THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9408280240
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: R2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Preview: Pro Football '94
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Long : 121 lines
There's a popular notion in the nation's capital that the Washington Redskins are ``rebuilding'' under new head coach Norv Turner.
Not true.
After last season's 4-12 mark, what's happening in D.C. isn't gentle enough to be called reconstruction. It is an implosion, a purging, and the debris from this once elite franchise has settled everywhere.
Ex-coach Richie Petitbon sits at home trying to fathom how he got a mere 10 months on the job after 33 dues-paying seasons as player and celebrated assistant coach.
Defensive coordinator Larry Peccatiello coordinates in Cincinnati. Special-teams coach Wayne Sevier and tight ends coach Rennie Simmons work with the Rams. Running backs coach Don Breaux caught on with the Jets. Others on a staff lauded as one of the best during The Joe Gibbs Era weren't so lucky.
Neither were some players. Art Monk, the game's all-time leading receiver and once a silent symbol of Redskins success, now wears the stark green and white of the New York Jets.
Quarterback Mark Rypien, who made himself into a Super Bowl MVP but couldn't sustain it, is a Cleveland Brown. So is runner Earnest Byner, back with the team that once gladly peddled him in a trade ridiculously lopsided in Washington's favor.
The end of the Hogs came with the offseason retirement of Joe Jacoby and Jeff Bostic. Defensive end Charles Mann auditions for jobs like an unemployed actor.
Cary Conklin throws passes to Brad Edwards as the ex-quarterback and the ex-safety stay in shape waiting for the phone to ring.
Bottom line: There are 20 players left from the team that handed Buffalo a 37-24 Super Bowl spanking on Jan. 26, 1992.
That's right, 20.
It's like Jim Lachey said following minicamp last April. Lachey and center Raleigh McKenzie worked the locker room, introducing themselves to dozens of faces they'd never seen before.
``Feels like we're the newcomers,'' Lachey joked later.
Hardly. In fact, Lachey and McKenzie are being counted on to anchor a line that holds the key to whatever success Turner and the offensive scheme he brought from Dallas will have this season.
That philosophy, one the Cowboys rode to two Super Bowl titles, relies on a strong running game, with one featured back; a strong-armed quarterback who is mobile; a tight end who can turn a 5-yard pass into a 15-yard gain; and receivers who are tall, rangy and sure-handed. Only some of those components are in place, though Turner has plunged into his work with unbridled enthusiasm.
``He brings youth, vigor and enthusiasm,'' receiver Desmond Howard observed. ``You've got to give him credit. He had the heart and courage to make the changes he wanted for this ballclub.''
Joining McKenzie and Lachey across the front are standbys Mark Schlereth, Ray Brown and Ed Simmons. When John Gesek returns from back spasms, expect McKenzie to move to guard. There's also plenty of depth, including rookies Tre' Johnson and Joe Patton.
Reggie Brooks can become the first Redskins back to rush for 1,000 yards in his first two seasons. Ricky Ervins, a disappointment the last two seasons, backs him up. Versatile Brian Mitchell, one of the league's best returners, should get lots of action as a runner and out of the backfield as a receiver.
In Dallas, Turner claimed Jay Novacek off the waiver wire and turned him into a Pro Bowl tight end who was among Troy Aikman's favorites. He's banking on having the same luck with free agent Ethan Horton and Frank Wycheck.
But Turner is hurting at receiver, where a posse ought to be formed to search for The Posse. It's make-or-break time for Howard, the ex-Heisman Trophy winner who enters his third season with just 26 catches and zero TDs. Henry Ellard came over from the Rams to help Turner teach his offense. Ellard is fast and steady, but a small man with a history of leg miseries.
Stephen Hobbs is a wideout with as many prescriptions as pass receptions. Healthy, he belongs in this league. Rookie Tydus Winans was among Trent Dilfer's favorite receivers at Fresno State last year. He could assume that role in Washington, too.
Who'll do the throwing?
Eventually this season, maybe even at the start, it will be Joseph Heath Shuler, the third pick in the '94 draft, The Next Aikman, or so Turner hopes.
The ex-Tennessee star is big (6-foot-2, 221 pounds), a strong and accurate passer, intelligent (3.88 GPA in college) and swift for a quarterback. Turner critiqued every pass Shuler made as a Volunteer and is convinced the Bryson City, N.C., native can be among the most productive quarterbacks.
If that takes longer than Turner anticipates, he can turn to ex-Charger John Friesz. Signed as a free agent, Friesz isn't nearly as mobile and doesn't have the arm Shuler has. But he has started in the league and is an accurate enough passer to be effective.
If there are holes on offense, there are craters on the other side of the ball, starting with the coaching staff.
Defensive coordinator Ron Lynn has as much to prove as anyone in the organization. His gambling style at San Diego and Cincinnati were ridiculed because it was often felt he didn't have the material to make it work. Nothing is different.
Even if everyone were healthy, the line would be weak. But tackle Tim Johnson re-injured a hamstring and end Shane Collins had minor knee surgery 10 days before the start of the season.
Tony Woods, a free agent end from Seattle, Sterling Palmer, veteran Leonard Marshall and rookie Lamar Mills don't scare anyone. Bobby Wilson, a No. 1 pick four years ago, is a player. He just needs to stay healthy.
Linebacker is where the defensive talent lies. Outside 'backers Andre Collins and Ken Harvey should be highly effective. Both are speedy and make big plays, as does venerable Monte Coleman.
Tyronne Stowe was acquired to help stuff the run, something he made a reputation at in Phoenix. Kurt Gouveia is heady, but too small for the middle. Rick Hamilton could be the best of the three, but he's still learning the pro game.
Darrell Green and Tom Carter form an above-average coverage duo. Safeties Keith Taylor and Darryl Morrison are just OK, although Morrison is learning.
Kicker Chip Lohmiller is being counted on to bounce back from last year's disappointing performance. Odds are he'll beat the rest of the team to that goal by several seasons. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Rookie quarterback Heath Shuler has all the tools to excel in the
NFL - size, strength, accuracy and intelligence - but it will take
time for him to develop as the Redskins rebuild after a 4-12
season.
by CNB