Kevin Mack

Every day Cleveland fullback Kevin Mack suits up now is a day he cherishes. Practicing, going to meetings, playing the games - Mack used to take those things for granted. They seemed routine, matter-of-fact. Not anymore. Today, Mack is happy just to be back with the Browns, preparing for tomorrow's 12:30 p.m. AFC playoff game against Buffalo at Cleveland Stadium (Channel 3 or 57, depending on Mummers parade coverage). As Mack said yesterday, "I wasn't sure I'd ever get this chance.

Seattle Seahawks coach Chuck Knox benched quarterback Dave Krieg yesterday, announcing that Kelly Stouffer would start Sunday against the New York Giants in an attempt to "energize" a stagnant offense. The Seahawks (4-6) have not scored more than 24 points in a game this season, and the offense has scored only two touchdowns in the last three games. "We are starting Kelly Stouffer because we have been floundering on offense," Knox said. "We hope Kelly can energize our offense, make some plays and not hurt us. He's a fresh guy with a little different look.

Fullback Kevin Mack was released from prison yesterday after serving one month of a six-month term on a drug charge, but it was unclear when he would return to the Cleveland Browns. Judge Richard J. McMonagle of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court granted Mack shock probation, or release after a short period of incarceration, in the belief that further imprisonment would serve no valid purpose. Mack, 27, began a two-year probation, effective immediately, and must meet several requirements that include regular testing for drug abuse.

Cleveland Browns fullback Kevin Mack, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, yesterday was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty on Aug. 30 to using cocaine. Judge Richard McMonagle of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court sentenced Mack to the Mansfield Reformatory, a facility southwest of Cleveland for first-time offenders younger than 30. Mack must spend at least 30 days in jail before he can apply for probation. Under Ohio law, he must report to the prison by Friday.

Running back Kevin Mack of the Cleveland Browns pleaded guilty yesterday to using cocaine, in a plea bargain that included the dismissal of three related charges. With a series of one-word responses, Mack, who was arrested on June 28 in Cleveland, said he understood that the plea could result in a sentence of up to 18 months in prison. Judge Richard J. McMonagle of Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court said he would sentence Mack after receiving a probation and drug-use report.

All three quarterbacks battling for the Chicago Bears' starting job directed touchdown drives last night, but Mike Tomczak had the best statistics in a 28-20 exhibition victory over the Miami Dolphins at Miami. The game was the preseason opener for both teams. Tomczak, who started five games last season, completed 7 of 8 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Jim McMahon did nearly as well, connecting on 4 of 6 passes for 47 yards and directing an 84-yard touchdown drive in his only appearance.

In a case of deja vu rivaling the marital history of Zsa Zsa Gabor, the Oilers today will square off against the Browns in Cleveland Municipal Stadium, that creaking, crumbling, rust-eaten structure that saw these 10-6 teams do battle only six days ago. Their regular-season finale - the first time the Oilers played a 1988 game on a grass field - ended in a 28-23 Cleveland victory led by Don Strock, the 38-year-old quarterback who brought his...

The Green Bay Packers cut their third placekicker of the year yesterday when they released Dean Dorsey, who had started the season as a $60,000 bonus baby of the Eagles. Dorsey, who missed an extra point Sunday in Green Bay's 18-6 victory over Minnesota, was 1 of 3 on field goals and 3 of 4 on extra points. He was released after only three games. The other cut placekickers were Max Zendejas and Dale Dawson, another former Eagle. The Packers gave a tryout yesterday to Willie Beecher, a former Utah State player who kicked for the Miami Dolphins' strike-replacement team last season.

That Eagles cornerback Eric Allen would come out of some game with his scorch marks still warm probably should have been expected long before yesterday's wretched 19-3 loss to the Browns. Allen, after all, is not only a 22-year-old rookie but also an athlete assigned to one of the most impossible defensive positions in football. At cornerback, it is Allen's lot to match a pass receiver's every action with reaction - or suffer the agonizing, wide-open embarrassment of getting beaten on a play that invariably produces a long gain or a touchdown.

At Cleveland's Municipal Stadium today, the Eagles will be trying to roll on, while the Browns will be hoping to hold on. Both teams sport 3-3 records going into this afternoon's game (Channel 10, 1 o'clock), but their situations are dramatically different. The Eagles are on a two-game winning streak and, coming off an emotional victory over the New York Giants, will be trying to hit high gear. The Browns, on the other hand, will be trying to make do again without injured quarterback Bernie Kosar, who has been missing since suffering an elbow injury in their opener.