THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 28, 1994 TAG: 9411280172
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
The more he spoke, the more Darrell Green was floundering to sum up his feelings on the Washington Redskins' 21-19 loss Sunday to the New York Giants.
``I don't know if you can characterize it as angry, or characterize it as frustration, or whatever word you want to use for it,'' Green, the Redskins 12-year cornerback, sputtered. ``It's very unpleasant, whatever you want to use.
``It. ...''
He stopped, and appeared to be on the verge of tears.
``It was probably one of my worst days as a Redskin,'' he continued. ``People might say you were a lot worse, but it's something about today that really hit me. I wish I could tell you everything and answer every question, but I can't. I just know that today is the lowest for me.''
Green did not have a particularly successful day. He was called for a 34-yard pass-interference penalty on the Giants' first drive. He argued vehemently.
Later, he was beaten on a touchdown toss to Mike Sherrard, a play on which the help assigned never arrived.
But he wasn't referring to the quality of his play this season, which coach Norv Turner characterized as ``excellent.''
Sunday, the Redskins were beaten by an NFC East team for the 14th consecutive time. The overall record is 2-10.
``I always say pain is pain, but sometimes the sting is a little stronger.
``I don't know. ... I don't know what it is,'' Green said, grabbing his hat and heading for the door. ``I've got a bunch of theories, but I've got to go home and think about it myself. Today was just the culmination, whatever. It hit me like a ton of bricks.''
PUNT, PASS AND KICK: Ten-year-old Michael Cumming of Virginia Beach and 14-year-old Jerry Kisgen of Williamsburg were finalists in the Redskins' portion of the NFL/Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick Competition. Due to an incessant rain, the kicking and punting portions of the competition were conducted before the game.
But Cumming and Kisgen each took part in the passing competition at halftime. Brian Lowry of Mt. Airy, Md., won the 10-year-old division; Chris Jackson of Charlottesville captured the 14-year-old competition.
HEATH PASSES: Heath Shuler received a passing grade from Turner after his first start in five weeks.
The rookie from Tennessee hit 11 of 28 attempts for 165 yards, but suffered at least four drops. He ran four times for 23 yards and appeared far more poised than in his previous appearances.
``I felt good about the way he played,'' Turner said. ``I thought he handled situations real well.''
Shuler concurred, but wisely stopped short of total satisfaction.
``There was some improvement just by completing some passes,'' he said. ``That was big enough improvement.
``There was a point in the game where I felt like I was in a groove, that I was getting into a rhythm, and I was in a zone. Then they held the ball for a few minutes (actually, 10:14).
``This is a learning experience for all of us, especially the rookies. And it's some kind of learning experience, let me tell you.''
INJURY REPORT: A member of the Redskins will go under the knife this week, but this time he's not expected to miss any playing time.
Redskins general manager Charley Casserly slipped Friday while walking to his car after watching the North Carolina State-Virginia game in Charlottsville and tore the Achilles tendon in his right leg, according to a report Sunday in The Washington Post.
Team physician Charles Jackson will perform the surgery to repair the tendon Tuesday. Casserly is expected to be on crutches for the next six to eight weeks.
THIS 'N THAT: Redskins receiver Henry Ellard's 13-yard catch in the second quarter gave him 10,729 career yards receiving, pushing him past Stanley Morgan into 7th place on the NFL's all-time list in that category. Ellard finished with 4 catches for 81 yards. ... Desmond Howard followed up on his 7-catch, 107-yard showing vs. Dallas last week with 3 grabs for 59 yards Sunday. by CNB