The Newark Advocate from Newark, Ohio • 12

The Advocate4B FOOTBALL Thursday, September 1, 1994 ollas feels 0' linemen: 'Big Daddy' no big deal By MARK CRAIG Thomson News Service BEREA "T-Bone" started to sizzle and "Big Smoothie" had a hard time understanding all the russ. Tony "T-Bone" Jones and Herman "Big Smoo pressure of reserve QB CINCINNATI (AP) Don Hollas, suddenly the No. 2 quarterback for the punchless Cincinnati Bengals, knows that Bengals fans are wondering whether he is competent for the job. "I'm aware that I have something to prove," Hollas said. "It's a vote of confidence in me, in a way.

It puts more emphasis on me. I'm one snap away now." When the Bengals dumped 11 -year quarterback Jay Schroeder on Monday to shed his $850,000 salary this season, Hollas $250,800) became the backup to starter David Klingler. The Bengals picked up former New York Jets backup Jeff Blake on waivers as the No. 3 quarterback. Hollas, 26, has had little playing time since the Bengals drafted him as a fourth-rounder in 1991 from Rice, where he played free safety two years before converting to quarterback the final two seasons.

He wrecked his left knee in the final game of the 1992 season in a 21-17 los to the Indianapolis Colts. He missed all of the 1993 season rehabilitating the injury. He has demonstrated his ability to scramble, but thie" Arvie seemed a little mystified by the number Bengals fans haven't seen much else from him. "It's been a roller-coaster ride for me," he said. "Hopefully I'm all the way back The knee feels good." This exhibition season, he was 12 for 21 passing for 88 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

In the regular season 18 career NFL games he is 67 for 1 13, 645 yards, 3 touchdowns and 4 intercep Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Green catches a pass during his first practice on Wednesday. Green ended his holdout to be able to play in the team's season-opener on Sunday. (AP) Green signs one-year pact, tions. "We like Donny Hollas. He's accurate, his arm is ot Big Daddy questions thrown their way Wednesday.

"Big Daddy," in case you've overlooked the 6-foot-5, 313-pound defensive tackle, is Cincinnati's answer to Mean Joe Greene. Or at least that's what most people have been saying since the Bengals drafted the 21 -year-old Buckeye No. 1 overall and gave him $14.4 million over six years with a $5 million signing bonus. Jones and Arvie, however, want to see it to believe it. They'll get first crack at it Sunday when the Browns and Bengals kick off Wilkinson's pro career at Riverfront Stadium.

Arvie also will be making his first NFL start. He'll play left guard and will look into Wilkinson's eyes on just about every play. Jones, meanwhile, will start his 49th straight game at left tackle and 68th overall. He won't be there to babysit Arvie, and, quite frankly, doesn't think he'll have to anyway. "I don't understand why everyody is making a big deal about Herman going against "Big Daddy," Jones said.

"The guy was a great college player, but he has to go out and prove himself just like everybody else. You all act like the guy already has 12 sacks and is the best thing in the league." Arvie said the Browns' coaching staff isn't treating Wilkinson any differently than the Bengals' other three defensive linemen. "We're not isolating on a single player or doing a lot of double-teaming or anything like that," Arvie said. "We're playing the Cincinnati Bengals. and "Big Daddy" just happens to be one of their defensive linemen.

It's nothing to keep me from getting any sleep." "(Wilkinson) isn't unlike a lot of players you see in this league," Arvie said. "I can't say "Big Daddy" is the best I've faced because I haven't played him." Second-year pro Wally Williams also may see some time at left guard Sunday. He's played in only two NFL regular-season games, but isn't intimidated by Wilkinson's size or strength. Wilkinson set a team record during mini-camp when he bench-pressed 275 pounds 23 times. "Last year, we had Jerry Ball and Michael Dean Perry across from us every day in practice," Williams said.

"They're proven pros, Pro Bowlers. You can't stand there and say just because a guy is a No. 1 pick that he's more intimidating than those two. This whole thing about "Big Daddy is really no big deal." Craig is the Browns beat writer for the Canton strong and he can run," offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet said. The Bengals dumped last year's No.

3 quar retains free agency rights terback, Erik Wilhelm, once Hollas returned for 1994. Hollas didn't applaud the Schroeder release, PITTSBURGH (AP) Eric Green took a monster of a gamble Wednesday, rejecting the Pitts which amounted to a promotion for Hollas. "It's unfortunate what happened to Jay," Hollas said. "It's something that happens. And if David gets hurt, I'll be ready." Trainer Paul Sparling said Hollas is wearing his burgh bteelers 10 million otter to sign a one-year contract worth $1.4 million so he can retain his right to free agency.

knee brace only as a precaution. "His knee is stable," Sparling said. "There's no The Pro Bowl tight end, faced with reporting Wednesday or not playing bunday against Dallas, ended a six-week holdout by sign pain, no swelling, and no reason for medical concern at this time." General manager Mike Brown said, "We believe he's ready to be the backup quarterback. We believe he's fully recovered." EDWARDS SWIPED FROM RAMS: The Benaals said would have topped Tampa Bay tight end Jackie Harris' $1.9 million a year, Green is gambling not only that he'll have another big season, but that he will be an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers clearly won Round 1.

They get a motivated player intent on proving his value and saved about $600,000 that was budgeted to pay Green. Also, the Steelers can again designate Green as their franchise player and would then have the right to match any offer, or collect two first-round draft picks if they let him go elsewhere. Green set a team single season record for a tight end with 63 receptions in 1993 and he has more TD catches (20) in only four seasons that any tight end in Steelers' history. tract even after Green showed up at Three Rivers Stadium about an hour before practice. But the Steelers wouldn't sweeten their five-year, $2 million-a-year proposal, and Rosenhaus didn't back off his $2.5 million request.

