THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 21, 1994 TAG: 9407210649
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Long : 152 lines
On the eve of the team's first day at training camp, new Redskins coach Norv Turner sounded like a man accustomed to making chicken salad out of chicken feathers.
Quarterback Heath Shuler and offensive lineman Tre' Johnson, the team's first- and second-round draft picks, still had not signed contracts, though Johnson was said to be closing fast on a deal.
No sweat, said Turner. Sure, he'd like to have them in camp, but Shuler's absence would give free agent John Friesz more work heading into Saturday's scrimmage with Pittsburgh.
``And if Heath gets here in time to get on the bus, he'll play some,'' Turner promised.
And Johnson? The Redskins' offensive line may be the one place where depth isn't a concern. Those who remember the calamities of the last two seasons might add the caveat ``at least not yet.''
Money isn't the main factor in Shuler's impasse with the team - something called voidable years is. In many contracts since the collective bargaining agreement a couple years ago, teams have agreed to make players free agents sooner than usual in return for them fulfilling certain incentive standards.
General manager Charley Casserly declined to characterize at what stage the talks with Shuler stood because ``that can cause expectations.''
``It's done when it's done,'' Casserly said. ``Obviously, we're going to sign him at some point.''
Defensive tackle Tim Johnson walked past the throng of media surrounding Turner. Johnson has a hamstring pull and is expected to miss 5-6 weeks. He is Washington's best defensive lineman, which isn't saying much considering the rest are young never-have-beens and, maybe, a couple has-beens.
``There have been many stories in camp about guys stepping in for someone who's hurt and proving themselves,'' Turner said. ``This is a great opportunity for someone to show what he can do.''
Turner was reminded that the Redskins don't have a receiver who stands taller than 6-foot, and that's Mark Stock, not exactly a shoo-in to make the final 53.
``I feel good about our receivers,'' he insisted, ticking off Desmond Howard, Henry Ellard, Stephen Hobbs, draft pick Tydus Winans, Stock and Greg Clifton. ``Obviously, my background is with big, physical guys and we're not real physical. Now that we're in camp, it's going to be real interesting to see how they handle that aspect.''
Of the 80 players on the roster, 33 are new to the Redskins. Building chemistry and camaraderie would seem a daunting task for any head coach, let alone a rookie.
But the squad at Redskin Park has buckled down to work.
``We have spent a lot of extra time together,'' Turner said. ``I was really impressed with the workouts Monday and Tuesday mornings. The guys looked like they'd been together a lot longer than they really have.''
Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, veterans weren't required to report until 15 days before the first preseason game. For the Redskins, that would be this Sunday.
However, all veterans had checked in by 6 p.m. Wednesday. And there likely are more coming - from other teams.
Casserly said the salary cap should force teams to release good players and ``you're going to get some people now who wouldn't be available in previous years. We're still talking to some veterans we'd like to sign.''
``The system we're under has helped us,'' Turner said. ``We've added a bunch of guys who will help us. We're a better team than we were in February.''
That's what the next six months are all about.
TWO PLAYERS WERE WAIVED Wednesday, bringing the number of players on the roster to 80, plus holdouts Shuler and Johnson. Punter Steve Domingos and receiver Austin Olobia didn't make it to the team's first practice. Players will have to be waived to make room for Shuler and Johnson as well. NFL rules call for no more than 80 players in camp at one time. . . . Casserly says the Redskins ``will sign a safety at some point,'' but added ``it's not do or die.'' The most obvious candidate for that would be ex-Charger Martin Bayless. ILLUSTRATION: REDSKINS CAMP CATALOG
GETTING THERE: There are a couple of different ways. Regardless,
figure on six hours.
1) Take I-64 west around or through Richmond, then get on I-95
north. Connect with I-495 (the Washington Beltway) and follow signs
for I-270 to Frederick, Md. From there, take U.S. Route 15 north
past Gettysburg, Pa. Take Pennsylvania Route 94 north at York
Springs for 16 miles into Carlisle. Turn left on High Street and
follow to Biddle Field, on the left.
2) I-64 west to I-95 north to U.S. 17 to Warrenton, Va. Follow 17
to I-81 north near Winchester. Cross through West Virginia and
Maryland into Pennsylvania and get off Exit 14, Hanover Street. Take
Hanover to High Street. Turn left on High and follow to Biddle
Field.
STAYING THERE: There are numerous hotels and motels. But call
ahead for reservations, because each year an antique car show is
booked in the town during part of Redskins training camp and things
get tight. Here's a random sampling of places close to Dickinson
College, with phone numbers (area code 717).
Embers Inn and Convention Center - 243-1717
Days Inn - 258-4147
Holiday Inn - 245-2400
Super 8 Motel - 243-5504
Best Western - 243-5411
Howard Johnson's - 243-6000
EATING THERE: There are the usual assortment of fast-food places
(McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's). But there also are a couple of
special restaurants you might want to try.
Rillo's - Terrific Italian food by anyone's standards, and the
place is filled with Redskins memorabilia. This is where Sonny
Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer would sneak in the back door for dinner
and a few beverages while George Allen's coaching staff sat unaware
just a few feet away. 243-6161
Sunnyside Restaurant - It offers a nice variety of steaks, chops
and entrees. Another Redskin favorite, though not on the same plane
with Rillo's. 243-5712
Gingerbread Man - This once was THE after-hours place for
Redskins and Redskins fans and it's still not unusual to see a
couple of players blowing the foam off a cold one as the clock
inches toward the inevitable curfew. 249-6970
B.C.'s Cafe - Offensive tackle Mark May stumbled on to this place
several years ago, and it didn't take long for the rest of the Hogs
to make it their summer hangout. Several TVs show multiple baseball
games. Food's good, too. 249-8721
WATCHING THERE: Practice is open to the public from today through
Aug. 6. They usually last about two hours. The schedule:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: practice sessions at 9 a.m. and 4
p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: weightlifting sessions under the Biddle
Field bleachers and meetings in the morning; practice session at 4
p.m.
STEELERS SCRIMMAGE: On Saturday, July 23, the Redskins and
Pittsburgh Steelers scrimmage at noon at Indiana University of
Pennsylvania, about four hours' drive from Carlisle.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
Gettysburg's battlefields and monuments are less than an hour
from Carlisle. Take Pennslvania 94 south to U.S. 15 south.
Hershey, the chocolate factory, and Hershey (Amusement) Park are
about an hour from Carlisle. Take I-81 north, through Harrisburg and
follow signs for Hershey.
Staff map
Carlisle, Pa.
For copy of map, see microfilm
by CNB