Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 84

Section 4 Chicago Tribune, Sunday, December 17, 1978 Bears turn sour on Soldier Field Broncos stop a yard short .3 By Don Pierson BEARS' PRESIDENT George "Mugs" Halas still upset over the possible loss of 10,292 seats in Soldier Field, says his team must decide by the first of the year where it will play in 1979. He said he has no idea where it will be and doesn't even know whether he wants to chaired by former Gov. Richard Ogilvie. But Ogilvie says he has to talk to Mayor Bilandic "to see if we can get some substantial funding from someplace. Until then there's no use coming up with a report." A bill designed to provide some state funds died when the legislature adjourned.

The lawmakers don't return until Jan. 1C. OGILVIE DOESN'T favor remodeling Soldier Field; Kelly, a member of the committee, does. Insiders believe Kelly is confident that the only recommendation the committee can make is to remodel Soldier Field and he wants to" get a head start on it, thus the demolition. "If that's the route they're going, I don't think the committee has much utility," said Ogilvie.

"I just have to find out from Bilandic where we go for funding." Halas wants to know where the Bears are going, period. Kelly has suggested that the Bears might have to relocate their north stands fans to sections along the East and West stands north of the end zone. "THE ANSWER IS no." said Halas. "You might be able to use one or two sections, but those are absolutely atrocious seats. i kx Ft i From Trlbunt Wirt Services DENVER The Broncos couldn't gain one yard along the ground, quarterback Norris Weese couldn't slam his helmet a yard into the ground, and the Pittsburgh Sleelers beat Denver 21-17 Saturday in an improbable finish to a game that had all the earmarks of a yawn-er at halftime.

Pittsburgh was leading 21-0 at the half on another strong performance by Terry Bradshaw, who threw two touchdown passes among his 10 competions in 14 tries. Weese, who took over for Craig Morton in the second half, breathed new life into the Broncos. His touchdown passes to Haven Moses and Riley Odoms and Jim Turner's 45-yard field goal cut the martjin to four, where it stood with time running out when he lofted a 50-yarder to Rick Upchurch in the end zone. Upchurch never saw where the ball landed; he, too, was landing in the end zone after being hit by Steeler cornerback Ray Oldham, who was called for face-guarding. THAT PIT THE BALL on the one-yard line with seven seconds to go.

As Denver huddled, Weese frantically tried to wave off a player who appeared to be coming from the bench with a play. Apparently, Weese was only worried about the 30-second clock running down, not that his play call might be superseded. "We had a choice of two calls in the huddle," he said later. "We could run straight ahead or an option behind the line. My linemen assured me they could get the one yard." Weese" handed off straight ahead to Lonnie Perrin, who met linebacker Jack Lambert and tackle Joe Greene much sooner than he wanted to.

IT WAS THEN THAT Weese tried to hurl his helmet to Taiwan, via the center of the earth, and shocked any lip-readers in the national TV audience. "That's why football is exciting," said Pittsburgh Coach Chuck Noll, whose team goes into the playoffs with a regular-season 14-2 record. The Broncos', also headed into the playoffs, is 10-6. return to Soldier Field. "I think it's time we started taking off the gloves.

Maybe we've been quiet too long," said Halas. Asked what he might do, Halas said, "I don't want to discuss that now." The Bears have talked about moving to Comiskey Park, Northwestern's Dyche Stadium, and Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, but Halas admitted the team doesn't have much leverage. "We don't even know whether a place like Notre Dame would let us in," he said. HALAS ADDED, "We don't seem to have any voice in, anything in this town. We know less about the Stadium Committee than anyone.

We've generated a few dollars for this town and we have some fans. If push comes to shove, we'll have to take some action." Halas said he has been getting phone calls at home about Tuesday's announcement that bids are being sought to demolish the north stands in Soldier Field because they are unsafe. "No way they're safe on Dec. 10 and unsafe on Dec. 11," said Halas.

