THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9407280640
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines
Call them the Redskins' Odd Couple.
Tyronne Stowe came in a trade with Phoenix in which the Cardinals received a seventh-round draft pick, sixth if he starts and plays a predetermined number of plays. Even in these days of the streamlined draft, that's chump change.
Ken Harvey also came from Phoenix, though as an unrestricted free agent. Buddy Ryan gambled he'd be able to match an offer to Harvey of $1.7 million, his projection of the going rate for an outside linebacker with LT-like pass-rush skills.
Instead, the Redskins offered Harvey $2.7 million. Bye bye, Buddy. Suddenly, someone who's never made a tackle for the Redskins is their highest-paid player.
Stowe, 6-1, 250 pounds, is expected to plug the run. Harvey, 6-2, 245 pounds, is expected to slug the quarterback. Neither was a Redskins' strength last season and if this collection of aging vets, eager youths and free agents is to perform more effectively than predicted, Stowe and Harvey must lead.
``Ken will make big plays,'' defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said Wednesday. ``You look at his stats and see he doesn't have one interception, but that's no reflection on his skill.
``As for Tyronne, the things he's done well so far are the things we knew he'd do well. He's been fine against the run and I think he can do more, but he needs snaps.''
Whatever they do will be done quietly. Neither has a lot to say, off the field, though Stowe has impressed all with a couple of fierce, reverberating practice hits.
``Ken was the first player we signed,'' coach Norv Turner said. ``We wanted an impact player on defense. As for Stowe, people know we're constantly looking to stop the run. This guy can help us do that.''
Stowe admits that he is what he is - a strong, passionate, unyielding force against the rush; limited and replaceable against the pass.
``That's what I do best, stop the run,'' said Stowe, who likes interviews about as much as trying to catch Emmitt Smith from behind, and prefers to limit both experiences. ``I'm ready to do that. There's pressure, but I want it.''
Equally leery of the press, Harvey is a different story. His last couple of years in Phoenix, he was typecast as a demon pass-rusher who would serve the team better from the sidelines on all other downs.
The Redskins don't believe that; in fact, they're counting on Harvey's presence on the field, fulltime.
``Ken Harvey can be an every down player,'' Turner said. ``On first and second down, he can be a good linebacker. On thirds, he can drop down and rush the passer. It's like getting two football players.''
``You get labeled as a pass-rushing linebacker and for a few years, that's all you do,'' Harvey adds. ``I know what I can do. I may not be the best linebacker on first and second downs, but I can be a quality linebacker.''
If everyone were healthy and the season were to start today, Washington's front seven would have Leonard Marshall and Tony Woods at left and right end, respectively, Bobby Wilson and Tim Johnson at tackles, and Andre Collins, Stowe and Harvey at linebacker.
On passing downs, Marshall would shift to tackle, while Harvey moves from linebacker to end beside Marshall. Stowe will be replaced by either Kurt Gouveia or Monte Coleman.
Other combinations involving end Sterling Palmer and linebacker Lamont Hollinquest are in the works. Washington will attack the passer with speed and finesse, not the straight-ahead brute force of the past.
``This was a new opportunity for me,'' Harvey said. ``Different number, different team, even different tennis shoes. It's a new chance to prove myself, for people to see what kind of player I am.''
The Redskins are well versed in Harvey's exploits. Last season, he recorded four sacks against them. Throughout his seven-year career, some of Harvey's best games have been against the Redskins.
``Maybe it's fate,'' Harvey says with a smile. ``Maybe I had those games against the Redskins so they'd sign me. Of course, I had some big games against other teams, too.''
Because of the way he gets to the quarterback, Harvey has drawn comparisons to Lawrence Taylor, who revolutionized the position as a New York Giant. The Redskins say only that Harvey has LT-type skills, just not as abundantly.
``Some coaches from other teams, not just the Redskins, told me the Cardinals should have used me more like LT, let me roam all over the place,'' Harvey said. ``It's a great compliment, but some of those teams were trying to get me to sign with them, too.''
Harvey says he longed to be able to establish his own identity. The Redskins have allowed him that opportunity.
``I grew up watching Dr. J,'' he says, ``and I remember people saying there would never be another basketball player like him. Then Michael Jordan came along.
``Now that LT has retired, people are saying there will never be another linebacker like him. That's fine. When I get a sack, I'm not LT. Hopefully, you establish your own identity. LT started it, but it's up to each player to carry on the tradition, not imitate it.''
As far as the Redskins are concerned, that would be close enough. by CNB