Amazing story: Call `em crazy, call `em wacky, call `em revolutionary, but the Dolphins decided to try something different Sunday: They ran with the football-sort of. In beating the Colts with an offense that featured rookie back Sammie Smith, the Dolphins gained more yards rushing (159) than passing
(149) in a nonstrike game for the first time since 1985.
”I`ve been talking about that for the last two or three years, and we haven`t done it,” said coach Don Shula. ”With Sammie, we just have to give him a chance to show what he can do.”
Smith (123 yards) began the day with only 240 yards rushing and a one-game high of 50. The Dolphins were ranked next-to-last in the NFL in rushing.
”A game like today is what I`ve wanted to do all year, because I know once we show we can run the ball and get confidence in it, it makes it easier to do it,” Smith said.
– Where am I?: Referee Howard Roe drew some boos just before halftime of Sunday`s Giants-Cardinals game in Tempe, Ariz. With time running down, Cardinals quarterback Gary Hogeboom signaled for a timeout with 10 seconds to go. Roe blew his whistle, waved his arms, turned on his microphone and announced to the crowd of 46,588-the Cardinals` best of the year at home-”
Time out, St. Louis.”
– Same old grind: Raiders running back Bo Jackson, playing his fourth game since the baseball season ended, gained 159 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns, one a 92-yarder, against the Bengals. ”Today was just another day at the office,” he said.
– Milestones: The Vikings` Rich Karlis equaled former St. Louis Cardinal Jim Bakken`s 22-year-old NFL record of seven field goals in one game. . . . When Detroit`s Jimmy Williams intercepted Oilers quarterback Warren Moon in the fourth quarter it ended Moon`s string of attempts without an interception at 100.
– They said it: Vikings linebacker Mike Merriweather after blocking Dale Hatcher`s punt for the winning safety in Minnesota`s 23-21 overtime win over the Rams: ”I thought I blew the touchdown and it was their ball. I kind of had to fight back some tears. But (teammate Al) Noga told me it was a safety and the tears just rolled back into my head. All I know is to hit the guy on the other team. I don`t know all the rules.” . . . Coach Jimmy Johnson on the Cowboys` awful start: ”I can`t stand losing, either. I know there are a lot of people who are smiling and said `I told you so.` Well, that`s their problem.”
– Key injuries: The Cardinals win this category hands, legs, shoulders and ankles down. Phoenix lost six more players to injuries-including Pro Bowlers J.T. Smith, Luis Sharpe and Ron Wolfley. Receiver Smith sprained his left ankle, offensive tackle Sharpe sprained his right knee and special teams captain Wolfley pulled a groin muscle. DE David Galloway (pulled right calf muscle), RB Tony Baker (right ankle sprain) and RB Tony Jordan (bruised left shoulder) were Phoenix`s other injuries. Twelve Cardinal starters have gone down since the season started Sept. 10. Also: Bengals QB Boomer Esiason
(bruised lung), RB Eric Ball (bruised hip), RB James Brooks (bruised ribs);
Patriots CB Raymond Clayborn (thigh); Browns S Thane Gash (neck); and Eagles WR Gregg Garrity (fractured clavicle, out for season).
