Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 35

W7 DETROIT FREE PRESSSUNDAY, OCT. 21, 1984 3D Bussey will watch Sims pass him by fey iacis Game 8 Lions vs. Vikings at Metrodome TIME: 1 p.m. Sunday. TV: CBS, Channel 2 in Detroit, will televise the game.

Jim Kelly and Drew Pearson will provide the commentary. RADIO: WJR, 760 AM. LINE: Vikings by 1. ft 'r CS 1 Scouting report Vikings Curt Sylvester's scouting report RECORD: 2-5. (Lost to San Diego, 13-42; lost to Philadelphia, 17-19; beat Atlanta, 27-20; beat Detroit, 29-28; lost to Seattle, 12-20; lost to ipiiSiiipiipipi Tampa Bay, 31-35; lost to LA Raiders, 20-23.

COACH: Les Steckel (2-5 in first year with Vikings). Comment: All the talk about the Marines and discipline has finally quieted down, overshadowed by the three-game losing streak, BHOW THEY RANK: Offensively, 13th in NFL (sixth rushing, 19th passing). Defensively, 25th (22d against the rush, 23d against the pass). Jan Stenerud leads NFL kickers in scoring with 59 points. QB Tommy Kramer is 10th among NFC quarterbacks with 106 completions in 202 passes for 1,414 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

RB Alfred Anderson is eighth among NFC rushers with 518 yards on 1 12 carries Return man Darrln Nelson is third in By CURT SYLVESTER Free Press Sports Writer Dexter Bussey knows how Jim Brown must have felt while watching Walter Payton close in on his NFL career rushing record. Bussey is still In uniform but he is nearly as helpless to protect his Lions rushing record as Brown, now retired, was to protect his league mark. Bussey, 32, is primarily a special-teams player. Younger men Billy Sims, James Jones and Ken Jenkins have taken over the backfield jobs he held for 10 NFL seasons. In the first seven games of 1984, Bussey hasn't carried the ball or caught a pass.

And it's likely he will be watching from the sidelines again today when Sims breaks Bussey's club record of 5,014 career yards during the Lions' 1 p.m. game against the Minnesota Vikings. SIMS, IN HIS fifth NFL season, started the season 595 yards behind Bussey and now needs 12 yards to break the club record. For Bussey, the record-breaking will be a bittersweet moment. He will be happy for Sims.

"If anybody deserves it, he does," said Bussey. "He's got such great acceleration it's frightening." But Bussey also will be a trifle sad when his record is broken. "It will no longer be Dexter Bussey, the all-time leading rusher," he said. "It really hit me just the other morning." The record was important to Bussey. He was proud of it, just as he was proud of gaining more than 5,000 yards among the rest of his achievements with the Lions.

Unlike Sims, Bussey wasn't a first-round draft choice or a Heisman Trophy winner. The Lions took him out of Texas-Arlington in the third round of the 1974 draft. HE STARTED all except 15 of the team's 108 regular-season games between 1975 and 1982. His best season was 1978, when he rushed for 924 yards. In 1981 Bussey broke the previous club record of 4,297 yards held by Altie Taylor and last year he became the first Lion to gain more than 5,000 yards.

He remembers both incidents. "I set the record against Oakland, I believe it was, and went over 5,000 yards last year against Pittsburgh," said Bussey. "Both games were at home. "I remember the fans especially, they gave me a standing ovation. And my teammates it was a real warm feeling.

"It was even nicer because I wasn't on my last leg (in 1983). We were fighting for a championship and I think it was uplifting for the team. "I've got some nice pictures and a ft. 4. Tommy Kramer Dexter Bussey Billy Sims the NFC in kickoff returns (21 .3 yards a carry) and sixth in punt returns (9.6-yard average).

KEY PLAYERS: Kramer is a fiery leader whose value goes beyond his mechanical skills, which aren't bad Nelson gives the Vikings a threat on kickoff and punt returns as well as running from scrimmage. Stenerud is 41 but still one of the NFL's best. He's 15-for-16 in field goals, including 52- and 54-yarders. Only miss was from 53 yards Rookie DB Jeff Colter is filling in as the Vikes' nickel back for Rufus Sims not after records the best I can to establish records here." Sims said he feels "great" about closing in on the Detroit Lions career rushing record of 5,014 yards, held by teammate Dexter Bussey. "I got over 1 ,000 yards my first year and I was only the first or second (Lion) back to do that," he said.

"From then on, I feel I've been playing good football and I feel I've done some things to help this organization." Sims says he and Bussey have talked about the record. "It's a great honor," Sims said. "We talked about it the other day. I'm from Texas and he's from Texas; we decided we'll keep the record in the state for a while longer." Billy Sims has no ambition to break the NFL career rushing record currently 12,500 yards held, and being added to, by Walter Payton. Sims says his personal goal is "probably about 10,000 yards, if I could last another four years." Sims, 29, didn't get to the NFL until he was nearly 25.