Edmund Kelly, park district general superintendent, said the bids were sought now because of a time factor. "It takes a month to get bids back," Kelly said. By that time, Kelly expects a recommendation by the Stadium Committee, UPI Telephoto Steeler defensive back Ray Oldham interferes with seven seconds left in the game. The Steel-with Bronco receiver Rick Upchurch in the end ers held and won 21-17 Saturday in Denver, zone, giving Denver a chance to beat Pittsburgh "You know all we hear is how important it is for the park district to have the Bears in Soldier Field. When we complain about construction, washrooms, and cleanup, things our fans complain about, it seems to fall on deaf ears.

"We have to make a decision right now. We have to know by the first of the year. And right now I can't even say whether we want to go back to Soldier Field." Bears beat Pardee just the way he taught them NFL playoff possibilities Bear assistant John Hilton that he had taught him well, too. Or something like that. "I thought of him when I spiked the ball," said Schubert.

"I don't even know what happened on the run. I tripped and thought I was going to fall flat on my face." What happened was that the Redskins ACTUALLY, RIVES never had an interception playing for Pardee. Likewise, Schubert isn't Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. He had a 5.6-yard punt-return average and no touchdown runs since the 1977 season opener. "It wasn't one of their fortes," said Pardee.

But Schubert wanted to show Washington special teams coach and former Continued from page one said linebacker Doug Buffone. Rives told Pardee: "Sorry it had to be us to knock you out of the playoffs." Pardee told Rives: "I don't know why you had to catch that pass." Rives told Pardee: "You taught me well." National Conference fell on their faces trying to tackle him. Pardee always said the first sign of deteriorating morale is shabby play by special teams. Last week, his Redskins lost to Atlanta 20-17 on a blocked punt. "I DON'T THINK they were as fired up as we would have been if we could have made the playoffs," said Rives.

"They didn't seem that excited," said Plank. "It's hard to tell," said Buffone. "They tried to play smart football, waiting for us to make a mistake." Two big plays kept the Redskins from scoring more than a field goal in the first half. On fourth and inches at the and eilher Green Bay or Minnesota loses. Tha two wild-card teams will play Dec.

24. American Conference New England 11-4 has clinched the Eastern Division and will play Houston or Denver Dec. 31. Pittsburgh 14-2 has won the Central Division and will lace either Miami or Denver Dec. 30.

'Skins divided so badly, they had to fall Continued from page one with under Allen tin the early 70's. he could. He did about as well as Dallas 11-4 has clinched the Eastern Division. It will play the Central Division champion or the wild-card winner Dec. 30.

0 Los Angeles 11-4 has clinched the Western Division. The Rams will play the Central Division champion or the wild-card winner Dec. 31. If Dallas and Los Angeles end up with identical records, the Rams will play the wild-card winner. Minnesota 8-6-1 or Green Bay 8-6-1 will win the Central Division.

If the Packers and Vikings tie for the crown, Minnesota wins the title. Atlanta 9-6 has clinched a wild-card spot, Minnesota, Green Bay, or Philadelphia 8-7 will be the other wild card. Philadelphia will be a wild-card team only if it wins Denver Division and 10-6 has won the Western will face either New England or Pittsburgh. Houston 10-5 and Miami 10-5 have clinched wild-card spots. They will play each other Dec.

24, If Houston wins that game, it would play New England, If Miami ''-wins, it would go against Pittsburgh. Walter Payton, 1978 Walter Payton, 1977 said. "He kept the press and everyone else outside. He thoueht everybody was the enemy. And when I look back, maybe it was not a bad idea." "Were there times this year when you wished you weren't playing?" McDole was asked.

"No, there were times I wished I was playing," he said. "It was tough. I wanted to help, but there was nothing I could do. I spent quite a bit of time on the bench with Billy this year, and it was different for both of us." "ISN'T THE WHOLE business different?" McDole was asked. "Yeah, the players have changed," he said.

"I used to want to go out and play anywhere. But the kids come in and don't want to pay their dues today. They want to be starters overnight. They don't realize it takes experience. It's not that easy.

