THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407170186
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Norv Turner was asked whether it was valid to compare his first group of Washington Redskins to the Dallas Cowboys Jimmy Johnson inherited his first season.
``After all,'' the questioner said, ``that was a bad team which started a rookie quarterback. Yours is a team coming off a 4-12 record probably starting a rookie ...''
``What was his record that first year?'' Turner said, interrupting.
``He won one game,'' came the reply.
``Let's not draw any comparisons to that one,'' Turner said, laughing. ``People can make the comparison, but this team has a lot more talent than that one did in 1989.''
Turner will begin finding out whether that statement is accurate or a pipe dream this week when a Redskins team many feel will be wretched begins training camp.
Turner has changed the routine some this season, preferring to open at Redskin Park with a ``quarterback camp'' Monday and Tuesday before heading to Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., Wednesday night. Two-a-day practice sessions begin Thursday.
One thing the new coach, formerly the offensive coordinator of the Cowboys, expects is for everyone to arrive in shape.
Turner will greet a team with few holdovers from last season and the club's glory era under Joe Gibbs. Just since last year, gone are Mark Rypien, Cary Conklin, Art Monk, Ricky Sanders, Charles Mann, Jeff Bostic, Joe Jacoby, Eric Williams, Carl Banks and Danny Copeland.
Joining the team as unrestricted are linebackers Ken Harvey and Tyronne Stowe, defensive ends Tony Woods and Leonard Marshall, strong safety Keith Taylor, receiver Henry Ellard, quarterback John Friesz, center John Gesek, tight end Ethan Horton and long snapper Trevor Matich.
Then there are the backup players from the past who will receive the chance they've longed for, to start - receiver Stephen Hobbs, fullback/tight end Frank Wycheck, ex-VMI and Johnson C. Smith receiver Greg Clifton, ex-VMI receiver Mark Stock, defensive tackle Shane Collins.
``We've got a lot of people with different backgrounds,'' Turner said. ``Our ability to get that group working together as a cohesive group is the biggest challenge we face and something we're going to address early.''
Another issue Turner must confront early is just how much this year's rookie crop - quarterback Heath Shuler, massive tackle Trey Johnson, wide receiver Tydus Winans, in particular - will be asked to contribute.
Shuler, the team's No. 1 pick and the third player selected in the draft, is unsigned. So is Johnson. Only Winans and defensive end Dexter Nottage have agreed to terms.
``We start camp on Thursday and hopefully, it will be done by then,'' Turner said. ``I expect it to be done by then.''
Shuler spent most of June at Redskin Park, despite not having a contract. The coach was pleased with what he saw in Shuler's set-up and throwing motion, but also his ability to learn quickly and to turn up his competitive level the more he was challenged.
Without doubt, Shuler is the key to Turner's present and future plans and the coach made no bones about hoping the former Tennessee star would start this season.
``We're going to try to create an environment where that can happen,'' Turner said. ``Hopefully, Heath will handle training camp and the preseason that we're comfortable with that.
``We're fortunate to get John Friesz in free agency. We have a guy who's started and they should have a great competition. But we're going to give Heath every opportunity.''
Another key is Desmond Howard, the former Heisman Trophy winner from Michigan who enters his third professional season still without a touchdown reception.
With Monk, Sanders and McGee released during the offseason, and only Ellard and Winans brought in, Howard must finally live up to his vast potential for the Redskins to run the balanced attack Turner prefers.
``I feel good about what Desmond's done during the offseason,'' Turner said. ``He's worked hard at learning our offense and getting his body in the best shape maybe he's been in since he's been in pro football.
``The test, obviously, is doing it in training camp and preseason. The biggest thing I'm looking for from Desmond is to have some great consistency and to come geared to practice each day and have that workman-like attitude.''
Turner said he isn't necessarily through tinkering with his first squad. He figures some quality players on other teams will be victimized by the salary cap. He's committed to adding them, even though the Redskins are tight against the cap themselves.
And while he acknowledged that this is the first step of a rebuilding process that could take several years, Turner wasn't ready to concede the NFC East or the playoffs to anyone.
``With the number of changes in our division, the number of changes in our league, I think it's harder than ever to say, `Here are the best five teams in our league,' or `They're going to have this kind of record,' '' he said.
``We're so young and new in so many areas, my main goal if for us to improve. I think we should show rapid improvement early, then hopefully, consistent improvement. If we can continue to improve throughout the season, we can have a good record.'' by CNB