He has indicated he probably will retire when his current five-year contract expires after the 1988 season. "Records like (Payton's) are farfetched as far as I'm concerned, because of my late start," Sims said. "Realistically, I don't think I have that chance so I'll do Bess, who starts for injured CB Willie Teal. OFFENSIVE TENDENCIES: In many ways, the Vikes are still the finesse team they were at the end of Bud Grant's career but they showed the Lions in the first game that they can run the ball, too. The return of running back Ted Brown helps.

And the Lions anticipate tight end Joe Senser (off injured reserve last week) to give them a clutch-play tnreat. DEFENSIVE TENDENCIES: Vikes can still play a rugged physical game of defense when Scott Studwell and the rest of the hitters are healthy. Return of starting defensive ends Mark Mullaney and Nell Elshlre from injuries makes a big difference and Matt Blair, the heart of the de Darrin Nelson fense, also is working his way back from an early-season injury. STRENGTHS: Defensive line is getting back to full strength after early injuries. The return of Brown and Senser gives Kramer two important weapons.

WEAKNESSES: Tackles Tim Irwin and Steve Riley changed sides last week and are playing out of position. Center Ron Sams has had a hard go of it, filling in until injured Jim Hough is ready to play. Absence of Teal, best cornerback, hurts. back in and recapture it," Bussey said, with a grin. Barring an injury to Sims, however, it is not a very good chance.

MONTE CLARK has great respect for Bussey, both on a personal and professional level. "He's a solid guy," said Clark. "He's been an excellent runner and a team guy, and he's doing an excellent job of what we're asking him to do, just as he always has. That's his nature and his reputation. I wish everyone could develop a positive image like he has." Clark has made it clear, however, that he expects Sims and Jenkins, currently nursing a turf-toe injury, to do most of the running for the Lions.

"I'd kind of like to see him (carry the ball) sentimentally, if that was the only thing," Clark said. "There's room for some of that. But if Billy's available, he should be in there. And when he's tired, that's when Jenkins is in there." Bussey is not complaining about his special teams job, although he admits he'd like more playing time in the backfield. "In your waning years you know they keep you around for a certain role," he said.

"I knew I wouldn't be a regular. I'm doing the things they; expect of me but I'd like to do more. "Certainly, after playing 10 years and starting eight of them, it's not easy I've just got to bank on (the fact that) along the line I'll get the chance to get back in there." in the locker room," said Bussey. "They said the good news is that Dexter is the all-time leading rusher. The bad news is that Billy's only 50 yards behind him.

So we knew it was coming." Bussey even feels a little proud that his blocking, during the two seasons he played at fullback, contributed to Sims' career rushing totals. "Billy ran behind me the year he set the club record (1,437 yards in 1981)," said Bussey. "We all helped him, of course. I tried to knock some of the people out of the way for him." Bussey noted, only half seriously, that because he's still playing he has a possibility that Brown doesn't have since Payton broke his record. "There's always a chance I'll get bronzed football my family gave to me when I became the all-time leading rusher.

So I'll always have some memories to remind me I was there." Even while Bussey was breaking Taylor's record in 1981, however, it was obvious he wouldn't hold the marks long if Sims stayed with the Lions. "THE DAY AFTER I went over 5,000 yards, guys were joking around PicElS Out on a limb THE ODDS: Free Press sports writers Gene Guldl and Curt Sylvester take their best shots each week at predicting pro football's winners and losers. Their choices do not take into consideration the point spread, but Jimmy the Greek's line is included as a reference to show whether Guidi or Sylvester dare go out on a limb. USFL youngsters going through a 'stage So Curt iff Sylvester LJ1 football ington franchise to Orlando, but the league still hasn't come up with a new owner for the Los Angeles Express. The league has been meeting the Express payroll since the departure of William Oldenberg.

The league also is working on a salary cap, which will prevent big spenders like Trump from driving up the price of talent. And, as soon as the USFL determines which teams will stay in the league and where they will play, a schedule has to be made. It's only four months until the mid-February opening dates for 1985. play was hurt and too many teams didn't draw well. COMMISSIONER CHET SIMMONS wants the league cut back to 14 teams for 1985, through mergers of some less successful teams.

Simmons is talking about offering financial incen-, tives to teams willing to merge, but volunteers have been slow to step forward. Oklahoma and Oakland were ready to merge several months ago, but that fell through. Oklahoma and Arizona reportedly are close now. One problem was solved with the decision to move the troubled Wash Guidi's Sylvester's Greek's Game Picks Picks Line Detroit at Minn. Minnesota Minnesota Minn, by 1 Cleve.

at Cincy Cincy Cleve. Cincy by 2 Denver at Buffalo Denver Denver Denver by 3 Miami at N. England Miami Miami Miami by 4 Chicago at Tampa Tampa Chicago Tampa by 1 Wash, at St. Louis Wash. Wash.

