DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9711020320

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C15  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHICAGO                           LENGTH:   47 lines

ROOKIE LINEBACKER GETS CALL TODAY FOR STRUGGLING SKINS

Greg Jones has never been to Broadway, but he knows all about being an understudy.

Jones, a rookie outside linebacker and second-round pick of the Washington Redskins, has spent most of this season watching star Ken Harvey, the man he will one day replace. In that sense, today is an audition. Harvey is out with a shoulder injury and Jones gets his first NFL start when the struggling Redskins play the Chicago Bears.

``It's been incredible watching Ken play, but now I have to go out and do it,'' Jones said. ``I'm excited.''

As Washington's defensive line woes have escalated, Jones has gotten onto the field, but as a defensive end. He has just six tackles, but two sacks, one against Dallas, one last week against Baltimore.

Today, he'll do what Harvey does, go toe-to-toe with tight ends Keith Jennings and Ryan Wetnight on run downs, chase quarterback Erik Kramer on most pass plays.

``I think I'm ready,'' Jones said. ``When I thought about how to market myself coming out of college, my strengths were playing over the tight end, then getting after the quarterback on passing situations.''

With Jones on the field, two-thirds of the Redskins' linebackers-of-the-future club will be on display. Fellow rookie Derek Smith, a third-round pick, makes his ninth start of the season today. He is the team's fourth-leading tackler, second to Marvcus Patton among Washington's front seven.

``At first, not starting was disappointing, because if you're a second-round pick, you expect to start,'' Jones said. ``And Derek was out on the field. But we play different positions and once I saw Ken play, I understood things. I've gained a lot watching Ken.''

Jones isn't a typical rookie. Although just 23, he's been married for a couple of years and he and wife Valerie have a nine-month-old baby girl. He graduated from high school with a 3.9 average and started or played in 10 games for nationally-ranked Colorado as a true freshman.

He hopes his pro debut is as successful as his first college start, 1992 against Baylor. In that game, Jones had a sack and caused a safety.

He did it on an empty stomach. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Greg Jones, a second-round pick of the Washington Redskins, will

start today at outside linebacker for the injured Ken Harvey.

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