Super Bowl
Denver linemen choose to talk rather than pay hefty fines
tor the first time in two
years, the Bronco
linemen broke their
silence on Media Day
By John Mossman
The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — Given an ulti
matum to speak up or shell out,
the Denver Broncos’ offensive
line opened their mouths on
Tuesday, and out spilled two
years’ worth of observations, wit
ticisms and confessions.
Faced with fines from the NFL
if they didn’t break their two
year, self-imposed code of si
lence, the linemen decided to
talk, suspending their own sys
tem of fines for any members
who violated the code.
On Media Day, the first and
biggest of three scheduled inter
view sessions, tackle Gary Zim
merman quickly was encircled
by a pack of voracious reporters
on the field at Qualcomm Stadi
um. He freely admitted how un
comfortable he felt not only an
swering questions, but being
around a lot of people. On Zim
merman's 40-acre spread in the
woods near Bend, his nearest
neighbor lives two miles away.
“I’m out of my element,” said
Zimmerman, frequently clearing
his throat. “I don’t like to be
around people that much.
“The league kind of told us we
had to talk. We hope this won’t
be bad luck. Most of the time the
media wants to talk to the offen
sive line, it’s something bad. So
it’s better just to be quiet and
anonymous. That’s the life of a
lineman.”
Guard Mark Schlereth was
amused at the cluster of journal
ists surrounding each linemen,
who normally attract only limit
ed attention at such sessions.
“It’s not like we’re a bunch of
ogres who don’t know how to
speak,” he said. “But if we did
talk all season, nobody would
want to talk to us now.”
The media moratorium began
as a bonding experience for the
linemen, with the encourage
ment of line coach Alex Gibbs.
Besides penalties for talking with
the media, the linemen were
fined for penalties during games
and being late for meetings. Most
of the slush fund was spent on an
elaborate dinner here Monday
night.
While Zimmerman’s reticence
is a result mainly of shyness,
Gibbs admitted to an anti-media
mindset.
Answering questions patiently
from a seat in the stands, Gibbs
was brutally frank and character
ized media day as a “confronta
(( The no-talking thing has helped ns stay focused. But
we didn’t have to pay a stifffine. If it had been about
$5, (XX), we might have taken it. But if it's 30 grand, my
wife ivouldn t have been to happy with that. 71
Tony Jones
Denver Tackle
tion.”
"When those players cross that
white line, that's their world,” he
said. “I don’t like that interrupt
ed. I don’t like that focus messed
with. In my opinion, this [inter
views] keeps that out of sync. I
don’t think anything good comes
out of this. I know it’s good for
your business. But for every one
good story, we get three bad sto
ries. Then somebody gets offend
ed and gets out of focus. It's just
easier not to talk about it.
“This is not what my job is.
They don’t hire me or pay me to
deal with you folks, and I don’t
particularly enjoy it. I’ve got
problems blocking Gilbert Brown
and Reggie White, and this inter
view isn’t solving any of those
problems. I’m not scoring any
points, I’m not making any first
downs right here.”
Gibbs, a veteran of 14 years of
NFL coaching, called this year's
line “my best group, by far." The
unit drew a rare honor after a
playoff win over Jacksonville, be
ing named the NFL offensive
"player” of the week. Gibbs said
that honor "made me proud, but
I didn't like the notoriety of it. I'd
rather our players not have those
kinds of awards. I just don't think
those honey words of praise real
ly work to your advantage in
football."
Despite his discomfort, Gibbs
endured the entire one-hour ses
sion, even though some of his
players speculated earlier he
might skip the interviews and
pay the fines.
“I’ve seen him run away from
reporters,” center Tom Nalen
said. “I know he’s squirming to
day.”
Tackle Tony Jones said he and
his fellow linemen decided it
would be wiser to talk.
“The no-talking thing has
helped us stay focused," he said.
“But we didn’t want to pay a stiff
fine. If it had been about $5,000,
we might have taken it. But if it's
30 grand, my wife wouldn’t have
been too happy with that.”
Speculating on the amount of
the fine, guard Brian Habib said,
“We didn’t want to be $10,000
lighter in the wallet.” Referring to
himself and two others who were
disciplined for having Vaseline
on their arms after the Kansas
City playoff game, he added, "Af
ter that $5,000 fine for the Vase
line, that was more than enough
money for me.”
Some other disclosures
emerged from the linemen’s in
terviews.
Asked if he had a pre-game
routine, Nalen disclosed that he
vomits before each game, appar
ently from nervousness.
