THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504230185
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Long : 106 lines
Three years ago, the Washington Redskins couldn't resist trading up for the fourth pick in the NFL draft. They used it for Michigan receiver Desmond Howard, a bust they pawned off on expansion Jacksonville.
Saturday, they resisted a deal with the Carolina Panthers that would have netted them a runner compared to Tony Dorsett, Emmitt Smith, Gale Sayers and O.J. Simpson - Penn State's Ki-Jana Carter. But they couldn't resist using their first-round pick, the fourth overall, on the receiver who will take Howard's place, Colorado's Michael Westbrook.
``We got the player we wanted, the player we rated the highest wide receiver on the board,'' general manager Charley Casserly explained. ``One thing we wanted to accomplish was to get people who would help us on the offensive side of the ball and maintain our draft picks.''
With their second-round pick, Washington stunned everyone, the selectee included, by choosing center Cory Raymer of Wisconsin. Although Casserly said Raymer likely won't start this season, his arrival opens the possibility of shifting John Gesek from center to guard and inserting the 6-3, 293-pound rookie.
``It was a little bit of a shock,'' Raymer shouted from a raucous party in his hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisc. ``We talked a couple of times at the combine, but nothing happened that would make you think they'd take me.''
Washington's third-round pick went for Darryl Pounds, a 5-11 safety at tiny Nicholls State. Casserly said Pounds will be tried at cornerback. He was third in school history with 14 interceptions, and almost certain to win a place on Washington's special teams.
Given their dissatisfaction with Reggie Brooks last season, there was no reason to think the Redskins would refuse a reasonable chance at Carter. But while awed by his ability, they were scared off by a knee injury that caused him to miss parts of two seasons, and an asking price that probably will include a $5 million signing bonus.
After Carolina general manager Bill Polian ended negotiations with Casserly, he called Cincinnati and got what he had sought from Washington - first- and second-round picks.
Polian's price seemed a pittance for the first overall pick, especially when a running back rated head and shoulders above the rest was available. But Redskins coach Norv Turner argued Westbrook was too good to pass up.
``We saw a guy that we would judge as going to be a great player and will be able to play here for a long time,'' Turner said.
Westbrook's presence halts Washington's days playing smallish receivers. Rarely used receiver Olanda Truitt was the Redskins' tallest target last season at 6-foot. Henry Ellard and Tydus Winans are just 5-11.
Westbrook is nearly 6-foot-4, weighs 215 pounds, is a devastating blocker and often was used to carry the ball on screens and end-arounds.
``His size gives you the opportunity to do some things you can't do with a smaller player,'' Turner said. ``I see him as a great blocker, and he's obviously going to be good underneath, moving around linebackers.
``He'll be a receiver that's easier to find and that can make your quarterback more accurate because they can go up and get passes smaller receivers can't reach.''
Westbrook, a Detroit native, had what Turner called ``an interesting career.'' He finished with 167 receptions, for 2,548 yards and a 15.3-yard average, but they didn't come the conventional way.
As a sophomore, he played slotback, blazed past linebackers and safeties and caught 76 passes, fifth in the country. The following year, however, Colorado changed from a three-receiver set to a run-oriented attack that featured the skills of quarterback Kordell Stewart and tailback Rashaam Salaam.
Westbrook's receptions plummeted to just 33. Last season, that total jumped almost imperceptibly, to just 36, though he averaged a career-best 19.1 yards per reception.
``It wasn't that hard an adjustment,'' Westbrook said. ``I had to learn a lot about myself and it turned out that I was more of a team player than I thought I was.''
Westbrook's reputation is of a player who needs the occasional emotional boot. Also, that he has an attitude that's cocky, bordering on arrogant.
``You can use me any way you want to,'' Westbrook said, displaying a touch of that attitude. ``I can run, catch, run the reverse. I'm going to use my heart, my mentality, my strength, size and speed. Add all that together and you've got a bomb.''
Or, in the worst-case scenario, a time bomb. Westbrook is no stranger to trouble. He received a six-month deferred sentence last July on a third-degree assault charge dating from July, 1993. That sentence was dropped in January because he'd hadn't gotten into further trouble.
Casserly says the Redskins investigated the incident and are convinced it was not indicative of someone who's a chronic troublemaker.
Unlike Raymer, Westbrook was well-versed in Washington's intense in acquiring his services.
``I met Norv Turner and things just clicked between us,'' he said. ``He gave me the idea he liked me a lot and I'm looking forward to catching passes from Heath Shuler.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Michael Westbrook hugs his grandmother, Evelyn, after the Redskins
picked him fourth in the draft.
Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cory Raymer, Wisconsin's 6-3, 293-pound center, says ``it was a
little bit of a shock'' to be drafted by Redskins.
by CNB