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Show Wednesday, August 16, 1995 Summer Chronicle - 7 Sports Price is Right for Fall Football Drills JAMES JARDINE Chronicle Sports Editor t After three days of rumbling on the McCarthcy Practice Field on the University of Utah campus, the Ute football players took off for Price to continue in the hellish heat at Camp Carbon where they'll pound away on each other in preparation for their Sept. 2 season opener. Having lost 16 starters, coach Ron McBride believes fall practices "are critical this year because we have so many holes to fill." One of the most prominent and highly publicized spots that needs filling is at quarterback, where Brandon Jones and Mike Pouts are vying to fill Mike shoes. McCoy's "I'd like to make a decision within a week to 10 days into fall practice on who that quarterback's going to be," McBride said. "That will be a big decision because I definitely do not want to be in a position where we arc rotating quarterbacks." After getting the quarterback situation resolved, McBride's next biggest concern will be "getting our offensive line to setdc in" since the only offensive starters Utah has returning are right tackle Chris Rae and tight end Rick Tucker. With so many fresh faces, McBride said the 1995 team will have more work to do before its Rice Stadium opener against Oregon than any team in the last three years. "The new players must leam the ropes quickly and the new guys who were here for the spring need to show improvement by the time camp is done," McBride said. "This is an ideal team to take down to Camp Carbon because we will get a lot of questions answered by isolating (the players)." Camp Carbon will commence with a scrimmage on Aug. 20, after which the team will return to Salt Lake to continue practices. fj Cancer Claims Life Of Yankee Legend Mickey Mantle, 63 DALLAS (AP) - Mickey Mantle, the country boy who became a baseball Hall of Fame hero to a generation, died Aug. 13 from liver cancer. He was 63. The former New York Yankees star died at 2:10 a.m. EDT, Baylor two-a-da- University Medical Center said. Mantle received a liver transplant on June 8. On July 13, it was discovered that his liver cancer had spread to his right lung, and he was readmitted to die hospital on Aug. 4. Three days later, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to include more of his lungs and abdomen despite intensive chemotherapy. Blond, handsome, graceful and muscular with power from both sides of the plate. The Mick was the perfect heir to Joe DiMaggio in center field at Yankee Stadium. Millions idolized No. Cmmmcu Photo Jeff Beckstrand Henry's Hot Potato: Senior Henry Lusk joined the rest of Utah's gridiron battalion on the Thomas Kearns McCartney practice field Aug.12-1- 4 before departing far Camp Carbon In Price. 7, and he rewarded his faithful with 536 home runs, eighth on baseball's career list. He MVP in the American was three-tim- e League, won the Triple Crown in 1956 and won four AL home run titles, accomplishing many of his feats despite gimpy knees. Mantle was the driving force on Yankees teams that won 12 AL pennants and seven World Series. His 18 home runs in World Series play is a record that still stands. Bom in Oklahoma, Mantle never lost the soft twang or easy smile that made him popular throughout his career, and beyond. Mande retired at age 37 after the 1968 season. Steel Curtain Obstructs Path to Super Bowl Bledsoe, Marino Gearing Up For Aerial Show in the East JAMES EDWARD Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor PITTSBURGH STEELERS: The Steelers should be grateful they lost to the Chargers in last year's AFC 1. Championship, because had they won, the 49ers would have put a blemish in Pittsburgh's perfect Super Bowl record. However, this year the Steelers may be the best team in the league. If second year players Bam Morris and Charles Johnson can Editor's note: This is the second installment of NFL preview. The Chronicle's These days in the NFL, it is becoming an all too familiar tradition for the AFC to get spanked by the NFC in the Super Bowl. Another year has come, and this is how the AFC batde will shape out for the right to lose to the NFC. two-pa- MIAMI DOLPHINS: Dan Marino can no longer run without the fear of permanendy damaging his body. However, even Rush Limbaugh could stay healthy behind the Dolphins' offensive line. Marino has only been sacked 178 times in his storied NFL career. The Dolphins lost Keith Jackson, but found an even better replacement in Eric Green, who will see many Marino passes come his way. Prediction: 124. 2. