
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 3, 1993                   TAG: 9309030191
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

KIRBY SET TO PLAY 2ND FIDDLE

Terry Kirby has had a good training camp with the Miami Dolphins, but not good enough to win him the starting job.

The Dolphins named running back Mark Higgs as the starter for their regular-season opener Sunday against Indianapolis. Kirby, a rookie from the University of Virginia, will be the backup and third-down specialist.

"Starting is no big deal," said Don Shula, the Dolphins' coach. "I'll get them both in the ballgame. Hopefully, they'll complement each other."

Kirby, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound third-round draft choice, had an excelled in the preseason. He led Miami in rushing with 169 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns. He was second in receiving with nine catches for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Higgs, a two-year starter averaging more than 900 yards rushing per season, became annoyed in training camp when the Florida media labeled Kirby a potential starter.

"Every year they are always looking for someone bigger, faster, stronger, or whatever to replace me," Higgs said. "I never get to sleep easy. It keeps my competitive edge, but it also gets kind of old."

With the signing of holdout Bobby Humphrey on Tuesday, the Dolphins backfield has suddenly become crowded. Humphrey, who led the team in receptions with 54 last year, has a two-week roster exemption.

Keywords:
FOOTBALL

by CNB