Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 22, 1994 TAG: 9407220110
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: SPORTS EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Medium
On a sunny, breezy morning at Biddle Field, there were fewer fans in attendance and younger players in uniform, too.
And there was Monte Coleman.
``I ain't dead,'' Coleman said after the first workout of his 16th NFL season. ``I just smell like it.''
Coleman, 37, reeks of Redskins history. When the linebacker first stepped onto Biddle Field in the summer of 1979 as an 11th-round draft choice, Jack Pardee was in his second of three seasons as Washington's head coach.
Joe Gibbs was a San Diego assistant coach. Darrell Green, the second eldest among these rebuilding Redskins, had just graduated from Jones High School in Houston. Joe Montana and Phil Simms were rookie campers elsewhere. Heath Shuler, the quarterback on whom Washington is waiting, was 7.
Coleman hasn't played in an NFL defense that wasn't schemed by Richie Petitbon until now. ``Everything, the way I've done it, is pretty much gone out the window,'' he said. ``There are new coaches, new terminology, new practice drills.
``It's different on the field. But what's really strange is in the locker room. Being with a lot of new people is kind of refreshing, but there's a lonesome feeling, too.
``A lot of the people I've been through this with for years, people like Charles Mann, Art Monk, Joe Jacoby, Jeff Bostic ... I sure miss them. And I miss the coaches who were here all those years, too.''
Norv Turner's coaching regime wants from Coleman what he gave Gibbs and Petitbon in recent years. He will play primarily on third downs, in passing situations, and on special teams.
On his first play, Coleman will join a true legend, Sammy Baugh, as the only Redskins to play 16 seasons. Only Monk and Dave Butz stand ahead of Coleman on Washington's games-played list. He should pass both by midseason.
``It's disappointing that someone like Art has to go somewhere else to play,'' Coleman said of Monk, the league's all-time receptions leader who signed with the New York Jets after a bitter contract dispute. ``He's a legend. I wish him all the best with the Jets. He's a true professional in all respects.''
So is Coleman. Like many veteran players, he finds the new NFL salary cap a tight fit. Some other players refused to take a pay cut. Coleman did, from $575,000 to $400,000 for this season, so landscape painting, hunting and fishing will remain hobbies only.
``It's a decision you have to make,'' said Coleman, the first NFL draftee from Central Arkansas, a school Scottie Pippen later put on the NBA map. ``It's strictly a pride thing. It's an individual thing.
``I look at it like not many people make as much as I make, even with a pay cut. I have a wife and five children. I think I can still play. I wouldn't be out here if someone didn't think I could still play.
``If the Redskins hadn't wanted me, I would have tried to go somewhere else. It's personal pride. There are a lot of players who were All-Pros who are making the same I'm making. Those who decided not to take a pay cut, the decision is based on pride.''
Coleman was the 289th player drafted in '79. He never played high school football. He asked for a tryout, then finished his college career with 22 interceptions.
Coleman admits he thought he'd seen everything in 15 years of training camp. Then came the first session of the first day of Turner's career as a head coach.
``In 16 years, I'd never seen a full-contact drill on the first day,'' Coleman said. ``What does that say? It says they're very serious.
``A lot of people have written us off, so I guess I fit here. I'm sure a lot of people wrote me off by now, too.''
No, it's more likely a lot of people will be writing about Coleman this camp. So, Monte, what's kept you around all these years?
``Geritol.''
Do you think you'll be back again next season?
``I'm not thinking that far ahead. I just want to get through the afternoon practice.''
Coleman always played has with an attitude that ``a player doesn't get cut; he cuts himself.'' That's one experience Coleman hasn't had, either.
``I've never really thought about why I've been able to play as long as I have,'' Coleman said. ``I am blessed to be here, I know that. And when it's my time to go, I will.
``I guess I'll be just a memory in some minds and maybe a legend in others.''
Still in uniform, he's already both.
Write to Jack Bogaczyk at the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, 24010.
Keywords:
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by CNB