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Show DAILY HERALD Thursday, September B, 2004 B5 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Once overlooked, Dorseywill start Browns' Green hopes to outrun past problems Running back trying to clean up his life on V n THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SANTA CLARArCalif. Most NFL scouts thought Ken Dorsey was a skinny, immobile quarterback with mediocre and off field arm strength. He was worth a Tom Withers THE ASSOCIATD Greg Beacham ' look at the 2003 combine, but certainly not a draft pick. That was a baffling diagnosis to those who knew Dorsey PRESS William BEREA, Ohio Green had two options: run out of bounds and settle for a good gain, or fight for extra yardage and perhaps a first down. On a simple swing pass last Sunday against Baltimore, the Cleveland running back made a decision that epitomized his attempt to come back from a series of personal problems. Green elected to stay on the field one he never wants to leave again. "Ninety-nin- e percent of the time a back will get hit like that on the sideline and just kind of step out," said Browns left guard Paul Zukauskas. "But he made a negative into a positive, and that's what he's been doing." For months now, Green has been trying to make the right decisions in his life and career. Last year, both were a mess. He was suspended last season for failing the league's substance-abus- e policy and missed the final eight games. In addition, Green served a three-da- y jail sentence for a DUI conviction, went through alcohol rehab and was involved in a domestic incident in which he was stabbed by the mother of his two daughters. So Sunday's opener against the Ravens was much more than just his first game since Oct. 18. It was another beginning for Green, a former Boston College star whose parents both died of AIDS when he was growing up. "It was a good feeling just to get back out there," Green said. "But I really don't think about that (past) stuff.. I think about it like, 'OK this is my job, this what I got to go do.' I'm not looking back into the past. I'm looking forward." - as one of the winningest quarterbacks in college football hisa confident leader who tory went 38--2 and won a national starter at . title as a four-yepowerhouse Miami. So when the San Francisco 49ers chose Dorsey in the seventh round last season, the move was met with skepticism from NFL insiders and wild approval from their fans, who immediately took to the local kid with the impeccable resume. And just two games into his second season, Dorsey is expected to be the 49ers' starting quarterback Sunday in New Orleans. He hasn't won the job Tim Rattay will be outright limited by a separated shoulder but after an impressive training camp, most believe he's on the way. "You never really think it's going to come this soon when. you're the backup, but you've got to prepare every week like you're going to be the starter anyway," Dorsey said. Rattay might be healthy enough to suit up against the Saints, but coach Dennis Erick-so- n is comfortable entrusting his offense to Dorsey, who got his first NFL experience in last week's 9 loss to Atlanta. Dorsey relieved Rattay in the second quarter and led two scoring drives, including an exmarch that got citing fans on their feet. He threw precise passes, managed the clock and generally showed a poise beyond his experience. That's not surprising to the 49ers, who have roundly praised Dorsey's work ethic rf ar TONY OEJAK Cleveland Browns' William Green dives into the end zone for Falcons in the second quarter on Aug. 28, 2003. d, stiff-armin- year-old- 1 , Swinging out of the back-fielGreen caught a pass from Jeff Garcia and made three Baltimore defenders grab at air. He was nearly knocked onto the Ravens' sideline, but Green kept his balance, backpedalled and staggered for more yardage and a crucial first dowa "That was big," Davis said. "He made three linebackers miss, including Ray Lewis. We were cheering on the bench. We all loved to see that." Garcia wasn't surprised. Since signing as a free agent in Cleveland, he has been impressed with Green's drive to stay sober and focused on football and family. "He has had to overcome some tremendous difficulties in life," Garcia said. "What I've seen in him is not reflective of some of the decisions he has made." " Garcia can relate to Green's personal problems. In March, Garcia pleaded guilty to a DUI charge, was sentenced to a work-releaprogram and had some driving privileges taken away. "It's just like me, I don't feel Starting in place of the injured Lee Suggs, Green rushed for 65 yards on 22 carries and made four receptions for 27 more yards in Cleveland's surprising 