a strong multi-purpose back Weaknesses: Three key players nose tackle Joe Klecko linebacker Lance Mehl and offensive tackle Reggie McElroy had off-season reconstructive knee surgery and may be ready by October 71 4 1011I Coach PRICES EXPIRES 9-3-87 me auwintomos t2) a 0 AUTO TINT Strengths: Quarterback im Kelly had only two weeks of training camp and completed 594 percent of his passes for 3593 yards and 22 touchdown passes Bills are building a line to protect him Weaknesses: Tied for last in the league in interceptions with 10 Next-to-last in average possession time (28 minutes 1 second) Changes: Hired Walt Corey from Kansas City as defensive coordinator then took five defensive players with rt I I 12:1 Strengths: Led NFL in total offense averaging more than 405 yards per game Power running game with James Brooks (1087 yards) Quarterback Boomer Esiason led NFL in yards per attempt (844) Strong receivers in Cris Collinsworth Eddie Brown and Tim McGee Weaknesses: Defense still rebuilding ranked 20th in the league Changes: Leonard Bell selected in the third round from Indiana is expected to challenge Robert Jackson at free Strengths: The secondary is solid with cornerbacks Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack were injured much of 1986 but each rushed for more than 1000 yards in 1985 Bernie Kosar threw 531 passes last year and was intercepted only 10 times Weaknesses: There is a lack of a deep receiving threat Linebacker is questionable because Chip Banks was traded to San Diego and Brad Van Pelt was waived Changes: Banks was traded to Charg Strengths: In his fourth season quarterback John Elway appeared to have come of age He had 13 interceptions (down from 23 in '85) and was named to the Pro Bowl Completed 556 percent of his passes for 3485 yards and 19 touchdowns Karl Mecklenburg and Rickey Hun ley are standouts at inside linebacker spots Left end RuIon Jones had 135 sacks Weaknesses: Offensive line is a question mark Lack of a strong running game Changes: Wide receiver Mark Jackson EIM Eql Strengths: Secondary is solid Kicker Tony Zendejas made 22 of 27 field-goal attempts Quarterback Warren Moon set club record with 3489 yards passing but he threw only 13 touchdowns and 26 interceptions Talented at wide receiver led by Drew Hill (65 1112 5) and Ernest Givins Weaknesses: Committed too many turnovers (44) Running game questionable Changes: Oilers released running back Butch Woolfolk Walter Johnson selected in the second round m11 1711 Strengths: Coming off a shoulder injury former Cowboys quarterback Gary Hogeboom led team to three victories to close season During stretch Hogeboom completed 57 of 92 passes for 725 yards and six touchdowns Wide receivers Matt Bouza and Bill Brooks combined for 136 catches 1961 yards and 13 touchdowns Weaknesses: Colts secondary had only 16 interceptions Running game collapsed in '86 after a strong showing in '85 Running back Randy McMillan was injured in an April car accident Strengths: One of best offensive lines in league with average age of 26 Linebackers talented with Dino Hackett and Tim Cofield pleasant surprises Free safety Deron Cherry and strong safety Lloyd Burruss combined for 14 interceptions and made Pro Bowl Special teams blocked or deflected 10 kicks and scored five touchdowns during season Team forced NFL-best 49 turnovers Weaknesses: Finished 27th in league rushing Question mark at quarterback though Bill Kenney should start Jra4' AIT r-- iti lin 64 Coach: Coach: Coach: Coach: Coach: Coach: Coach: may move ahead of Steve Watson Linebacker Tom Jackson retired Cornerback Louis Wright's retirement opened a spot for Mark Haynes and Tony Lilly will replace retired free safety Steve Foley Forecast: Second Notes: Denver ranks among the top five winning teams in the NFL over the last decade 96-55 Broncos averaged only 37 yards per carry as a team last year Offensive line is aging with four starters 30 or older 79211 SALE 1 I CrzIN -11 Coach: Pittsburgh Chuck Noll Houston Jerry Glanville 't All 1987 Spas Must Go To Make Room For The188's1 11414p47pirft' 41It' VOISVAeggee714 1 4 4e' 1 1111 II 011VOrMMottOp lirgir ONLY 16 MODELS LEFT 111 A ONLY 16 MODELS LEFT from Louisiana Tech could contend for starting linebacker job First-round pick Haywood Jeffires from North Carolina State should see a lot of playing time at wide receiver Forecast: Third Notes: Oilers went 4-4 in the second half of the season Have gone through six consecutive losing seasons Ranked 16th on offense and 13th on defense in the league up from 24th and 27th Moon will have fourth quarterback coach in four years in June Jones Strengths: Tackle Tunch Ilkin allowed only one sack last year Running back Earnest Jackson rushed for 910 yards in 13 games Mike Merriweather and Bryan Hinkle are two of best outside linebackers in the league Defensive end Keith Willis had 12 sacks Weaknesses: