We Appreciate Wofford's Efforts On Behalf Of Wildlife Protection 
On Behalf Of The 2.1 Million Members And Constituents Of The Humane Society Of 
The United States (hsus), I Would Like To Express Our Sincere Gratitude To 
Sen. Harris Wofford, D-pennsylvania, Who Is Leaving The United States Senate.

Candlelight Shines For Aids Victims 
Interfaith Prayer Vigil Capping Aids Awareness 
Week Shows Community's `healing Power.'

By PAUL SOKOLOSKI; Times Leader Sports Writer
 Tuesday, December 06, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





PHILADELPHIA -- There were about 20 yards separating Jeff Sydner from the
end zone and a rousing Philadelphia cheer when a second-year punter out of
East Carolina somehow got in the way. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And instead of crossing the goal line with the possible winning score,
Sydner was caught by a couple of Cowboys in hot pursuit at the Dallas 12-yard
line. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This played big when, three plays later, Dallas safety Darren Woodson
intercepted a Randall Cunningham pass and returned it 94 yards for the
touchdown that put Dallas' 31-19 victory away. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "You look up and it's just the punter to beat," Sydner said. "You make a
move and lose some steps ..." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And suddenly, all the momentum is gone. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Dixon Edwards and Brock Marion caught Sydner from behind after he was
slowed by Cowboys punter John Jett, who admittedly wasn't about to try being a
hero on the punt return. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm not going to be cocky about it," Jett said. "I was just trying to get
in his way. I was trying to fake him, too." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It worked. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Instead of a 61-yard touchdown off a punt return and a 25-24 lead that
surely would have made Veterans Stadium wild and delirious, the Eagles had a
dynamic 49-yard punt return and, with Woodson's interception three plays
later, nothing more. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "By the time that we got done celebrating," Sydner said, "things got turned
around so fast it was just a shock." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It mirrored the sudden change of Philadelphia's fortunes this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Eagles were once a powerful 7-2 team this season, owning a 40-8 victory
over the mighty San Francisco 49ers and trailing 8-1 Dallas by just a game in
the NFC East. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They talked of Sunday's showdown back then with anxious expectation, hoping
it would be for the divisional title. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Riding a four-game losing streak and a 7-6 record, Philadelphia isn't even
certain of making the playoffs now. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We still have three games," Eagles center David Alexander said. "If we can
get to 10-6, that will get us in the playoffs." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If we can pull those out, we can go into the playoffs with some momentum,"
wide receiver Fred Barnett said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Nobody's counting on that. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Red-hot Pittsburgh, at 10-3 the only AFC team to clinch a playoff spot,
awaits Philadelphia at Three Rivers Stadium this Sunday. Then the Eagles come
home Dec. 18 to play the New York Giants, who already beat Philadelphia in the
season opener and upset Cleveland for their second straight win Sunday. And
the Eagles will finish their regular season Dec. 24 at Cincinnati, which has
been rejuvenated behind new quarterback Jeff Blake. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Philadelphia joins Detroit as 7-6 teams leading the race for three wild
card playoff spots, but another loss would drop the Eagles into a battle with
the Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons for two
of three playoff spots. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Suddenly, Eagles fans are asking, "What happened?" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We're 7-6 and we lost four in a row. That's what happened," Eagles coach
Rich Kotite snapped. "I think the most important thing is that we played
better this week than we've played the past three weeks. And you have to build
on that." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That may not be enough to save the coach's job. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An outpouring of disenchantment hung around Veterans Stadium this week, in
the form of signs screaming for a new head coach. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Goodbye, Kotite," one read. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Seeya Richie," shouted another. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Very hostile," Kotite said. "I didn't really pay much attention to it. Of
course I see signs. But I've seen signs for four years." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, new Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie wasn't around for the first three
of those years. And he didn't exactly sound like a Kotite-backer in the Eagles
locker room following the disappointing Dallas loss. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There has been a lot of speculation by the media," Lurie said, "which may
or may not be true. First, let me say that we have a coach who is under
contract, not only through this year, but for next year also." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Word swirling around Philadelphia newspapers says Lurie would eat that
contract in a second if he could land former Cowboys' coach Jimmy Johnson, and
that only a Super Bowl appearance this year could save Kotite's job. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This talk, of course, has intensified during Philadelphia's four-game
losing streak, which brought team morale to a low when Cunn

Eagles' Momentum Vanishes Fast