QUICK KICKS

* NOW THIS IS WHAT WE CALL PRESSURE: It’s not enough that Scott Mitchell, a former eighth-round pick from Utah, must replace Dan Marino for the Miami Dolphins beginning Sunday night against Indianapolis. He must also deal with history.

The last time a Dolphin quarterback was injured so seriously was in 1972, when Bob Griese suffered a broken leg in the fifth game of the season. Earl Morrall replaced him and, well, do the numbers “17-0” ring a bell?

* MAKE IT $200 AND WE’LL EVEN KEEP DAVE SHULA’S NAME OUT OF IT: Said guard Ken Moyer of the Cincinnati Bengals, as he walked past reporters in the parking lot of the team’s practice facility recently: “OK, a hundred bucks to anybody who writes a positive story this week.”

* TRIVIA TIME: Who are Ben Coates, Greg McMurtry, Vincent Brisby and Kevin Turner?

* RUMOR CONTROL: Spies claimed to have spotted Bobby Ross, San Diego Charger coach, at Clemson during the third week of September, the Chargers’ first bye week.

Radio shows there were soon abuzz with reports that Ross, who has left the pro game for the college ranks before, was interested in returning to his beloved Atlantic Coast Conference and becoming the coach at Clemson as soon as the university gets around to firing Ken Hatfield.

Charger officials said this week that Ross did not leave town during the bye week, and Ross denied interest in anything but saving the Chargers’ season.

“There is no truth to it,” Ross said. “I have not talked to anyone about Clemson. I have no interest in it. I’m happy here. This is where I want to be.”

* STIRRING IT UP: With Jim McMahon of the Minnesota Vikings returning to Soldier Field on Monday night for the first time since his glory days with the Chicago Bears, former Bear Dan Hampton wanted to roll out the red carpet.

“He really never had a commitment except to the fact that Jim McMahon had to be healthy for whatever team,” Hampton told reporters. “I think that’s why he has bounced around. It doesn’t take long for anybody to figure out that Jim McMahon is pretty much out for Jim McMahon.”

* ADD MCMAHON: Bear fans who boo hometown quarterback Jim Harbaugh while cheering McMahon should note: Harbaugh’s quarterback rating is 79.9. McMahon’s is 71.7.

In five games, the McMahon-led offense has scored five touchdowns.

* TRIVIA ANSWER: The men who have caught touchdown passes for the New England Patriots this year.