THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 17, 1994 TAG: 9410170167
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Anywhere else on the field and unknown cornerback Alan Grant would have made the play of the year for the Redskins defense. Instead, he picked the worst possible place to steal a pass from a wide receiver - the end zone, and the Arizona Cardinals walked off with a 19-16 overtime win because of it.
The play happened with 19 seconds remaining in regulation Sunday and tied the score, 16-16. Arizona quarterback Steve Beuerlein found Ricky Proehl with a 5-yard bullet in the middle of the end zone. But Grant, claimed off waivers a few weeks ago, instantly grabbed the ball from his hands, then knelt in the end zone.
The official behind the play signaled a touchback, which would have given the Redskins the ball at the 20, not to mention their second victory of the season.
But the side judge, who had an unobstructed view, rushed in and overturned the call.
A brief conference later, the Cardinals officially had the touchdown they needed to extend the game.
``I got there the same time the football did,'' Grant claimed. ``He got his hands on the ball. I got my hands on the ball. I pulled it out of there. In my mind, that's an interception.
``I just knew it was a bad sign when they started huddling. You know they're going to give it to the offense; that's the way it always goes.''
According to referee Gary Lane, once Proehl caught the ball and his feet hit the ground, a touchdown was made.
Grant was a half-second late making the play. It was little solace to the defense, but Redskins assistant coaches who saw the play from the press box confirmed that the officials' call was correct.
``I don't want to sound like I'm crying, but that one play ... we made something happen and it got ruled against us,'' Redskins linebacker Ken Harvey said. ``We should have stopped them.''
HALLOW FEAT: Redskins cornerback Darrell Green became the team's all-time leader in interceptions with 37 Sunday with his two picks off Beuerlein. He ran the first in for a touchdown that gave Washington a 14-0 lead.
Green beat out Brig Owens for the top spot. Quarterback/defensive back Sammy Baugh is third on the team's all-time.
``My family and I are celebrating,'' Green said, ``but as far as the team is concerned, losing took the glitter off it.''
THIS 'N THAT: Beuerlein has five career victories against the Redskins - 1 with the Raiders, 1 with the Cowboys, 3 with the Cardinals. ... Before Sunday, the Redskins were 44-6 when their defense scored a touchdown. ... Washington now is 9-4 in overtime games. Their last home loss in OT? November 22, 1975, when George Blanda kicked a 27-yard field goal for the Oakland Raiders in a 26-23 victory. ... The 10 punts were the most by a Redskins punter since 1986, when Steve Cox had 10 against the 49ers at RFK Stadium. It was also a career-high for Reggie Roby. ... QUOTE OF THE DAY: Redskins defensive coordinator Ron Lynn, on the performance of the officials - ``Those guys are human, too - but not much. They do have a heart beat, that's about it.''
INJURIES: Quarterback Heath Shuler (sprained right ankle); defensive tackles Tim Johnson (aggravated pulled hamstring) and Bobby Wilson (pinched nerve in shoulder); defensive end Sterling Palmer (sprained right knee). ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/Staff
Darrell Green, the Redskins' new all-time interception leader,
couldn't hide the smile as he ran in the first of two Sunday for a
27-yard touchdown. The second gave him 37, topping Brig Owens.
by CNB