Wash, by 1 Giants at Phila. Phila. Giants Giants by 1 Seattle at Green Bay Green Bay Seattle Seattle by 2 Pitts, at Indy Pitts. Pitts. Pitts, by 4 KC at NY Jets KC KC NY by 2 LA Raiders at SD San Diego LA Raiders LA by 3 S.

Fran, at Houston Fran. S.Fran. S.Fran, by 10 N. Orleans at Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas by 5 LA Rams at Atlanta LA Rams LA Rams Atlanta by 5 Last week 11-3 9-5 Season record 62-35 61-36 Gtlldi'S best bet: San Diego (plus 3) vs. LA Raiders.

Hard to pass up Chargers getting points at home. San Diego played Raiders tough a few weeks ago before losing out in final moments. Dan Fouts makes Chargers a live underdog in this one. (Best-bet record: 3-4.) Sylvester's best bet: Chicago (plus 1) vs. Tampa Bay.

The Bears' only losses have been against strong teams (Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis), so Tampa Bay should provide a pleasant break in the schedule. (Best-bet record: 3-40 Grosse Pointe South wins girls tennis again There is an explanation although it's not entirely logical for the things going on now with the USFL. Anyone who has ever been a parent will recognize it immediately: It's the Terrible Twos. It involves temper tantrums, grabs for the cookie jar, some hard falls and frequently dirty pants.

Sound familiar? It should, because that's just about what the two-year-old USFL is going through these days. The USFL owners are angry, claiming the NFL has conspired to put them out of business; they're suing for $1.3 billion in damages; they've taken some hard falls (an estimated $63 million in losses last season); and they've got some messy organizational problems that don't come out in the wash. WOULDN'T YOU think middle-aged millionaire owners could do a better job of parenting a football league than this? The latest tantrum is the $440 million antitrust suit filed against the NFL. If the USFL wins the case, the $440 million would be trebled to $1.32 billion in damages. The USFL Is asking the courts to: Break up the NFL's television contracts with ABC, NBC and CBS.

Break up alleged NFL monopolies on player contracts. Break up alleged NFL monopolies on stadium leases. NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle warned his league's club owners several months ago that the USFL probably would go to court; Rozelle characterized that as a final, desperate attempt to stay alive. That's how the suit is being interpreted by some. Although NFL owners and general managers are generally keeping their silence, it's clear they don't consider the suit a serious threat.

NEW JERSEY OWNER Donald Trump, who whipped up the necessary support to move the USFL from a spring schedule to the fall, was the major force behind the legal action. His attorney, Roy Cohn, filed the suit. Seventeen of the 18 teams in the league have gone on record in support of suing the NFL. Pittsburgh Maulers owner Edward DeBartolo Sr. wanted nothing to do with it because he would be, in effect, suing his son, who owns the San Francisco 49ers.

Others in the USFL privately question the legal tactics. They feel suing is not the way to beat the NFL, or even to ensure their own survival. But if it will jar the television networks into serious negotiations with the USFL, they will go along with it. The major networks apparently showed very little interest in televising fall games. Meanwhile, the two-year old league is conducting meetings at the luxurious Amelia Island Plantation off the gulf coast of Florida, doing its best to present an image of prosperity although owners lost a reported $63 million last season.

They took some bad falls in their second season, expanding too quickly from 12 to 1 teams. The quality of fie Schulte of Grosse Pointe South, 6-3, in No. 4 singles. The doubles champions, all from' Grosse Pointe South, are: Noel Berry and Laura Gushee, No. Elizabeth' Petersen and Catherine Turner, No.

and Sue Ingrao and Anne Nicholson No. 3. Terry Foster A $10 million profit for Winter Olympics BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) The Winter Olympics in the Yugoslav resort town of Sarajevo made an esti-; mated proftof more than the state-run press reported Saturday. MIDLAND Grosse Pointe South won its ninth straight girls Class A state tennis title Saturday. South scored 30 points, Ann Arbor Huron scored 21 and pre-tournament favorite Bloomfield Hills Lahser was third with 20.

South won all three doubles titles. Candy Kopetzki, of Sterling Heights, defeated Madeline Willard of Grosse Pointe South, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, in the No. 1 singles; Nicole Ashar of Bloomfield Hills Lahser beat Michele Hurrelbring, Ann Arbor Huron, 6-2, 6-4, in the No. 2 singles; Nicki Rival of Lahser defeated Kelly Robison of Huron, 6-1, 6iD, in the No. 3 singles, and Sue Osterlund of Lahser defeated Ste-.