THE BERNIE KOSAR $WEEPSTAKE$ : The Prize in This Game of Chance Is the University of Miami’s Highly Coveted Quarterback, but the Questions Are So Difficult That Even Commissioner Pete Rozelle Might Not Have the Answers

If Commissioner Pete Rozelle of the National Football League had the wisdom of King Solomon, he would order that University of Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar be cut in half and distributed in equal parts to the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns.

But even then, the teams probably wouldn’t be satisfied. They no doubt would return to Rozelle, demanding that he determine which team would get the half that includes Kosar’s coveted right arm.

Decisions, decisions.

Rozelle is expected to offer a solution today.

Will Kosar, who may or may not have two years of college eligibility remaining, depending on whether he does or doesn’t graduate this summer, begin his NFL career with the Vikings, who may or may not have the right to draft him, or the Browns, who claim they have acquired the rights to him for a draft that may or may not exist? Kosar is being kept abreast of all the developments by an agent who may or may not be an agent.

Sound confusing?

Here’s everything you wanted to know about Rozelle’s latest dilemma.

Question--Considering that Buffalo has the first-round draft choice and needs a quarterback, wasn’t it good news for the Bills when Kosar announced last month that he will turn professional?

Answer--Not especially. First, the Bills aren’t sure they need a quarterback. They own the rights to the Houston Gamblers’ Jim Kelly, who presumably will play in Buffalo if the United States Football League folds.

Also, after Doug Flutie signed with the USFL, the Bills didn’t feel there would be a quality quarterback in the draft. So they announced that they would draft Virginia Tech defensive lineman Bruce Smith and signed him. Not until later did Kosar announce his decision, which delighted the Houston Oilers.

Q--Why the Oilers? Don’t they have a quarterback?

A--The Oilers are content with Warren Moon at quarterback. Their needs are on defense. When Kosar made his announcement, the Oilers had the second choice in the draft. They believed that several teams who are less satisfied at quarterback would part with at least two defensive starters in return for an opportunity to draft Kosar.

Q--Were they correct?

A--Absolutely. The Oilers had firm offers from at least four teams, Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. They say they talked with other teams, including the Raiders. The Oilers didn’t want to make a deal that would enable the Browns to draft Kosar because they are in the same division, the AFC Central, and have to play them twice a year. They reportedly had trades all but sealed with Detroit and Philadelphia, but both fell through when Kosar wouldn’t report to those teams for a physical.

Q--Why not?

A--Kosar hasn’t said, but speculation is that he was attempting to make it as difficult as possible for the Oilers to complete a trade with any team other than the Browns. He wants to play in Cleveland, which is 60 miles from his hometown in Boardman, Ohio.

Q--What was the Oilers’ reaction?

A--They traded the second choice for the Vikings’ first- and second-round choices this year. The Vikings had the third selection in the first round and the second selection in the second round. The Oilers felt the trade assured them of drafting two highly rated defensive players, including Texas A&M; defensive end Ray Childress with the third selection. He’s the player they wanted all along.

Q--So that means Kosar will play for the Vikings. Right?

A--Not necessarily. Hours after the Oilers and Vikings had completed their trade, the Browns made a deal for Buffalo’s first choice in the supplemental draft. If, for one reason or another, Kosar isn’t eligible for the regular draft, the Browns thought he might be available in the supplemental draft.

Q--What is the supplemental draft?

A--If anyone has a definitive answer, he should call the NFL. The league’s rules are vague. They say it is for players who aren’t eligible for the draft but become so before the next season. An example is former Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson, who, at the time of the draft, was appealing to the NCAA for another year of college eligibility. When he was denied, the NFL established a supplemental draft for him. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints.

But since there aren’t players every year who fit those circumstances, the supplemental draft has to be specifically called by Rozelle. As of now, there is no supplemental draft this year.

Q--How could Kosar become eligible for a supplemental draft?

A--Players who have college eligibility remaining are not usually eligible for the draft. Exceptions are made for players who have graduated from college, but they must declare their intention to enter the draft in a written statement to the NFL by April 15. Originally intending to graduate in June, Kosar announced his intention to turn pro. But he never formally applied to the NFL for inclusion in the draft. As a result, the Browns claim that Kosar is not eligible for the regular draft and must be included in a supplemental draft. The league initially agreed with the Browns until the Vikings objected?

Q--What do the Vikings say?

A--They say that when Kosar announced he would turn pro, he was, in effect, declaring his intention to enter the draft. They also charge that the Browns, in concert with Kosar’s agent, Dr. John Geletka, have orchestrated this scenario in order to subvert the NFL’s orderly system of drafting players and claim Kosar for themselves.

Q--Kosar has an agent?

A--Did we say agent? Geletka actually is the Kosar family’s dentist, who is serving as the quarterback’s adviser.

Q--The family dentist?

A--Sure. If you were about to make a career decision that could guarantee you between $5 million and $8 million, wouldn’t you consult your dentist?

Q--How has Rozelle dealt with this so far?

A--The first thing he did was waive the rule that required Kosar to apply in writing for the NFL draft. Then he summoned representatives of the four teams involved in the trades, the Vikings, Oilers, Browns and Bills, to his office in New York to explain their positions. He also ordered the Vikings not to contact Kosar.

Q--What did Geletka say about that?

A--He’s upset at the Vikings for not contacting Kosar.

Q--What else happened in the meeting?

A--Rozelle gave the principles a gag order. The only one who has talked to the media is Howard Slusher, who was representing the Oilers.

Q--Howard Slusher, the player agent? How did he get involved? Don’t most NFL teams detest him for the stubborn manner in which he protects his clients’ interests?

A--Exactly. But in this case, the Oilers thought their interests needed protecting. There is no one they would rather have on their side than Slusher.

Q--What are Kosar’s options if Rozelle declares that the quarterback must enter the draft, thus assuring he will be drafted by the Vikings?

A--Even though he is an Academic All-American with a 3.27 grade point average in finance, Kosar could begin cutting classes and fail to graduate in June. Since he would have college eligibility remaining and no degree, the Vikings would have drafted a player who wasn’t eligible for the draft. They would have to forfeit the selection. Kosar then could graduate later this summer and perhaps go through the supplemental draft, if there is one.

Or he could play in the USFL. The Orlando Renegades own his rights.

Or he could play next year for the University of Miami, providing that he can convince the NCAA that Geletka isn’t an agent. College players who have agents forfeit their eligibility. The Vikings, Oilers and Lions claim that Geletka has been acting as an agent.

Q--What do NCAA officials say?

A--Nothing. Why should they make this any easier for the NFL?

Q--Couldn’t the Vikings resolve the matter by trading the second selection to the Browns?

A--They can’t. A provision in the trade with Houston prohibits the Vikings from dealing the selection to any team in Houston’s division.

Q--What will the Vikings and Oilers do if Rozelle rules in favor of the Browns?

A--Sue.

Q--What will the Browns do if Rozelle rules in favor of the Vikings and Oilers?

A--Sue.