Jim Kelly

Booed, embarrassed and besieged, Jim Kelly was well past denial, running smack up against resignation, when he faced a large media contingent Sunday in the bowels of Buffalo's Rich Stadium.What the Buffalo Bills quarterback said shocked reporters more than the intentional grounding penalty he drew on the goal line in the game's final minutes, or the interception he threw shortly after that.What Kelly said was, if he doesn't get the job done, he should be replaced by Todd Collins."I'm man enough to realize if you can't get it done, no matter what the position, it's time to move on to something else," he said.

1934 THE SHAPE OF THE FOOTBALL WAS CHANGED, MAKING IT EASIER TO THROW 1935 - 1945 GREEN BAY'S DON HUTSON PLAYED 11 SEASONS AND BECAME THE LEAGUE'S FIRST GREAT RECEIVER. WHEN HE RETIRED AFTER THE 1945 SEASON, HE HELD 18 NFL RECORDS. HIS MARK FOR TDRECEPTIONS (99) STOOD FOR FOUR DECADES. 1945 WASHINGTON'S SAMMY BAUGH SET THE RECORD FOR HIGHEST SINGLE-SEASON COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (.703). CINCINNATI'S KEN ANDERSON BROKE THE RECORD IN 1982 (.706) LATE 1950's THE RUN-AND-SHOOT OFFENSE WAS CREATED BY AN OHIO HIGH SCHOOL COACH, GLENN ELLISON.

SkyBox does NFL with The Impact Series, a 350-card set. Backs have color action photos, stats and an X-and-O diagrams showing the player's position. Look for a bonus card with Magic Johnson and Jim Kelly, of which 500 have been autographed. Cards come in 12- and 24-card packs.

Lightning rod for misfortune?Or mere victim of bad timing?For all the good things Jim Harbaugh has done on the football field, the newest quarterback of the Ravens is perhaps best known for two bizarre incidents off it.In 1992, he was verbally undressed on the sideline by Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka after throwing a critical interception that turned a game, if not an era.In 1997, with the Indianapolis Colts in the throes of a seven-game losing streak, he...

Reich feels left out in arms raceLOS ANGELES -- Buffalo Bills quarterback Frank Reich won't complain about playing behind starter Jim Kelly, but he does take exception to the "big arm" mind-set in the NFL."I don't have a rocket arm like a Jim Kelly or a John Elway," said Reich, who played at Maryland. "And I think that, deep down, more than anything, that's the thing that's a little unfair."I've always thought there's more to being a quarterback than having a big arm. I also think that teams always look for their starting quarterback to have a big arm. . . . I have a very average arm, but I think there are other strengths and intangibles that go into being a quarterback that I feel I can bring to the table.

Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda said he plans to talk with former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly next week about the possibility of returning to the NFL in a Baltimore uniform.Marchibroda, back in Baltimore after he and his staff coached the North squad in Saturday's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., has watched tape of Kelly during 1996, his final season with the Bills.Kelly, who will turn 38 next month, retired after that season, the worst of his 11-year run in Buffalo. His passing rating (73.2)

What: NFC-AFC Pro Bowl.When: 8 p.m.Where: Aloha Stadium, HonoluluRadio: WBAL (1090 AM), WTOP (1500 AM)TV: ESPNQuarterbacks: Jim Kelly of the Bills and Warren Moon of the Oilers for the AFC. Randall Cunningham of the Eagles and Jim Everett of the Rams for the NFC.Coaches: Art Shell and his Raiders staff for the AFC. George Seifert and his 49ers staff for the NFC.Last year: NFC, 27-21.Payoff: Players on the winning team receive $10,000 each. Losing team gets $5,000 per man.Well-represented: The AFC champion Bills have 10 players in the game -- most of any team.

Buffalo Bills (13-5) vs. Miami Dolphins (12-5)Site: Joe Robbie Stadium, MiamiTime: 12:30 p.m.TV: Channels 2, 4Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), WTEM (570 AM)Line: Bills by 2 1/2Weather: Sunny, temperature in the low 70sLast week: The Bills eliminated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-3, and the Dolphins beat the San Diego Chargers, 31-0, in divisional-round games.The series: Miami leads, 36-18-1, but Buffalo has won five of the past six. The teams split the season series this year. The Dolphins won 37-10 in Buffalo, and the Bills won 26-20 in Miami.

1934 THE SHAPE OF THE FOOTBALL WAS CHANGED, MAKING IT EASIER TO THROW 1935 - 1945 GREEN BAY'S DON HUTSON PLAYED 11 SEASONS AND BECAME THE LEAGUE'S FIRST GREAT RECEIVER. WHEN HE RETIRED AFTER THE 1945 SEASON, HE HELD 18 NFL RECORDS. HIS MARK FOR TDRECEPTIONS (99) STOOD FOR FOUR DECADES. 1945 WASHINGTON'S SAMMY BAUGH SET THE RECORD FOR HIGHEST SINGLE-SEASON COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (.703). CINCINNATI'S KEN ANDERSON BROKE THE RECORD IN 1982 (.706) LATE 1950's THE RUN-AND-SHOOT OFFENSE WAS CREATED BY AN OHIO HIGH SCHOOL COACH, GLENN ELLISON.

