Fire acquires quarterback insurance

Take a deep breath, run fast and you probably still won't keep pace with Bill Byrne, Chicago Fire personnel director.

Fresh from its finest hour, the Fire moved to strengthen its reserve quarter-backing Thursday afternoon by acquiring Ted McNulty, former Indiana University star most recently with the NFL New England Patriots.

He's the second quarterback to join Jim Spavital's team in the past 10 days. Byrne also sought out ex-Ohio Northern signal caller John Smith who's been in Chicago's Maryville camp since being released by the Oakland Raiders.

Spavital, who hadn't yet met his newest acquisition, said McNulty's arrival forbodes no major changes in Fire thinking and does not spell D-O-O-M for Maurie Daigneau, current back-up signal caller to Virgil Carter.

"Oh, no, it's just that we've got a spot open on our inactive roster for a quarterback," Spavital said not 24 hours after Carter engineered a great 32-29 Soldier Field win over the Philadelphia Bell. "Most teams carry three quarterbacks. We've just had two."

McNulty had a sparkling three-year varsity career cut short by torn right knee ligaments during Indiana's game with Ohio State two seasons ago. He played no football last year.

Despite the injury, McNulty's college statistics show 224-of-459 passing for 2,534 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was drafted in spring, 1973, by the Cincinnati Bengals but didn't report because the knee hadn't fully recuperated.

New England bought his contract last winter. McNulty went to camp with the Patriots this summer and lasted better than one month before he was released.

"I came home to Indianapolis and played one game with the Caps last weekend," McNulty said. "Then Bill (Byrne) called and asked me to come up here."

MucNulty spent last year working in commerical real estate and rehabilitating the right knee. "It feels fine," he said. "I'm able to do everything I want."

Spavital said he anticipates no immediate trades or other acquisitions. But the Fire needs defensive secondary help and could use more insurance for running backs Cyril Finder and Mark Kellar who had super nights against the Bell. Pinder gained 151 yards and Kellar 112.

Chicago is exceptionally thick at linebacker with seven and would likely sacrifice one or two. Certain untouchables are Ron Porter and Rudy Kuechenberg. J.D. Armstrong might be vulnerable. He was deactivated before Wednesday night’s game.

The arrival of McNulty is just more good news during a happy week for the Fire. Chicago rallied during the final three minutes, marching 80 yards in nine plays, to defeat Philadelphia.

That kept them one notch behind unbeaten Birmingham in the WFL Central Division. The Americans are 6-0 and Chicago 5-1. They’ll meet on Thurday, Aug. 29. in Soldier Field, then again two weeks later in Birmingham.

Until Wednesday, Chicago hadn't had a runner go past 1OO yards in any game. Then Pinder and Kellar both did it. Pinder scored twice and Kellar once, increasing his scoring total to a WFL leading 71 points.

“ We didn’t fold. We stuck with the running game all night,” said offensive tackle Steve Wright. He helped clean the route for Pinder's second touchdown and said Cyril “made all the difference."

“He made some fantastic runs (47 and 39-yard long gainers). Cyril’s got the age and experience,” Wright said.

Pinder’s been hobbled with muscle pulls this season and came down with the flu last week when he gained just eight yards during Chicago’s loss to Florida. He’d been a forgotten man with just 183 yards before Wednesday.

But Wright insisted Pinder has been a man behind-the-scenes and instrumental in Kellar's early season success.

“Mark’s a kid just building up his confidence. He’s got Cyril who can show him what to do.” said Wright.

“He can ask, ‘What do I do in this situation?’ Cyril’s been around long enough to explain it and help him.”

THE FIRE LOG — Joe Womack’s three pass interceptions gives him six all season and ought to lead the WFL when new statistics are released this weekend. Womack has a slight ligament strain in his left knee. “We might put on a cast for a couple days to keep it straight,” he said. “But it's nothing serious.”