A LOTT ON HIS MIND: FORMER DB SETS SIGHTS ON UPSHAW'S POST?

          Former 49ers DB Ronnie Lott is "strongly considering a
     run to replace" NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw, according to
     Mike Freeman of the N.Y. TIMES, who wrote that a move would
     "represent the first significant challenge Upshaw has faced,
     because Lott is held in such high esteem by many players." 
     Lott is "serious" about running "because of his rising anger
     over what he perceives to be the [NFLPA's] lack of
     dedication to non-star players."  Lott: "I think players are
     kept in the dark about issues on purpose.  That way the
     status quo is maintained.  Gene [Upshaw] and the NFL owners
     are pretty comfortable with each other."  Freeman noted that
     Lott is "clearly not a fan of Upshaw's," as he filed a suit
     against union leaders in '97 arguing that Players Inc "stole
     the idea of the Super Bowl players' party from him" and
     former NFL RB Marcus Allen (N.Y. TIMES, 1/2).