Page 12 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, August 5, 1988
The Houston Oilers should have 'New' Lions look to
another solid year, having added first- THE SPORTING VIEWS
round pick Lorenzo White to their tame opponents
Continued from Page U RB contingent of Mike Rozier
also have solid years for the Sea- Alonzo Highsmith (all those "z's" BY PAUL SLAGER weren't challenging enough, the Blades and linebacker Spielman both
hawks to challenge the Broncos. are putting me to sleep). In recent weeks, experts have been NFC Central Division poses addi- have the potential of being excep-
The Los Angeles R ders present The Cincinnati Bengals should expressing high hopes for the seem- tional threats. The Minnesota tional professional football players.
the only other playoff threat in the improve on last year's 4-11 mark and ingly hopeless Detroit Lions. Vikings with the impressive passing By bolstering the defense, Vainisi is
West. With RBs Marcus Allen and give Pittsburgh a challenge for third Emphasizing a new "winning attack of quarterback Wade Wilson insuring the long term improvement
Bo Jackson and WRs Willie Gault place. Also, look for Steelers Defen- attitude" and the value of newly-ac- and former Michigan standout re- of the Detroit Lions.
and Tim Brown, the Raiders should sive Coordinator Tony Dungy, to quired draft picks Chris Spielman ceiver Anthony Carter are a team that However, the payoff of this ap-
give the league's defensive coordina- become the NFL's first Black head (Ohio State) and Bennie Blades will certainly battle for a spot in the proach will probably not be seen in
tors some serious ulcers. With any coach when the league's version of (Miami, Fla.), the Lions appear ea- Super Bowl. 1988. Defensive excellence in the
help from the defense, the Raiders musical coaches begins. ger to change their repution as a he Chicao Bears are also a NFL does not come without experi-
may just squeak into the playoffs. And finally in the East, there are team that is consistently among the The C hgo B e rea N oe notce withs, esperi
Meanwhile, the San Diego two of the NFL's exciting, upstart worst in the National Football possible powerhouse. If they remain ence; in other words, Blades and
Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs clubs in the Buffalo Bills and Indi- League. healthy and avoid player-coach dis- Spielman will not become instant
will fight it oui for 1989 draft posi- aniapsoli Colts. The Bills have built Do not, however, be misled. The putes they should be a winning All-Pros.
tion in the bottom of the West. a solid, young defensive core around Lions' hopes of finally displaying a thteam igs gaint eah of Even with a stronger defense, the
In the AFC Central, the Pitts- DE Bruce Smith and LB's Cornelius winning season remain far fromthese teams is certain to lengthen the Lions' offensive shortcomings can-
burgh Steelers should return to dom- Bennett and Shane Conlan, to go realistic. list of Lion osses, not be ignored. The backfield is
inance. Sorry, just kidding. But, along with QB Jim Kelly on offense. The first obstacle that the Lions Although a glance at the Lions' unimpressive. Even more impor-
what else can you say about a divi- Having learned that championships face in '88 is one of the NFL's schedule is discouraging, there is tantly, quarterback Chuck Long has
sion where the biggest change is QB are won with defense, Buffalo is toughest schedules. Out of confer- some hope for Lions fans. Newly generously demonstrated only
Todd Blackledge taking over for Mark ready to rule. ence, the Lions play the New York appointed personnel chief Jerry marginal talent. Without scoring, the
Malone in Pittsburgh (yippee, from Galloping not far behind, how- Giants twice. The Giants have a le- Vainisi is lighting up the Lions' Lions will not win football games.
mediocre to mediocre). Once again, ever, will be the the Colts, and their gitimate chance of winning it all this clubhouse. By describing the Lions "w" th
the Cleveland Browns will win the new head horse, RB Eric Dickerson. year with a consistently tenacious as "classic underachievers" and de- The new winning attitude c at
division. Good years from QB Jack Trudeau defense and an offense led by quarter- manding improved performance, has emerged from the Lions camp is
and the defense, are essential for In- back Phil Simms. Vainisi is instilling a work ethic and ou iesinofgory ins t
dianapolis to rise above the parity- In addition, the Lions host the desire to win that recent Lions teams sounds like a sign of good things to
Michigan Daily laden East and gain a wild-card spot New Orleans Saints and travel to have lacked. come.
in the playoffs. play the San Francisco 49ers and Los This raises a new question for the
SPORTS Third place in the division is up Angeles Rams. Each of these teams This changed attitude is what the Detroit Lions: Just how long will
763-0376 for grabs, but Miami's outstanding are established and should defeat the Lions need to establish a successful the Lions' players and fans be con-
QB Dan Marino should lead the Dol- less talented Lions rather easily. program. It is not enough, however, tent looking to the future? Perhaps
phins past New England. As if the non-conference games to insure immediate success. the Lions will show enough promise
Vainisi's contributions have also in '88 to hold the interest of both
extended to seriously upgrading the fans and players. If not, it will be
M IC H IG A N quality of the Lions' roster. Here, interesting to see how long this new
Vainisi's interest is clearly in build- "winning attitude" will remain in
T C l 1=0 1IK I ing a stronger defense. Free safety Detroit.
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