Quarterback Mark Malone ranked 25th of 27qualifiers in passing last year Special teams surrendered six touchdowns and set up three more Secondary ranked 16th in the league Changes: Selected Texas fullback Roger Vick in first round and should replace Tony Paige in lineup Tom Baldwin will start at nose tackle for injured Forecast: Third Notes: O'Brien threw 23 touchdown passes and eight interceptions the first 11 weeks but last five weeks had two touchdown passes and 12 interceptions Jets finished 28th in pass defense last year with non-existent pass rush Changes: Malone got a vote of confidence with no quarterback drafted Center Dan Turk was traded to Tampa Bay Forecast: Fourth Notes: Success of the running game midway through the SeaS011 took pressure off Malone Hired Hall of Famer and former Pro Bowler Joe Green to coach defensive line Stall-worth needs four catches to reach 500 for career Changes: Obtained Pro Bowl linebacker Chip Banks from Cleveland First-round pick Rod Bernstine of Texas should get a lot of playing time Charlie Joiner Chargers longtime standout wide receiver retired and will coach receivers Forecast: Fifth Notes: The Chargers were 1-7 when coach Don Coryell was replaced by Saunders Offensive tackle James FitzPatrick was a major disappointment after having been drafted 13th overall last year SPA DESIGN In San Diego Coach: Al Saunders Indianapolis Ron Meyer LEA Is EXAMI(3r 44 ler ''''''''7''''01 1i I 1 "--4' ------7-77---7-7---- Is EXAMINE to-t 7---- 1 Changes: Tackle Chris Hinton might move to left guard Top pick linebacker Cornelius Bennett of Alabama will join team's talented unit Forecast: Fifth Notes: Ron Meyer took over in the 14th game of the season for fired Rod Dowhower First coach in club history to win first three games Running back duties could go to Albert Bentley 25 carries for 162 yards in season finale (30-24 victory over Raiders) Colts managed only 24 sacks fewest in NFL (Corner of Hwy 303 and Hwy 380) Arlington (across from Forum 303) 640-0766 Metro the game or just taking lite easy LEATHER UNIQUE THE QUALITY OF THIS PUB CHAIR Se OTTOMAN Brumbaugh's Only $799 Compare at ol finer leather furnishings in the WM metroplex 8111111111111011'S LEATHER GALLERY Pia 1 1-30 Dittios Mon-Fri Sat Sun 10-8 10-7 1-4 lame Plato C3031 Watching Quality and luxury you can' count on year after year Leather is one of the finest Investment you can make OutlasLs fabric Breathes always Comfortable not hot or cold All-hardwood construction CALL BRUMBAUGH'S FROM ANYWHERE IN TEXAS! (Toll Mire I txAs WATTS) 1-800-633-2875 DIV Metro 429-2619 4 41F: 71:1: 77N 1 I al i t1 A''4''''''' -141e 0 '44 64 -7 IL13 il'' Pitt- ri-T 4 1 4 441 feathet 47' Ftvutitute auality and luxury you can Nt count on year after year Leather Is one of the finest investment you can make SUNROOM 108 7714 Strengths: Produced team-record 62 sacks Defensive end Leslie O'Neal named NFL's top rookie defensive player by the Associated Press but a late-season injury likely will keep him out for '87 Tight end Kellen Winslow had 64 receptions for 728 yards and five touchdowns Offensive line yielded only 32 sacks Weaknesses: Quarterback Dan Fouts who turned 36 this year struggled early last season and has been in contract dispute Offense finished 24th in rushing Defense allowed 396 points pip I Strengths: Running back Curt Warner rushed for 1481 yards on 319 carries last season Wide receiver Steve Largent had 70 catches for 1070 yards Weaknesses: Although quarterback Dave Krieg led the team to a five-game winning streak to close the season his inconsistency has been a problem Nose tackle and cornerback have been a problem on defense but the team went heavy on linebackers in the draft Changes: For the most part the Coach: Kansas City Frank Gansz Seattle Chuck Knox '4' 0 3 47 )1-t -e': Alk4000t A44-ltk 4 A 'IS Largest in-stock selection k-lir----1133200 11111 Largest in-stock selection Seahawks stood pat from last year to this The biggest addition was linebacker Brian Bosworth chosen in the supplemental draft and signed earlier this month Forecast: First Notes: Seahawks were successful on third-down conversion 434 percent of the time The last month of the season that figure was 60 percent Offensive line helped Seahawks finish second in the league in yards per rushing attempt (45) Changes: Defensive end Mike Bell returns after having missed last season because of a federal cocaine conviction Top two draft picks running back Paul Palmer of Temple and fullback Christian Okoye of Azusa Pacific should start Forecast Fourth Notes: Gansz resigned as an assistant coach and was re-hired to replace fired John Mackovic Cherry and Burruss scored six touchdowns as many as running backs Mike Pruitt and Boyce Green Kt 28111 Stockyards 624-4123 Daily 9-6 My 80 West side 2448034 Daily 9-6 Kidtimar Mall Ar If to N-M 732-0207 Daily 10 9 4 4 a i -1 -ik.