PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Marinovich Had Seen This Before

For Todd Marinovich, it was a distant replay.

When Marinovich, the Raider quarterback, left the field after being injured during the first quarter Sunday against the New York Giants, it brought back memories of a similar moment in his USC career.

It was Marinovich’s third game during his first season as the Trojan quarterback, an afternoon game against Ohio State. Marinovich left the field early in that game after a wrist injury.

At that point, his hold on the USC starting job was not secure. And it seemed to become even less secure when backup quarterback Shane Foley went in and threw a touchdown pass against Ohio State.

When the Trojans regained possession of the ball, Coach Larry Smith asked Marinovich if he could go back in.

Marinovich said he was OK.

Not true. His wrist was aching.

Nevertheless, Marinovich returned to throw four touchdown passes, including an 87-yard play to John Jackson, longest in USC history, to answer any lingering doubts about his ability to be the Trojan quarterback.

Last Sunday was Marinovich’s third game this season as the Raider starter. He left the field, first with a badly bleeding finger and a bruised forearm, and later after he had the wind knocked out of him.

He was coming off a shaky performance against the Kansas City Chiefs a week earlier.

Enter Jay Schroeder, the man Marinovich had replaced.

Schroeder completed an 18-yard pass to Willie Gault on his first attempt.

But Marinovich, his forearm still sore, went back in and led the Raiders to a 13-10 victory, teaming with Tim Brown on a 68-yard scoring play, longest of Marinovich’s short pro career.

Marinovich wound up leading the Trojans to the Rose Bowl that season, site of this year’s Super Bowl.