Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

INSIDE THE NFL

The Buzz

by Peter King

Posted: Wed December 3, 1997

1. BOBBYBALL—Three weeks ago Eagles quarterback Bobby Hoying took over a stumbling 4-6 team. Since then, he has completed 60% of his attempts, passed for 278 yards per game and thrown six touchdown passes and only one interception. The Eagles are 2-0-1. "A real star is born," Ricky Watters said after a 44-42 win over the Bengals.

2. THE RICEMAN COMETH—A little more than three months after knee surgery that would have sidelined mere mortals for 10 months, Jerry Rice is expected to return to practice this week. "He'll definitely play again this year," says 49ers president Carmen Policy.

3. LAWRENCE WHO?—Lawrence Phillips was good for 66.6 yards per game before he was released by the Rams on Nov. 20. His surrogates, Jerald Moore and Amp Lee, ravaged the Redskins for 226 yards in a 23-20 win.

4. THIS IS NOT A MISPRINT—The Falcons went 4-1 in November. They won at Seattle without getting a first down in the second half. Atlanta is 5-8. The Raiders are 4-9. Is this a weird league.

5. WHAT HORSESHOE?—The Colts lost 20-17 at New England. "It's like living a nightmare that never ends," Indianapolis coach Lindy Infante said afterward. The Colts (1-12) have lost by two to the Bills and the Steelers, by three to the Bills, the Bucs and the Patriots, by four to the Jets and by six to the Dolphins.

Issue date: December 8, 1997