Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 22, 1995 TAG: 9507240051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: Medium
Defensive tackle Bobby Wilson, the club's No.1 draft pick in 1991, was taken from the Frostburg State University practice field prone on a motorized cart Friday morning.
Wilson suffered an apparent back injury during a pass-rushing drill a little more than 11/2 hours into the workout. Bubba Tyer, the Redskins' trainer, said Wilson suffered pain in the left side of his lower back and his left buttocks.
``It's similar to what he had before,'' Tyer said, referring to a 1993 injury. ``He has a lot of pain.''
Wilson was to be flown to Washington for further evaluation Friday and will be out indefinitely. Wilson was listed on the depth chart as the backup to Marc Boutte at left tackle.
Wilson hasn't played a full season since his rookie year. He was out for much of last season with a thumb injury.
BROOKS OUT: The running back work Friday went to starter Brian Mitchell, backup Terry Allen and rookie Larry Jones of Miami (Fla.). On the sideline was Reggie Brooks, who is hoping to challenge Mitchell.
``It's very frustrating, but mentally, I'm trying not to let it deter me,'' said Brooks, who pulled his right hamstring in Wednesday's final precamp voluntary workout at Redskin Park in Ashburn, Va.
Brooks, who rushed for 1,063 yards as a rookie in 1993, had 297 yards in 100 carries last season. Of those, 92 came in a victory at New Orleans. He also had a 5-for-5 day (rushes-yards) in a loss to Dallas, with two fumbles.
It isn't the Notre Dame alumnus' first injury. At minicamp in April, Brooks injured his left knee and later underwent arthroscopic surgery. He pulled the right hamstring during the early days of training camp last year.
``This is in a different spot,'' Brooks said Friday. ``I'm taking it day-to-day, and I'm riding a bike and stretching. I'm not going to try and come back too soon.''
Also sidelined after his left knee was 'scoped 10 days ago is running back Tyrone Rush.
JOE SMOKED: The Redskins' morning scrimmaging included a couple of runs by third-string fullback Joe Frazier. After he was hit and the whistle blew, the defenders began the Howard Cosell-like chant: ``Down goes Frazier ... Down goes Frazier.''
It also didn't take coach Norv Turner long to send a message to his team. When he wasn't satisfied with the scrimmaging after 45 minutes of practice, Turner turned red-faced and began yelling.
FLOWER POWER: Among the ``Welcome Redskins'' signs in this town of 8,100 is this marquee wish from Harvey's florist and Greenhouse on Main Street:
``Redskins: Have a Bloomin' Good Time Here.''
REVISION: Apparently, Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke has lowered his expectations for the Turner Era.
When the former Dallas offensive coordinator was named Washington's head coach in February 1993, Cooke said he was predicting a .500 record the first year, a playoff spot in the next, followed by a Super Bowl appearance the third.
After a 3-13 season in 1994, Cooke said this week he's looking for a 9-7 finish in 1995.
MOVES: The Redskins' first cut in camp was fullback Ernie Thompson, who missed Thursday's mandatory dinner and team meeting because of what the club called ``transportation problems.'' Replacing Thompson on the roster was rookie back Dan Esposito, from Millersville (Pa.) University, who had been cut June 16. ... The club also signed offensive lineman Lewis Age, a Southwestern Louisiana alumnus who spent the summer with Barcelona in the World League.
CAMPING OUT: Friday's morning workout felt like a welcome mat to the Redskins. It was cloudy with temperatures in the low 70s. ``There always seems to be a breeze here,'' cornerback Darrell Green said of the western Maryland mountains. ... A first-day practice visitor was Virginia Tech defensive assistant Todd Grantham, a friend of 'Skins defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz. ... The Redskins' new radio network flagship station, WJFK in Washington, announced Frank Herzog, Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff had signed contracts to return as the broadcast voices. ... The absence of top draft pick Michael Westbrook gave Leslie Shepherd an opportunity at split end, and he had a most impressive practice day with several diving catches. Shepherd, cut by Pittsburgh before last season despite a big preseason game against Washington, was on the 'Skins' practice squad in '94.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB