Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 25, 1995 TAG: 9507250062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This is supposed to be an arresting development for a team that had one of the NFL's worst defenses last season. Stanley Richard - aka ``The Sheriff'' - is one of four offseason free agents brought in by Washington as new defensive starters.
The Redskins are paying about $11 million this season - or about 30 percent of their salary cap - for their last two lines of starting defense.
To $2 million-plus Pro Bowl linebacker Ken Harvey, they've added middle man Rod Stephens (Seattle) and Marvcus Patton, who played in four Buffalo Super Bowl losses.
Returning corners Darrell Green and Tom Carter will flank new safeties Richard - who played in January's Super Bowl for San Diego - and James Washington, who led Dallas in interceptions three of the past five seasons.
``They're expecting a lot from me and from us,'' Richard said. ``There's a lot of talent on defense here now. What we have to do in camp in learn to play together.''
There's no question the Redskins' defense is more fierce, and, particularly in the secondary, louder. Washington says the reason he hasn't played in the Pro Bowl in recent seasons ``is because I'm always woofin' on the field.''
Richard, a starter for the Chargers since he was the No.9 overall pick in the 1991 draft, isn't exactly the quiet type, either.
``It's different back there now,'' said the free safety of his first days in the 'Skins' camp at Frostburg State. ``In San Diego, I was known as the guy with the most to say. I can't come close to James. But that's OK.''
Last season, Richard returned four interceptions for a total of 224 yards, second in the NFL to Deion Sanders' 303 yards on six pickoffs. However, that isn't how Richard is mostly remembered.
In the Super Bowl, Richard had a couple of crucial missed tackles, and, although it wasn't his fault, he was the Charger chasing in Jerry Rice's exhaust on one of the San Francisco first-quarter touchdowns after blown coverage.
``When people talk about that, it doesn't bother me,'' Richard said. ``It was one game. It just happened to be a very big one. It was another opportunity to play football. So is this.
``I can't take it away. As a player, I didn't play my best that day. It happens. But getting there, to that game, I possibly put myself in position to earn more somewhere else. As a businessman, it worked out.''
Richard signed a four-year contract for $7.5 million. His 1994 salary was $649,000. The Redskins don't consider that move a gamble.
``I'm only 27,'' said Richard, a former Southwest Conference player of the year at Texas. ``In four years, I'll be at the top of my game. I liked the commitment of the organization and coaches to getting this team back to where it was.''
Over his four NFL seasons, Richard ranked second among San Diego tacklers only to All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau. However, he drew attention in his first three seasons as much for the hits he didn't finish.
``Last season, what people said about me changed for the most part,'' Richard said. ``I was always known as being aggressive and exciting, but last year I was more consistent and dependable. That's important. Whatever needs to be done, I'll do it.''
The Redskins also liked Richard's durability. He's missed only three games in his four NFL seasons, none in the past two years.
As for that nickname, Richard got it at Texas, where he was a three-year starter. Shopping in an Austin store, he found an honest-to-goodness tin sheriff's star, with five points.
He bought it and started wearing it to class and practice. Now, he has a large collection of sheriff's badges, many of them sent to him by fans.
The Sheriff's role is one Richard seems to enjoy as much as Andy Griffith did.
``James and I talk a lot, and we've both played in Texas, but I can't say that's it,'' Richard said. ``It's more of how we play the game.
``Defense is supposed to be aggressive and attacking. James has accomplished a lot, and it's going to be nice to play with another safety with his talent and experience. I know we'll be talking out there.''
The Redskins haven't had such a talented safety combination on the field together since Hall of Famer Ken Houston and Mark Murphy were playing deep 15 years ago.
``Already we've seen them, whether it be James or Stanley, make plays that you look at and say, `Hey, that play is going to be a factor in a football game,''' Turner said. ``Those plays inside the 20, diving and knocking the ball down or making an interception, that's going to be the difference in winning and losing a football game.''
In a city known for its hot air, Washington and Richard just might be the right fit.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB