THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 29, 1996 TAG: 9608290615
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 70 lines
Ron Lynn has a surprise for you.
He swears the Washington Redskins would have had an improved defensive line this season even if they hadn't made the trade with St. Louis for former All-Pro Sean Gilbert.
Really.
``I watched those other guys during the offseason, saw the work they put in at Redskin Park,'' the Redskins' defensive coordinator says. ``We were going to be better because the players coming back were going to be improved. Bigger, stronger and more experienced.''
He's talking about Rich Owens, William Gaines and Dexter Nottage. Players other teams didn't want or never heard of. Players line coach Bob Karmelowicz lovingly and laughingly has referred to the last couple of years as ``my projects.''
Owens, a gangly fourth-round pick from Lehigh, started the final five games last season and recorded three sacks. That was the third-best total on the team. During the offseason, he grew from 263 to 279. The extra weight hasn't slowed his non-stop motor, which the Redskins like enough to designate him their starting right end.
Gaines, the last player cut by Miami a year ago, started the season-opener for Washington six days later. He finished the year with 50 tackles, enough to make Karmelowicz think he is coming into his own.
Then there's Nottage, who skipped the last couple of years of his college eligibility at Florida A&M. Still green after two seasons, Nottage has shown a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He recovered a team-best three fumbles in '95 and there were brief periods when he dominated the line.
And don't forget Marc Boutte, who was good enough to start for the Rams in 1992 and '93. In his first two seasons in Washington, he often was the Redskins' best defensive lineman, but a victim of the youth and ineptitude around him.
``Unless you're here every day, you can't see the difference from last year,'' Owens says.
``Gilbert can't do it all. No one man can. But, he might be the final piece of the puzzle.''
Gilbert isn't bothered by the low profile of his new unit.
``We don't have to have the name-brand guys to have a great defensive line,'' Gilbert says.
``I've looked around here. There's talent. We just need to gain some cohesiveness, and that's going to come with time.''
During the preseason, there was some evidence of what Gilbert's impact on the Redskins might be. The 6-foot-5, 316-pound former Pitt star helped hold opposing runners to 3.1 yards per carry, way down from the 1995 average of 4.4 yards per pop.
But the Washington pass rush, which has come primarily from linebacker Ken Harvey the last two seasons, remains in hiding. Washington counts on Gilbert having the same influence on its rush as he did on the Rams' last season. In the two games he missed, the Rams had no sacks. In the 14 he started, the Rams had 36.
``Hopefully, he'll free me and I'll free him and, occasionally, everyone will break free,'' Harvey said. ``I look at him as another option, another weapon - a tremendous weapon - the other offense must deal with.''
Redskins general manager Charley Casserly figures Boutte and middle linebacker Rod Stephens will benefit most by having Gilbert in the lineup. Boutte won't be double-teamed as often as before. Opposing guards will have a tougher time getting past the line of scrimmage and to the linebackers with Gilbert to negotiate.
``Sean has the best range of any defensive tackle I've ever seen,'' Casserly says. ``He can make plays for you at the line of scrimmage, on the flanks and in pursuit. He adds a dimension you don't ordinarily have.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Former All-Pro Sean Gilbert is especially strong against the run. by CNB