DATE: Thursday, November 13, 1997           TAG: 9711130689

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines

REDSKIN REPORT [BRIEFS]

The better he plays, the more he's booed, and Bowie's loving it

ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins fans like Larry Bowie so much that they've begun booing him every time he touches the football.

It happened for the first time Sunday after each of Bowie's four rushes and three receptions in Washington's 30-7 win over Detroit. As he jogged back to the huddle, many in the crowd of 75,000-plus began chanting ``Boooo. . . . Boooo. . . . Boooo.''

``I didn't hear it at first, didn't know what that was all about,'' Bowie said. ``Then Michael Westbrook came up to me and said, `Listen, that's for you.' It was good to hear that. It makes you want to play harder.''

In his second season, the former undrafted free agent out of Georgia couldn't be handling his fullback duties any better. His lead blocking has been a big reason Terry Allen and Stephen Davis have averaged almost 4 yards a carry this season. Meanwhile, Bowie is Washington's third-leading receiver with 24 receptions and a 10.5-yard average per catch.

``He's our third tight end, our fullback and another good receiver,'' reserve fullback Marc Logan said. ``Everything they've given him to do, he's done well.''

That's good news for Bowie but terrible for Logan, who started at fullback last season, caught 23 passes, rushed 20 times and was on the field for 41 percent of Washington's snaps. This season, Logan has two rushes and one catch - both late in the Redskins' blowout of Chicago two weeks ago.

Logan has taken Bowie under his wing, answering Bowie's questions and volunteering information about defensive fronts and schemes the youngster may not have seen before. That keeps Bowie playing; it also keeps Logan on the bench, watching.

``Not helping him won't help me play,'' Logan said. ``Not helping him isn't going to put me on the field. So, why not work with him? I want him to perform to the best of his ability. We are friends, although we've competed for the same job.''

One for the defense

They're still 29th against the run, but the Redskins' defense has made a quantum leap forward in what may be the most important defensive statistic: points allowed.

Through 10 games, the Redskins are allowing an average of 15.2 points per game, second only to San Francisco's 12.0.

A year ago, Washington was allowing 19 points a game and giving up 388.5 yards. This season, that figure is down to 305.9 yards.

``We're starting to find our way,'' tackle Marc Boutte said. ``It took a while to get comfortable with the changes that were made, and it's showing.''

New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan simplified the team's defensive schemes during last offseason, making it easier for players to know their assignments. Nolan also added safety Jesse Campbell from the Giants and cornerback Cris Dishman from the Oilers, two moves that made the secondary one of the league's best.

``The secondary is as good as any I've seen in the league,'' general manager Charley Casserly said. ``Overall, what you see is guys getting better every week. They're playing the gaps the way they're supposed to be played; they're playing the techniques the way (line coach) Ealr Leggett wants them played.''

Quick kicks

Despite being penalized seven times against the Lions, the Redskins lead the NFL in fewest penalties. Through 10 games, they've been penalized 48 times for 414 yards. Tampa Bay (50, 436) and the New York Jets (52, 436) are Washington's closest competition. . . . Washington is plus-7 in turnovers the last two weeks and is third in the NFC and fifth in the NFL for the season at plus-6. San Francisco (plus-15) and the New York Giants (plus-10) are the two best in the NFC. . . . The Redskins' 40:03 time of possession against the Lions was its highest total since a 1993 playoff game at Minnesota in which they had the ball for 42:43. Their most time of possession in a regular-season game also came against the Lions, 49:52 in an overtime victory at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1990. . . . Early injury report: OT Ed Simmons (lower leg), P Matt Turk (thigh), CB Chris Dishman (sternum), DT Chris Mims (abdomen) all are probable; DE Kelvin Kinney and DE Jamal Duff (ankle) are questionable; LB Twan Russell (concussion) is doubtful.

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