New Names Among The No-names

"We don't have any dumb football players on this team," adds Charlie Babb, who intercepted three passes against Oakland as Anderson's replacement at strong safety. "We're all heady players. It will take a while to get coordinated, but my perception of the situation is that although we always may be no-names, we'll soon be as good as ever."

The Dolphins' six most recent quarters indicate that Babb's "soon" may be right now. Miami followed its loss to Oakland with a dismal first half against the Patriots. Trailing 14-0 at the start of the third period, the Dolphins abruptly turned the game around, shutting New England out in the second half while scoring two touchdowns and three field goals.

That pattern continued at Green Bay. On Miami's first series, Nottingham, who had three TDs and 102 yards, scored from the 11-yard line. After the ensuing kickoff, the Packers began a march of their own, pushing into Miami territory as Quarterback John Hadl completed three consecutive passes against the Dolphins' seemingly confused defense. Then, despite an off-sides penalty that allowed the Packer drive to continue just when Miami seemed to have it stopped, the Dolphins stiffened and forced Green Bay to attempt a field goal that missed. The Packers did not threaten again until they put together a meaningless fourth-quarter drive for their touchdown.

By that time the Dolphins had the game firmly in hand. Morris, who rolled up 125 yards rushing, joined Nottingham in giving Miami a balanced running attack, and Griese broke out of his slump with a 7 for 13, 133-yard passing performance. Two of his completions allowed the Dolphins to break the game open in the second quarter. His 23-yard toss to Moore set up a one-yard touchdown run by Nottingham. Then he threw the ball 44 yards to Solomon, who gathered it in and raced the remaining 14 to the end zone.

Miami's offense amassed 414 yards and its defense held Green Bay to 227. Those are the sort of figures that the No-Name, pre-WFL Dolphins used to thrive on. To be sure, last week's good numbers were attained against a poor Packer team, but they were accumulated in such impressive fashion that the old Dolphin lightning could soon be electrifying Miami again.