THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604210225
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Long : 138 lines
Determined not to enter the 1996 season with a still-injured Jim Lachey and out-of-position Joe Patton manning the crucial left tackle spot, the Washington Redskins finally got off their knees and got on the telephone during Saturday's first round of the NFL draft.
When general manager Charley Casserly hung up, he had negotiated a trade with the team the Redskins love to hate - the Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys. Casserly sent his archrival the Redskins' second- and third-round draft picks - 37th and 67th overall - for Dallas' pick in the first round.
Washington used it to snare the last top-quality offensive tackle they had rated in the Class of '96, Penn State's 6-5, 310-pound Andre Johnson.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, who had been thwarted in their attempts to get frontline help at linebacker, used Washington's picks for pass-rushing defensive end Kavika Pittman of McNeese
State and center Clay Shiver of Florida State.
``We decided to make a move rather than sitting there hoping and praying we'd get lucky,'' Casserly said. ``We earmarked our offensive line, offensive tackle specifically, as a position we would trade up for if the right player was available. Everyone in the NFL knew with the second (round) pick we'd take an offensive tackle. We thought we could easily get jumped on the deal.''
Johnson is a two-time second-team All-Big Ten who started every game at tackle the last two seasons. A converted defensive tackle, Johnson impressed scouts and Redskins offensive line coach Jim Hanifan with his pass-blocking ability. Quick and agile, Johnson surrendered just two sacks and was called for just two penalties during the 1994 and '95 seasons.
``He's got good feet, good balance and very good hands as well,'' said Hanifan, primarily responsible for Johnson's pre-draft evaluation. ``He reminds me of (former Cardinals' perennial Pro Bowl selection) Luis Sharpe. When Luis came out of college, you could see the athletecism. You told yourself this guy should be able to be a great pass protector.''
Johnson's brightest moments at Penn State came against Illinois and one-on-one battles with defensive end Simeon Rice, the third player selected in the first round. In 1994, Johnson held Rice without a tackle in Penn State's 35-31 victory.
Rice was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.
``We figure he'll play against Rice a good deal the next 10 years or so,'' Turner said. ``We see Andre as the complete offensive tackle.''
It appeared the Redskins would be able to stand pat and still get an offensive tackle with the seventh pick of the second round until Philadelphia made its first-round selection. The Eagles, thought to be seeking a tight end, opted instead for offensive tackle Jermane Mayberry of Texas A&M-Kingsville.
``A surprise,'' Casserly said of a player they had rated much lower than the first round, ``and a pretty good indicator that other tackles would be going quickly.''
Casserly was right. Two picks later, Green Bay tabbed Southern Cal's John Mickels. Then AFC champion Pittsburgh grabbed Jemain Stephens of North Carolina A&T.
Casserly got on the phone with Dallas director of player personnel Steve Jones, Jerry's son. He had called the Redskins Friday night to tell them Dallas might be interested in moving out of the first round. The price was steep, but Casserly and Turner felt it had to be done, especially given Lachey's recovery status from last season's torn right rotator cuff.
``I had a good visit with Jim last week and the one thing he and I talked about was that no one was certain his shoulder would be 100 percent and able to go,'' Turner said. ``He wants to go, and hopefully, we'll get that situation to work. But I told him that we had to go into this thing prepared as if his shoulder would not be ready.''
The 32-year-old Lachey, who was injured in a preseason game against Miami last summer and played just two regular-season games before missing the rest of '95, has been working out at Redskin Park on a regular basis. But trainer Bubba Tyer said Lachey will be held out of even the non-contact portion of mini-camp drills in two weeks.
``Jim has done well, but he's not completely recovered,'' Tyer said. ``He's continuing to make progress, but it's a risk putting him onto the field, even for hand drills.''
Tyer said Lachey's safe range of motion ends once he stretches his arm outside the trunk of his body.
``He demonstrates he wants to be here and there's a good chance of him playing this year,'' Tyer said. ``But he's not ready to play today and I can't say when he'll be ready to play.''
Patton, a third-year pro who was drafted as a project out of Alabama A&M, has been tabbed to play guard since entering the NFL. But he took over for Lachey last season and participated in 86 percent of Washington's offensive snaps. While he had his moments, like holding Dallas' Charles Haley without a sack in Washington's Week 5 victory over the Cowboys, Redskins brass remains convinced he'll have a much better career at guard than tackle.
The drafting of Johnson completes a quick restructuring of the Redskins' offensive line. Assuming second-year pro Cory Raymer steps in for John Gesek at center, Washington could open the season with Raymer, right guard Bob Dahl, right tackle Ed Simmons, left guard Tre' Johnson and Johnson at left tackle. ILLUSTRATION: Penn State's 6-5, 310-pound Andre Johnson is expected to fill
the void at left tackle.
QUOTABLES
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY ABOUT ANDRE JOHNSON
Jim Sabo, Ourlad's Guide to the NFL Draft: Sixth-rated offensive
lineman. Tall, but not too well built. Thin legged. Quick off the
ball and light on his feet. Gets off the line smoothly - able to
fire out and get contact with the linebacker. Had good balance and
fluidity. Not an explosive run blocker. Works to stay with his
blocks. Needs to improve his overall strength.
Joel Buchsbaum, Pro Football Weekly: The positives are that he's
durable and dependable. Good athlete. Understands blocking angles.
Efficient pass-blocker who rarely gives up a sack. Became a more
physical blocker in 1995. The negatives are that he's not built to
be a real power blocker. A little thinner and narrower that scouts
would like in the lower body. Has a high center of gravity. Will
look awkward at times. In summary, he has the size and pass-blocking
skills to start (in the NFL), but he needs to improve as a run
blocker.
DRAFT-DAY DEALS
CHARLEY CASSERLY'S DRAFT-DAY TRADES
April 20, 1996 - trades second-round pick (37th overall) and
third-round pick (67th overall) to Dallas for No. 1 pick (30th
overall, Redskins select OT Andre Johnson).
April 26, 1992 - trades two No. 1 picks (6th and 28th overall)
and No. 3 pick (84th overall) to Cincinnati for Bengals No. 1 pick
(4th overall, Redskins select WR Desmond Howard) and No. 3 1992 pick
(58th overall).
April 27, 1992 - trades No. 2 1992 pick (56th overall) and No. 3
1992 pick (58th overall) to Dallas for No. 2 1992 pick (47th
overall, Redskins select DE Shane Collins) and No. 3 1992 pick (74th
overall, Redskins select OT Paul Siever).
April 22, 1991 - trades No. 1 pick (20th overall) and fifth-round
pick to Dallas for Cowboys' 1991 No. 1 draft pick (17th overall,
Redskins select Bobby Wilson).
April 22, 1990 - trades fifth-round pick in 1990 to Miami for
10th-round 1990 pick (Redskins select RB D'Juan Francisco) and
fourth-round 1991 pick (Redskins trade with Pittsburgh for Tim
Johnson)
April 22, 1990 - trades two fifth-round picks in 1990 to New
England for Patriots' fourth-round pick (Redskins select QB Cary
Conklin).
by CNB