"When I think back to my first teammates when I broke, in, in 1961, they loved playing the game. They gave it everything they had. They would have died on the field. Tom Sestak in Buffalo had six knee operations. For two years he played every week without practicing.

They don't do that anymore. "But we were fortunate here. All those years, George kept the older guys together. So maybe this year we hung together and built our own little wall." They probably did McDole and Kilmer and Jake Scott and Diron Talbert and Chris Hanburger and Mike Curtis. They hung together, just as George Allen would have wished.

And because they hung together, the rest of the Washington Redskins hung separately. HE DID ABOUT as well as he could because those older guys did not go out of their way to make it easier for Pardee. They did not go softly into that good night of bench-sitting and retirement. And while they are disappointed that they will work no more this season, they also felt somewhat vindicated. That seemed to be the case after Saturday's game.

One of the most outspoken Saturday was Billy Kilmer, 39, who had remained stoically silent all season, when he was allowed to play all of one game and parts of two others. Against the Bears, he was given a chance with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter and nearly pulled the game out for Washington. "No one told me I can't play," Kilmer said defiantly. "I want to have the opportunity to prove it, either here or somewhere else. We should have been in the playoffs, and we blew it.

It's not my job to analyze the problems, but I feel sorry for the guys who were here all year and tried so hard." HE PROBABLY DOES not feel sorry for Joe Theismann, the quarterback who tried hard, beat out Kilmer, and did not win. Another of the disgruntled players is Ron McDole, the 39-year-old defensive end who had never before been benched in his 18-year career. "George had the knack of keeping us together," McDole Opponent Carries Yards Avg. Opponent Carries Yards St. Louis 26 101 3 83 Detroit 23 160 San Francisco 21 62 2.95 18 Detroit 22 77 3.50 S1' 11 ti' Minnesota 24 58 2.42 New Orleans 19 110 Oakland 27 123 4.56 Los Angeles 24 126 5.25 Green Bay 19 82 4.32 Minnesota 24 122 5.08 Denver 19 157 7.14 24 6g 288..

Tampa Bay 15 34 2 27 Detroit 18 89 4.94 Green Bay 23 205 8.91 Seattle 18 109 60S Houston 18 79 4.39-; Minnesota, 23 127 5.52 Kansas City 33 12 5 53,. Atlanta 20 34 1.70 Minnesota 40 275 6.88 Tampa Bay 27 105 3.88 Detroit 20 137 6 San Diego 17 50 2 94 Tampa Bay 33 101 3 06.. Green Bay 18 97, 5.39 Green Bay 32 163' 5.09-- Washington 16 90 5.63 Y. Gisnts 15 "7 3 13 Tolais 330 U95 4723 Totals 339 i852 5,46 It's time Bears sweetened own pot Bear 29, Buffone and Gary Fencik stopped Benny Malone for a loss, for which they were awarded game balls along with Schubert. After Phipps was blindsided and the ball popped into Dave Butz's hands, the Redskins had another chance at the Bear 38.

But Fencik intercepted Theismann at the 7 on the next play and ran 59 yards to the Redskins 34. Phipps then was intercepted by Lemar Parrish for the second time, but Fencik's theft had taken the heat off. "I do like to throw more, but we got scared out of it," said Armstrong. PARDEE, remembering how much trouble the Bears had last year blocking the 3-4 defense, opened the game in that defense only to have Payton and Roland Harper follow tremendous blocking by Dennis Ted Albrecht, Revie Sorey, Dan Neal, and Noah Jackson fwbo later sprained an ankle down the field. Pardee quickly abandoned the 3-4, conceding that the Bears have learned something since he left.

The Bears' pass rush was another unfamiliar sight to Pardee. He said last week that one of the reasons he left was, "it was hard to see how they were going to rush the passer." Two of the ways the Bears did it Saturday, Alan Page and Tommy Hart, joined the team in the interim. They had both Bear sacks and teamed with Jim Osborne and Hartenstine to hurry Theismann and Kilmer. "Did he say we couldn't rush the passer?" asked Osborne. "Tell him to look at the reel.

