Notes on a Scorecard - Aug. 2, 1993

If it’s the first week of August, that must be football in the air. . . .

The Raiders are still unbeaten, something they were not able to say at any time during the exhibition or regular season the last two years. . . .

The Rams are fighting mad. . . .

USC newcomers will begin practice Wednesday for the Aug. 29 opener in the Disneyland Pigskin Classic against North Carolina at Anaheim Stadium. . . .

UCLA is preparing to open camp late next week for its Sept. 4 opener against Pacific 10 rival California at the Rose Bowl. . . .

Ram Coach Chuck Knox spent nine hours at the movies Sunday. But don’t ask him whether he liked “The Firm,” “In The Line of Fire,” “Jurassic Park” or “Sleepless in Seattle” better. He was watching Saturday’s scrimmage against the Chargers at Cal State Fullerton. . . .

“Besides evaluating individual performances, we analyze plays that we might want to change,” said Knox, who broke down the film with his coaches for five hours and then showed it to his players for four hours. . . .

He tried to downplay the fights that broke out after both Charger touchdowns, but said players ought to think twice about throwing punches during the regular season, when they will be subject to fines and suspensions. . . .

The Rams’ publicity department printed 3,000 rosters. When the supply ran out early, they printed some more. Many of the fans wore San Diego caps and T-shirts. Of course, the Padres deserve some of the credit for the early interest in the Chargers. . . .

Ram rookie tight end Troy Drayton, who has the best initials in football, wears a “TD” earring. . . .

TD caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jim Everett and called it a confidence builder. “I’m harder on myself than the coaches are,” the second-round draft choice from Penn State said. . . .

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How seriously did the Chargers take the scrimmage? The defensive players held hands during their huddles. . . .

Shedding some pounds by merely suiting up on the hottest day of training camp in Orange County were 11 Chargers and seven Rams who weigh at least 300 pounds. . . .

Among the hardest-working Rams is Chris Martin, the linebacker who is starting his 11th year in the NFL after being traded by the Kansas City Chiefs. He even tapes his own ankles. . . .

When the Raiders were penalized for being offsides on the extra-point attempt after their second touchdown in the 19-3 victory over Green Bay Saturday, ABC commentator Dan Dierdorf said, “This may have moved him (Billy Joe Hobert) out of his range.” Then Hobert, the rookie quarterback subbing for injured kicker Jeff Jaeger, missed for the second time when his attempt was blocked. . . .

Deacon Dan Towler, 65, who is the Rams’ all-time leader with a 5.2-yard rushing average and 44 touchdowns, is convalescing at UCLA Medical Center after heart surgery. . . .

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New York Met pitcher Anthony Young needs 23 more victories in a row to equal Carl Hubbell’s record. . . .

Orel and Jamie Hershiser and Brett Butler will host the sixth annual 65 Roses fashion show Aug. 14 at the Sheraton Universal hotel. More than $1 million has been raised for the battle against cystic fibrosis by Dodgers’ 65 Club volunteers over the years. Tickets are available for $65. . .

The Toronto Blue Jays’ priority before the trading deadline was a pitcher, but I’ll take Rickey Henderson over Paul Assenmacher, Stan Belinda or even Tim Belcher. . . .

That was a nice touch, Chuck Finley winning No. 12 for the Angels on the day that he was supposed to have been traded. . . .

Who would have thought that Bo Jackson would have more home runs this season than Andy Van Slyke, Howard Johnson, Andre Dawson, George Bell, Terry Pendleton, Robin Yount or Darryl Strawberry? . . .

Don King, never one for hyperbole, is calling his Julio Cesar Chavez-Pernell Whitaker promotion Sept. 10 in San Antonio “The Fight.” . . .

Good news for George Raveling: USC point guard Burt Harris was selected to the all-tournament team at the U.S. Olympic Festival. . . .

Shawn Bradley, the 7-foot-6 Philadelphia 76er, is on a strict diet of 6,000 calories a day. . . .

Want to watch some Hall of Famers who are still active in their sport? Dick Weber, Dave Soutar, Dave Davis, Don Johnson, Les Zikes, Jim Schroeder, Glenn Allison, Gary Dickinson and Teata Semiz will compete in the $100,000 Pacific Cal Bowl Open stop on the senior tour this week in Lakewood. . . .

Former USC tackle Mike Lamb, who had a tryout with the Raiders in 1984, describes training camp as a combination of jail and boot camp. Explains Lamb: “You can’t leave and you’re tired all the time.”