Angry Marino Remains Sore, But Expects To Play On Sunday

A bruised hip and three consecutive losses have left Dan Marino sore.

Surrounded at his locker Wednesday by 20 reporters and cameramen, Marino grimaced, glared and gritted his teeth while answering questions about his likely return to the lineup Sunday against Buffalo.

“I’m upset with the fact we’re 4-3,” Marino said. “I really believe we’re a team that should be 7-0.”

Miami was 4-0 when Marino hurt his hip and tore cartilage in his right knee Oct. 8 against Indianapolis. The Dolphins lost that game, which Marino finished, and the next two, which he missed.

Marino practiced Wednesday for the first time since being hurt. He looked rusty and is listed as questionable for the game against Buffalo (5-2), but he expects to play.

The level of Marino’s anger isn’t measured in what he said. It was what he didn’t say and how he didn’t say it. One reporter asked him if he was concerned about playing behind a line that allowed backup Bernie Kosar to be harassed into three sacks, three interceptions and a fumble.

Marino flashed a look at the reporter as if to say, what the hell kind of question is that? He then paused and said, “Next question.”

Wyman fine tripled

In what is believed to be an unprecedented move, the NFL announced that the $4,000 fine Denver linebacker Dave Wyman incurred for his Oct. 16 forearm shot to the throat of Oakland quarterback Jeff Hostetler has been tripled to $12,000.

NFL director of football operations Gene Washington issued the initial fine after reviewing the officials’ report, since neither ABC-TV nor NFL Films had exact footage of the play. That enraged Hostetler, who sent Washington the Raiders’ more definitive game film to review.

In addition, Washington handed down fines of $5,000 each to Raiders cornerback James Trapp and Broncos receivers Anthony Miller and Mike Pritchard. The three skirmished during the brawl-filled game.

Hostetler missed the Raiders’ 30-17 win over Indianapolis last Sunday as a result of Wyman’s cheap shot. He practiced Wednesday and expects to play in Oakland’s next game - Nov. 5 against Cincinnati.

Esiason progresses slowly

Trying to hasten his recovery from the concussion that has sidelined him for two games, Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason has worked with what doctors say is an innovative, unproved form of biofeedback therapy.

He has already had two half-hour sessions in which he wears electrodes on his head and sits in front of a computer, which has a series of lines that he tries, mentally, to position.

The Jets have ordered the electronic device.

“He may be able to play Sunday, but I have not cleared him for anything,” said the team’s specialist in internal medicine, Dr. Elliot Pellman, who is chairman of the NFL’s subcommittee on brain injury.

Steelers sign brawler

Two days after Joel Steed was suspended for using steroids, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed a replacement nose tackle who went through alcohol rehabilitation.

Bill Johnson, a former Cleveland Browns starter waived last summer following a barroom fight and two drunken-driving convictions in 14 months, may play as early as Sunday.

Quarterback upset

Vinny Testaverde said the “the situation stinks” on the Cleveland Browns following his recent benching by coach Bill Belichick.