Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 8, 1990 TAG: 9005080089
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVE LEWIS LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHANTILLY LENGTH: Medium
"Really, I still have a lot to give," said Wilder, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound Plan B free agent from Tampa Bay. "I'm like a fresh kid."
At 31, Wilder is hardly a kid in terms of NFL running backs.
"I look at it this way - I've been well rested my last three years," said Wilder, referring to his limited role since coach Ray Perkins arrived in Tampa.
"I've got no injuries. And coming to the Redskins is really good for the mind. It's like they say, what's good for the mind is good for the body."
How well Wilder's body holds up is a question. In 1988, he suffered a knee injury that cost him the last nine games of the season. Two years earlier he was bothered by chest, rib and ankle injuries.
Last year, Wilder appeared in 15 games and rushed for 244 yards, hardly the kind of numbers he put up in the mid-1980s. He rushed for an NFL-leading 1,544 yards in 1984 and followed that with a 1,300-yard season.
In his first practice on Monday, Wilder got off to a shaky start, fumbling his first two handoffs in a running drill. He later would drop three of the first five passes in a passing drill.
However, that did not seem to bother the coaching staff.
"I think the one thing that impressed us the most was when Wilder came in here to meet our players, you could just sense the respect they had for the guy," said running backs coach Don Breaux. "And it wasn't his name, rather what he had done in this league.
"Yes, we know he's 31 and there is no question that is a factor. But we also asked ourselves if the man takes care of himself, and we got positive answers.
"Also, because he hasn't played that much lately, he hasn't taken that tremendous pounding he took earlier in his career."
Some wonder if Wilder will be another Gerald Riggs.
Riggs, 29, came to the Redskins in a trade with Atlanta during the 1989 draft with a long history of injury problems. In his first season with the Redskins, Riggs began like an All-Pro, rushing for 322 in his first two games, but was bothered by shoulder and foot ailments the rest of the season, rushing for only 516 yards over the next 14 games, four of which he missed.
Obviously, the Redskins are hoping for different results with Wilder.
"He is a very physical guy who will contribute on special teams even though he's been to the Pro Bowl," said Breaux. "He has good hands and is excellent in pass protection.
"Once we get to training camp he has an opportunity to be the main guy back there. It's in his hands."
Or Wilder could be used in passing situations as a receiver out of the backfield.
On the surface, it does not appear the Redskins are counting on a return from Kelvin Bryant, who missed last year with a neck injury received in an auto accident.
"We'll know more by Wednesday after the physicals [for veteran players]," said coach Joe Gibbs. "I don't want to speak out of turn right now."
Asked if he is optimistic, Gibbs said, "I can't say right now. We may wait until June before we make a decision, and we may not."
In addition to the Redskins, Wilder said the San Francisco 49ers showed interest.
"I figured I'd have a chance at more playing time in Washington. The 49ers are pretty well established. Besides, the Redskins had more interest in me," said Wilder, who broke into the NFL in 1981 out of Missouri.
"Washington is a first-class organization. They have a good offensive scheme and spread the ball around.
"I'm not real sure what my role will be here. I'm just looking forward to contributing. I can respond to anything."
Despite his reduced playing role in Tampa the past three years, Wilder left as the Bucs' all-time offensive leader in total yards (9,449), rushing (5,957), receptions (430) and touchdowns (46).
But during the Plan B free agency period from Feb. 1 to April 1, the Bucs left Wilder unprotected.
"I knew this was coming around," Wilder said. "Tampa Bay wanted to make more space for their younger players. A coach has to do what's best for his team.
"I've got no bad feelings and no regrets. As for leaving some of my friends, I believe your real friends hang with you, regardless."
If Wilder has any differences with Perkins, he did not disclose them on Monday.
"It was a little frustrating the last few years. You wanted to be out there. But I also realized the team was rebuilding.
"Hey, it's a business and you can't look at it any other way."
The last time Wilder appeared in a playoff game was during the strike-shortened 1982 season when the Bucs finished 5-4 and were eliminated in the first round by Dallas.
"It seems like light years ago," said Wilder. "It's nice to be with a team which goes to the playoffs nearly every year."
For Wilder's information, the Redskins haven't qualified for the playoffs the past two years.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB