THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412180436
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Raghib ``Rocket'' Ismail had the first multitouchdown game of his NFL career a couple of weeks ago for the Raiders against the Chargers. Score one for the power of communication.
Ismail saw how the chemistry between quarterback Jeff Hostetler and receiver Tim Brown improved after Brown started going to him for regular chats about the team's offensive philosophy. So he followed suit.
``When we came in on Monday and got our game plan together and talked in the meeting, `We're going to do this route, we're going to do this and that,' I just took it for granted I was on the same page with (Hostetler),'' Ismail said. ``But that wasn't being on the same page, and I had to take it a step further and break it down and say (to Hostetler), `OK, this is what the coaches want, what do you want? What do you see? What do you feel comfortable with?' As soon as we did that, man, we started jelling.''
In the last five games, Ismail has 12 catches and four touchdowns. He admits now that he should have sought Hostetler out sooner, but said he was intimidated by Brown's status on the team.
``I always just thought it was something your star receiver and quarterback had naturally, and (you) don't try to infringe on that territory,'' he said. ``But now I'm totally comfortable with going in and saying `Hey, what are you guys talking about? Let me in on it.' It's coming together.''
TONY ``ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER TOWN'' CASILLAS: Something is bugging Jets defensive tackle Tony Casillas, but he's not saying. Casillas hasn't talked to reporters in two weeks, leading to speculation he's miffed about being pulled on the final drive of that infamous recent loss to the Dolphins.
Casillas came to New York in September with a reputation for being temperamental, so his behavior shouldn't be surprising. He's a good player, and the Jets want to re-sign him after the season. But don't be surprised if the 30-year-old ex-Cowboy bolts.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE BOBBY ROSS: Just before halftime last Sunday, a packed house at Jack Murphy Stadium rained boos down on the Chargers, who were trailing San Francisco, 21-0, and had just turned the ball over.
Chargers coach Bobby Ross could have complained. He could have whined that his team needs fan support to get them to the playoffs. He didn't. Instead, he answered the situation with the same straightforward approach he addresses all his team's problems.
``It doesn't help,'' Ross said. ``But we have to be able to turn that away. They're booing me, too, and I understand that. We've got to block that out. We've got to be professionals about that and not let that affect us. I know we're human, but, at the same time, part of this game is to be booed. My reaction to that is so be it.''
AFC ATOMS: Browns kicker Matt Stover played peewee football for Dan Reeves in Dallas. . . . Kicker Dean Biasucci has at least one 50-yard field goal in each of his eight seasons with the Colts. . . . It's no secret that Cincy running back Harold Green and coach Dave Shula aren't on good terms. The two had a major blowup last season over the way that Green was being deployed in the offense. Earlier this season, Green went AWOL to attend a friends's funeral in Columbia, S.C., missed a couple of days practice and was fined by Shula. Look for him to be traded at the end of the season, with the Redskins among those interested. . . . Believe it or not, the Patriots are the only team in the league with three receivers with 50 receptions or more. It's also a first for Patriots coach Bill Parcells, whose Giants teams were noted for their punishing rushing attacks. In fact, in Parcells' tenure with the Giants, he never had a player catch as many passes as Ben Coates has caught (88) this season. . . . Don't have to look far for what's wrong with the Oilers. Their 22 touchdowns are fewest in the AFC, and they've scored one offensive TD or less in a game eight times. The team's 48.6 completion percentage is last in the NFL and the offensive line has given up league-high 59 sacks. . . . The Bengals have converted 41 percent of their third downs since Jeff Blake took over seven games ago. In its first seven games, Cincinnati converted 20 percent. . . . Pats QB Drew Bledsoe is 34 pass attempts away from breaking Warren Moon's record of 655 set in 1991. . . . The Phi Beta Kappa quarterly newsletter reveals that Bills coach Marv Levy reads Charles Dickens. Just thought you'd like to know.
HE SAID IT:
Eagles defensive end Greg Townsend spent 11 seasons with the Raiders before coming to Philly last summer. He was asked the other day if he thought it was a good idea for Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to pattern his ownership style after Al Davis. ``The young Al,'' he said. ``Not this Al Davis. When I first got with that Raider team, even though I didn't know any other owners, I knew there was no better owner. He had three rules - be on time for the meetings, pay attention and play like hell when he told you to. And he said he'd pay the fines. He said, `I don't want to see you out there getting pushed around. If you've got to go across somebody's head, go across somebody's head, and I'll pay the fine.' Back then, there was nothing - nothing - that man wouldn't do for you. But now, things have changed. His whole philosophy has changed. And that's not good. I think it's because everybody told him he's a great guy. And he believes it.'' by CNB