Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507260021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
One is they can't get any worse on the ground than they were last year. The 1,415 rushing yards were the fewest for Washington since 1968. Only in 1977 did Washington rush for fewer touchdowns than last year's five.
Another reason the Redskins should run more - and more successfully - is a starting offensive line that averages more than eight NFL seasons per man.
The two other reasons are Terry Allen and Larry Jones, two very different backs who have been impressive in the first few days of training camp at Frostburg State.
Brian Mitchell still is listed as the Redskins' starter at running back, but there already are hints from coach Norv Turner that he may not be a lock.
``Brian is going to be on the field a lot,'' Turner said. ``We know what he did in the special-teams stuff last year. In the last eight games, he was very productive offensively.
``We gave him the ball more, threw him the ball, so we're going to find the things he does best and try to keep him involved in as many phases as we can.''
Translated, Turner probably prefers Mitchell returning kicks and catching passes in his new three-year, $4.2 million deal. He's likely to be a third-down back.
Reggie Brooks figured to be the backup to Mitchell. He was disappointing last year, and a pulled hamstring has thwarted his camp debut.
So, Allen and Jones have grabbed the ball and run with it - literally.
Allen could become one of the NFL's great free-agent bargains this year. Cut by Minnesota after 1,031 rushing yards last season, the former Clemson star signed with the Redskins for $450,000.
Jones was the Redskins' fourth-round draft pick. While Allen has speed (5-feet-10, 207 pounds), Jones is punishing (6-feet, 244). He was an All-Big East Conference second-team choice last year at Miami - where he started only two games last season as a senior.
``I'm not going to get caught up in the hype,'' Jones said. ``I know I'm going to have my ups and downs, but I just want to be the best I can. I think I can start, eventually.''
On draft day, Jones said he predicted he would become an NFL starter. He was the MVP in the Orange Bowl as a freshman, running for a career-high 144 yards on 30 carries in the Hurricanes' victory over Nebraska. He was never more than a part-time starter afterward.
``The experience at Miami, the level of program we had, that has to help me here,'' he said. ``Physically and mentally, what I went through, on and off the field, has to help.
``You go from the Orange Bowl MVP as a freshman to not playing much. I thought I should have been picked higher in the draft, but they say things happen for a reason.''
Allen just needs to stay healthy. He's torn the anterior cruciate ligament in both knees and has come back twice for 1,000-yard seasons. A ninth-round draft pick in 1990, he is the only Vikings back in 14 years to rush for 1,000 yards.
``This is nothing but a good opportunity for me,'' Allen said. ``I'm 27. I have a lot of football left, and the thing I've noticed here is how great the attitude is. You'd never know this team was 3-13 last year. If my knees weren't all right, I wouldn't be here. I'll be playing [home games] on grass and not turf.''
Allen signed with the 'Skins in June. Among active NFC backs, only Detroit's Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith of Dallas have better yards-per-rush averages in their careers than the former Viking.
The presence of Allen and Jones puts Brooks' future in jeopardy, particularly since he is injured. Ricky Ervins was expendable in the off-season, and signed with San Francisco.
Washington also has former Georgia Tech star William Bell, who just got into camp after being sidelined with acute bronchitis. Bell and Jones are big enough to fill Turner's wish for a big fullback, too, although former 49ers backup Marc Logan and 'Skins returnee Cedric Smith are prominent at that spot.
``Jones has really impressed me,'' Turner said. ``He's got a long way to go, but he can do the physical part of running inside. He can turn a 1- or 2-yard gain into 4 yards. We need that.''
Allen's presence also gives the Redskins more options with Mitchell, whose 2,477 combined yards (rushing, receiving, returning) were a wearying club record a year ago.
``If I get 30 carries a game and stay healthy, I'd love it,'' Allen said. ``Whoever does get the job, this team is going to have a capable bunch of different backs to go to.''
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB