Seahawk Notebook -- `Babygate' One Of Many Troubles For '93 Oilers

KIRKLAND - Houston defensive end Sean Jones describes his team's season as "one mess after another."

The Oilers (3-4) have made national headlines for Coach Jack Pardee's job insecurity, squabbles between defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and the offensive staff, and most recently for "Babygate."

That was when tackle David Williams stayed in Houston rather than join the team in New England after his wife gave birth to their first child the day before the game.

Should the Oilers have arranged a private jet for Williams?

"Some organizations would have probably done that," Jones said in a telephone interview. "Anyone that thought the Oilers would do that is stupid and dumb."

Most Oilers think Williams did the right thing by staying with his wife until the birth, Jones said, but "99.4 percent would have tried to make the football game."

The Oilers have 29 players (13 starters) whose contracts expire after this season. Owner Bud Adams Jr. has said the salary cap will force him to dismantle the team next year so it better win big this year.

Jones said Adams' remark was "an idiotic statement" and was interpreted by many players as showing a lack of allegiance.

"There is no feeling the owner is behind you," he said. "He just gave us an ultimatum. It didn't need to be said, but it's no excuse for the way we played early in the season."

Jones, a former Los Angeles Raider, will face Seahawk tackle Ray Roberts Sunday in Houston. His assessment of Roberts:

"He uses his hands very well, in other words he holds. He's playing a lot better than last year."

NOTES

-- The Seahawks aren't a big draw in Houston. About 12,000 tickets remain for Sunday's game, which will be shown live in Seattle at 10 a.m. on Channel 5.

-- Patrick Hunter pleaded innocent this week in Bellevue District Court to charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence of alcohol. A non-jury trial has been set for Jan. 7. Hunter was arrested in the parking lot of a Bellevue restaurant and nightclub Aug. 31 after, police say, the car he was driving bumped into a Fire Department aid car while Hunter was trying to leave.

-- Rick Tuten and Natu Tuatagaloa were elected team representatives to the NFL Players Association yesterday. Executive Director Gene Upshaw and Western director Dave Meggysey conducted what one player described as informational meeting with the entire squad.