THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502230452
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
The Washington Redskins bet $6.8 million Wednesday that the free-agent linebacker with the misplaced ``v'' in his first name will add some verve and vigor to their defense.
Marvcus Patton, a five-year veteran and two-year starter for the Buffalo Bills, came to Redskin Park Tuesday for what was supposed to be a routine tour of the facilities. He left with an offer that surpassed his wildest dreams - a four-year contract with a $2 million signing bonus.
``I liked the city, liked the organization and everyone made me feel very, very welcome,'' said Patton, who had 102 tackles for the Bills last season. ``I wanted to get the decision over with early because I wanted to know what I was going to be doing. I wanted to get my offseason conditioning program started.''
Patton, a 6-foot-2, 240-pounder, will play either middle linebacker or outside linebacker. The Redskins said they weren't sure Wednesday.
``He played all three in Buffalo's scheme, which is a 3-4, but more like our 4-3 than you might think,'' general manager Charley Casserly said. ``Where he plays is going to be a decision that's made as the process goes on.''
Much of the free-agent talk concerned the Redskins' need for defensive help - but on the line and in the secondary. But coach Norv Turner called Patton ``the guy we pinpointed in terms of getting a linebacker'' and when Casserly and agent Tom Condon appeared to be making uncommon progress in early negotiations, the Redskins decided to complete the deal with Patton, then move to other positions.
``I think it's great we could get it done this quickly,'' Turner said. ``We liked this player, and we stepped up and did what we had to, to get him.''
Patton is known for his sideline-to-sideline passion.
``That's his strength,'' Casserly said. ``He plays hard every down, was highly productive in Buffalo, and can play well against the run and the pass.''
Patton joins a crowded linebacker corps that includes Ken Harvey, Tyronne Stowe, Kurt Gouveia and Andre Collins. All started at various times last season, but Collins could be in danger of losing his spot.
``Marvcus makes our situation at linebacker very competitive,'' is all Turner would say. ``We want to get as many good football players on our team as we can. But Marvcus is a guy capable of doing a lot - and he's going to be a starter on our football team.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Marvcus Patton
by CNB