THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610190615
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 76 lines
Giants vs. Redskins:
One of Washington's five consecutive wins was a 31-10 rout of the Giants on Sept. 15 at the Meadowlands in which Terry Allen ran for 146 yards.
If there is a spot on the schedule for the Washington Redskins to stub their toe against an opponent they should handle, today's game against the New York Giants is it.
Of Washington's five consecutive wins, one was a 31-10 rout of the Giants on Sept. 15 at the Meadowlands. Terry Allen ran for 146 yards. The Redskins intercepted four passes, two by Tom Carter on bombs into the end zone. The defensive front seven harassed Giants quarterback Dave Brown to distraction, Brown finally yanking off his helmet and trying to force a fight with linebacker Marvcus Patton.
It was Washington's easiest game of the season. Now, the Giants are back. They have won two of their last three, both at home, though their last game was a 19-10 loss to Philadelphia in which Brown was sacked eight times.
It's only human nature for the Redskins to look past their NFC East foes and down the road to a schedule that features AFC powers Indianapolis and Buffalo after the Giants. Except that Redskins coach Norv Turner and some of his key players insist there's no way that's going to happen.
``This is a year to do things not done before,'' linebacker Ken Harvey added. ``Everybody wants to win. It's been a long time coming. I remember how hard we played and how close we came to winning a lot of games the last two years. You don't have to remind me.''
For the first time this season, the Redskins will have to overcome significant injuries to a key unit. The defensive line will be without starters Sterling Palmer (end) and Marc Boutte (tackle), both recovering from knee surgery. Veteran Tony Woods will start for Palmer, while second-year pro William Gaines steps in for Boutte.
Gaines' play is critical. If he can't get penetration against right guard Ron Stone, that will enable the Giants to concentrate more resources stopping Sean Gilbert, the mainstay of the Washington line. Defensive coordinator Ron Lynn admitted last week that Gilbert began to wear down near the end of Washington's 27-22 win over New England and that injuries had forced him to scrap his plan to keep everyone fresh by rotating linemen.
Also, untested Romeo Bandison will spell Gilbert and Gaines. He played last week despite an injury and made enough plays inside to grab a larger role. Turner figures the Giants will simplify their offense and put even more emphasis on the run against a Redskins defense that is 26th in that category. Strong performances by Gaines and Bandison would negate that strategy and force Brown to throw.
``We talked about it from Day One at training camp, that there would be situations when you would get an opportunity to play more than usual,'' Turner said. ``Lots of guys take advantage of it and never come out again. My thing to them is to do something to take advantage of this opportunity.
``If you show us you can do a particular thing well, we as coaches have vowed to find some way to put that into the game plan, so that you get the chance to do what you do best. It's a whole lot more enjoyable when everyone is working together on a common goal.''
The Giants, meanwhile, have major problems on offense. Brown has been sacked 26 times, most in the league. New York averages just 13.3 first downs a game. Star running back Rodney Hampton has yet to have a 100-yard game.
Brown said last week that he recently apologized to his defensive teammates for his performance and asked them to keep playing with pride and emotion.
``There's almost a feeling of guilt on the offensive side,'' Brown said. ``We're not holding up our end of the bargain. The defense is keeping us in games; now, it's our turn to go out and win one for them.''
That's easier said than done when the quarterback spends most of each game running for safety. In the first game against the Redskins, Brown was slammed hard early by Gilbert, a play that seemed to set the tone for the day. Last week, Philadelphia's line got to him early and afterwards said Brown appeared rattled.
``When you get sacked once or twice early, the defense develops a mentality, like they smell blood,'' Brown said. ``From then on, they come after you a little stronger. My job, if I have the chance, is to throw it away, keep them at bay for a little while until we can get things turned around.'' by CNB