Numbers* Best day passing: Jim Kelly, Buffalo, 31-43-2, 6 TDs, 363 yards.* Best day rushing: Herschel Walker, Minnesota, 25 carries, 125 yards.* Best day receiving: Jerry Rice, San Francisco, 9 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs.* Longest touchdown passing: Steve Young, San Francisco, 70 yards to Jerry Rice.* Longest touchdown rushing: Gary Anderson, Tampa Bay, 64 yards.* Longest field goal: 52 yards, Greg Davis, Phoenix.PD * Most field goals: 4, Tony Zendejas, L.A. Rams; Davis, Phoenix.300-yard passers5,meas* Jim Kelly, Buffalo, 363 yards.

While Ravens officials were preparing to open serious talks with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the signing of backup Rob Johnson as the team's franchise quarterback, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly indicated yesterday that he has decided to come out of retirement and play for the Ravens.The stage is set for one of the team's biggest decisions since it moved to Baltimore two years ago and probably will create more in-fighting in the Ravens' front office over the team's future leader.

The agent for Jim Kelly said that the former Buffalo Bills quarterback would come out of retirement only to play for Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda, and added that Kelly could set up a workout in Baltimore soon.Dan Kelly, Kelly's brother and agent, said he expects to speak with Ravens vice president of player personnel Ozzie Newsome later this week at the NFL scouting combine, which will take place Thursday through Monday at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis."We may know something more in the next few days.

One day after saying goodbye to troubled running back Bam Morris, the Ravens shook up their offensive backfield further by announcing that 14-year veteran back Earnest Byner will not play here in 1998, and that quarterback Jim Kelly will be named the starter if he decides to end his one-year retirement by playing in Baltimore.Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda has been studying film of Kelly's final season in 1996 with the Buffalo Bills, where Marchibroda worked with Kelly from 1987-1991 as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda said he plans to talk with former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly next week about the possibility of returning to the NFL in a Baltimore uniform.Marchibroda, back in Baltimore after he and his staff coached the North squad in Saturday's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., has watched tape of Kelly during 1996, his final season with the Bills.Kelly, who will turn 38 next month, retired after that season, the worst of his 11-year run in Buffalo. His passing rating (73.2)

The Ravens are taking a two-pronged approach to their top off-season priority: Coach Ted Marchibroda is expected to have preliminary talks with former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly in two to three weeks, and owner Art Modell is exploring trade options in the draft to select a franchise quarterback -- Tennessee's Peyton Manning or Washington State's Ryan Leaf.There is internal debate about whether Kelly, who will be 38 in February, is the answer for the Ravens.Meanwhile, Modell said yesterday that he has spoken with Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian about trading for their No. 1 overall pick in the April draft, and he will speak with Arizona Cardinals officials soon.

The most significant game played in the NFL in the past decade matched -- believe it or not -- a 3-12 team against a 7-8 team in the 1988 season finale.That's when the Green Bay Packers went to Sun Devil Stadium with a 3-12 record to play the Arizona Cardinals.If the Packers had lost, they would have gotten the first pick in the draft and selected Troy Aikman in 1989.Instead, they upset the Cardinals, 26-17, and got the second pick. They bypassed those Sanders guys -- Barry and Deion -- to take Tony Mandarich, one of the biggest busts of the decade.

The agent for Jim Kelly said that the former Buffalo Bills quarterback would come out of retirement only to play for Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda, and added that Kelly could set up a workout in Baltimore soon.Dan Kelly, Kelly's brother and agent, said he expects to speak with Ravens vice president of player personnel Ozzie Newsome later this week at the NFL scouting combine, which will take place Thursday through Monday at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis."We may know something more in the next few days.

The Ravens are taking a two-pronged approach to their top off-season priority: Coach Ted Marchibroda is expected to have preliminary talks with former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly in two to three weeks, and owner Art Modell is exploring trade options in the draft to select a franchise quarterback -- Tennessee's Peyton Manning or Washington State's Ryan Leaf.There is internal debate about whether Kelly, who will be 38 in February, is the answer for the Ravens.Meanwhile, Modell said yesterday that he has spoken with Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Polian about trading for their No. 1 overall pick in the April draft, and he will speak with Arizona Cardinals officials soon.

Although two successful starts in no way make a season, rookie safety Ralph Staten has given the Ravens an intriguing glimpse into the future.After stepping in to replace injured veteran Stevon Moore at strong safety a week ago, there is no denying that Staten is quickly establishing a presence in the secondary.First, there were his two interceptions that stood out in last week's 31-24 victory over Seattle. Yesterday, Staten made his presence known even more with some impressive hits.Like his takedown of Eddie George late in the first half of yesterday's 21-19 victory.

Ravens quarterback Vinny Testaverde met with owner Art Modell yesterday for nearly an hour to discuss his recent benching, and left the meeting with his status for the 1998 season undetermined.Testaverde, 34, has three years left on a contract that will pay him $4 million in 1998 ($1.5 million guaranteed), $5 million in 1999 and $6 million in 2000.Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda benched Testaverde on Wednesday in favor of third-year player Eric Zeier, who sparked the team to a 31-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, throwing for 302 yards and a touchdown.