Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, December 19, 1994 TAG: 9412200042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Bah! Humbug!
Among the 14 games on the NFL's Week 16 schedule, the only one without playoff implications was Tampa Bay-Washington.
Meanwhile, the Redskins are the gift that keeps on giving.
While the Secret Service was studying spent shells at the White House, there were two spent teams down the street at RFK Stadium. The Buccaneers managed to extend their longest winning streak in 15 years - since they went 5-0 and shockingly won the NFC Central Division in 1979 - to four games with a 17-14 victory.
The Redskins (2-13) clinched the losingest season in club history, dating to the franchise's founding in 1933 in Boston. Washington clinched a worse finish than last year's 4-12, which only got coach Richie Petitbon fired.
Norv Turner is going nowhere, however, except up. Washington's first-year coach knows his team can't get any worse. The Redskins became only the sixth team in NFL history to go 0-8 at home in a season.
``I don't think there's anyone in their right mind that could have imagined that,'' Turner said.
The Redskins have lost 10 in a row at RFK. The club hasn't had such skid marks at home since the 1960 club lost the last four at old Griffith Stadium and the '61 team went 0-6 at RFK when it was known as D.C. Stadium.
What's worse is that the 'Skins became the first club outside the NFC Central to lose twice in a season to the Buccaneers (6-9). It was Washington's eighth consecutive loss, matching the 1960 team that began 1-1-2 and finished 1-9-2.
It was only three years ago the Redskins went 17-2 and won the Super Bowl. Theirs is the quickest fall from grace in the NFL's 75-year history. And it was only two seasons ago that coach Joe Gibbs walked after the aging Redskins reached round two of the playoffs.
Of Sunday's 22 Washington starters, only five started Gibbs' last home game in December 1992. Times change, but usually not so quickly.
``It's tough when you've been to Super Bowls to come down to this,'' said Mark Schlereth, a sixth-year guard.
``In every human being there's a certain amount of pride that eventually has to take over,'' said Darrell Green, the Redskins' future Hall of Fame cornerback. ``Memories are great, but you can't live off them.''
The Redskins finish their worst season Saturday at Anaheim Stadium against the Rams, who likely will be playing their last home game in the Los Angeles area. There certainly are more than a few Redskins who will be playing their last game in Washington's employ, too.
``I think we're making progress,'' Turner said.
The Redskins have lost more than a few close games this season. Their past four defeats have come by a combined 12 points. Rookie quarterback Heath Shuler certainly has improved, but there aren't enough Ken Harveys and Brian Mitchells to make the Redskins respectable.
Asked about his team's failure to convert some key third-down situations late in the game after Tampa Bay had taken the lead, Turner accurately said, ``We don't have the ability to make those plays ... yet.''
And it's not going to be a quick fix. With the NFL salary cap, the Redskins cannot afford to go out and sign several Harveys and Henry Ellards this off-season. And they need help at many spots.
The defensive line again generated no pass rush.
Washington's greatest need is a pass-rushing defensive end, followed by perhaps a tough fullback in the mold of Dallas' Daryl Johnston and, without question, a proven safety. Wide receiver is another needy position.
Add to this the whispers, growing louder, that Redskins general manager Charley Casserly is about to get the boot and it figures to be another off-season of growing pains for an oft-proud franchise.
On a day when the underrated and tough Mitchell established an NFL record for combined kick-punt return yardage in a season, it was other numbers that were discussed.
``The issue is this football team won four games last year,'' said Turner, who 11 months ago was being measured for his second Super Bowl ring as the Cowboys' offensive coordinator. ``I knew that when I took the job.
``Did I think we'd lose 13 games? No, I didn't. But if we'd won five games, do you think I'd feel any better than I do right now? No, I wouldn't.''
And off he went into the silent night, but with the Redskins, not all is calm and not all is bright.
by CNB