Nalen joked that centers are “a
step away from being fans. If you
can’t play center, you can’t play
anything.”
Schlereth said continuing to
play after undergoing 20 opera
tions, including surgery on a her
niated disk in his back in No
vember that sidelined him only
five games, “is probably stupidi
ty-”
“1 just enjoy playing. When I
was on the sideline, 1 would be
physically ill watching other
guys play. I missed it so much.”
CLASSIFIEDS
Call 346-4343
or stop by Suite 300 EMU
to place your ad today
CLASSIFICATIONS
RATES/DEADLINES/POLICIES
nxn c.rmAt ru
uou vji tv* r.venis
085 Greek Announcements
090 Birthdays
095 Personals
100 Lost & Found
105 Typing/Resume Services
110 Instruction/Tutoring
115 Garage/Moving Sales
120 Miscellaneous For Sale
125 Fumilure/Appliances
130 CarsflYucks
135 Motorcydes/Scooters
140 Bicycles
14? i.omputcrvrjcctronics
150 Tv & Sound Systems
155 Instruments
160 Pets & Supplies
165 Sport Equipment
170 Photography Equip
175 Wanted
180 Travel & Lodging
185 Business Opportunities
190 Opportunities
195 Recruiting
200 Work Study Positions
205 Help Wanted
ill) Mouses lor Kent
213 Houses for Sale
215 Apartments (Furnished)
220 Apartments (Unfurnished)
225 Quads
230 Rooms for Rent
235 Duplexes for Rent
240 Dorm Contracts
245 Roommates Wanted
250 Boarding Houses
255 Housing Wanted
260 Announcements
265 Elections
270 Meetings
275 Club Sports
280 Counseling
285 Services
290 Health & Fitness
295 Food & Drink
300 Campus Ministry
305 Campus Events
310 Arts & Entertainment
315 What’s Happening?
UNIVERSITY RATES
(Must be an enrolled DO student or affiliated DO Group or Dept.)
3 line minimum $2.70/day
Additional lines $.9<V1ine
PRIVATE PARTY RATE
(non-univrrsity/non-business related)
3 line minimum $3.00/day
Additional lines Sl.OO/line
(apptuaimaldy 35 s^uecs or 5-6 wonts per line)
Deadline: I p.m. ONE business day prior lo publication
Call (541) 346-1343 for BUSINESS RATES.
PAYMENT: Prepayment is required unless
billing has been established. We accept Visa,
Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Receipts may be requested at the lime of ad
placement. A purchase order must accompany all
university departmental and student association
ads. Tcarshccts provided upon request.
ERRORS/REFUNDS: Please check your ad!
The ODE will run a classified ad one additional
day as a result of any typographical error that
changes the meaning of the ad. if reported by
I PM. No cash refunds will be issued. ACCEP
TANCE: The ODE reserves the right to revise,
reclassify, reject or cancel any ad at any time.
Political ads arc payable in advance and must
dearly identify the advertiser. All real estate
advertising in this newspaper is subject to the
Federal Fair Housing Act of 196X which makes
it illegal for any person to cause to be published
any advertisement relating to the transfer, sale,
rental, or lease of any housing which expresses
limitations, specifications or discrimination of
any kind. NOT ACCEPTED: Mail-order ads
(unless a sample is supplied for review prior to
publication); Adoption ads by anyone other than
a licensed agency; Airline ticket sale ads by any
one other than authori/x'd agents.
100 LOST & FOUND
Fly fisherman Ben, you've lost
something that I found. Please call
me at 689-4151 to identify.
095 PERSONALS
100 LOST & FOUND
Rachael - at Doc's Pad -
I gave you my silver cult bracelet
with turquoise ant. Please return.
Call Stephanie 485-7274
Orecfo/t Q)cu'/^ umera/d
Heart Beats
'Jem/ one- to
utmr- ucaeeil&...
have'he 1
"'°Pe''°Toave^'
,*5r*
only *5T
i
•Heart Beats will run in the
Emerald on Fri., Feb. 13
f • Call 346-4343 to place
your Heart Beat today, or stop
by the Emerald Classified
Office, Suite 300, EMU
• Deadline:
lpm, Wednesday, February 11th
Write, d/emoel creative ada/td<om
dimier/or lwo- a/ d/e Jdar/ic {drew!
