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Rookie Kinney
ball-bobbling blues
in the big leagues
by Jim Johnston
For the veteran Kansas City Chiefs, a 20-17 win
over the New Orleans Saints Monday night provided a
chance for revitalization. But for Kansas City rookie
Jeff Kinney it meant even more.
Kinney, the Chiefs' No. 1 draft choice from
Nebraska, entered the game midway through the
second quarter for injured halfback Wendell Hayes.
On Kinney's first carry, he fumbled. The fumble gave
New Orleans a touchdown and a 10-3 lead.
"I felt worse than anyone in the stadium," Kinney
said. "I finally had a chance to prove myself in a
regular season game that was still undecided, and then
I go and fumble. It's a sick feeling when so many
people are pulling for you."
Kinney, however, said the veterans were quite
understanding.
"They said just to keep my head up," Kinney said.
"Everybody on this team has been having problems
and we just knew we had to stick in there."
Kinney offered no excuses for the fumble. But he
admitted he was nervous when he learned Hayes
wouldn't be able to play in the second half.
"This was a crucial game for us," Kinney said. "I
was a little nervous to start the second half with the
score tied, because any mistake could turn it around.
We've been trying to fight back and we couldn't
afford any mistakes against a fired-up team like New
Orleans."
The Chiefs again are expected to be in contention
for a Super Bowl berth this year. But a poor finish to
the exhibition schedule and a sluggish start of the
regular season has cast some doubts.
Kansas City fans even booed coach Hank Stram
during halftime of a game against Miami last week.
"Kansas City fans are used to winning. I don't
think they can accept anything else," Kinney said.
"They've been down on people like Dave Hill and
Len Dawson, and I don't think they're being fair.
"These guys are veterans. They know they're
expected to win and I'm sure we'll start playing good
football. That win Monday night was a tremendous
shot in the arm."
Kinney admits he doubted his chances of playing
much his rookie season because of the veteran talent
thr Chiefs have. But the former Nebraska I -back said
veterans have no hard feelings when a rookie gets a
shot at their position.
"Things are very business-like in professional
football," Kinney offered. "We're all trying to put
money in our pocket. If a veteran thinks you can do
the job and help the team, he will give you all the
advice he can."
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Kinney . . . "It's a sick feeling . .
Kinney battled former Iowa standout Ed Podolak
a halfback position durina exhibition aames. But
v - - -
lately Kinney has been running the halfback spot
owned by Hayes.
"There's really not much difference in the two
halfback positions," Kinney said. "I'm sure I could
fill in at either position. If Ed gets hurt and Wendell is
healthy, then I might go back to the other sport."
Kinney didn't run much with the football in the
second half. He basically served as a blocker. And
that's the portion of his game he thinks he has
improved most since college.
"I never really had to do much blocking on pass
' ''" ' ' "'
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II
protection at Nebraska," Kinney said. "Bill Olds and
Maury Damkroger are great blockers. I usually served
as a decoy and didn't have to block much until I
came into professional football."
As for any rookie, early season games serve as a
learning process. But Kinney says the time for
committing mistakes-like not holding on to the
football-must be over soon.
"We're playing for big stakes this year," Kinney
said. 'This team has enough pride in the
accomplishments it's made over the years, and I feel I
have enough pride in what we accomplished at
Nebraska. We want to be the best there is."
fr i i t i -T-
vaopners veer-i
poses double threat
The Veer-T offense Minnesota's new coach Cal
Stoll introduced to the Gophers basically is a running
attack.
But Nebraska coach Bob Devaney said the
Gophers "are likely to come up with surprises" at
Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon.
"Minnesota may look like it's going to run and
then try to surprise us with the bomb," Devaney said.
'They may be down to a third and two situation
when we're in our goal line defense and try to catch
us with a long pass." o,
The Veer-T, similar to the Wishbone except it uses
only two offensive backs, was made famous by
Houston University. Minnesota, however, hasn't had
much success with its offense this year. The Gophers
rushed for 266 yards in losing to Colorado 38-6 last
week.
"The Veer-T is more of a passing threat than the
Wishbone," Devaney said. "Minnesota sometimes has
two wide receivers, and sometimes they use two tight
ends."
Devaney also reported no injuries were suffered in
last week's game against Army. Sophomore I -back
Tony Davis also is expected to be suited Saturday for
the first time this season. Davis is recovering from
recent knee surgery.
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Scibulous SiMus
Relive wllh us the fun-filled days of
thai dizzy decade: Ihe zany assassi
nations, the kooky cult murders, the
colorful race riots, the amusing re
pressions, the meaningless drug
deaths, the madcap war in Vietnam,
and the pointless pop culture. Jill of
it In the October issue of the National
Lampoon at your local newsstand.
A Ira
So just be careful
how you use it.
If you're not really
serious about the gal,
go easy on the English
Leather . On the
other hand, if you are
serious, lay on the
English Leather and
have a ball. Use
English Leather Soap,
Shampoo, Shave Cream,
After Shave, Deodorant,
Talc ... the works. And who
knows, she may even
teach you a little something.
Pcjrjo 8
daily nebraskan
thursday, September 28, 1972
