THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 1996 TAG: 9610290443
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: 92 lines
The Washington Redskins have won seven straight games for the first time since opening the 1991 season 11-0. Dating back to last season, they have captured 10 of their last 12. They've won their last four road games and head to Buffalo for Sunday's game against the Bills as the only team in the NFL without a road loss this season.
But a small corps of Redskins fans has managed to keep coach Norv Turner from getting too cocky.
``I love the enthusiasm, I want us to have the enthusiasm from our fans in the stadium and the people all around,'' Turner said. ``We're all human. I don't like going around knowing people are saying, `Hey, you're winning games, but you're not very good because you haven't played anybody.' You'd like to be acknowledged, have them say, `Hey, we're behind you and you're a good football team.'
``But you also have to keep it in perspective. I told our team today that I've got about 500 letters in (his office) telling me how stupid I am. Any time I start feeling too good about myself, I just file through them and take out the one I like best.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What is it with Redskins quarterbacks and restaurants?
Before the season started, Gus Frerotte cut a deal with Maggiano's, an Italian eatery in Tyson's Corner, that the restaurant would give a free meal to every member of the Redskins' offense - and their wives or girlfriends - every Monday after a Washington victory.
That's right. Seven Monday nights in a row, about 30 players and dates have plunked themselves down for a free meal.
Sure, Maggiano's wanted publicity - and they're getting it - but as Frerotte says, ``I don't think they expected us to win seven straight. Then again, we lose, we don't eat out.''
Unwittingly, Frerotte is following in the footsteps of Redskins' quarterbacks and close relationships with D.C.-area eating establishments.
Feeling no pain, Billy Kilmer once left a $100 tip for a $1.19 breakfast at his favorite Toddle House in Arlington.
When he worked for the CBS affiliate in town, Sonny Jurgensen was a regular at The Dancing Crab in Northwest Washington.
Even before he became the Redskins' starting quarterback, Joe Theismann opened his own restaurant in Northern Virginia. A few years later, Jay Schroeder tried the same thing. Like their careers, Theismann's restaurant is still in business and has had a lasting impact on the Washington scene; Schroeder's All-Pro Restaurant went belly-up even before the quarterback was shuffled off to the then-Los Angeles Raiders.
Mark Rypien and Doug Williams were stay-at-home eaters. Until this season, Frerotte and Heath Shuler had bigger problems on their hands than where to head for dinner.
PATTON'S SHOES: The first two times Terry Allen rushed up the middle Sunday, he was stopped in his tracks by Colts tackle Tony Siragusa. On that opening drive, Allen had two other carries for three yards each, prompting some worried looks on the Redskins bench.
``Hey, I was worried, too,'' said the player responsible for blocking Siragusa, Joe Patton. ``But I thought the ground was going to be real hard, so I wore cleats, but I couldn't get any traction. I kept slipping. At the start of the second quarter, I changed to a softer shoe, so I could plant. After that, you didn't hear his name again.''
What assistant equipment manager Jeff Parsons did was put Patton into a shoe with a molded bottom made of rubber, put out by the Just-Do-It people.
``I should have checked the field before the game to see what kind of traction I was going to be able to get,'' Patton said. ``I made a big mistake.''
THIS N' THAT: The Redskins announced the signing of offensive tackle Darryl Ashmore to the active roster and waived center Chris Sedoris. Ashmore, 6-foot-7, 310 pounds, is in his fifth pro season and played the first six games this season with the St. Louis Rams. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1992 draft, spent his rookie season on injured reserve after injuring his knee. Ashmore played in 36 games, including 25 starts, between 1993-95. ... Henry Ellard tied Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner for fifth in career receptions (750) while pulling within 20 yards of Art Monk for fourth in career receiving yardage (12,721). Ellard had three catches for 55 yards Sunday. But he fell under 20 yards per catch for the first time this season. He's now at a league-best 19.9. ... The Redskins continue to improve in turnover ratio. At plus-11, they're now third in the NFL, behind only Green Bay (plus 15) and, believe it or not, Cincinnati (plus-12). ... A tip of the cap to the press-box wag who saw Redskins safety Stanley Richard tackle Colts running back Marshall Faulk and said, ``That's why Stanley is `The Sheriff' and Faulk's just a Marshall.'' ... DT Marc Boutte won't know whether his injured knee will be healthy enough for him to play Sunday against the Bills until after two or three practices this week. And DE Sterling Palmer likely won't be able to go Sunday. Trainer Bubba Tyer said Palmer has swelling in his knee, went to Arlington Hospital Monday. Although tests were negative, Palmer may have to take it easy the next few days. The injury of most concern is running back Terry Allen's bruised left wrist. Allen has been practicing with a splint on the wrist the last two weeks, but refuses to wear it on game day. He'll start and, barring other injuries, will play the whole game. by CNB