Does the Browns’ Back Have Hoop Dreams?

Times NFL writer Steve Springer poses--and answers--the burning questions for this week’s games:

Question: Since coming over from the Miami Dolphins, running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar has struggled with the Cleveland Browns. In his last two games, Abdul-Jabbar has carried the ball 25 times for only 64 yards without a touchdown. What’s the problem?

Answer: Perhaps the Dolphins tricked the Browns, sending them Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the basketball player. If that proves to be the case, Karim the football player will have no alternative but to sue Kareem the basketball player for infringing on his opportunity to make a living.

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Q: The NFL is a copycat league. As soon as one system proves successful, everybody else emulates it. What’s the league’s next big trend?

A: The success of the St. Louis Rams, already NFC West division winners under 63-year-old Coach Dick Vermeil, will prompt other teams to hire senior coaches as well. Chuck Knox, Hank Stram and Sid Gillman, stay by your phones.

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Q: Instant replay seems to be working. Why are people complaining now about the few minutes it takes to get the calls right?

A: The only people who complain about the length of football games are sportswriters on deadline, sideline security personnel with cold feet at December games and the producers of KABC’s “Monday Night Live,” who keep inviting big-name guests to appear on their program after “Monday Night Football,” only to have the long games preempt most of their show.

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Q: The original idea was to have replay available to determine if fumbles were made, balls were caught or touchdowns were scored. But in a recent game, a coach successfully challenged where an official had spotted the ball. Is everything now open to challenge?

A: Yes. In the near future, look for a coach to demand a replay of the pregame coin toss, claiming that the falling coin hit the official’s foot before hitting the ground.

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Q: The Oakland Raiders lost to the Tennessee Titans, 21-14, Thursday night to all but drop out of the playoff race. Are the Raiders hurt by a lack of support in Oakland?

A: Raider guard Steve Wisniewski maintains that he and his teammates depend on the faith they have in themselves.

“We aren’t in a political campaign here,” he said.

Good thing. If the Raiders’ future in Oakland were put to a vote, Al Davis could order the moving vans right now.