Extra Points

Traditionally, Tuesdays are an off day in the NFL. But not for 16 New York Giants. From 6 to 8:30 p.m. they're on the campus at Fairleigh Dickinson, attending classes. "We're destroying the myth of the dumb athlete," says defensive end George Martin, who helped start the back-to-school program. Martin, an art education major with his eye on an eventual M.B.A., is back in school after 11 years. "Most of us were never asked to go to class the first time around. Finally, we're pushing ourselves beyond the comfort zone."

Many of the players are enrolled in Contemporary Trends in Business. They read business periodicals, learn how to make real-estate investments and attend computer labs. Tackle Damian Johnson is taking a Fluids and Thermal Dynamics course. Kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh is taking Music Appreciation. Tight end Zeke Mowatt, laid up with a knee injury, is enrolled in Introduction to Computers. The school has put a computer in his home.

"We do homework assignments in the locker room and on planes to away games," Martin says. "I think we've got them intrigued."

The NFL draft next spring promises to be a big one, or as Gil Brandt, the Cowboys' vice-president for player development, says, "This is the year for franchise players. Like the Elway-Marino-Dickerson draft of '83." The first franchise builder will be Auburn running back Bo Jackson. Some others to build on:

?Running backs—Keith Byars, Ohio State; Rueben Mayes, Washington State; Reggie Dupard, SMU; Neal Anderson, Florida; Kenneth Davis, TCU; Ronnie Harmon, Iowa; Dalton Hilliard, LSU; Garry James, LSU.

?Offensive linemen—Jim Dombrowski, Virginia, premed with 3.1 GPA, ex-high school hockey star; Brian Jozwiak, West Virginia, 6'7", 295 pounds, runs a 4.8 40; John Rienstra, Temple; Joe Milinchik, NC State; Mike Haight, Iowa; Doug Williams, Texas A & M.

?Wide receivers—Ron Brown, Colorado; Tim McGee, Tennessee; David Williams, Illinois.

?Quarterbacks—Jim Everett, Purdue, the scouts' top QB pick in the Big Ten; Chuck Long, Iowa, some scouts not sure he can read defenses; Jack Trudeau, Illinois; Robbie Bosco, BYU, mixed reviews; Mike Norseth, Kansas ("He's my dark horse for '86," Brandt says).

?Nosetackles—Tony Casillas, Oklahoma; Mike Ruth, Boston College; Leslie O'Neal, Oklahoma State.

?Defensive ends—Tim Green, Syracuse, Rhodes scholar candidate; Kevin Fagan, Miami, back condition has scouts scared; T.J. Turner, Houston; Jon Hand, Alabama.