Colts Can’t Wait to Get Crack at Giants’ Graham

T.J. Simers poses--and answers--the burning questions for this week’s games:

1. Question: Any words of advice for Giant quarterback Kent Graham?

Answer: Duck. The Colts have knocked out the last five quarterbacks they have faced. They took out Kansas City’s Elvis Grbac with a blow to the back, Dan Marino with a neck injury, the New York Jets’ Ray Lucas and Cincinnati’s Akili Smith with ankle injuries, and Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman with a concussion.

“That’s the attitude going into the game, to get to the quarterback and try to disrupt him,” Indianapolis linebacker Mike Peterson said.

2. Q: Can the Giants beat the Colts?

A: Not likely. They are coming off a bye and they are 2-8 in games after byes, never mind that they aren’t very good. They have lost their last three post-bye games. The Giants are also 2-6-1 in November under Coach Jim Fassel.

3. Q: Beyond the muggings, why are the Colts doing so well?

A: In the last four games, the Colts have not given up a big play in the passing game (a completion of 25 yards or more), while posting 14 of their own. For the season, the Colts have 27 completions of 25 yards or more, to eight for opponents.

4. Q: Why is Chris Miller risking further injury to his head to play for Denver?

A: Money. The Broncos gave him a two-year, $1.2-million contract, including a $30,000 signing bonus. For starting and beating the Chargers, he earned another $60,000--$50,000 for playing half of the game’s offensive plays and $10,000 for leading the team to victory. He will continue to get $60,000 a game in incentives for every game he hangs tough and wins.

5. Q: How’s “Boy George” doing in Washington?

A: New owner Dan Snyder, nicknamed after George Steinbrenner, has tried to persuade Coach Norv Turner to fire defensive coordinator Mike Nolan three times in the last four weeks. The Redskins rank last in defense, and in stopping the pass, and if Philadelphia rookie Donovan McNabb lights up the Redskin defense in his first NFL start, Nolan probably will be out.

6. Q: Can anyone on Philadelphia really hurt the Redskins on offense?

A: Duce Staley. He has had four games of 100 yards or more, and is second in the NFC in rushing with 742 yards. In his last five games, he’s averaging 4.9 yards a carry.

7. Q: Who will replace Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin in Dallas?

A: The new triplets are Jason Garrett, Chris Warren and Ernie Mills. This will be the first time in the ‘90s that none of the big three will be playing. Throw in a gimpy Deion Sanders (toe and hamstring), and Dallas has some problems.

8. Q: Who replaces Bruce Coslet in Cincinnati?

A: He has to be fired first, but when he is, according to a radio station in Detroit, it will be Gary Moeller, former Michigan head coach and current Lion assistant.