Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 4, 1995 TAG: 9509050109
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
Jacksonville, which first sought an NFL team in 1979 when Bob Irsay decided to move the Colts out of Baltimore, finally had a team to call its own Sunday. But the Jaguars, even with a better talent pool to choose from because of free agency and the salary cap, showed they aren't going to be much different than previous expansion teams.
Houston, the worst team in the NFL last season, ruined the Jaguars' coming-out party, scoring the game's only touchdown on its first possession and making it stand for a 10-3 victory.
After watching the Jaguars manage only 151 yards despite a quarterback change in the third quarter, the crowd of 72,363 must have wondered why it craved an NFL team for so many years.
``As disappointing as it is for everyone out in the stands, it's more disappointing for the team,'' said Steve Beuerlein, who completed seven of 17 passes for 60 yards before he was replaced by Mark Brunell. ``We felt if we went out and played well, we had a shot to win.''
Instead, the Jaguars found they have a long way to go, especially on offense. Brunell opened some holes with his scrambling, but it's not good when a quarterback ends up as the team's leading rusher, with 36 yards. As for passing, Brunell was 3-of-9 for 15 yards, including an interception in the final minute to seal the victory for the Oilers.
``It gets frustrating,'' said Jaguars defensive end Jeff Lageman, a former Virginia standout who was one of the players acquired through free agency. ``I thought we did everything we could possibly do on defense except get turnovers. We've got no reason to hang our heads.''
The Oilers, 2-14 last season, will take any victory, even one over an expansion team.
Gary Brown rushed for 45 of his 101 yards on the only touchdown drive of the day, which was capped by a 4-yard pass from Chris Chandler to Haywood Jeffires 6:43 into the game.
Chandler suffered a bruised left shoulder in the first half and didn't play in the second.
``He was in a lot of pain,'' said Houston coach Jeff Fisher of Chandler. But X-rays showed no serious damage.
Will Furrer, a former Virginia Tech quarterback, replaced him while Steve McNair continued his learning process from the bench. Furrer was 4-of-9 for 19 yards.
Brunell directed the first scoring drive in Jaguars history, which resulted in a 26-yard field goal by Mike Hollis with 11:58 remaining in the game.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB