Quick Kicks

Call me Mr. Quality

Was that really Deion Sanders on the sidelines?

Yes, Sanders the NFL’s first two-way starter in 34 years realized he didn’t need to be on the field for every snap taken by the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday’s 27-0 victory over the New York Giants.

“I wanted to be conservative and do what’s best for my team, not for Deion Sanders,” said Sanders, who was on the field for 52 of the 110 non-kicking snaps, quite a reduction from the 108-of125 he lasted in last week’s opener against Chicago.

“It isn’t the amount of plays, it’s the quality of plays.”

Although Sanders might be among the best cornerbacks ever, he saw more action Sunday at wide receiver, the position he craves and the one Dallas is short at while Michael Irvin sits out the first five games.

Thirty-five of Sanders’ snaps were on offense, and four of the plays were designed for him. He caught all three passes thrown his way for 38 yards and a touchdown, and he gained 3 yards on a reverse.

The TD was Sanders’ first on offense since a 70-yarder against Dallas on Nov. 21, 1993, when he was splitting time between the Falcons and the Braves.

Colts about shot

The Indianapolis Colts were ravaged by injuries in their victory over the New York Jets. They saw star runner Marshall Faulk (sprained toe on right foot) and their best pass-rusher, Tony Bennett (sprained left knee) sidelined, along with six other players. Cornerback Ray Buchanan pulled a hamstring at the end of the game. Tackle Kipp Vickers sprained his right knee, while guard Jay Leeuwenburg sprained his right ankle. Linebacker Stephen Banks pulled his right groin, while backup cornerback Derrick Frazier broke his right arm and rookie linebacker Sammie Burroughs sustained leg cramps.

Another foot closer

Atlanta’s Morten Andersen moved into sole possession of third place on the NFL career field goal list with a 20-yarder in the first quarter of a loss to Minnesota.

The field goal was the 336th of his career, breaking a tie with George Blanda. Andersen now trails only Jan Stenerud and Nick Lowery.

Levy goes to the wall

In a pregame ceremony, coach Marv Levy became the 10th person to be honored on the Buffalo Bills’ Wall of Fame.

The winningest coach in Bills history, Levy has a record of 109-61-0 for his 10 years with the team. Levy’s teams have also won seven AFC Eastern Division titles and went to four straight Super Bowls in the ‘90s.

Monday night matchup

Philadelphia coach Ray Rhodes brings a mirror-image offense, similar defensive strategy, a former coach and seven Packers castoffs to Green Bay and a national television audience.

Rhodes visits Lambeau Field for the first time since he abruptly abandoned Packers coach Mike Holmgren after the 1993 season.

After winning his fifth Super Bowl ring with San Francisco in 1994, Rhodes was hired by the Eagles. His first move was to steal assistant Jon Gruden from the Packers to be his offensive coordinator.