Falling on the Sword

Quarterback Ray Lucas of the New York Jets, who was making his first NFL start, took the blame for a game-turning interception at the goal line in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

“Coach [Bill Parcells] is out here telling everyone that was his fault for calling that play, but that’s nonsense,” said Lucas, who will be sidelined three to four weeks after suffering an ankle injury. “I’m the last line of defense. The call came in and I should have executed it a lot better than I did. I take full responsibility for that throw.”

Curtis Martin had carried the ball on the Jets’ five previous plays, gaining 47 yards to put the ball at the three-yard line.

For nearly two decades, opponents of the Miami Dolphins have prepared for a stay-at-home passer with virtually no mobility. In 17 NFL seasons as a record-breaking passer, Dan Marino has rushed for 97 yards in 299 carries.

But when Marino was sidelined Sunday because of neck spasms, he was replaced by Damon Huard, who scrambled six times for 54 yards in a 31-30 victory over the New England Patriots.

“We weren’t quite ready for that,” Patriot Coach Pete Carroll said. “We were ready for Dan.”