THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 30, 1995 TAG: 9507300225
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Give veteran Chip Lohmiller the early edge over rookie Scott Blanton in their battle to handle placekicking chores this season for the Washington Redskins.
Before Saturday's scrimmage between the Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers, Lohmiller connected on field goals of 35, 40 and 45 yards. During Washington's 17-10 loss later, the eight-year veteran from Minnesota drilled a 25-yard field goal.
Blanton, a free agent from Oklahoma, connected from 35 and 45 yards but was wide right on his shot from 40. Blanton kicked the extra point following the Redskins' scrimmage touchdown.
Both men had one kickoff and both drove the ball to the Steelers' 5. But Lohmiller's boot was much higher, giving the special teams more time to get down the field.
Meanwhile, the competition between Kent Sullivan and Matt Turk to replace Pro Bowl punter Reggie Roby continues to be close.
Turk, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound free agent from Wisconsin-Whitewater, hit punts of 45, 46 and 47 yards Saturday. Sullivan, a three-year veteran with limited NFL experience in Chicago, Houston and San Diego, nailed a 61-yarder on his first attempt. His last two kicks traveled 45 and 47 yards.
``That's exactly the way these guys have kicked throughout camp,'' Turner said. ``They've both been very consistent. It's good competition.''
BABBLING ABOUT BROOKS: Reading between the lines a little, you get the sense that Turner wouldn't be all that upset about cutting running back Reggie Brooks, even though he rushed for 1,000 yards just two seasons ago.
Free agents Terry Allen and Marc Logan have performed well in practice. Tyrone Rush is healthy and running better than a year ago. Rookie Larry Jones also has impressed in places.
Brooks, meanwhile, stands on the sidelines day after day, signing autographs while he waits for another pulled hamstring to heal.
``Reggie knows he needs to be out here,'' Turner said. ``Since I have been here, he's had a lot of nagging injuries that have kept him from producing the way he can.''
Brooks has told trainer Bubba Tyer he wants to resume workouts Monday. Tyerindicated he may not allow it until he is completely convinced it has healed.
LOCAL STEELWORKERS: Suffolk native Johnnie Barnes, a Steelers free-agent signee during the offseason, caught two passes on Pittsburgh's first drive. The first was a 9-yard pass from quarterback Jim Miller; the other was a 6-yarder from Miller on the last play of their first possession.
He was the main target on two other throws. One was incomplete; the other was intercepted by safety Darryl Morrison.
Safety Darren Perry of Chesapeake was held out of the scrimmage, as were several other Pittsburgh veterans.
DRAFT WOES: Second-round pick Cory Raymer's fractured left ankle merely continues a streak of awful luck the Redskins have had with this year's draft class.
First-round pick Michael Westbrook continues to hold out, although general manager Charley Casserly and Steve Zucker, Westbrook's agent, have said they will resume negotiatons this week.
Third-round pick Darryl Pounds hasn't practiced yet and is out indefinitely with two bulging discs in his lower back.
Fifth-round pick Jamie Asher will miss at least one more week with a severely pulled hamstring. He was supposed to challenge for the starting tight end spot. by CNB