THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 23, 1996 TAG: 9607230386
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: 75 lines
The Washington Redskins started their first full week of training camp in just about the worst way possible - with another morning rainstorm and a pair or minor, but irritating, injuries.
Second-year receiver Michael Westbrook, counted on to be the team's primary passing weapon this season, left the field early in practice after spraining his back when he slipped on wet grass trying to get off the line of scrimmage. He had hoped to participate in the afternoon workout at Frostburg State University, but field conditions led team officials to play it safe.
``He got too far out in front of himself and his back foot slipped out from under him,'' coach Norv Turner said. ``It's not serious, but we need him out here practicing.''
``I was in my stance and the ground gave way,'' Westbrook said. ``My back's real tight right now. I don't think this would have happened if the ground would have been dry.''
And rookie running back Stephen Davis has a mildly sprained left medial collateral ligament courtesy of Saturday's scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Davis said he got hurt when he was knocked off his feet by a Steelers linebacker while running a pass pattern across the middle. The knee began to swell on the bus ride back to Frostburg, then worsened Monday morning.
Davis may be held out of today's practice session with the Steelers, but trainer Bubba Tyer said there's a good chance Davis will see time later this week in Miami during three days of practice against the Dolphins.
WHAT, NO PIZZA? The Redskins will fly to Florida following a light Wednesday morning practice. It will mark the first time new Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson and former assistant Turner have been on the same field since the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVIII.
Turner last spoke with Johnson at the NFL coaches meeting last offseason in Dallas. Someone jokingly asked if Johnson had invited the other 28 coaches to his home for a party.
``You don't know Jimmy very well,'' Turner replied. ``His idea of a party is to have someone go get a jar of salsa and a bag of chips around 11, after you've spent the whole night breaking down films.''
Also in on the Johnson reunion is Redskin Eddie Murray. He was the kicker on Johnson's last Dallas club. He said Johnson had a simple philosophy on place-kicking.
``Just make everything we expect you to make,'' Murray said, smiling. ``Frankly, I didn't mind. No one could put more pressure on himself than I do, no one feels worse when I miss than I do, and no one can make me feel worse about missing than I can.
``The thing about Jimmy that made me enjoy playing for him is that he and the staff felt that special-teams play was a great way to win ballgames.''
SHOTGUN: If the competition at center between John Gesek and Cory Raymer comes down to snapping the ball in the shotgun formation, Gesek has nothing to worry about.
Raymer, the second-year pro from Wisconsin, performed the task horribly Monday. In the morning practice, he floated three snaps over the heads of Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte. A peeved Turner mentioned that Raymer should be handling the job better, as the shotgun has been in the Redskins's playbook since minicamp.
When Raymer flew another snap over Frerotte's head during the afternoon session, Turner started to yell something over to him, then pulled him aside for a brief heart-to-heart conversation.
GUS'S DAY: Frerotte clearly had a better day of practice Monday than Shuler. He seemed to handle the wet ball better, throw more crisp, accurate passes, though he did misss a wide-open Tydus Winans on a bomb attempt. He also hit rookie Deandre Maxwell in stride with a long touchdown pass. Shuler, on the other hand, threw a couple of interceptions in the morning.
``This is a long process,'' Shuler said of finding the team's starter this season. ``I'd hate to think that an interception or two on a day like today would determine which of us wins the job.''
JUST STOPPED BY: Norfolk State coach Darnell Moore and his staff were guests at practice Monday. They're heading to the Philadelphia Eagles' camp today, then down to Westminister, Md., to see the Baltimore Ravens and ex-Spartans receiver James Roe later this week. by CNB