"He might have made several more million dollars, but we were more concerned with long term than an instant payday," Rosenhaus said. "I was sure if we told the Steelers we were taking the tender offer they would find a way to make us happy, but they didn't. "Eric is unhappy the Steelers didn't make him happy." Green brushed off suggestions the team will try to sign him later in the season. "There will be no more discussions and no more transactions." By rejecting a contract that ing the offer initially tendered him last spring. I want to be compensated for Wednesday they signed OT Ronald Edwards from the LA Rams' practice squad.

He filled the roster spot vacated when OT Matt Jovce. what I've done, but the Steelers weren't prepared to do that," said the 290-pound Green, the NFL's biggest tight end. I ll never know claimed on waivers this week from the Dallas Cowboys, flunked the Bengals' physical exam Tuesday. Edwards, 22, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman, played at North Carolina The Rams drafted him in the sixth round this year. The Bengals also signed to their practice sauad four olavers how much I'm worth until I'm on the free market." His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, cut Sunday from the team's regular roster.

They are WR Jeff Hill from Purdue, LB-snapper Kevin Jefferson from Lehigh, OL Jerry Reynolds from Neveada-Las Vegas and DE Ramondo Stallings from San Diego State. and Steelers negotiator Dan Fe-rens discussed a long-term con What do you drive? Illini back in Chicago, after 55 years, for opener SOdsmobile CHICAGO (AP) It's been 55 sity of Chicago 46-0. LINCOLN drubbing from Missouri in the opener, and never fully recovered before finishing 5-6. "Our players are excited. Many of them have dreamed about playing at Soldier Illinois coach Lou Tepper said.

"This should give a real spurt of enthusiasm to our players, many of whom will have many of their family in attendance." The game is not, however, sold out at the stadium. During Illinois' last game in Chicago in 1939, it beat the Univer ness and experience in the opener, and that cuts down on our game plan. We'll have to use more one-back sets," Tepper said. Senior linebackers Dana Howard, who needs 153 tackles to become the all-time leader in the Big Ten, and John Holecek lead the defense that has helped Illinois' pre-season ranking. "We had confidence last year, too," Holecek said.

"But there's no excuse anymore. With 1 1 starters returning on defense, this is our opportunity." Washington State also is coming off a 5-6 season and features a strong defense led by end De-Wayne Patterson, who made 17 sacks last season. Coach Mike Price, whose team last season was second nationally against the run, is anticipating a low-scoring game "between two similar teams on the way up." "As far as I am concerned and I don't make predictions we are competitive in the Pac 10 and we'll compete every Saturday, or every Thursday," he added. years between games in Chicago for the University of Illinois football team, which opens the 1994 season tonight against Washington State. No.

21 Illinois will play at Soldier Field for the first time, hoping for home field advantage since about 140,000 Illinois alumni live in the Chicago area. They'll also be searching for a quick start. Last season Illinois lost its first three games, including a 31-3 Other games tonight, have Arizona at Georgia Tech and Kansas at Houston. Illinois returns its entire defense but meets the Cougars minus starting tailback Ty Dou-thard, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Without Dou-thard, last year's leading rusher and receiver, Illinois will turn to sophomore Damien Piatt and freshman Robert Holcombe.

"We'll miss Douthard's tough MERCURY CHEVROLET PONTIAC, BUICK It a Oolmar 115. 3.2 cu. in. a fuel iniected carburetor ey injuries place Moeller on defense wnn an IB Bar. It listed at 474.95.

It's on sale at Crank 3aax JWIP Regardless of where you purchased your car, onesrown wants to earn your dush ness. No matter whether vou bouaht it kids taking contact for getting them ready for what they're going to see in the first game." Easy for him to say. Holtz dodged a bullet when Kevin McDougal stepped in and guided the 1993 Irish team to an 11-1 season. irom a local new or used car dealer, or an out of town new or used car dealer, if you want the finest service available in central Ohio then come to Chesrown! And Chesrown will perform all warranty work Frank's Saw Tool Authorized Sales Service Licking Co. Chain Saw Expert on your uiasmoDiie, uaaniac, Lincoln, 1-SO0-3Z5-SAWS Mercury or i-ora car or light duty truck.

349-7972 Saturday Only they still need to go through some things. You've got to bang around." Detroit Lions coach Wayne Fontes has been on both sides of the fence. He recalls that when he was on the staff of John McKay at Southern California, assistants were scolded if stars like O.J. Simpson or Pat Hayden were roughed up in practice. "The coach's job was in jeopardy," Fontes said.

"But I know most college teams scrimmage all the time. I'm not sure why those coaches do it. Maybe it's what they've always done." The Lions, like most NFL teams, don't pad up more than once a week. There were many weeks last season when they never wore pads in practice. And when they do pad up, the contact is generally restricted to linemen.

Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz knows the evils of heavy hitting in practice. The Fighting Irish lost quarterback Ron Powlus for the season when he broke his collarbone in the final scrimage of 1993. Holtz took measures to see that Powlus wasn't banged around in camp this season. Powlus wasn't subjected to big hits until a scrimmage last Tuesday. Powlus was held out of Notre Dame's final preseason scrimmage last Saturday.

Yet Holtz is a proponent of hitting in practice. "You can't worry about that," Holtz said. "I've always said you have to have your team prepared. That's your obligation. It was a freak injury.

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