THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 26, 1994 TAG: 9409260161
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
When the season began, the last thing most people thought the Redskins would be in the market for would be a placekicker.
Suddenly, their shopping plans have changed.
After watching Chip Lohmiller miss a 23-yard field goal against the Giants last week and an extra point and a 47-yard field goal Sunday in a 27-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Redskins coach Norv Turner has made a decision.
``There's no question we're going to look at two or three kickers this week,'' Turner said.
That was a surprise to special teams coach Pete Rodriguez, who said afterwards that he couldn't think of a veteran kicker who was available.
Cary Blanchard, who kicked for the Jets last season, was the first and only name that came to mind.
Lohmiller, who has converted 4-of-7 field goal attempts this season, but struggled last year and had an indifferent training camp, placed the blame for his woes on himself. He said that, for whatever reason, he had too great an adrenaline flow when about to kick a field goal and it was throwing off his rhythm.
``I've got to slow down,'' he said. ``I can only do as well as I can. If I can't perform well enough to win, they've got to do something. It's part of the job.''
Rodriguez called Lohmiller's problems ``a slump.'' But he likewise conceded that Lohmiller has not performed to the Pro Bowl level he once enjoyed in more than a year. Entering this season, Lohmiller had kicked 107 field goals, more than anyone in the NFL.
``Chip had a bad year last year and he knows it,'' Rodriguez said. ``It's not just one bad game. He knows he's only as good as his last kick.
``It's like any other guy in any other sport. He's in a slump, and he's got to work his way out of it.''
RUSHING BACK: Rookie Tyrone Rush made his NFL debut on Redskins special teams Sunday. He was credited wih one tackle, normally hardly worth mentioning.
Except that Rush is the player who was carried off the field after a tackle left him momentarily paralyzed during Washington's exhibition loss to the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 8.
After a series of tests, Redskins doctors and administrators agreed that Rush could return to play, but only if he signed an agreement in which the Redskins would not be held liable if he were seriously injured again.
``I gave it all I had,'' Rush said, still excited an hour after the game. ``I was very nervous at first, but then much more comfortable as the game wore on.''
Rush also was involved in an overly-zealous special teams play with 11:02 to play in the first half. Rush blitzed Falcons' punter Harold Alexander, then collided with teammate Pat Eilers. Both men were catapaulted into Alexander, resulting in a roughing penalty.
THIS 'N THAT: Henry Ellard had another big day with six catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. ... As part of the Redskins' Throwback Weekend, the team sent the following alumni captains to midfield for the pregame coin toss - quarterbacks Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer, center Jeff Bostic, kicker Mark Moseley, receiver Charley Taylor, center Jim Ricca and end Joe Tereshinski. ... Falcons coach June Jones' assessment: ``For the most part, I thought it was an ugly game.'' by CNB