Mark Higgs

When people here talk about the Miami Dolphins and their failure to win a Super Bowl during the Dan Marino Era, they invariably point to two things: Problems on defense. And the lack of a running game. These concerns are as much a part of the place as rain in the late afternoon. In Sammie Smith, they had a guy who could run but often seemed to forget the football at the most unusual times.

Mark Higgs, Miami Dolphin running back, was arrested by mistake early Tuesday after deputies discovered felony warrants for a con man who had been impersonating him. Higgs was stopped for speeding on a Ft. Lauderdale freeway at 2:45 a.m. by a Broward County deputy. Checking for outstanding warrants, the deputy discovered two from 1991 for "Mark Higgs, also known as Irving Bailey," and took Higgs to the county jail, where he was booked.

Mark Higgs, Miami Dolphin running back, was arrested by mistake early Tuesday after deputies discovered felony warrants for a con man who had been impersonating him. Higgs was stopped for speeding on a Ft. Lauderdale freeway at 2:45 a.m. by a Broward County deputy. Checking for outstanding warrants, the deputy discovered two from 1991 for "Mark Higgs, also known as Irving Bailey," and took Higgs to the county jail, where he was booked.

When people here talk about the Miami Dolphins and their failure to win a Super Bowl during the Dan Marino Era, they invariably point to two things: Problems on defense. And the lack of a running game. These concerns are as much a part of the place as rain in the late afternoon. In Sammie Smith, they had a guy who could run but often seemed to forget the football at the most unusual times.

Gordie Lockbaum, the two-way player from Holy Cross, will display his versatility for pro scouts today in the Blue-Gray All-Star game. Lockbaum, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting despite playing for an NCAA Division I-AA school, and San Jose State quarterback Mike Perez, one of the nation's top passers, head the Blue team.

Ram cornerback Todd Lyght, coming off his best game as a professional last week, could be out up to three weeks after injuring his right shoulder Sunday when he tackled Miami running back Mark Higgs in the second quarter. Lyght, who returned to the sidelines in the second half wearing a sling, said he wasn't suffering a great deal of pain but had no mobility in his arm. "I guess from talking to some other people who have had this, I might be out one, two, maybe three weeks," Lyght said.

The San Francisco 49ers received good news, learning cornerback Deion Sanders' left ankle--injured in practice Wednesday--is only sprained and he might play in Sunday's game against Philadelphia at Candlestick Park. "It's pretty good, pretty good," Sanders said after watching practice Thursday while wearing a protective walking cast on his ankle. Asked if he'll play Sunday, Sanders replied, "It's not my call."

The rematch was a mismatch. The Miami Dolphins, surprised at home by the Indianapolis Colts two weeks earlier, used two touchdown passes by Dan Marino and short touchdown runs by Mark Higgs and Tony Paige Sunday to defeat the Colts, 28-0. "Everything worked," said Marino, who completed 22 of 28 passes for 245 yards, including touchdowns to Keith Jackson and Fred Banks during the first half.

The Miami Dolphins blew a 20-3 fourth-quarter lead but came back to beat the Cleveland Browns, 27-23, when Mark Higgs scored his second touchdown on a one-yard plunge with seven seconds to play. The game was Miami's first, its scheduled opener against New England having been postponed last week while the South Florida area recovered from Hurricane Andrew.

The Miami Dolphins handed running back Mark Higgs a starting job Sunday, and he showed every intention of holding onto it. Higgs replaced fumble-plagued Sammie Smith and rushed for 131 yards in 25 carries to lead the Dolphins past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 33-14. "Hopefully now I can get off the kickoff return team," Higgs said. The Dolphins (7-6) improved their chances at an AFC wild-card berth and got over the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Gordie Lockbaum, the two-way player from Holy Cross, will display his versatility for pro scouts today in the Blue-Gray All-Star game. Lockbaum, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting despite playing for an NCAA Division I-AA school, and San Jose State quarterback Mike Perez, one of the nation's top passers, head the Blue team.

Chicago 14, Atlanta 13: Feely upset after missing game-winning kick. He's a real touchy Feely. Tampa Bay 25, Baltimore 0: Redman wore high-tops to honor Unitas. His play was a tribute to Dieter Brock. Carolina 31, Detroit 7: Ancient Rodney Peete has best game in 10 years; George Blanda plans comeback. Cleveland 20, Cincinnati 7: First Tupa, now Frerotte. Who is next to receive some money from Yepremian? Dallas 21, Tenn. 13: Dave Campo says "Quincy is a competitor."