DATE: Sunday, August 24, 1997               TAG: 9708240214

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   88 lines

REDSKINS FINE WESTBROOK $50,000WASHINGTON RECEIVER APOLOGIZES TO DAVIS AND THEN THE TEAM BEFORE GOING HOME.

The penalty for bloodying a teammate's face is $50,000 if you play for the Washington Redskins. That's how much coach Norv Turner fined troubled receiver Michael Westbrook for ``conduct detrimental to the club'' after the two met Saturday morning at Redskin Park.

After Westbrook and Turner spoke, Westbrook and running back Stephen Davis met privately, just a few hundred yards from where Westbrook on Tuesday suddenly punched him to the ground, then hopped on top and continued flailing away until Davis' face was bloody.

Saturday, Westbrook apologized privately to Davis, then was brought before the rest of the team, at which time he apologized again. Turner then sent Westbrook home, ordering him to miss practice.

``I think we're going to be ready to open the season against Carolina,'' Turner said. ``We were specific and careful to make sure this was handled in such a way that it would be best for the team.''

Asked why Westbrook didn't practice, Turner said only that ``there are things going on between now and Monday that needed to be done.'' He would not elaborate, though he said he expects Westbrook to play in the season opener Aug. 31 at Carolina.

Davis, meanwhile, said several times that ``I accept his apology and I want us to get back to helping the Washington Redskins this season.''

``I told him, `Let's go on and play the game,' '' Davis said. ``I want this to be over.''

Davis said that Westbrook offered no explanation for his actions and he didn't ask.

``I don't know why he did what he did,'' the second-year pro from Auburn said, ``but he says he's sorry, and I believe him. But, no, I didn't ask him why he went off like that.''

Westbrook left Redskin Park without comment.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported that the fight isn't the only trouble Westbrook is in. Westbrook was in Loudoun County District Court Friday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of failure to respond to two court orders in a civil suit related to unpaid monthly homeowners' dues totaling approximately $2,400 on his home.

Westbrook, who now has agreed to pay the back dues and attorneys fees, was fined $50 for each count and had to pay court costs. He also lost a $500 bond he had posted earlier.

The Post also reported that Westbrook is due to appear in court again Sept. 19 on charges of reckless driving. A Virginia state police officer said Westbrook was traveling 76 mph in a 45-mph zone on Aug. 8, according to court documents. The Redskins practiced in Frostburg, Md., that day, then Turner allowed the players to go home before they left for Nashville and a preseason game against the Tennessee Oilers.

On the field, the Redskins got closer to the league's 53-man roster limitation by waiving four players and adding another. Waived was running back Kerry Joseph, defensive tackles Romeo Bandison and Ryan Keuhl and wide receiver Chris Thomas.

Added was third-year defensive end Jamal Duff, claimed off waivers from the New York Giants.

Joseph, a converted quarterback, fumbled away his already slender chance at a roster spot Thursday night in Washington's 28-7 loss to Miami. Joseph fumbled twice, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Duff was rated highly coming out of San Diego State in 1995. After being taken in the sixth round, he had four sacks his rookie season, but missed the 1996 season with a foot injury.

He spent the offseason rehabilitating the foot, but when he didn't perform as well as hoped in preseason, the Giants abruptly cut him this week and signed Ray Agnew, who was released by Carolina.

In New York, Duff was coached by Earl Leggett and Mike Nolan, both of whom are with the Redskins.

``Earl coached him in New York, Mike coached him in New York and I was familiar with him because he had an outstanding game against us two years ago,'' Turner said. ``He's got some ability and if he can play against other teams as well as he played against us, he's going to help us.''

It is a desperation move of sorts, especially eight days before the start of the season. But with Sean Gilbert more adamant than ever about holding out, ends Rich Owens and Dexter Nottage ailing, and ends Kenard Lang and Kelvin Kinney yet to play in their first regular-season game, the Redskins need big bodies up front.

Gilbert's agent, Gus Sunseri, watched the Redskins surrender more than 100 yards rushing to Miami Thursday night and sounded amused the team still won't give Gilbert what he wants - $5 million a year - instead of $3.6 million.

``I don't think it's too bold a statement to say they're going to have a hard time winning with what they have,'' Sunseri said. ``They would rather have a hard time winning than come up and pay someone. That's fine. We'll live with it. Sean is not coming in for their offer.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Receiver Michael Westbrook...

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