105TYPING/RESUME SERVICES
Pro/Edit
Editing • Writing Assistance • Typing
Graphics/Text Scanning • Resumes
741-7553
At 344-0759, ROBIN is GRAD
SCHOOL APPROVED. 20-year
thesis/dissertation background.
Term papers. Full resume service.
Editing. Laser pr. ON CAMPUS!
120 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
"Give Me Five!"
Run your “FOR SALE" ad (items
under $1,000) for 5 days. If the
item(s) doesn't sell, call us at
346-4343 and we'll run your ad
again for another 5 days FREE!
Student/Private Party Ads Only • No Relunds
Drafting board and Mayline lor
sale. $60 or best offer.
Contact Lesley at 684-9952
Bride changed her mind! Beautiful
ivory jasmine silk wedding dress.
Sleaveless includes bolero jacket.
Never been worn. Veil included. Size
6 $980 346-2478 or (818) 560-1103
Wednesday is New Comic Day
at Emerald City Comics.
770 E. 13th. 345-2568.
120 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
I-1
Clothes Paradise... /
it can happen at |
The Clothes Horse!
Buy, Sell, Trade
720 E. 13th • 34S-5099
ROLLING STONES TIX!
We can't go, buy our tickets!
3 tix lor Jan. 31st In Portland.
Good seats! $75 each/obo
Call Jessica 684-8451
125 FURNITURE/APPLIANCES
Bookshelves, $20 each; Table and
chairs, $25; Entertainment center,
$250 343-7377
Queen futon w/ wood frame in
good shape. $250 344-5632, leave
message or call after 7 p.m.
Finished Futon Furniture Single
$130; Double $145; Queen $165. All
platform beds, coffee and end ta
bles. Call 686-1842 message.
Montgomery Ward stackload wash
er and dryer, 2 years old. Great for
small apartment. $400. 342-5959.
130 CARS/TRUCKS
'88 Chevy Cavalier, white, runs
great. $1000/obo. Call Ray 686
4527
'90 S-10 Blazer 2 wheel drive, 2
door, great condition, 95K miles.
349-1717
130 CARS/TRUCKS
'84 Honda Accord, blue, 4-door,
power steering, 2 new tires, new
clutch, excellent m.p.g. and excellent
condition. $2500 342-8155
1989 Ford Escort, low mileage, au
tomatic trans, new tires, excellent
condition. $3500/obo. Call 302-1632.
SEIZED CARS from $175. Porsch
es, Cadillacs, Chevys, BMW's, Cor
vettes. Also Jeeps, 4WD's. Your
Area. Toll tree 1(800)218-9000 ext.
A-2063 tor current listings.
1989 Ford Taurus. Air, power
windows, seats, locks. Tilt, cruise,
am/fm, cassette. Great interior
and runs excellent. All records.
130,000 miles. Blue Books at
$4800, will sell lor $3800. Call
Becky at 346-3712 days or 689
0138 evenings before 8 p.m.
'73 MGBGT Runs good, looks good,
too many new parts to list. $3995/or
best oiler. It's a classic! 746-6878
140 BICYCLES
Cannondale Men's Mt. Bike 18",
complete Deore XT components,
Top of the line, New tires, Rock ring,
Great Shape! $400/obo 687-0097
145 COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
Architectural Associates is selling 5
student Macintoshes. Each is in ex
cellent condition, with all of the ex
tras. Prices range Irom $210-$635.
Models include SE30s and 575s. Will
go quickly! For more information call
484-5757.
145 COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
486 DX 50 210 MB HD 20 MB Ram,
2X CD Rom, 3.5-5.25 floppy, wind
ows 3.1, Lotus 123, Word Perlect,
NU and more. $500 687-9084
150TVS SOUND SYSTEMS
CASH! We Buy, Sell & Sen/ice VHS
VCR's and Stereos. Thompson
Electronics, 1122 Oak, 343-9273
155 INSTRUMENTS
John Sharkey teaches guitar,
piano/synth, bass. ALL styles, leads,
fingerpicking, theory. 342-9543
165 SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Rossignol 4SV skis, 201cm, $180;
Lange boots, size 12, $150; Lange
boots, size 9, $100. Erik 686-2143
170 PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
Heritage Camera
Film-Repairs-Processing
Beginner to Pro cameras
468 Willamette 484-7255
185 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
©yVlEK IBEWALKLS
The Oregon Daily Emerald assumes no
liability for ad content or response. Ads are
screened for illegal content and mail order
ads must provide a sample of item for sale.
Otherwise, ads that appear too good to be
true, probably are.
Respond at your own risk.