Three weeks ago, the Miami Dolphins entrusted a 5-1 record and two-game division lead to backup quarterback Ray Lucas. They had just lost starter Jay Fiedler for a month to a broken right thumb. Lucas, a seven-year pro, seemed a worthy short-term replacement.
Which goes to prove how fragile success in the NFL can be, even for teams that feel they have adequate depth at the game's most important position.
Two losses (with a bye in-between) and 10 turnovers later, the Dolphins are hanging onto first place in the AFC East by their fingertips. Lucas, who went 6-3 with the New York Jets in 1999 after Vinny Testaverde tore an Achilles' tendon, looks more like the wide receiver/special teamer he was when he entered the league.
With six interceptions and two fumbles, Lucas is personally responsible for eight of the team's 10 turnovers in its last two games. He has completed just 48.6 percent of his passes and his throwing shoulder was hurt last Monday night in Green Bay, to boot.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are in virtual panic mode as they face the Jets tonight. Despite denials by coach Dave Wannstedt, it appears they made an informal inquiry last week to retired Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman about a possible return to the field.
Because of their quarterback crisis, the Dolphins are 2 1/2 -point underdogs against the Jets, a team they beat, 30-3, on Sept. 22.
If Lucas has another horrid game, Dolphins offensive coordinator Norv Turner, a former coordinator with the Cowboys, might call Aikman himself. It's very unlikely Aikman would return just for a cameo role, however. The only other option Miami has is untested Sage Rosenfels, acquired last summer from the Washington Redskins.
Fiedler won't return before Week 12 at the earliest and, more likely, will come back Dec. 1 in Week 13. The Dolphins could have played their way out of the playoffs by then.
That raises this question: Who knew Fiedler was that valuable to the Dolphins?
Running still wins
Despite the preoccupation with passing this season, there is further evidence the surest road to victory is over ground, not through the air. It came with a series of run-inspired wins in Week 9.
The New England Patriots went back to the run to restore their offense and possibly salvage their season. St. Louis, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Tennessee and the New York Giants all got big run contributions in their wins.
Nineteen teams had more dropbacks (passes plus sacks) than rushes last week. They went 5-14. The nine teams that had more rushes went 9-0. On top of that, teams that had more than 30 rushes went 11-1.
That's not to suggest that running the ball guarantees a win. What it suggests is the ability to control the game with the run significantly enhances your chances to win.
No more Slash
Both coach Bill Cowher and quarterback Kordell Stewart were emphatic with their response to an ESPN report the Pittsburgh Steelers planned to use Stewart in his "Slash" role again. No way.
"Don't believe everything you hear," Cowher said.
"I play quarterback," Stewart said. "Those days are over. As far as doing gadget plays, I'm a quarterback on this football team. When an opportunity comes to play that position, I'll go out and play. Other than that, I'll be sitting back and watching and just trying to help Tommy [Maddox]."
Starks makes a stand
Cornerback Duane Starks had 20 interceptions in four seasons with the Ravens. Until last week, he caught only grief with the Arizona Cardinals.
Starks, who signed a free-agent contract worth $23 million with the Cardinals last offseason, had 12 tackles, two breakups and an interception in a 27-14 loss to the St. Louis Rams. He played a key role in limiting Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt to four combined catches.
"This is the type of game they signed me up for," said Starks, who missed four games with neck and groin injuries. "It's a bittersweet feeling, though. It felt good finally to be able to do everything again, and to show the people out here that I can play. But we lost the game. That's what really matters."
Audibles
The New Orleans Saints have scored 256 points in eight games, second highest in the league and more than 13 previous Saints teams scored in an entire season. ... The Packers have an NFL-best 7-1 record despite losing 12 starters for a total of 30 games so far. "That would be a death penalty for some teams," Packers tackle Earl Dotson said. ... The Indianapolis Colts offense has more turnovers (18) than touchdowns (17), and quarterback Peyton Manning is only 10th in the AFC passer ratings. ... Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, who had surgery for a severe case of turf toe on his left foot, now has the same condition in his right foot. ... NFC teams swept four interconference games against the AFC last week to take a 16-12 lead in the series this year. ... Backup quarterbacks are 17-26 this season, but that includes Pittsburgh's Maddox (4-1) and Detroit's Joey Harrington (3-3), who are full-fledged starters at this point. St. Louis' Marc Bulger is 3-0.
Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper is responsible for 19 of the Vikings' league-high 24 turnovers with 14 interceptions and five lost fumbles. The Giants, who play the Vikings today, have the fewest takeaways in the league (eight) and haven't intercepted a pass in five games. ... When Colts wide-out Qadry Ismail (31 catches, 308 yards) complained last week that Manning is throwing the ball too much to Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison (69 catches, 835 yards), he got no sympathy from coach Tony Dungy. "Marvin is playing well and getting open," Dungy said. ... Denver coach Mike Shanahan is 12-2 against the Oakland Raiders since they fired him. ... Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb will be the first quarterback in NFL history to run for a touchdown in five consecutive games if he reaches the end zone against the Colts.
The last word
When the Patriots meet the Chicago Bears in Champaign, Ill., today, they'll play on a version of new artificial turf that's similar to the surface in their own practice bubble. Left guard Mike Compton is not a fan of fake grass.
"You can fix up her hair and paint her face, but if she's ugly, she's ugly," he said. "Turf is turf. I'd rather play on grass."
Compiled from interviews, wires services and reports from other newspapers.