Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 25, 1994                   TAG: 9407250080
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA.                                 LENGTH: Medium

HORTON HAS BRIGHT FUTURE WITH 'SKINS AND PANTHERS

That's because Horton, the Washington Redskins' new tight end, is a Carolina Panthers season ticket-holder. He bought two of the permanent seat licenses his home state's expansion franchise sold.

``I don't think I'll be able to make the Panthers' games next season,'' Horton said of Carolina's 1995 debut. ``At least I hope I'll still be playing here.''

Horton grew up in Kannapolis, N.C., and starred at North Carolina. He and his wife, Lawanda, live in Charlotte.

``We're big football fans,'' Horton said. ``Those tickets will be nice to have down the road.''

After four seasons as the Los Angeles Raiders' starting tight end, Horton took his 62-game consecutive starts streak to Washington for a two-year, $2.5 million contract. He was one of the winners in the first year of salary-capped free agency.

Horton may have the opportunity to star for a rebuilding franchise. In the Joe Gibbs years, the Redskins completed a pass to the tight end about as often as they went to the Super Bowl.

It will be different with new coach Norv Turner, whose offensive scheme features tight ends who can catch the ball and tall, physical wide receivers. Since the Redskins' wideouts are smurfs in shoulder pads, Horton's role may be more prominent than he expected.

``He's an aggressive guy and he makes tough catches,'' said Terry Robiskie, who coached Horton with Los Angeles and now works with the Redskins' receivers. ``He's a guy who makes big plays, and he can deliver a nasty hit.''

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end liked the idea of playing closer to home, but more than that, he liked what he knew of Turner's system. The past six years, tight ends Jay Novacek of Dallas and Pete Holohan of the Los Angeles Rams combined for 330 receptions with Turner running their offenses.

``The offense was one point that sold me,'' said Horton, who was the ACC player of the year a decade ago as a North Carolina running back. ``The organization's reputation mattered, too, and Norv is known as a player's coach.

``I grew up watching this team. The Redskins were on [television] every week and everyone down in North Carolina followed the Redskins. When I was considering where to go, this didn't just seem like another organization to me.''

If there's one thing Horton has learned in his seven NFL seasons, it's to take nothing for granted. He was the first running back selected in the 1985 draft, but he rarely played until 1990.

Selected by Kansas City, he backed up Herman Heard at halfback in '85 and surprised the Chiefs' coaches with his receiving ability. The following season, he was released by KC just before the first game.

In '87, he signed with the Raiders, played four games, but was released again. Then he was re-signed by the club before training camp in '88, but was cut during the preseason. In '89, the Raiders called again.

What hadn't been much of a career was salvaged by the most unconventional thinker in NFL history, Al Davis, the Raiders' managing partner.

``It was Al's idea to move me to tight end,'' Horton said. ``I figured I didn't have anything to lose. I took a look at the situation and said, `Why not?' It's been great for me.''

Horton, who was a high school quarterback and moved to running back at North Carolina during his freshman year because of injuries to others, had a career-high 53 catches in '91 and was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl.

Last year, he had 43 receptions and he leaves the Raiders ranked 12th on their all-time catches list. He will continue his streak of 80 consecutive games played by getting most of the playing time, ahead of blocking tight ends Ron Middleton and James Jenkins.

Horton always was big for a running back. He was accustomed, as an I-formation tailback, ``to carrying the ball 10 times on the first drive of the game at Carolina.''

He'll turn 32 a week before the regular season opens, and while Horton won't be carrying the ball or a team, he will be prominent in the Redskins' offense.

Horton must be good. How many guys can sign a contract with two NFL franchises?

Keywords:
FOOTBALL