Smith Traded by Dolphins for Humphrey

Bobby Humphrey and Sammie Smith, running backs eager to forget their worst NFL seasons, are headed for new teams after the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins completed a trade Tuesday.

Humphrey played little for Denver last season after a 97-day holdout. Fumbles caused difficulty for Smith in Miami, where he was subjected by fans to profane jeering.

“Things have happened this past year, and I think it would be best for Sammie to have another opportunity,” Miami Coach Don Shula said. “Humphrey went through a similar situation in Denver, and it looks like another opportunity is what he needs.”

Both running backs are 25, former first-round draft choices and entering their fourth NFL seasons.

After fumbling at the goal line in the final minutes of a 17-13 loss to Houston last October, taunting by fans drove Smith to tears and prompted him to leave the Dolphins without permission for two days.

“Sammie is a bigger, more powerful back,” Shula said. “Bobby is more of a slashing, darting type of runner. And Bobby has been used in the pass offense more than Sammie.”