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Monday Is Off Day for Prototypes

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Last week, as the Orlando Renegades prepared for the New Jersey Generals, Coach Lee Corso said: “Reggie Collier, if he continues to improve, could become the prototype of all future quarterbacks in the National Football League and the United States Football League in the late 1980s.

“The prototype for quarterbacks is a man with quick feet, with the ability to elude the rush and dump the ball off to his second and third receivers.”

Corso added: “With Collier at quarterback, we are capable of beating every team in the league on any given Sunday, Saturday, Thursday or Friday.”

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For some reason, Corso left out Monday.

On Monday night, of course, the Renegades lost to the Generals, 24-7. Collier completed 16 of 28 passes for 213 yards and had three intercepted. He rushed twice for five yards. He left in the fourth quarter with a back injury.

A given night it wasn’t.

What is it with Houston and free throws? Two years ago, when Akeem Olajuwon was playing for the Houston Cougars, they missed 10 out of 19 free throws and were upset by North Carolina State in the NCAA title game, 54-52.

Now, Olajuwon plays for the Houston Rockets, who missed 15 of 30 Sunday night and got bounced out of the playoffs by the Utah Jazz, 104-97.

Both times, Thurl Bailey was a factor in comeback wins. He was the leading scorer for North Carolina State with 15 points in that ’83 game, and he was the leader of the Utah resurgence with 20 points, 15 in the fourth quarter.

Said pitcher John Montefusco after Billy Martin had been named to replace Yogi Berra as manager of the New York Yankees: “We’re all here for one thing and that’s to win, no matter who’s the manager. Each individual has to do his own job. I hope the change does change things.”

It didn’t. With the score tied, 5-5, in the eighth inning Monday night at Texas, Montefusco gave up a two-run homer to Larry Parrish and the Yankees lost, 7-5.

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Like-father-like-son dept.: Said Mike Shula, University of Alabama quarterback and son of Miami Dolphin Coach Don Shula, when asked about his performance in the Crimson Tide spring practice game: “I really won’t know until we see the film.”

Honest.

Even though he was found not guilty on a soliciting charge, Edwin Moses told Juan Williams of the Washington Post that several firms suddenly stopped discussing endorsement deals.

He named Coca-Cola, General Electric, IBM, AT&T;, 7-Eleven and major German and Japanese electronics firms.

He also said his legal fees came to $100,000.

Yes, he’s bitter.

“With black athletes, they’re always looking for a slip-up,” he said. “How many excuses have they made for white athletes like Steve Howe. A black athlete doesn’t get any chances.”

He added: “I’m not a cry-baby about race, but you can’t deny the problem exists. I don’t need the endorsements. I’ll make it the old-fashioned way. I’ll earn it without the commercials and endorsements.”

Would-you-believe-it dept.: No black jockey has ridden in the Kentucky Derby since Jess Conley in 1911, but black jockeys were aboard 15 of the first 27 Derby winners. The old-time black jockeys were the stable-hands of rich white landowners.

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Quotebook

Tony Kornheiser of the Washington Post, on Billy Martin: “I trust you are all familiar with that commercial in which Billy says, ‘I didn’t punch no doggie.’ I believe him. I think he shot the doggie.”

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