Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 22, 1995 TAG: 9507240036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: Medium
``This is nice here,'' said Green, the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback who suddenly finds himself the oldest Washington Redskin. ``I don't miss Carlisle, [Pa.]. What you never forget, though, are the people. I made some good friends there.''
At the end of the Redskins' first Frostburg State University workout Friday morning, Green was referring to townspeople in the club's former camp location. He could have been talking about old teammates, too.
On the Redskins' 82-man roster - including top draft picks Michael Westbrook and Cory Raymer, still unsigned - 66 have been acquired since Norv Turner was named Washington's coach 17 months ago.
The unfamiliar faces aren't just among the fans who flocked to Washington's new summer home. After players in street clothes penned autographs for fans, inquiring media were asking fans who did the signing.
Yes, the roster is younger. The average Redskin's age when Turner took over from the fired Richie Petitbon was 29.4 years. Now, it's 26.4.
Is it better?
It appears to be. There's no question Washington helped itself defensively in the off-season with free-agent signings at linebacker and safety.
However, if the Redskins are superior to the expansion Carolina Panthers - who have more experience and name performers - it isn't by more than a field goal.
``I saw a difference today,'' Green said. ``We had guys on defense who took control and weren't afraid to do that, guys like [former Dallas safety] James Washington and [former Seattle middle linebacker] Rod Stephens.
``They're new here, but it was their huddle when we were out there. You see that in summer school like we just had, but when you put the pads on, that's when you can really tell who's a pro.''
One of those isn't here. Linebacker Monte Coleman is unsigned, and won't be by Washington, after 16 seasons and 216 games - the most in Redskins history. He is expected to announce his retirement one day soon.
Coleman played for four Washington head coaches. Most of the current Redskins remember the Joe Gibbs era only from watching those glory teams on TV.
Of the 24 players who began this camp as depth-chart starters (including specialists), 10 are different faces from the final RFK Stadium appearance in December.
Offensively, the Redskins begin camp for the third time in four years with prominent - and needed - offensive personnel as holdouts. As if the unit didn't have more question marks than answers anyway.
In 1992, it was Desmond Howard. Last season, it was quarterback Heath Shuler. Now, it's Westbrook, an expected starter at wide receiver with Henry Ellard, and Raymer, the backup center.
Each of those rookies was rated No.1 at his position before the April draft. The Redskins need them at positions where talent and depth are thin.
For example, while the Miami Dolphins have a receiving corps of Irving Fryar, O.J. McDuffie, Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders and Kirby Dar Dar, the Redskins have Ellard, Westbrook, Tydus Winans, Leslie Shepherd, Olanda Truitt and Bobby Olive.
Washington no longer has the Hogs, but is stronger along the offensive line than it has been in years. The backups, however, are Joe Patton, Vernice Smith and four rookies.
Then, there is what's behind center. Washington's four quarterbacks have a combined three seasons on NFL rosters, the youngest unit in the NFL by far. The only veteran QB in camp is Sonny Jurgensen, and the team's radio analyst is 61 and smoking cigars, not secondaries.
The Redskins believe they have a fighting chance at improvement, however, and not just because Joe Frazier - a rookie fullback from Auburn - is in camp.
They point to the improvements on defense. They point to their last five losses in 1994, by a total of 15 points, and seven by 21 points, a margin by which only four other NFL teams lost so many games.
They point to the '93 New England Patriots, who went from 5-11 (including seven losses by 20 points) to last year's playoffs. They point to the six times they lost in '94 after leading in the fourth quarter.
They point to Shuler's late-season improvement. They also know they can't be as bad as last year's 3-13, although Green believes the 4-12 the previous year was worse.
``At least we start off 0-0,'' Green said after a practice in which the Redskins were scrimmaging after less than 45 minutes. ``You have to be positive.
``If you have no hope, if you have no vision, if you have no dreams, then really, you have no chance. The only pressure here is establishing a new history.''
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by CNB