20--3 win. Green's numbers weren't flashy, but that hardly mattered. He was back doing what he does best, making linebackers miss with a hip swivel powering through defensive lineg men or oncoming cornerbacks. His return has inspired teammates, who have never wavered in their support of the 24- -. . "You can't help but respect a guy like that, a guy who has a lot of pressure on his shoulders and he comes in and holds his head up every day," said linebacker Andra Davis. "He answers questions with actions. He takes the criticism that fans and opposing teams deliver, and he goes on about his business." With the Browns clinging to a 10-lead in the third quarter on Sunday, Green's determination 7 on a play helped keep a crucial drive alive. se 3 2nd-and-- Associated Press a touchdown against the Atlanta good about some of the decisions I've made, because they are not reflective of who I am," Garcia said. "He is someone who wants to get out on the field, prove people wrong and show he can still play the position." Following Sunday's win, Green was visited in the locker room by Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, in town as part of a celebration of the Browns' 1964 NFL championship team. "I'm proud of you," Brown said, grabbing Green's hand. Green smiled at the praise, words he had longed to hear again. After the recent disorder in Green's life, it's a feeling he and his teammates cherish. "The situation he went through made him stronger," Davis said. "We always talk, our daughters were born on the same day and before the game we're always talking that we have another mouth to feed. That we have to go out and make it happen. "He went out and made it happen." 21-1- 83-ya- : ' ' ' ' PAUL , ' ' Press SAKUMAAssociated expected to start for the 49ers this weekend Ken Dorsey is and abilities since the day they chose him. "People just don't know how a kid is going to be sometimes," 49ers general manager Terry Donahue said. "You can examine it and take measurements and try to figure it out, but until he gets out there on your practice field and in games, you just don't know." The 49ers rejected the conventional wisdom around workDorsey after a pre-draouts for local prospects. Dorsey zipped the ball across the field, showing an arm strength built up by intense offseason workouts. During his first season in San Francisco, Dorsey won the Nq. 3 job and spent the year studying Jeff Gartia, picking up tips on mobility and game prepara-tio- a When Garcia was cut last March in a moneysaving move, the 49ers immediately promoted Rattay and Dorsey. But Dorsey pushed Rattay for playing time even in training camp, where coaches noticed his improved velocity and decision-makinft g. McKenzie back after holdout be placed on injured reserve. Even though Stoutmire is not a starter, his injury will force a soon as possible," Sherman said. number of moves for Sunday's Just because he's back doesn't home opener against the Washmean McKenzie has resolved ington Redskins. his differences with the Packers-There- 's Running back Jim Finn will replace Stoutmire as the player who always the possibility they could stfll part ways by the stands in front of Jeff Feagles on Oct. 19 trading deadline. punts. Rookie Gibril Wilson, a d draft pick out of TenQuarterback Brett Favre said the team welcomed McKenzie nessee, will become the dime back with open arms. back in passing situations, the "We need him," Favre said. "I sixth defensive back on the field. . Wide receiver and said that all along. He is an impunt reportant part of our defense and turner Mark Jones was pulled an important part of our team." out of the offensive meetings on McKenzie's agent, Drew Wednesday morning and told to Rosenhaus, declined to say report to the defensive meetwhether the Packers agreed to ings. He played both offense waive any fines they might and defense at Tennessee last have levied. year and will be an emergency I Stoutmire out for season: New defensive back for now. York Giants free safety Omar I Lynch draws season's first fine: John Lynch saw the Stoutmire is going to miss the rest of the season with a knee envelope in his locker and knew the news wasn't good. injury. Stoutmire, who started The Denver Broncos safety every game the last two years had the distinction of being the only to lose his job this season to Brent Alexander, tore an ante- first player to draw a fine from rior cruciate ligament Sunday the NFL this season, when the against the Philadelphia Eagles. league sent him a letter WednesCoach Tom Coughlin did not day demanding $7,500 for a say Wednesday which knee was hard hit on Kansas City receiver injured, but that Stoutmire would Dante Hall in the