Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 September 1997 — Page 2
PAGE 2
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18,1887
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Legendary coach enters final season with Tigers
By COLLIE J. NICHOLSON Bayou Sports Syndication A notable prophet of doom much of his legendary career, Eddie Robinson kicked off his 57th campaign, his final orbit as coach of the Grambling Tigers, minus his professed pessimism. To the contrary, the old coach, who could be a victim of his own flack, is downrightoptimistic about the 1997 season. Even before the first calisthenic was taken, Robinson presented a strong case for his G-Men, asserting that Grambling will rebound after two disappointing seasons. A miracle worker with 405 career wins—who influenced the game of college football as much as any coach in history—Robinson enters his final year with his usual intensity and resolve, but minus the talent and intangibles required for success against a foreboding schedule. Robinson is first to admit in a firmly quieting voice that the 1997 season “is about respect. We have a sullied image to repair,” he declared. Robinson is determined to end a drought that produced only eight victories against 14 defeats over the past two seasons, the worst back-to-back record in his long and productive career. Coaches and writers who cover Southwestern Athletic Conference teams shrug at any suggestion that Robinson can produce a winner this fall, despite his ability to adjust, to organize, to recognize talent and teach the nut and bolts of college football. Robinson considers such evaluations meaningless. He feels that there are undisclosed factors in his favor, despite last year’s traumatic 3-8 season. “Winning is about pride and desire,” said the coach who enjoys a challenge and 1 ikes to prove people wrong. He is confident that Grambling can win this year and considers all talk to the
contrary nonsense. He expects to field a contending team and is determined to devote time and energy to that task— motivating hungry players and focusing his offense and defense to turn out a winner. “This team has unfulfilled potentials," Robinson said. “We played well enough, at times, last year to have ended the season with a better record. And the way we played convinced me that Grambling will have a contending team. “This squad has a positive attitude and we’re excited about what can happen,” the coach said, anticipating a 180 degree turn. “Real progress will be measured on Saturday afternoons.” Robinson is pleased with the physical condition of freshmen, newcomers and veteran players. “We are pretty excited. There is a lot of energy out there, plus an upward spiral of confidence. “Everybody is working hard and everyone understands that winning will require total commitments,” Robinson said. For the time being, the adrenaline is flowing and the Tigers are imbued with a new spirit, eager to get the job done. The battle ciy at Grambling is, “Win this year for the coach!” More than 4,000 athletes have grown up in Robinson’s Shadow, dating back to 1941. Finding his replacement will be a difficult task. The G-Men will play their usual crosscountry schedule enabling the national media to chronicle the end of a football era. Grambling games are scheduled for Giant Stadium, EastRutherform NJ; Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA; the Super Dome, New Orleans, LA; the Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX; Municipal Stadium, Jackson, MS; Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA; and Skelly Field, Oklahoma City, OK. The Tigers began the season with a 44-20 loss to Alcom State. They will continue Robinson’s final season Sept. 20 at Langston.
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In the Colts’ first three games, Jim Harbaugh has taken a beating being sacked 16 times. (Walt Thomas) No offense, more problems for Colts
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By JAMES M. KEOUGH JR. Sports Writer Before the Indianapolis Colts offense can outscore opponents it must first outscore its own defense. After registering only three points in the 31 -3 embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks last weekend in the RCA Dome, the Colts are still the only team in the National Football League without an offensive touchdown. The defense, however, did find the illusive end zone in the team’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Elijah Alexander intercepted a Dan Marino pass and trotted 43 yards for the team’s only touchdown. With the brutal Bills on the horizon next weekend in Buffalo, the Colts are in desperate need of answers. And they better find them in a hurry. Because when Bruce Smith, Bryce Paup and rest of the Bills defense come calling on Jim Harbaugh they usually don’t take prisoners. “I am totally embarrassed by this. I don’t question the effort. I think everybody has worked hard and plays hard when they are out there. But we are playing like a bunch of mules out there Maybe I’m the biggest mule out there right now. I don’t know,” said Harbaugh, who completed 11 of 17passes for 77 yards against the Seahawks. “I’m trying to move the team and be productive and I haven’t found a way to do that yet.” No kidding. The goal is not to pick on Harbaugh. But the performance of the offensive falls on shoulders of its’ leaders. For better or for worse. Infante, who has the reputation for being one of the League’s innovative offensive minds, said his team’s recent offensive ineptness is mind boggling. “As bad as we did today I think it has to reflect back on this position, and I am willing to take that responsibility. For whatever reason, things are just not fall-
ing into place. When you go this many games without a touchdown you are not going to win many football games,” said Infante. “I am in some unfamiliar territory right here This team hasn’t been in a position like this before since I have been here anyway. I am in an unfamiliar surrounding at this time. I have never been anywhere we couldn’t score any points and gotten beat as handily as we did the last couple of weeks. This is a bottom-line business. You have to win and we aren’t getting that done right now.” In the first three games this season, Harbaugh has already been sacked 16 times for a total of 97 yards. Rookie linemen Adam Meadows and Tarik Glenn are being initiated into the NFL by fire. But NFL could mean ‘not for long’ for Harbaugh if this porous group on the offensive line doesn’t come together in a hurry. Against the Seahawks, the Colts managed just 118 net yards. Marshall Faulk gained 58 yards on 17 carries while Harbaugh gained 30 yards on four carries. Meanwhile, the Seahawks amassed 423 net yards, which included 153 rushing and 270 passing. Veteran quarterback Warren Moon exploited the Colts secondary for most of the afternoon. He completed 24 of 38 pass attempts. Moon completed passes to seven different receivers. Faulk, who has more to prove this year than just about anybody, said his team needs to remember to fight. “You have to search yourself and search your team as a whole. My confidence isn’t down. I’m not down on this team, or any particular person around me or down on myself. But you can’t walk around here and say nothing is wrong. I mean we have to score points to win games around here,” said Faulk, who has gained 175 yards rushing through the first three games combined. “Something has got to give.”