THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996 TAG: 9607210193
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LATROBE, PA. LENGTH: 83 lines
Johnnie Barnes isn't convinced he could have made a difference on the two plays that decided Super Bowl XXX for the Dallas Cowboys. But he knows this: had it not been for a mild knee injury, he would have been on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the target of at least one of the two Neil O'Donnell passes that were intercepted.
``I think about that every day,'' Barnes said Saturday after catching three passes for 25 yards in Pittsburgh's 10-3 scrimmage victory over the Washington Redskins. He also beat two defenders to the ball for a 40-yard gain in seven-on-seven drills. ``Two Bowls in two years, and not a down on the field yet. That's my motivation.''
After three seasons with San Diego, Barnes, from Suffolk's John F. Kennedy High School, is close to finding a home in this second year as a Steeler. One week after the Super Bowl, Barnes returned to Pittsburgh and Three Rivers Stadium, where he worked and worked and worked.
``His teammates tell me he's more focused than they ever remember him being,'' said Pittsburgh's new receivers coach, David Culley. ``I tell you this, I noticed his presence at Three Rivers, and it's exactly the kind of commitment we were looking for.''
Barnes, 27, even decided to drop all legal action in the most traumatic incident of his life. Last offseason, Barnes and a friend were pulled over by a Pittsburgh-area law enforcement agent because he had a physical resemblance to a fugitive from Maryland and he was driving a similarly styled truck.
Despite people telling the officer that Barnes played for the Steelers, Barnes was made to kneel by the side of the road until a backup officer recognized him from watching the Steelers.
``I let it all go right before camp,'' Barnes said. ``I figured I could think about it and think about it and it would eventually get in the way of what I'm trying to accomplish here, or I could let it go. I didn't need the distraction. I've moved on now - in fact, I even got a new truck.''
Culley admits one of the concerns the Steelers had about Barnes was his weight and his ability to handle his blocking duties. They thought he was too light at 184 pounds; he came to camp at 192 and has maintained it. They thought his legs needed more definition; he went through extensive leg exercises and is stronger than at any time in his career.
``I'm more physical than ever,'' Barnes said. ``I don't take any crap from anybody anymore.''
They thought he needed to exhibit more ability to stay on his feet when blocking corners and safeties. He was rarely off his feet Saturday and Culley says that's the way it's been since camp opened.
They thought he needed to be more flexible. Last week, Barnes began learning the plays for the second of Pittsburgh's five wideout spots, called the ``F'' receiver. He'd replace the running back as third receiver on third down, giving him more playing time earlier than he experienced before last season's injury.
``I'm very happy with where Johnnie is right now,'' Culley said. ``With the weight, he thought he wasn't as fast or quick with the added pounds. He was out of his comfort zone. We had to convince him it really didn't impact his quickness or speed. Now, he's comfortable again.''
Culley won't go so far as to call this a make-or-break year for Barnes. To him, it's more like a coming-out.
``He has the ability to play pro football,'' Culley said. ``With him, it's a question of when his time comes, take advantage of it. If he doesn't make it here, he will somewhere else. But we have plans for him. If he makes this team, he will be on the field. It's time to see him.''
SCRIMMAGE NOTES: The Redskins' only points came on Canadian Football League refugee Sean Fleming's 30-yard field goal on Washington's last offensive play. field goal. . . . Neither Heath Shuler nor Gus Frerotte played. Neither did the rest of the first-unit offense or defense. . . . Chesapeake's Jim Kitts had three tackles for losses from his outside linebacker spot, two of them on screen passes. . . . Rookie sixth-round pick Kelvin Kinney of Virginia State made enough plays and near-plays to catch coach Norv Turner's eye. ``The first time we saw him we talked about how naturally he does certain things. In many ways, he is a natural. He's got a long way to go, but he likes to play, likes to be out there and he makes some things happen.'' Other players Turner cited were defensive tackle William Gaines, safety Leomont Evans and second-year cornerback Scott Turner. . . . The Steelers and Redskins will practice at Frostburg State University at 3 p.m. Tuesday. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Redskins cornerback Darrell Green, left, kept Johnnie Barnes from
getting near this pass, but the Steelers receiver caught three
others for 25 yards in Saturday's exhibition. by CNB