ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 1997 TAG: 9704160038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK THE ROANOKE TIMES
Washington, which hasn't had much luck with recent No. 1 picks, hopes to hit the jackpot Saturday, possibly with Virginia linebacker Jamie Sharper.
For years, the Washington Redskins dealt away their first-round draft picks and won three Super Bowls while doing so.
Then, it seemed they started giving them away - as in Tom Carter, Desmond Howard and Bobby Wilson, all No.1 picks in the '90s who didn't last in the nation's capital. Another recent No.1, Heath Shuler, soon may be following them.
So it is that the Redskins go into the 62nd NFL draft Saturday in a defensive mode. That's not an attitude. That's a goal.
``I think you should look at any defensive player,'' Redskins general manager Charley Casserly said when asked about the club's No.1 pick. ``That's where we need help. Ideally, in the line and at linebacker, but you should even include the secondary.''
Mel Kiper Jr., the Baltimore resident who has made it his analytical career to try and figure out who will pick whom, expects the Redskins to stay very close to home with the 17th pick in the first round Saturday.
``Their needs are on defense, and I project [Virginia linebacker] Jamie Sharper will go to the Redskins,'' Kiper said. ``They're moving Marvcus Patton to the inside, so that leaves a hole in the 4-3 for a player like Sharper. He's good at filling a void there. At the least, they're going to take someone for the front seven [on defense].''
That's where Washington needs help most. The free-agent exit of cornerback Carter to Chicago was filled when Cris Dishman arrived in the same fashion. Free-agent safety Jesse Campbell's signing fills a vacancy left by Darryl Morrison's career-ending neck injury. So drafting a secondary prospect is not as crucial.
Kiper predicts Sharper's linebacker teammate at UVa, James Farrior, as the ninth pick overall by Arizona.
As usual, the Redskins are protecting their draft strategy as if it were quarterback Gus Frerotte. Casserly said the club won't select a quarterback or running back, although a backup for veteran running back Terry Allen wouldn't seem to be out of the question. What also is possible is the Redskins trading down.
Casserly may think he can get the player he wants lower than 17th. Whenever he picks, he will do it to improve the NFL's 28th-ranked defense. If Casserly goes up front rather than take Sharper, the possibles seem to include two other ACC products - North Carolina tackle Rick Terry or Clemson end Trevor Pryce.
Another name that keeps being mentioned in the halls at Redskin Park is Notre Dame's rock of an end, Renaldo Wynn. ``He's very strong,'' Kiper said of the 288-pounder. ``He's gotten better every year at Notre Dame.''
The Redskins traded down to No.30 last year and selected Penn State offensive tackle Andre Johnson, who signed a four-year, $3.585 million contract, and wasn't ready. He didn't play a down in a 9-7 season. He also extended a string of early draft disappointments for the club.
Wide receiver Michael Westbrook, the top pick in 1995, is an exception only to an extent. He has been successful when he's been on the field, but injury and attitude have held him back. Were it not for late-round gems like No.7 Frerotte in 1994 and fifth-rounders Rich Owens (defensive end) and Jamie Asher (tight end) in '95 to go with second-round offensive lineman Tre Johnson in '94, the Redskins' recent drafts would be near disasters.
``They've done a decent job in later rounds,'' Kiper said. ``In the last two years overall, I'd grade them in the C or C+ area.''
Another possibility over the two days of the draft is a deal with New Orleans over Shuler's move to the Saints as a restricted free agent. The Redskins have turned down a fourth-round pick and then a pair of fives (this year and next) from coach Mike Ditka. ``We've been talking on a regular basis,'' Casserly said. ``I have no idea when we'll get it done.''
The restricted free-agent deadline has passed, meaning Frerotte and defensive lineman Sean Gilbert will stay with the Redskins if Casserly can sign them. It's likely to happen quicker with Frerotte than with Gilbert. The only unsigned restricted free agent is six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darrell Green, who has indicated he will return for a 15th season.
``We hope to get them all done,'' said Casserly, whose club doesn't have major salary cap worries. He also would like to deal before the draft with Oakland for quarterback Jeff Hostetler, who would be Frerotte's backup.
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