THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608270499
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: V2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Pro Forecast
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 98 lines
Open the curtain and step inside. Madam Rozelleo, world-famous fortune teller and mini-mart proprietor, is prepared to answer your questions about the '96 Washington Redskins.
Q: How will Gus Frerotte do as the team's starting quarterback?
``This isn't Denver, where the quarterback has to play great or the team couldn't win a JV game. Gus has a lot of weapons in Terry Allen, Michael Westbrook, Henry Ellard, Leslie Shepherd and Jamie Asher. If he is smart and lets those around him do the work, he and the Redskins offense will be just fine.''
Q: And if he doesn't?
``The Democrats won't be the only ones in Washington selling their houses come the first of the year.''
Q: Is Michael Westbrook the NFL's next superstar receiver or another in Washington's ever-increasing line of high-round draft busts?
``This will not be an especially productive year for Westbrook, who has as much potential as any player in the league. But he hasn't been made to work by the coaches and he hasn't done as much on his own as he should have. How long it takes for him to own up to that fact and get busy will determine when, and if, he becomes the player he can be.''
Q: Is this offensive line good enough for the Redskins to make the playoffs?
``The starting five of center Cory Raymer, guards Tre' Johnson and Bob Dahl and tackles Ed Simmons and either Shar Pourdanesh or Joe Patton is good enough. Raymer is young, strong and agile. Johnson, at 340 pounds, has so much speed and quickness that he can be a dominant pulling, trapping presence. Dahl is pure muscle, a great pillar to run behind, especially near the end zone. Simmons is a streak player. Pourdanesh, who spent his last two years playing in Canada, and Patton, a third-year pro, can be regarded as minor questions marks.
``However, suddenly there is no depth. Originally, the Redskins hoped Jim Lachey would be their left tackle, with Pourdanesh and Patton helping out. Then they hoped John Gesek and Raymer would share time at center. But injuries forced Lachey and Gesek to retire.''
Q: Is Asher the Redskins' best pass-catching tight end since Jerry Smith?
``Yes. He should catch 50 passes. The only things separating him from comparisons to Jay Novacek are speed and experience. Asher is more like Pete Holihan, who had some big seasons for the Rams.''
Q: Isn't Brian Mitchell due for a bad year returning kicks?
``Why so negative? Accept Mitchell for what he is, the league's most consistent combination punt-kick-third down man. He doesn't have great speed, but his college experience as a running quarterback enables him to follow his blockers as well as anyone at his position. He gave the Redskins the best average starting field position in football last year. Getting that kind of boost again this season would really make Frerotte's job easier.''
Q: The fullback was critical in Turner's old Dallas offense. Larry Bowie, Larry Jones and William Bell - can any of them do the job?
``Jones, who fumbled so often the Redskins instituted direct deposit just so his money would make it to the bank, was waived. Bell is terrific as lead blocker on Mitchell's returns, but the fullback job belongs to Bowie and vet Marc Logan. Bowie blocks nicely, but ran during preseason like his feet were in quicksand. With Kevin Turner back healthy in Philadelphia, the Redskins have the worst fullbacks in the NFC East.''
Q: What will Sean Gilbert's impact be on the defensive line?
``Gilbert chases down plays sideline to sideline so well and so often that he could be the Charlie Hustle of pro football. Washington will be more solid up the middle with Gilbert, Marc Boutte and reserve William Gaines. Problem: During preseason, there still wasn't any pass rush. Young defensive end Rich Owens, who missed three weeks with a sprained ankle, is being counted on to provide outside pass rush. Talk about acts of faith.''
Q: Can they win some of the close ones, unlike the last two seasons?
``That's where Turner hopes Gilbert comes in. How many times did teams grind the ball down the field, or reel off a late 10- or 12-play drive to beat the Redskins? Great players elevate their performances in those situations, making the sack or the tackle behind the line of scrimmage, that keeps five-play drives from becoming 12-play game-winners. Gilbert, who has been to two Pro Bowls, can be that player.''
Q: Are the Redskins better, or has the NFC East fallen apart?
``Both. The Cowboys may wind up being the best, but they aren't as good as a year ago and nowhere near as good as three or four years ago. The Eagles are weak at quarterback and, possibly, wide receiver. The Giants have big problems. The Cardinals continue to be Exhibit A in how not to run a franchise.
``Washington, meanwhile, is better along the defensive line and tight end, has depth at receiver, good special teams, as much speed as any team in the NFL, a couple of pretty good quarterbacks still developing (unlike Rodney Peete and Dave Brown). An experienced quarterback - even Neil O'Donnell - would make this a surefire playoff team.''
Q: What does owner Jack Kent Cooke say to Turner if he goes 6-10 again this year?
``Tell me, dear, dear Norval, why I should retain your services?''
Q: And what does The Squire say to GM Charley Casserly?
``Charles, here's your dagger. Now be a good boy and fall on it - after you've walked my lovely pooch Coco over to her favorite fire hydrant.'' ILLUSTRATION: File photos
KEYWORDS: SPECIAL SECTION PREVIEW by CNB