Byner Beats Out Hoard, Will Start

Earnest Byner is poised to become the answer to this future trivia question: Who was the first player to carry the football for the Baltimore Ravens?

Byner, a veteran of 179 games spanning 12 seasons, will start at running back Sunday when the Ravens launch their inaugural season at home against the Oakland Raiders.

Byner began the preseason as the backup to Leroy Hoard. But Byner gained a team-high 122 yards in four exhibition games, averaging 6.8 yards on 18 carries, while Hoard managed only 90 yards in 41 attempts.

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Bruce Smith, angry about slow progress being made with renegotiating his contract, considered walking out on the Buffalo Bills, but his agent, Leigh Steinberg, advised against it.

Smith is scheduled to be paid $2.2 million the next two years.

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Keith Byars will start for the Miami Dolphins at tight end, Coach Jimmy Johnson said. . . . Joe Robbie Stadium, the 9-year-old home of the Miami Dolphins named for the team’s former owner, will be renamed Pro Player Park in a $20 million agreement.