THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9504300182
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
Michael Westbrook walks fast and he talks fast. The consistent 4.5-second times in the 40-yard dash confirm that he runs fast. Watching him catch passes, he exhibits quick, sure hands that sneak out from his body to snare the ball the way a frog snags a bug. Everything about him suggests a man in a hurry.
All this should be good news for the Washington Redskins. They used their No. 1 pick in last week's draft, the fourth overall, for Westbrook. Unlike last year with quarterback Heath Shuler, who plays the game's most unforgiving position, they see Westbrook's indoctrination being brief.
At mini-camp workouts this weekend, Westbrook has run with the first-team offense. There have been sequences in which two, three, four consecutive passes have been launched his way.
``I don't think I have time for rookie stuff,'' he said after one workout, trying to catch his breath. ``They expect a lot out of me. That's all right. I like it when somebody wants a lot.''
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Westbrook has a lot to offer. He's an All-American, Colorado's all-time leading receiver despite a Buffaloes' offense that favored the run over the pass his last two years.
He's the recipient of ``The Catch,'' the 64-yard, final-play reception that beat Michigan last season. And he won the East-West Shrine game in a California monsoon by making a diving, sliding 26-yard touchdown reception on the game's final play last January.
``Miracle Man,'' Cal quarterback Dave Barr called him after Westbrook hauled in his pass.
His former Colorado teammate, Steelers' receiver Charles Johnson, phoned Westbrook last fall. When he asked about the NFL, Johnson informed him that Westbrook was better than any receiver he'd seen. And the Steelers opened with Michael Irvin and Alvin Harper of Dallas.
Westbrook wore No. 81 in college, same as Redskins' legend Art Monk. He knew he couldn't ask for that jersey, so he went for the next-best thing, 82.
And that's Washington's hope, that he turns out to be the next-best thing to Art Monk, which would be a monumental achievement. After all, no one in football history has more receptions.
``We hope for a big impact,'' coach Norv Turner says. ``We expect Michael to adjust quickly to what we want him to do.''
The ability to make major adjustments in football has been Westbrook's strength. As a sophomore at Colorado, Westbrook was the nation's 10th-leading receiver with 76 catches. He and Johnson became just the fourth pair of receivers in NCAA history to each surpass 1,000 yards in a season.
The following season, however, the Buffs switched to a run-oriented attack. Westbrook's statistics dwindled to just 33 catches. When the season ended, there were rumors that Westbrook would leave school early for the NFL.
He and friend Lamont Warren talked about it constantly, each encouraging the other to bolt. Warren, a running back, left. Westbrook remained.
``I left him out in the cold,'' he says.
He said he liked his teammates too much to leave. The money would always be there. And he wanted his diploma, which he'll earn with great pride next month.
``Every second I spent with my senior class, no one could have asked for more,'' he said. ``I would have left behind a lot of stuff that I planned on being part of had I left early. I stayed, and was part of something great.''
The Buffs spent much of the season contending for the national championship and finished by pounding Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
Westbrook was MVP of that game with four catches for 70 yards. He clearly considers the season a success despite the absence of a crown and just 36 catches for a 19.1-yard average.
``We were winning games,'' he replies when asked if he had hoped for more individual glory. ``Why would we change anything?''
He'll be 23 in July, the same as Shuler. The Redskins would love to see them grow into stardom together.
``I was probably more excited than he was when he was drafted by the Redskins,'' Shuler said. ``I wanted a wide receiver who was tall and had agility. But the thing I like about him most is I heard he's willing to work hard.
``He can make an impact this year and you hope down the road, your relationship turns into a Montana-Rice or Young-Rice type of thing. They were together game after game and knew each other, and the offense, very well.''
They began that process Friday afternoon. Turner was rarely more than 10 yards from his side, prodding him to ``get out here, get out here,'' when he lined up too close to the tight end.
Receivers coach Terry Robiskie cajoled him to ``tuck the ball in'' after a catch-and-dash down the sideline in which Westbrook didn't protect the ball well enough to satisfy Robiskie.
The next pass came his way and Robiskie's next comment was, ``Good job, Michael.''
He dropped a couple balls, but always came back on his next opportunity to make the play.
``It was kind of intense,'' Westbrook said. ``I learned a lot of where I fit into this offense and I think these coaches can take me to the next level.
``In college, I dominated, play after play, game after game. These guys are different. I didn't dominate out there. It's a learning process and I'm going to learn. I can be a lot better out there - and I will be.''
That's fine with the Redskins. Just make it fast. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wide receiver Michael Westbrook brings impressive credentials from
Colorado and lots of promise for the Skins.
by CNB