ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 28, 1996 TAG: 9610290016
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
In a city so caught up in numbers and trends - not to mention a pro football team - there is a new subject for the pundits to boot around on the talk shows.
The previous five times the Washington Redskins started a season with a 7-1 record or better, they've played for the NFL championship.
With a seventh straight victory Sunday, the rejuvenated franchise accomplished something so many said it hadn't yet done in its last season in RFK Stadium.
With a convincing 31-16 triumph over Indianapolis, the Redskins beat not only a contender, but a team that was one prayer pass from playing in last season's Super Bowl.
The Colts play like their nickname. Led by their frisky - if battered - quarterback, Jim Harbaugh, they just keep on kicking.
Told after the victory that Indianapolis (5-3) was the kind of team Washington would likely face in the first round of the playoffs, Redskins veteran cornerback Darrell Green did what he does best.
He played defense.
``The season is measured by 16 games,'' said Green, pointing out the Redskins are only halfway home. ``It's not over. The worst thing we could do now is ever, ever, to think in that fashion.''
The Redskins are giddy about their reversal of fortune. With Sunday's impressive effort, they topped last season's victory total. They equaled the number of wins in the awful 1993 and '94 seasons, combined.
``We remember those things,'' Green said. ``I know the feeling of winning, and I know the feeling of losing, and that last one's not a good feeling.
``Seven wins doesn't guarantee us anything. Eight, nine or 10 might not. People say we hadn't beaten any quality teams. Last year, people were saying that with us on the other side. I'm sure some people were saying about other teams, `You only beat the Redskins.'''
Hold the disclaimers.
``They're the beat team we've played, by far,'' said Harbaugh, who has pinballed the Colts to wins over Dallas and Miami and an overtime loss at Buffalo.
Washington controlled the Colts in as entertaining a contest as the old stadium has seen in years.
Redskins quarterback Gus Frerotte had his best NFL game. Most of his incompletions were drops. His 18 completions were spread among eight receivers, including veteran Henry Ellard, who tied Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner for fifth on the all-time NFL receptions list at 750.
There wasn't a turnover to be eaten until the fourth quarter, and Harbaugh seemed to be everywhere. His teammate, defensive lineman Richard Dent, however, wasn't.
One of the game's all-time sack artists left late in the first quarter, ejected after he punched Washington's Scott Galbraith on a conversion kick after the Redskins' first touchdown.
While he was leaving the field, Dent raised a finger to the taunting crowd. It wasn't his thumb.
VMI alumnus Mark Stock also made his offensive debut for the Colts. The receiver caught a 13-yard pass from Harbaugh to set up an Indy field goal just before halftime - his first reception since his NFL rookie season, seven years ago. He also returned five kickoffs.
Stock is a resident of nearby Vienna, Va., but the day belonged to the other locals, especially Frerotte and running back Terry Allen, who rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
Washington still must visit Buffalo next week, go to Philadelphia - the Redskins' only conqueror - and play Dallas twice and entertain San Francisco. However, it also has a very winnable pair with Arizona and a date with Tampa Bay.
It was less than two months ago that some of the same folks who had RFK literally rocking like the glory days were discussing that Turner's next loss would be his 25th as the Redskins' coach, and the former Dallas offensive coordinator would be the fastest to such a low for the franchise.
However, the 'Skins haven't slipped since. In 1940, '42, '72, '82 (the strike-shortened season) and '91, Washington started the season at least as good as 7-1. Each of those teams played for the championship.
One spectator among the 226th consecutive sellout crowd at RFK raised a sign that wondered, ``15 and 1, why not?''
Green, who was heading to dinner, didn't dare consider that hopeful homemade query food for thought.
``We're 7-1,'' Green said. ``We're happy to be that. Like they say, though, you don't eat the biscuits before they're done.''
LENGTH: Medium: 86 linesby CNB