He'll be watching at home on Christmas just like us." PAYTON'S 90 yards gave him 1,395 for the season and the league lead, 22 ahead of Houston's Earl Campbell, who finishes Sunday. Harper's 74 gave him 992. "How many did he get? Eight short? That's too bad," said Armstrong. "We were trying to give Roland the ball at the end, and Golden Richards wanted me to give it to him on the last play." Instead, Phipps fell on it. Armstrong had visions of the Philadelphia-New York Giants ending when the Eagles stole a victory on a last-play fumble.

"I didn't want that," he said. "Eight yards short. That's the story of his career," said center Neal, remembering a couple of 90-plus days for Harper. Eight yards short was the story of the Bears' 1978 season. "That's OK," said Harper.

"It'll give me something to point for next year." I Menu gtMmttS- I coming i.eaqps. 299 plus tax. SENIOR GAS SUPPLY ENGINEER Coordinates the analysis and forecasting of gas'supplies and prices; will participate in regulatory proceedings related to gas supply. Degree in engineering or related discipline required and 5 years experience in the gas supply field, A background in computer applications and professional registration is desirable. Starting salary mid-twenties.

Send resume to: Employment Office SAN DIEGO GAS ELECTRIC CO. P.O. Box 1831 San Diego, CA 92112 An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer RECORD-A-CALL 80AuHt.n Includes FREE ITT Phone (Sugg Retail $39.95) RECORO-A-CALL 70A ipc-50O phone. S10) RECORD-A-CALL 60A (PC-E-oo phone: $20.) Continued from page one because this is Chicago, and its costs more here because we steal more. And to date, no obligations from any baseball teams have been made.

The Cubs would be crazy to leave Wrigley Field and the White Sox also own their own house, though I think they'd be receptive to disposing of Comiskey Park and moving into a spanking new, downtown stadium. But I can't believe there's not a way to finance such a stadium without burning the tax payers. ISN'T THERE more money in Chicago than Dallas? Certainly there's more here than in Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or St. Louis. Whatever happened to private financing? Couldn't bonds be sold privately to finance a football field for the Bears? And couldn't the Bears contribute themselves? It appears that George Halas Sr.

has been waiting a long time for somebody, anybody, to build him a stadium. But I haven't read about a pledge from the Bears, have you? In Minnesota, a Minneapolis business group pledged $14.5 million to pay for land for a new stadium and the Vikings themselves pledged $896,500 toward the project. Also, the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission has voted to build domed stadium. Where's a pledge from the Bears? Has anyone tried to raise money for a stadium in Chicago, privately? I suppose one of you fellows from La Salle Street is going to call and tell me it isn't economically feasible. WELL, I don't think it's economically feasible for the city to finance a football stadium for the Bears, which is a privately-owned corporation receiving $5 million each year just from television rights.

That's without opening the gates or selling a ticket. The Bears, however, want to sell more tickets. More seats. More money. And they want Chicago to pay for it.

Because other cities have done it, does that make it right? Perhaps for some of them, it was right. But Chicago isn't just another city. It's one of the greatest cities in the world. Perhaps, in your mind, that means we should have a great stadium. That seems to be the popular logic, but my mind doesn't work that way.

Yet, a stadium probably will be built. At present, we have all the silly, political maneuvering involving Soldier Field. Park District President Patrick L. O'Malley one of Arthur Wirtz' buddies suggests the new stadium be built near Chicago Stadium where Wirtz owns property, naturally. EDMUND KELLY, Park District superintendent, says Soldier Field should be renovated.

Ex-Governor Richard B. Ogilvie, chairman of a 32-man mayoral committee on studying stadium options, hasn't said much of anything. And Halas is waiting. Does he play in Soldier Field with fewer seats next year has he thought about installing some or does he move the team to South Bend, or Evanston, or Comiskey Park, or some other place out of Chicago? The Bears are in no position to offer ultimatums. They're noi going to vacate this maret.

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