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Drew Bledsoe owns Beantown. Li fact, Bledsoe is so popular in Boston, he could run for mayor, except for one thing; He isn't 25 yet Bill Parcels has the Patriots in line to make a run at the AFC acquisition of Dave Meggett, Championship. With the New England has a running game to complement its aerial assault Prediction: 3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Marshall Faulk proved that his stellar WAC career wasn't a fluke by posting 1,804 total yards from off-seaso-n 11-- 5. scrimmage last year. On defense, Indianapolis drafted Ellis Johnson from Florida, and they get Trev Alberts back after he missed last season with an elbow injury. If the rest of the defense stays healthy, Indy has the potential to, believe it or not, actually make the playofb. Prediction: 9-4. BUFFALO BILLS: It's easy to understand why the Bills were so pathetic last year, when you lose (bur Super Bowls in a row, it's tough to get motivated for another Super Bowl loss. Buffalo still has Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith which gives them a good core of veterans. Unfortunatclyjim Kelly is a walking time bomb behind that offensive line. Prediction: 8-5. NEW YORK JETS: In all seriousness, these guys are not that Z 8. good Prediction: 3-1- 3. off-seas- Prediction: 11-2. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Will 5. rt 1. 1. DENVER BRONCOS: Denver made its biggest acquisition this when it signed Mike Shanahan. With the Broncos implementing the 49ers' "West Coast Offense" John Elway should flourish with targets to throw to such as Shannon Sharpe, Anthony Miller and Mike Pritchard. The offense should be solid, but the question mark is on defense. The Broncos looked like a WAC defense letting their opposition score touchdowns without breaking a sweat. Football the Chargers become the next Super Bowl loser to get hungry enough to go back live up to their potential, and Pittsburgh's defense, led by Greg Lloyd and Rod Wbodson, can dominate once again, Steeler fans can make January reservations in Arizona. Prediction: 124. 2. CLEVELAND BROWNS: In Cleveland, Browns fans only have one thing on their minds this year, beating the Steelers. And if that is going to happen, they are going to have to get rid of interception-happ- y Vinny Testaverde. In three games against the Steel Curtain last year, Testaverde looked like Stevie Wonder throwing eight interceptions. Prediction: 11-3. CINCINNATI BENGALS: The emergence of Jeff Blake midway through the season gave fans at Riverfront something to cheer about Cincinnati has used its last two No. 1 picks to draft Dan "Big Carter. Those two coupled with Daddy" Wilkinson and a the dynamite young receiving core of Darnay Scott and Carl Pickens give the Bengals something to look forward to in seasons to come: Prediction: 8-4. HOUSTON OILERS: Hey, at least they have a good The only problem is Mel Grey can't play all 1 1 positions. Despite the fact there is no hope for a winning season this year, the Oilers have an optimistic future after selecting Steve McNair in the NFL draft. Prediction: 2. 5. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: The best thing going for the Jaguars is that they won't have problems selling tickets. In this year's NFL draft, Jacksonville selected two future in Tony Boselli and James Stewart. If Steve Beurlein can stay healthy, the Jaguars may win four games, but only because they play Houston twice. Prediction: 5. Ki-Jan- 8. kick-return- 4-1- rs 3. 0 and lose another one? Not likely, because while every other NFL team was improving through free agency, San Diego did nothing. As evidenced in the 49ers' shellacking of the Chargers last year, San Diego has no secondary, and that will be their pitfall once again this year. Prediction: 11-3. OAKLAND RAIDERS: The Raiders are hoping that by moving from Los Angeles to Oakland they will make another run towards the Super Bowl. Not going to happen because Oakland still has the same owner. They say that Al Davis is actually going to let Mike While coach by himself this year. Yeah, and George Steinbrenner cares about his players. Until Davis shuts up and acts like most owners, not even a move to Oakland could bring back the Super Bowl Magic. Prediction: 10-4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Say it ain't so.Joe. When Joe Montana retired, so did any hope of the Chiefs winning. The defense is still solid, with Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith patrolling the line. Steve Bono, However, an offense led by perennial back-uis just like an offense led by Sonny Bono himself. Prediction: 5. 6. p 7--9. 5. SEATTLE SEA HAWKS: It's safe to say the Seahawks' public relations department has developed a pretty close relationship with the Seattle police. The good news is Seattle drafted Joey Galloway from Ohio State to give Rick Mirer another weapon to pass to. The offense's other weapon, Chris Warren, is one of the most undenated backs in the league, but not even Warren can win them by liimscif. Predic tion: 5-1- 1. |