The Michigan Daily-Thursday, January 8, 1981-Page 11 Card comeback: Six-time All-Pro Die rdorf has banner season following injury By RON POLLACK Offensive tackle Dan Dierdorf of the Louis Cardinals entered the 1979 seasoin in the National Football league with five consecutive Pro Bowl ap-* pearajces under his belt. He would not get the opportunity to play in the All- Star game for a sixth consecutive time though, due to a knee injury that forced him to miss most of the season. The injury occured when he was blocking on an extra point attempt. Two 'yers fell on him from the'side, thus locating his left knee. THE KNEE REQUIRED surgery, but the lingering scar would be more than physical. "I wasn't sure how it would be until I got to training camp," said Dierdorf yesterday from his business office in Missouri. "I think there are a lot of subconscious barriers you have to overcome. I walk off the field after a game and think that I'm not doing anything differently, and then I'll see the films and see that I am." 9By lifting weights, performing exer- ses designed by the Cardinal coaching staff, and allowing his knee time to heal, Dierdorf has regained sufficient use o his knee so as to play well enough to regain his Pro Bowl status.' Dierdorf has conquered the mental aspects of recovering from a knee in- jury. "You have to learn to deal with it. You can never put it 100 percent behind you. I now play with a steel brace on th knees. I think I've pretty well got y knees protected." ALTHOUGH HE has made a remarkable recovery from his injury, Dierdorf's play has nonetheless been affected. "I played better at the end of the season, and that's a good sign. Early in the season, I was working my right leg too much. I was over- compensating for the one that was in- jured," said Dierdorf. When Dierdorf was chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 1971 college draft, he felt his one weakness was his "inexperience in pass blocking." An All-American tackle at Michigan in 1970, Dierdorf's collegiate football days were spent primarily opening holes for Wolverine running 'You're never completely satisfied with how uwell you play, but I think I've reached a standard of play by which others are judged.' -Dan Dierdorf A.o-V W, Ff backs. Thus, a big adjustment for pro ball was in order. "At Michigan, when I was there, our passing was mostly play action passes," he explained. "It took me a couple of years to learn the tricks of the trade in pass blocking." _M " Update Leading the run was a different story however. "My biggest asset (upon en- tering the NFL) was my ability to run block, which is attributed to offensive line coach Jerry Hanlon, who is still with the team. I don't think there's a finer teacher. He's a stickler for details. I don't think there's anyone in the country better qualified and with a better track record," said Dierdorf. THE MICHIGAN alumnus, who was named to Street and Smith magazine's NFC Team of the Decade along with College & Pro Football Newsweekly's NFL Team of the Decade, speaks proudly of his achievements. "You're never completely satisfied with how well you play, but I think I've reached a standard of play by which others are judged." What makes Dierdorf's rapid return to the Pro Bowl particularly impressive is the fact that he had to overcome a long layoff while that lame knee recuperated from surgery. "It was a lengthy ordeal. It was six months before I could do anything of con- sequence, like play racquetball." Althoqgh he is many years removed from his playing days in Ann Arbor, Dierdorf continues to share in the hap- piness of success that often accom- panries the Wolverine football team., Such was the case with this year's Rose Bowl victory over Washington, as is evident by Dierdorf's comments direc- ted towards his former head coach. "I'm so happy for Bo. Iknow it's been hanging over him like a cloud. He must be sleeping well these days." DIERDORF'S memories of Michigan should be rekindled at the Pro Bowl, when he joins other Michigan alumni (offensive tackle) Mike Kenn of the Atlanta Falcons and (defensive back) Randy Logan of the Philadelphia Eagles on the National Conference team. The Cardinal tackle gives opposing defensive ends reason for worry when, following a season in which he is voted to the Pro Bowl, he says, "I think I'll play better next year." About the only reason that Dierdorf's opposition will have reason for op- timism is the fact that he says that the 1981 season will be his last in professional football. SCORES college Basketball North Carolina 75, Maryland 66 Georgia 90, Florida 74 Ball St. 85, Eastern Michigan 72 Clemson 65, Georgia Tech54 Toledo 76, Kent St. 64 Wake Forest 63, Appalachian St. 42 Dierdorf .. .then ...and now II I \ HOUSING DIVISION a Resident Staff Application Forms for 1981-82 Academic Year Available Starting December 1, 1980 In Ms. Charlene Coady's Office, 1500 S.A.B. POSITIONS INCLUDE: Resident Director, Assistant Resident Director, Resident Advisor, Head Librarian, Resident Fellow, Minority Peer Advisors and Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Advisory positions require the completion of a minimum of 55 undergraduate credit hours by the first day of employment for the Resident Fellows in Residential College, Resident Advisor and Minority Peer Advisor positions: Graduate status for Graduate Student Teaching Assistant in Pilot Program, Head Librarian, and Resident Director positions. However, qualified undergrad- uate applicants may be considered for the Resident Director positions. QUALIFICATIONS: (1) Must be a registered U of M student on the Ann Arbor Campus during the period of employment. (2) Must have completed a minimum of 55 undergraduate credit hours by the first day of employment. (3) Preference will be given to applicants who have lived in residence halls at the University level for at least one year. (4) Undergraduate applicants must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average in the school or college in which they are en- rolled by the first day of employment. Graduate applicants must be in good academic stand- ing in the school or college in which they are enrolled by the first day of employment. (5) Preference is given to appalicants who do not intend to carry heavy academic schedules and who do not have rigorous outside commitments. (6) Proof of these qualifications may be required. Pop Quiz: When does Answer:. When you shop in Ulrich's art and engineering departments. We deduct 10% from the price of all art and engineering supplies at the cash register. That's important to remember when you're comparison shopping.