ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608190146
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: NFL PRESEASON
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
The San Francisco 49ers believe they have answered their questions at running by acquiring Terry Kirby from Miami.
The former University of Virginia standout, the odd man out in a deep Dolphins backfield, was exchanged for a 1997 draft pick contingent on his performance with the Niners. It will be a fourth-round pick that could turn into a No.3 if Kirby plays 65 percent of the offensive downs.
Interestingly, Kirby's stock dropped. San Francisco offered the Dolphins their first-round pick (No.30 overall) for Kirby on draft day in 1995. The Dolphins declined.
Kirby was unavailable for comment and presumably en route to Jacksonville, Fla., where the Niners play the Jaguars tonight.
The Dolphins could spare Kirby because of a logjam at running back. The Dolphins have four other players at the position - starter Irving Spikes, rookies Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Jerris McPhail and Bernie Parmalee.
The Niners, on the other hand, had a shortage of backs. Derek Loville started last year and caught 87 passes, but he averaged just 7.6 yards per catch and 3.1 yards per rush.
The 49ers added Johnny Johnson during the off-season, but he hasn't played since 1994, and he has missed practice since July 19 because of a nagging back injury. He likely will be released.
In other NFL news:
LIONS MOVE? The Lions are close to reaching a deal with Detroit to return to the city in a stadium that would be built next to the planned new stadium for baseball's Tigers, according to today's Detroit News.
``I think we're going to get this thing done,'' the source, who did not want to be identified, told the newspaper.
``There's an attitude that's very positive. I don't see anything that could stop us, with the attitude we've got.''
Officials with the Pontiac (Mich.) Silverdome, where the Lions have played since 1975, announced this past week they no longer would make offers to accommodate the Lions beyond the current contract, which expires in 2004.
The source told The Detroit News the Lions do not intend to break their lease. The source said the Lions would either offer to buy out their lease or stay at the Silverdome until it runs out.
FALCONS: Former Virginia wide receiver Demetrius Allen was among 16 players released by Atlanta. The cuts bring Atlanta's roster to 61, one shy of the limit all NFL teams must meet by Tuesday.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. A glut of running backs in Miami forced the trade ofby CNBTerry Kirby, who starred at the University of Virginia.|