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No strength Marino has bone spur; Huard may make first start
Posted: Tuesday October 19, 1999 03:49 AM
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Dan Marino is still complaining about a pain in the neck, and he doesn't mean coach Jimmy Johnson. Marino's availability this week is in doubt because of a bone spur in his lower neck discovered Monday. Backup quarterback Damon Huard will likely make his first NFL start Sunday for the Miami Dolphins against the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson said. The timing of the switch at quarterback is ironic because Johnson threatened two weeks ago to bench Marino. The future Hall of Famer went to the sideline in the first quarter Sunday at New England, but only because shoulder spasms hindered the velocity and distance of his passes. Huard rallied the Dolphins to a 31-30 victory, boosting them ahead of the Patriots into first place in the AFC East at 4-1. The win left Johnson in a buoyant mood Monday, in sharp contrast to last week after his feud with Marino erupted. "I don't want to stir up anything," Johnson said. "But for anybody that would listen -- and I don't think the media listen sometimes -- Damon is an outstanding quarterback who will win a lot of games in this league. I've said that for the past two years, and no one has noticed." Huard, 26, is a third-year pro who had thrown just nine passes in the NFL before Sunday. He overcame a Miami-record nine sacks against New England, completing 24 of 42 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 23 seconds left. Marino, 38, underwent an extensive examination Monday, including an MRI and a C-T scan, and team physician Dr. John Uribe found a small bone spur on the right side of the lower neck. Uribe said the spur is the apparent source of spasms and muscle weakness between the neck and shoulder that began bothering Marino last week. The bone spur won't require surgery after the season, the Dolphins said. Marino, who has started 49 consecutive games since undergoing ankle surgery in 1996, received an epidural injection and will continue taking anti-inflammatory medication. He'll sit out practice until at least Thursday and may try to throw then. Players had Monday off and were unavailable for comment. "In all probability Damon will start against Philadelphia," Johnson said. "We'll just have to see what Dan can do. There's not a lot of pain, but he doesn't have any strength throwing the ball." Johnson denied that a quarterback controversy is brewing and said Marino remains No. 1. But Marino won't return to the lineup until he's 100 percent, Johnson said. "Dan is going to want to play even if he's got no arms," Johnson said. "That doesn't mean he's the right one to win games with." Johnson was delighted by the increased mobility Huard gave Miami. He out-rushed the Patriots, gaining 54 yards on the ground, and scrambled several times before making big completions. The Patriots blitzed relentlessly, and Johnson blamed their nine sacks on Huard's inexperience and injuries in the offensive line. The Dolphins will add some rollouts to the game plan if Huard starts Sunday. "We've got to get out of the pocket," Johnson said. "When they don't know where you're going to be standing, it makes it difficult to blitz. "If they have it covered and the protection breaks down, Damon will scramble. Doug Flutie has made a living on this thing. He's not Flutie, because he throws the ball a lot better than Flutie." And how does Johnson compare Huard and Marino? Stay tuned.
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