THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 13, 1996 TAG: 9608130445
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: 68 lines
The Washington Redskins call Darryl Morrison D-Mo and Darryl Pounds D-Po.
Within minutes of waiving veteran James Washington on Monday, they began calling both ``starting safeties.''
That's not exactly true. Pounds, a second-year pro from Nicholls State who was a special-teams standout last season, will start most of the time at strong safety beside Stanley Richard.
But Morrison, a third-year pro from Arizona who started every game his rookie season but struggled miserably, also will occasionally start in tandem with Richard. He'll also move into Richard's spot should Richard be injured.
Eventually, one may win the job full time.
``Any time we play a team with a lot of wide receivers - Buffalo, Detroit, for example, teams that use three wideouts and one back - that situation favors Darryl Pounds,'' secondary coach Tom Hayes said. ``Now, when we play a team like the New York Giants, two receivers, two backs, pound-it-out mentality, that favors Darryl Morrison.''
The difference is size.
Pounds is 5-feet-10 and 179 pounds. He also plays despite a degenerative back disk that makes it less likely he can stand up to the beating a grind-it-out team would inflict.
Morrison is 5-11 and 196, enough heft to take on tight ends and fullbacks charging through the hole.
``We're not looking for Darryl Pounds to play 60 plays a game,'' defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said. ``We're looking at the Darryl and Darryl Committee.''
Pounds, who figured he was some time away from being in this position, was understandably excited.
``I'm ready for the challenge,'' he said. ``I've been playing pretty good.''
Pounds made himself too big to overlook against Buffalo. He intercepted a pass, recovered a fumbled punt and blocked a field goal in a 17-7 victory over the Bills.
Morrison began making a strong impression in a scrimmage against Pittsburgh the third day of camp. On a goal-line stand, he raced up from the secondary and into the hole to stop a Steelers running back in his tracks.
``Morrison had a heckuva camp last season and didn't get any opportunities,'' coach Norv Turner said. ``He's had a heckuva camp this year, had some more opportunities and has made the most of them. And I'm not worried about Pounds' back. It's going to be fine once we get out of training camp.''
That was accomplished after Monday's second practice in the Frostburg gymnasium. It poured all day and forecasts were for more today. Turner decided to break camp several days early. During the afternoon workout, Pounds and Morrison shuttled in and out.
``I didn't see it coming and I had no idea this was happening,'' Morrison said. ``God works in mysterious ways. I was trying to do all I could to help myself, and I'm grateful for this opportunity. But I'm also sad as well. James Washington brought me a long way at this position by teaching me what he knew.''
Pounds sounded uncertain how long he could keep the starting post. Like others, he labeled Morrison one of the stars of training camp.
``Darryl has been playing great and he hasn't been injured,'' Pounds said. ``He has more experience in this defense. He knows more about it than I do. I look at myself more as an up-and-coming guy.''
Morrison was beaten for a touchdown last week against Detroit. Hayes said it was on the type of play a more veteran player, like Washington, probably would have played better.
``But one of the things we like most about D-Mo is that you show him something on film, tell him what he needs to do, and he goes out and does it,'' Hayes said. ``He might get beat on it next time, but I'm betting it'll be a tighter fit, that he'll make a much better play.'' by CNB