Punching Their Lights Out

When San Diego and Miami play Sunday night at Jack Murphy Stadium, it will mark the renewal of what has become a bitter series.

After the Chargers beat Miami 22-21 in a Jan. 9 playoff game, a long friendship between Dolphins coach Don Shula and San Diego GM Bobby Beathard was bruised. The relationship was strained when Miami wanted to practice at the Murph the day before the game.

When the Dolphins arrived for the practice, the gates were locked. After the Dolphins worked their way into the stadium, they were told they couldn’t practice because of a tarp over the field, and that groundskeepers had left.

When the NFL told the Chargers the Dolphins must be allowed to practice, groundskeepers suddenly appeared to remove the tarp, but Beathard was livid. “(Shula) owns the league, so he gets whatever he wants,” Beathard roared.

Some felt Beathard got revenge when the lights in Miami’s locker room went off at halftime. After making adjustments in the dark, Miami squandered a 21-6 lead.

Shula was upset when Miami’s coaches had to share a dressing room with ballboys. And stadium officials were irked when Shula, hobbled after foot surgery, drove a golf cart on the field before kickoff.

“That’s pretty dumb - he wants a good field and he puts ruts in it. Is that smart?” stadium general manager Billy Wilson groused.

Sanders cleared

The NFL and the players’ union settled Deion Sanders’ contract, allowing the star cornerback to play for the rest of the season and removing the dispute from the courts.

The Dallas Cowboys will now be charged an additional $1.6 million against their salary cap over the next four years.

But the settlement also charges the Cowboys far more under the cap - as much as $6.2 million - if it cuts Sanders in 1998, something many believed would happen.

Young practices

Steve Young says his sprained and bruised shoulder is getting better. However, he still doesn’t know if he can play Sunday.

Young rejoined the San Francisco 49ers’ practices for the first time since injuring his throwing shoulder in an Oct. 15 loss at Indianapolis. But Elvis Grbac took most of the snaps.

Rams sign Biasucci

The Rams settled on Dean Biasucci to replace rookie Steve McLaughlin, who was released Monday.

Now coach Rich Brooks has to decide whether to risk Jerome Bettis reaggravating a sprained foot yet again for Sunday’s game at New Orleans. Bettis’ backup, Leonard Russell, also is injured (turf toe).

Greg Robinson, signed as a free agent on Wednesday, could play.

Heller out

Dolphins tackle Ron Heller was placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season following arthroscopic surgery on both knees.

Charger gets refund

San Diego safety Rodney Harrison has won an appeal of a $6,000 fine that was levied for a hit on San Francisco receiver Michael Caldwell during an exhibition game.

The NFL initially said Harrison hit Caldwell with the crown of his helmet. But Harrison appealed, contending videotape showed him turning his head at the last moment to avoid a malicious hit, instead hitting Caldwell in the chest with his shoulder and forearm.