DAVIE, Fla. -- Dan Marino's most vocal critic had little to say on the subject Monday.

	Dan Marino and the Dolphins got a break Sunday, when this play was ruled an incomplete pass and not a fumble.

Jimmy Johnson stepped to the microphones for his weekly news conference and offered a five-minute opening statement on the Miami Dolphins' 34-31 victory Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts. But those comments included no reference to Marino's 393-yard passing performance or his heroics that produced 25 points in the fourth quarter.

And when Johnson was asked about reports that he met last week with Marino and threatened to bench him, the coach cut off the question as he made a brisk exit.

"I am so sick of some of these ..." he said, not finishing the sentence. "Enough, OK? Enough."

So it's probably safe to conclude that Sunday's thrilling victory failed to repair the rift that developed last week when Johnson criticized Marino following a 23-18 loss to Buffalo. The strain will likely remain as the Dolphins (3-1) prepare for Sunday's game at New England (4-1) in another AFC East showdown.

There was no criticism Monday of the quarterback by the coach, but there was scant praise. In his opening comments, Johnson said running back Cecil Collins, center Tim Ruddy, cornerback Sam Madison and linebacker Zach Thomas played well. The rest of the defense, the special teams and tackle Brent Smith did not.

When asked about Marino, Johnson said: "Dan played fantastic in the fourth quarter. Obviously when you score 25 points, it's about as good as you can get."

In fact, Marino responded to last week's controversy with one of the greatest performances in his 17-year career. Johnson has denied that his criticism was an attempt to motivate Marino, but that was the result.

	Dan Marino Quarterback Miami Dolphins Profile
	1999 SEASON STATISTICS COMP ATT YDS TD INT RAT 83 140 1080 6 4 86.0

In the final period alone, Marino was 12-for-17 for 176 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 27 seconds left.

"Dan doesn't quit," Collins said. "He doesn't have too many years left to play, so he doesn't take losses too well."

The victory was reminiscent of many during Marino's career. The running game stalled and the defense struggled, but the quarterback went 25-for-38. The 393-yard performance was his most productive in four seasons under Johnson.

After being accused last week of making poor decisions and becoming flustered by pass rushers, Marino didn't commit a turnover. He was knocked down at least 10 times but wasn't sacked. As a formidable footnote, he closed to within seven yards of 60,000, an NFL record certain to stand for many years.

Marino didn't speak with reporters Monday. When asked Sunday about his gallant performance in the face of criticism, he said: "I couldn't care less. You guys can write what you want. ...

"We played our guts out. A lot of people came up big in tough situations."

Marino most of all. For now, at least, he has silenced his harshest critic.