DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 1997           TAG: 9709300435

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines

RICHARD MAKING PRESENCE FELT

Every NFL team has one.

In New York, Giants fans point to quarterback Dave Brown. This week in Philadelphia, it's cornerback Troy Vincent. Dallas? Barry ``Six Gun'' Switzer. In Miami, Jimmy Johnson amazingly thinks it might be Dan Marino.

They're the lightning rods, the answer to the question fans most often ask about their team: Who'd we be better off without?

In Washington and neighboring communities the last few years, starting free safety Stanley Richard has been the lightning rod. Every deep thinker's theory on how to improve the Redskins' defense has begun with dumping Richard, the former free agent from San Diego.

They say they have ``two million reasons'' for choosing the self-proclaimed ``Sheriff.'' That's about how much the Redskins will pay him this season, right there with untouchables Darrell Green and Ken Harvey.

Last summer was particularly hostile. The moment tackle Sean Gilbert announced that he was holding out for $5 million a year, then tried to legitimize his preposterous stance by saying it came from God, the call came to cut Richard and give his money to Gilbert and his money-grubbing deity.

Then Kansas City cut tackle Dan Saleaumua over money. Saleaumua, a better than average player, though no star, wanted only about $2 million a year. Two million? How convenient. Junk Richard, give his money to Saleaumua, let Gilbert burn incense a while longer.

When neither move happened, the deep thinkers hung their heads. Not only would the Redskins stink against the run this season - yet again - but they still were stuck with Richard in the secondary. Let the hand wringing begin.

Wonder what's going through their minds now. The Redskins are 3-1 after beating Jacksonville 24-12 in an impressive 60-minute defensive stand in which Richard was large. He tied linebacker Marvcus Patton with a game-high seven tackles, intercepted a pass and defended two more, both in resounding style.

``This has been a long time coming,'' Richard said Sunday. You could almost see his mind backspace to the past two seasons under ex-defensive coordinator Ron Lynn, who Richard claims misused his talents.

Rather than let Richard roam the field, Lynn not only called for him to play closer to the line to help fortify Washington's cheesy run defense, but also to relay sideline signals to his 10 teammates. Often, Richard argued, the signals were late, or confusing, or referred to an alignment they hadn't practiced in weeks. He also wonders why back-to-back 100-tackle seasons in Washington aren't enough for the deep thinkers to get it that he was just doing what he was told, even if it meant sacrifices in other areas.

``I'd get a headache trying to choose from the six or seven different (options) on what was being sent in,'' Richard said. ``I think that's why we couldn't get off the field on third down last year.''

New coordinator Mike Nolan simplified everything. There are fewer options. Strong safety Jesse Campbell was brought in to bolster the run defense. Richard was told to roam, make plays.

Sunday was the best example yet of the change in Richard. On his interception, Richard was helping Green cover dangerous Jimmy Smith. Green deflected the ball and Richard nabbed it.

In the second half, Richard began throwing his weight around. Twice, his tackles held Natrone Means to short gains. Once, he slammed into Smith, forcing him to drop the ball. On Jacksonville's last possession, you could practically see the dent in Keenan McCardell's back where Richard stung him in breaking up a fourth-and-9 pass.

``I've been known to make hits like that,'' he said.

He's been known to have those types of games before, too. This time, though, there's evidence of something more consistent. In four games, the Redskins' defense has yet to allow a play of 25 or more yards. Last season after four games, Washington had surrendered eight.

Richard, the last line of defense, deserves as much credit for that stat as cornerbacks Green and Cris Dishman. And it's starting to look like he deserves less flak from the deep thinkers, too. ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stanley Richard, right, celebrates his interception with Cris

Dishman on Sunday. By being allowed more freedom this year, the

oft-maligned free safety is finally turning in big plays for the

Redskins.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu