THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9407230347
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Martin Bayless watched intently Friday as a Redskins defensive backfield he hopes to make better continued to grapple with a system that to some is a foreign language.
Bayless signed a one-year contract Friday worth $300,000. That's less than the strong safety made during his heyday with the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, but almost double general manager Charley Casserly's original offer.
That, and his familiarity with the Redskins system - Bayless played five seasons under new defensive coordinator Ron Lynn and is close with assistants Jim Hanifan, Bobby Jackson and Terry Robiskie - made it easier to turn down comparable offers from the Giants, New Orleans, the Rams and Cincinnati.
``We're going to make football exciting,'' Bayless vowed. ``They expect me to be a leader. I know the system.''
Bayless participated in Friday's afternoon practice, held despite a steady rain.
On an adjacent field, scout Mike Hagans, Casserly, and, eventually, coach Norv Turner and defensive coordinator Ron Lynn were working out another veteran safety.
Jerry Gray, one of football's best until a severe knee injury sent his career on a downward spiral several years ago, made cuts and chased after passes like a rookie.
``An assessment,'' the Redskins called it, meaning Gray probably won't be joining the team any time soon.
Meanwhile, second-round draft pick Tre' Johnson finally made his way to Dickinson College. Upon his arrival, the Redskins signed the 6-2, 315-pound offensive tackle to a four-year deal worth an estimated $1.6 million.
``I'm ready to hit someone,'' said Johnson, who took part in the afternoon workout and will play today against Pittsburgh in a scrimmage at Indiana (Pa.) University.
``My goal is to start, and I've got a lot of confidence in myself. But I also realize I've got a lot to learn.''
Johnson's mammouth belly protruded from under his jersey, preventing him from tucking it in. He guessed his weight was ``near'' 315 and dismissed any notion it might be a problem.
``It's never been before,'' he said. ``Today was the first time I've had pads on since the Senior Bowl and I didn't feel the least bit tired. Now, I know that might change as the weather gets hotter, but I also know that I'll probably lose about 20-25 pounds going through these two-a-days.''
Johnson, who will vie with Ed Simmons for the starting right tackle spot, and possibly get work at guard, admitted he was at first afraid he'd have to wait until top pick Heath Shuler signed his contract before the Redskins would negotiate with him. That changed when he told his attorney to let the Redskins know he wanted to deal.
``The goal was to reach camp before the scrimmage,'' he said. ``My attorney didn't want a long holdout, neither did I. I wasn't worried.''
The addition of Bayless and Johnson and the workout of Gray appear to be in keeping with the way things will be this summer for the Redskins and, perhaps, the rest of the NFL's teams.
``I don't think it'll be constant, but that depends on who's out there, available,'' Turner said. ``We could be doing a lot of this. I don't know.''
Even with Johnson in camp, Bayless took most of the spotlight.
He looked tired after an arduous journey from his home in San Diego. ``I'm just excited it's over,'' he said. ``It's been a very long offseason for myself and my family.''
``I have to show people who Martin Bayless is,'' he said. ``I can't rest on what I did my five years in San Diego. It's an opportunity, no more, no less.''
Bayless said he was all set to return to the Chiefs until it became obvious they didn't want him back. He didn't understand their logic; after all, he was chosen the team's defensive player of the year by his peers after finishing the season with nearly 100 tackles.
``It was a surprise, and a little discouraging,'' he said. ``But I have been in the league 11 years and this is my fourth team. Obviously, I'm not afraid to move,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Veteran strong safety Martin Bayless is rather quite familiar with
the Redskins' system.
by CNB