The Michigan Daily-Thursday; May 7, 1981-Page"19
ILLINI RECEIVE HEAVY PENALTIES
Illinois debates leaving,
CHAMPAIGN (AP) - Talk that
Illinois may withdraw from the Big Ten
continued to circulate Wednesday and
Chancellor John Cribbet said the
university is "quite serious in con-
sidering it as an option."
"And we don't really have many op-
tions," Cribbet said in an interview.
"We would like to stay in the conferen-
ce if entirely possible. We have not
received any feelers from the Big
Eight, nor have we put out any. We
have not reached the point of looking
where we might land."
THE SPORTING VIEWS
Former 'M'gridder.. ..
... advances trends in draft
By RON POLLACK
WHENTHE LOS ANGELES Rams chose linebacker Mel Owens with
the ninth pick in the first round of this year's college draft, it marked
the continuance of what is fast becoming a Michigan tradition. The selection
of Owens made it four consecutive years that Michigan football has
produced a first-round draft choice.
The previous draft saw the St. Louis Cardinals take defensive end Curtis
Greer with the sixth pick. Michigan's representative in the first round of the
1979 lottery was offensive tackle Jon Geisler who was picked by Miami.
During the initial round of the 1978 draft, Michigan was very busy. During
this draft they had not one, but two players chosen in the first round. Offen-
sive tackle Mike Kenn went to Atlanta, where he has gone on to become an
All-Pro performer, and linebacker John Anderson was taken by Green Bay.
With Owens continuing this tradition for the Wolverines this year, it seems
only fitting that he be a part of a new Ram's trend. In the past six drafts, Los
Angeles has taken four linebackers in the first round. In addition to Owens,
they are Kevin McLain (1976), Bob Brudzinski (1977) and George Andrews
(1979).
Ram linebackers controversial
One custom that Owens undoubtedly would like to avoid is that of the con-
troversy which has surrounded Ram linebackers. Isiah Robertson was a fine
player for the Rams for eight years, during which he earned Pro Bowl status
four times. However, he was a disruptive force on the team. During the 1978
season he was suspended for a week and a half, and was traded to Buffalo af-
ter the season ended.
Robertson's replacement was Brudzinski who filled his predecessor's
shoes admirably. He looked to have a long and distinguished career with the
Rams until this past year when he and the Rams could not come to a contrac-
tual agreement. Brudzinski walked out on the team after nine games, never
to return. He was traded to Miami prior to the draft.
Brudzinski was not the only Ram player unhappy over money this past
season. When rookie defensive back Johnnie Johnson was signed to a very
lucrative contract, some of the team's veterans were most unhappy. One
such player was linebacker Jim Youngblood. Along with his brother Jack,
Dennis Harrah and Larry Brooks, Jim held out in order to renegotiate his
contract. The Rams refused to give in to their demands and the four, all of
whom had played in the Pro Bowl the previous season, returned with their
pride wounded but their wallets no fatter than when they walked out.
When Andrews was drafted he also was the source of controversy,
although it wasn't a result of his doing. When Andrews was selected from
Nebraska, hometown favorite Jerry Robinson (UCLA) was still left. The
fans and media were outraged that Andrews had been taken over Robinson,
a three time All-American.
Youth versus experience
Owens and former Michigan center George Lilja, whom Los Angeles took
in the fourth round, both find themselves vying for positions against players
that are reaching the latter stages of their careers.
Atone outside linebacker spot is Youngblood, who will be entering his nin-
th season. However, there has been some talk of moving Owens from the
outside to the inside linebacker position where 11-year-veteran Jack
Reynolds returns.
It is most unlikely that Lilja will beat out Rich Saul for the starting center
spot, since Saul has been one of the league's finest at this position in recent
years. This season will be his twelfth in the NFL, all with Los Angeles. But
Lilja should have no problem making the team, as the Rams have no real
center to back up Saul. If Saul would have been injured last year, guards
Harrah or Greg Horton would have been pressed into service.
Although Lilja lasted longer in the draft than did Owens, he fared better
within his own position. Owens was the fourth linebacker taken, as Lawrence
Taylor (North Carolina), E.J. Junior (Alabama) and Hugh Green (Pit-
tsburgh) preceded him in the first round.
Lilja was the third center taken, going behind Russ Grimm (Pittsburgh)
and Rick Donnalley (North Carolina) who both were selected in the third
round.
THE UNIVERSITY community still
is reeling from the "severity" of san-
ctions imposed on it by the Big Ten in
the eligibility case of quarterback Dave
Wilson. The junior college transfer
student played last season after taking
the Big Ten to court when it failed to
grant him permission to play.
Among charges the conference has
levied against Illinois are misrepresen-
tation, deception, lack of cooperation
and failing to abide by conference
rules.
A defense prepared by Charles
Brown, chairman of the faculty
senate's Committee of Athletic and
Recreation, said the schol never was
guilty of wilfully breaking any rules or
deceiving anyone.
Fighting Illini
... leaving Big Ten?
IN ADDITION TO banning all Illinois
teams from postseason play for two
years, the Big Ten placed the school on
probation for three yeasrs and denied
the Illini their share of the conference
football and basketball pot for two
years - a $1 million rap. Attached to
the sanctions was an "understanding"
the university can petition to have each
penalty reduced by one year.
Creibbet said the penalties are far out
of line "even if the findings were true
... They are as bad as if we had done
something evil."
The tragedy of this thing is that it has
taken a decade in coming back from the
slush fund incident," Cribbet said.
"JUST WHEN THINGS were begin-
ning to turn around, now comes this and
Sig Ten
we have done nothing to deserve it. Un-
der the penalties we run the risk of
another year struggling back. We want
quality teams. We are not out to build
an athletic powerhouse. So we have to
give a good look at our options, and a
serious look at withdrawing from the
conference."
THE REVELATION in 1966 of under-
the-table payoffs from a slush fund
brought the previously harshest
penalty to Illinois. The school was toldt
fire football coach Pete Elliott and
basketball coaches Harry Combes and
Howard Braun or get thrown out of the
Big Ten. The three coaches departed
and so did Athletic Director Doug Mills.
The Daily Illini, campus student
newspaper, quoted a "reliable source"
Tuesday as saying that Neale Stoner,
athletic director; Mike White, head
football coach, and his entire staff
would resign if the university accepted
the sanctions without a fight."
"Stoner never made such a threat -
and, of course, we are fighting," said
Cribbet. "But we can see the effect on
Illinois athletics over the long haul. And
given the consequences of events, we
can see where they would be thinking of
leaving Illinois, maybe -not this year,
but in the future."
"AT THIS TIME, we simply have to
consider the consequences of dropping
out of the Big Ten and its ramifications
against the consequences of staying in
under the findings and the sanctions
which we think are inappropriate,"
said Cribbet. "We are trying to proceed
with as much concern and caution as
we can, but it is obviously a complex
matter and it is not something that can
be decided overnight."
Stoner, speaking Tuesday on behalf
of himself and White, issued a
statement calling the sanctions "totally
unacceptable" and "unusually
severe." He said the Big Ten charges
were "basically untrue."
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