PRO FOOTBALL / PLAYOFF REPORT : NFC : Green Names Salisbury as Starter for Minnesota Throughout Playoffs

Dennis Green, coach of the Minnesota Vikings, said Sean Salisbury will be his starting quarterback in Saturday’s playoff game at Minneapolis against the Washington Redskins and in any subsequent playoff games.

“We’re starting a new phase of our season, and Sean will be our quarterback for that phase,” Green said. “We’re not saying game by game. We’re saying he’s the starting quarterback in the playoffs for us.”

Salisbury was chosen over Rich Gannon after passing for a personal-best 292 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday’s 27-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Running back Curvin Richards was released by the Dallas Cowboys the day after scoring a touchdown and losing two fumbles--one that was returned for a touchdown--in a 27-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.

“It hit the point where I had enough,” Dallas Coach Jimmy Johnson said. “Curvin has a lot of talent, but he hasn’t shown he can be depended upon.

“I want to go into the playoffs with people I can count on. I can count on Tommie Agee. I think Curvin understood. He can play in this league. My advice to him on his next stop would be to concentrate better and take a more serious approach to the game.”