THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604130477
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Marvcus Patton smiled and rolled his eyes Friday night when told that some of his teammates with the Washington Redskins, 6-10 last season, were calling this week's trade for defensive tackle Sean Gilbert ``a four-win deal.''
``Hey, if that's a four-win trade, that would give us 10 and put us in the playoffs,'' said Patton, whose appearance at the NFL Celebrity Basketball Game tonight at Green Run is likely among his last of the offseason. Next week, he said, the linebacker will head back to Washington and Redskin Park to join in offseason workouts.
``The Gilbert trade is encouraging because it shows the organization knows what needs to be done for us to win. I'm doing it, my teammates are doing it. Everyone is doing it. I'm excited.''
STEELER QB SITUATION: According to Darren Perry, the most likely player to start the season as quarterback of the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers isn't strong-armed Jim Miller or shifty Kordell Stewart.
``I think we should feel good because we have Mike Tomczak,'' Perry said, referring to the oft-traveled veteran, who was Neil O'Donnell's backup last season. ``I think he'll be the guy at the beginning of the season.''
The proceeds from Friday's reception, Saturday's charity auction and basketball game will go to Indian River and Green Run high schools, as well as several other Hampton Roads charities.
THIS 'N THAT: Another Green Run graduate, safety Matt Darby, was celebrating his signing with the Arizona Cardinals. Darby says he has been told to learn both safety positions, though his primary role in the Cardinals' secondary will be at the strong spot. ``I think the thing that swayed my choice is that they play on grass, and I've always tried to do whatever I could to take care of my body,'' said Darby, who spent several seasons with Buffalo after graduating from UCLA. ``I think there are lots of opportunities there for me. To me, it's an up-and-coming team. They get some of the right players in the draft, get the right coaching and they can be playoff contenders in the next two years.'' ... Goganious, who had a successful season in Jacksonville last year but is a free agent, is said to be leaning towards signing with the Minnesota Vikings. Philadelphia also has a shot at the former Green Run linebacker. ... Goganious' teammate, wide receiver Desmond Howard, also is a free agent. He says he may not sign with a team until after the draft. ``I didn't have a chance to catch that many balls last year in Jacksonville and that's what I want - a chance. My last year in Washington was still the most fun I've had in the NFL, because I got the opportunity to catch some passes and show what I could do.'' ... Steelers receiver Charles Johnson thinks Redskins fans will see a different and improved Michael Westbrook this season and that last year's 11 plays of 20-or-more yards will be the rule, not the exception. ``Physically, he's already there, already one of the top players in the game,'' Johnson said of his former Colorado teammate and close friend. ``He's got that first year out of his way and I think he learned a lot about how to read defenses on the run.'' by CNB