Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 3, 1992 TAG: 9201030126
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHANTILLY LENGTH: Medium
REDSKINS IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY
The Washington Redskins hope to prove Saturday in their NFL playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons that there is no substitute for on-the-job experience.With the Chicago Bears having lost to Dallas last weekend in the opening round, the Redskins are the only NFC team left that has been to a Super Bowl in the past decade. The Falcons and the Detroit Lions never have done it. The Cowboys haven't been to one since 1978.
Forty-one of the 47 players on the Redskins' roster have playoff experience.
Four Redskins - linebacker Monte Coleman, offensive linemen Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby and tight end Don Warren - have played in all 16 postseason games under coach Joe Gibbs. Center Jeff Bostic has played in 15.
Linebacker Matt Millen was in 16 playoff games and three Super Bowls with the Los Angeles Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.
Sixteen Redskins have Super Bowl rings.
"They've been in pressure situations before, and they've shown they know how to respond," Gibbs said. "I think they know what's at stake and how rare an opportunity they have."
The Falcons have not been to the playoffs since 1982. Only 11 Atlanta players had playoff experience before their victory against New Orleans last Saturday.
Of those, cornerback Tim McKyer has the most experience (six games), dating to his days with the 49ers and Miami Dolphins.
"I think it's something you have to put a check next to under our name," says Redskins cornerback Darrell Green, who has played in 12 playoff games. "I don't know how much it counts for, but I would think it's a edge and I'm taking anything I can get."
The Redskins have several key players who never have been in postseason competition: defensive tackles Eric Williams and Bobby Wilson, and running back Ricky Ervins.
The veteran Redskins helping prepare the uninitiated for Saturday are using different strategies.
Williams spent seven seasons with Detroit before coming over in a trade last season. He was injured and missed Washington's wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles a year ago.
"Monte gave me a little advice as he passed out sticks of his special Geritol gum," said Williams, a crack at Coleman's age (34). "He told me that there's no greater feeling in football than going to `The Bowl' - and that the feeling builds game by game. He told me I'd enjoy this more than anything I've ever done in football."
With Wilson and Ervins, both rookies from big-time programs Michigan State and Southern Cal, respectively, the veterans have used humor to keep them loose and ready.
"I've heard a bunch of guys say, `By Saturday, Bobby and Ricky will be so scared they won't be able to show up,' " Williams said. "Then everyone laughs; Bobby and Ricky, too."
Quarterback Mark Rypien said they may not show their inexperience as much as one may think.
"I think there are some young guys who have done so much for you that you don't expect to see them [get nervous] just because it's the playoffs," he said.
Some, like tight end Ron Middleton, constantly appeal to their own sense of pride, mixed with what he says is a healthy dose of fear.
"I've thought all week about our basic philosophy, and that has been the same since Day One," Middleton said. "Play hard and play smart. We've stressed this week, `Don't be the guy, don't be the one who sells out. Don't be the guy who gets caught not doing his part. Don't be the guy whose mistake costs the game.' "
Warren says that attitude is fine for Middleton, who has three playoff games under his belt.
"But I wouldn't want to use that on James Jenkins," Warren said, referring to the Redskins' rookie tight end from Rutgers. "He's a good player, but he's only been in six [NFL] games his whole life. A guy like that, you have to let him experience it for himself, let him see how much fun it is just being out there. He's growing into the game; let him keep growing with this, too."
Coleman, one of a handful of veterans who last year began calling players-only meetings the night before games to help the team focus better, says what is helping him concentrate this postseason is that it might be his last.
"It's not etched in stone during your career that you're going to be in even one of these," he said. "There are legends who never did one. Any time you get the opportunity to knock on the door, you've got to knock hard. I've been blessed. If we go this time, it'll be four I've been in."
Green says his only advice to the young players is to expect the unexpected - and enjoy it.
"From now on, the abnormal becomes normal," Green said. "You have to expect the tipped ball and other unorthodox things happening. Anything happens. It's a different game, and there's no greater thing to be in. It's a feeling unlike no other."
Keywords:
FOOTBALL