Keepaway.
That`s the game the Bears have played with their first two opponents. They controlled the ball for 45 minutes in the 34-7 victory over Miami and for 38 minutes while beating Indianapolis 17-13.
”I was surprised myself that we had the ball that much,” said coach Mike Ditka. ”I didn`t think we did. You can see how you might be able to do that against a passing ballclub (like Miami), but to hold it against that type of a running club (like Indy), that`s pretty good.”
– Dennis Gentry and Jim McMahon hooked up on the first TD Sunday when Gentry faked cornerback Eugene Daniel out of his sanitary socks.
”What happened is that we had a quick post play, and Daniel had an inside technique,” said Gentry. ”I guess Greg Landry and Ed Hughes (Bears play-callers) from upstairs saw something. I had to wait until Daniel committed. Once he committed, I was open.`
– Richard Dent and his attorney, Steve Zucker, are trying to arrange a Friday meeting with Commissioner Pete Rozelle in New York regarding Dent`s 30- day suspension for violating the National Football League`s substance-abuse policy by refusing to take a drug test.
”I take one day at a time. If he`s here, he`ll practice; if he`s not here, he won`t practice,” said Ditka. ”I can`t say much more about it than that. I don`t know what`s going to happen. Evidently, the meeting is with the commissioner, and there has to be a meeting of minds somewhere. There is a scenario where three or four things could happen, I guess.”
– Bears punter Bryan Wagner averaged about 10 fewer yards than the Colts` All-Pro Rohn Stark (40.5 to 50.2) last Sunday. But Wagner`s well-placed punts from his own end zone impressed Ditka.
”I thought Bryan Wagner did a good job of getting the ball off in crucial situations. He handled the pressure very well at the end,” said Ditka.
– The defense has limited the Bears` first two opponents to only two of 17 third-down conversions.
”The defense has played well. They concentrated hard. They do the things they have to do,” said Ditka. ”They have been told that they are not as good as they should be or have been. They are trying to make up a little bit for that.
”Our tackles are playing exceptionally well: Dan Hampton and Steve McMichael. Because of that, I think we`re getting some help. The linebackers did well as a group. Our secondary, in two games, has been pretty darn good.” SOURCE: Fred Mitchell.
New Orleans Saints running back Barry Word has retired from pro football at age 24, saying he was disenchanted with the game and disappointed at his lack of playing time during the first two games of the season. He plans to return to the University of Virginia to finish work on an undergraduate degree.
Word was the Saints` third-round draft choice in 1986 but sat out that season after being convicted on a cocaine distribution charge. He spent 18 weeks in jail. He renounced drugs and said Tuesday they had nothing to do with his decision to leave football. There has been no indication since 1986 that he has had any involvement with drugs.
– Safety Antonio Gibson of the New Orleans Saints and tackle Leonard Mitchell of the Atlanta Falcons were suspended for 30 days by the NFL for violating the league`s substance-abuse policy.
The suspensions of Gibson and Mitchell bring to 19 the number of NFL players cited for violating the league`s drug policy. Seven players have completed 30-day suspensions and are back with their respective teams.
– Former Bear Lew Barnes, who last played in 1986, has been signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a punt returner. Barnes was on injured reserve all of last season with a broken leg.