opener. NOTEBOOK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Corner-bac- k GREEN BAY, Wis. Mike McKenzie returned to the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday after holding out throughout training camp and missing the season opener. "Mike McKenzie is back here to play for the Packers, and that is where we are right now. We will take it one day at a time," coach and general manager Mike Sherman said Wednesday. McKenzie, with his familiar dreadlocks flowing to his shoulders, practiced with the team Wednesday as the Packers prepared for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears in Green Bay. Sherman said McKenzie's contract has not been reworked, and the team has two weeks to activate him to play. Sherman met with McKenzie and his agent Wednesday morning at their request just two days after the Packers opened the season by overpowering defending NFC champion Carolina 24-1"It looked like he had been training and was in shape and that's a positive thing. We are going to try to get him ready as fifth-roun- il 4. 2004-- Family Health & Safety Pair Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Northwest Plaza 1124 500 West, N. Thursday Friday Sept.22 9 a.m.-- 7 Sept. 9 p.m. Provo Saturday 24 a.m.-- 2 Sept. 25 10 a.m.-- 2 p.m. p.m. Ride a bombin' wave of activities and information about: Staying safe - inside and outside HIGH SCHOOLS Rohatinsky Continued from Bl various running events. Josh is now a junior runner for BYU and recently took first place at ' the BYU Autumn Classic. "I did pretty good at Provo," Josh said. "I won state as a freshman. I love playing other sports, but once I found out I was really good at running, it got me more involved in it." Provo cross country coach Phil Olsen has seen all three Rohatinsky runners and said he considers them model athletes. "From when they were freshman on, they trained well, very consistent with practice," Olsen said. "They had good sportsmanship, polite to their team and with opponents as well" Jared Rohatinsky said he has a different relationship with his two siblings. Older sister Tara Rohatinsky, now Tara North- cutt, is his mentor. "Tara and I kind of have the same style," he said. "I call her after every race and we talk strategy. She's the wise trainer, the Mr. Miyagi-figure.- " Jared seemed more competitive with older brother Josh. He spoke proudly of Josh's accomplishments, but he also remembered the first time he beat him in a race. "Josh is a step above everyone," Jared said. "He's phenome-naHis times meant nothing to me until I had to try and run them But we raced right after he got back from serving an LDS mission and I creamed him" But Josh said he believes his brother is better than he is in some ways. "Jared's not only competitive in the two mile, but he's competitive all the way down to the 400 meters," Josh said. "He's more than I am. He'll be a lot better at the shorter distances. Olsen, having watched both runners develop, agrees with Josh on the differences between the two brothers. "Jared has really good speed with his endurance, Olsen said "Josh doesnt have as much speed, but he's more consistent, doing the same splits Jared has speed but needs to pace himself bet- - '' L . well-rounde- d . . ter."v-..,'; Both of the Rohatinsky broth ers said running is hard because w' ness it takes to be successful Jared said a quote by Vince Lombardi helps him persevere. "He said, "We must constantly strive for perfection, knowing full well we shall never reach it, because in so doing we will achieve excellence,' " Jared said. "I know I'll probably nev er be the best that ever was, but I know if I work hard I can achieve excellence." For now though, Jared has big dreams. "Short term, I'd like to run for BYU," he said "But long term, I would love to go to the Olympics. I dont know how realistic that is, but I would love to be there." Provo High is enjoying the final two years of the youngest Rohatinsky 's high school career, the last in a series of strong runners. Well, at least until the next generation. nold nephew ran a "My mile," Jared said "And he didnt stop running, he , just kept going." Maybe more Rohatinsky runners are on the way. ar - -- of the mental aspect, tfjp tough I Jared Lloyd can be reached or at 2 , 344-255- , IloydheraIdextracom. Washing hands the right way Saying "no" to tobacco Choosing healthy food Getting enough exercise Rock wall climbing - Saturday Car seat safety inspections More than on Saturday Call Saturday 500 bicycle helmets will be given away at the Bicycle Rodeo. Come the fun! for more information. 257-772- 5 Sponsored by: fofn 1hf Celebration of Health foundation ihcx QiiiTiioSiin B!JLW 5?e :T C2 - " 'Will CfuUV , i aMq a n- - B cfl . a c :: : ; |