Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 14, 1992 TAG: 9201140026
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
'SKINS' VETS ARE SUPER MOTIVATED
Who knows whether Super Bowl XXVI will be one for the ages? Chances are, however, it will be one for the aged.There are several reasons the Washington Redskins won't be Buffaloed in the Metrodome 12 days from now. One is talent. Another is experience.
Sure, the Bills came within a Scott Norwood foot or so of winning Super Bowl XXV a year ago. That experience in the Super trappings is important. There is a certain urgency to the Redskins' return to the NFL's block-and-tackle party, however.
Eighteen of the 47 Redskins have played in a Super Bowl, and this will be the fourth - and perhaps the last - for six of the Washington monuments on which coach Joe Gibbs has built the club's foundation.
"One thing keeps coming to mind," said linebacker Monte Coleman, whose 13th season has been one of his best. "I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to do this again."
Don Warren, Art Monk, Joe Jacoby, Russ Grimm and Jeff Bostic could have said those words, too, after Washington's NFC championship crunching of Detroit on Sunday at RFK Stadium. Some did. However, it isn't Super Bowls past that have added up to the Redskins' success this season. It is experience, period.
"I've never had a team that took as much responsibility for itself," Gibbs said. "I think that's the single biggest thing about this season that made it special, that they took it upon themselves to get to where we are. They said they wanted to have a [players' only] meeting. I said, `Hey, have it.' "
The Redskins started those motivational sessions late last season. Then, before this year's opener, the veterans decided a revival was in order. It's the vets' version of Saturday Night Live, and the next one is scheduled Jan. 25, less than 24 hours before a 6:15 p.m. Super kickoff.
"This year, I think it made a difference," Gibbs said. "We had a lot to do. We hadn't been very good in preseason. We were 1-3, we didn't look very good at all and I was upset about a lot of things. They said they wanted to have the meetings again. I don't know what was said, or what is said, but the leadership is definitely there.
"I think they're self-motivated. I don't know if they take pride in it or not, but it's there. I think they like the coaches, but most of them are studying and worrying and working all of the time because they want to."
Washington has 31 players with at least five years in the NFL. Some never have been to a Super Bowl, like running backs Earnest Byner, whose career has been dog-eared at his two AFC title-game fumbles for the Cleveland Browns, and Gerald Riggs, who has more touchdowns this season (15) than minutes. Their talent and ability to survive and prosper in their particular roles has given them a different urgency and appreciation about this Super date.
"I think this is the most talented team we've ever had here, as far as depth at every position," said Bostic, the center who has started all 18 Washington playoff games for Gibbs. "We have quality at all positions really. It's hard to find a glaring weakness on our team.
"I think what Joe tries to do is pick, first, tough, and secondly, intelligent football players. Then, it's pretty basic. Offensively, set up the pass with the run. Defensively, stop the run. Have hard-nosed special teams. And, the thing that always makes something good is the people at the head of it. The coaching staff has done an impressive job getting things together."
However, being complimentary can get you nowhere in the NFL. Being complementary, as the Redskins have been this season, can make for a Super experience.