THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 31, 1995 TAG: 9510310432
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
It was the biggest play of the game and, ultimately, a concession by Washington Redskins coach Norv Turner that he is still trying whenever possible to lead his young offense down the easiest path possible.
The Redskins trailed the New York Giants 24-15 Sunday night at RFK Stadium with 6:57 to play. Washington's offense had rattled off nine unanswered points since halftime. Not only was the defense pitching a second-half shutout, they had yet to allow the Giants a first down.
Turner surveyed the scene: fourth down and a little more than a yard from the Giants 20. Kicker Eddie Murray had already kicked three field goals, including a 52-yarder right before halftime. Any way Turner looked at it, his team would need a touchdown and a field goal to win.
Turner decided to go for it, and called for quarterback Gus Frerotte to throw a quick slant pass to Leslie Shepherd. But Giants nickel back Willie Beamon kept Shepherd from taking inside position - Turner would say Beamon held his man; Giants coach Dan Reeves, predictably, would call it a ``great play.'' Frerotte pulled the ball down, then was sacked by Robert Harris.
When Frerotte came to the sidelines, an agitated Turner was waiting. He rebuked Frerotte for not running the play as called and giving the official the chance to flag Beamon for holding.
``Looking back on it, it's something you learn from and say, `Just throw the ball to him. They're going to call the penalty,' '' Frerotte said. ``We throw the ball to (Shepherd), we get a flag and the drive is still alive. I definitely would like to have that one back.''
So would Turner. Shortly after the loss, Washington's sixth in nine games, he admitted he should have ordered the field goal and taken his chances that there was enough time for at least one more crack at a touchdown.
``You go back and forth, back and forth,'' Turner said. ``I thought we would get it, and go on and get the touchdown.''
And then he uttered the sentence that tells you he is not totally confident in his offense's ability to operate in the clutch.
``Whatever happened, we would like to get a touchdown first and kick the field goal later,'' Turner said, knowing that it's far easier to drive into field-goal range than it is to go the length of the field needing a touchdown, especially for an inexperienced team.
ONE LESS WEAPON: Veteran receiver Henry Ellard, who caught six passes for 111 yards, almost certainly will miss Sunday's game at Kansas City after straining his right hamstring in the second half. Presumably, his place in the lineup will be taken by Tydus Winans, with Shepherd moving into the No. 1 receiver's slot.
However, Ellard, who Sunday moved past Don Maynard and into sixth-place on the all-time receiving list, said he hopes for a miracle. He had scheduled a visit to his Los Angeles-based physical therapist after the game against the Chiefs. He'll go this week instead.
``Usually, it's a solid three-four weeks before you can actually come back and run halfway decent,'' Ellard said. ``But with the therapist, who knows? Hopefully, she can work a miracle and get me back in there sooner.''
You wonder how much longer the Redskins offense can remain effective. Against the Chiefs, who are 7-1, Washington will be missing at least three key starters, possibly four. Left tackle Jim Lachey is done for the season; now Ellard joins rookie receiver Michael Westbrook on the sidelines. Guard Tre' Johnson missed yet another game with his sprained ankle, an indication that there may be something more serious than a sprain bothering him.
FOLLOW THE BOUNCING BALL: That's advice Redskins fullback Marc Logan wishes he had followed. His bobble of Frerotte's short first-quarter pass wound up in the hands of Giants safety Vencie Glenn. He carried the ``interception'' 75 yards for New York's first touchdown.
``Obviously, it was a good pass,'' Logan said of Frerotte's toss, which hit him squarely in the hands. ``That's one I normally catch every time. I didn't pull it in. I guess I just took my eyes off the ball. Then I tried to just bat it down when I couldn't catch it. I didn't even see the defender, I just tried to knock the ball to the ground.''
STRANGE, BUT TRUE: The Giants had four more yards in interception returns - 143 - than quarterback Dave Brown had passing. ... Reeves said one of his team's keys to victory was the fact that New York was off last week, allowing the coach time to watch Washington's offense game-by-game. The Redskins' Sunday's opponent, the Chiefs, likewise will be coming off their bye week. ... Yes, that was a No. 72 you saw on defense for the Redskins at defensive tackle. Not Dexter Manley, but a name maybe even more colorful. It was Romeo Bandison, ex-Cleveland Brown who was claimed on waivers a few weeks ago and activated for the first time when William Gaines' sprained ankle wouldn't allow him to go. by CNB