THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 1995 TAG: 9512070485
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke has emphatically quashed speculation that general manager Charley Casserly's job was in jeopardy, announcing that both Casserly and coach Norv Turner will be retained for the 1996 season - and well after.
``Norv Turner is going to be the coach of the Redskins for the rest of my life, and I intend to live to be 100,'' the 83-year-old Cooke told The Washington Times Wednesday. ``It's the same with Charley Casserly. Look at what his choices (of players) are panning out to be. The boys are going to form a hell of a team, and Charley deserves at least part of the credit.''
The two men are the primary architects of what so far has been a tortuous two-year rebuilding process that has seen 42 new players on Washington's 53-man roster and not a lot of success on the field. Counting last Sunday's 24-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys - the first sweep of the series by Washington since 1987 - the Redskins' record in the Casserly-Turner regime is 7-22.
Turner's retention was hardly surprising. The former Cowboys assistant coach, considered one of the bright offensive minds in the game, still has three years left on a contract he signed on Feb. 2, 1994.
Casserly, who came to the Redskins as an unpaid intern on George Allen's staff in 1977 and worked his way to the top position when Bobby Beathard left for the GM's spot in San Diego in 1989, apparently was saved by the performances of this year's free agents. Linebacker Rod Stephens and running back Terry Allen have performed better than advertised, with Allen exceeding the 1,000-yard mark last Sunday against Dallas.
Linebacker Marvcus Patton and defensive backs Stanley Richard and James Washington have been less consistent than Allen and Stephens, but occasionally exceptional. Richard is this week's NFC defensive player of the week after 13 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble against Dallas.
In addition, 1995 first-round draft pick Michael Westbrook showed flashes of brilliance at receiver before injuring his knee. Second-round pick Cory Raymer received passing grades for his work at center in the one game he's started this season after returning from a broken leg. Third-round pick Daryl Pounds, who was inactive during training camp with back problems, has been a special-teams standout recently. Tight end Jamie Asher, who missed most of training camp with a pulled hamstring, has caught nine passes in spot duty the last three games. Defensive end Rich Owens has gotten increased playing time and contributed a couple of sacks. Defensive back Scott Turner, chosen in the seventh round, is being groomed to take Darrell Green's starting position when his playing days end.
It's the second consecutive fruitful draft class for Casserly, who needed it. Kick returner Brian Mitchell is the lone player left from the team's 1990-92 drafts.
1994 draftees Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte are fighting for the No. 1 quarterback spot, guard Tre Johnson and tackle Joe Patton start on the offensive line, and defensive lineman Dexter Nottage has improved enough after a two-year layoff from football to figure into the team's future plans. ILLUSTRATION: WASHINGTON REDSKINS
OWNER
Jack Kent Cooke
GM
Charley Casserly
COACH
Norv Turner
by CNB