THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160516
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Keith Goganious' NFL career got the fresh start he was hoping for when the former Green Run High School and Penn State star was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the player allocation draft Wednesday.
``It feels nice,'' Goganious said after the official conclusion to three sometimes-frustrating seasons in Buffalo. The presence of three Pro Bowl-caliber linebackers kept him from cracking the starting lineup.
``It's going to be a great opportunity, with everyone starting off green,'' he added. ``I feel I'm on the threshold of reaching my potential, and I'm confident I'll get that chance.
``Physically, I've learned more about my body the last three years than I ever knew. Now, it's time to find out what I can do on the field at this level.''
Draft rules allowed each team to reclaim one player they exposed for every player they had drafted - and that's what happened to two other local players. Receiver Terrence Warren of Suffolk was recalled by the Seattle Seahawks when the Carolina Panthers drafted defensive tackle Tyrone Rodgers in the fourth round. Receiver Johnnie Barnes, also of Suffolk, was reclaimed by the AFC champion San Diego Chargers when Jacksonville drafted safety Darren Carrington in the 27th round.
One of Goganious' new teammates will be Desmond Howard, the former No. 1 pick of the Washington Redskins. As the end of the draft approached, it appeared neither of the expansion teams would claim Howard, a Heisman Trophy winner from Michigan, because $1.7 million in salary and signing bonus counted against the salary cap.
But the Jaguars finally cracked, making Howard the 55th player chosen - long after the Redskins bypassed an opportunity to reclaim their third-leading receiver from last season.
Washington lost tight end Kurt Haws to Carolina in the sixth round, and the team reclaimed receiver Olanda Truitt rather than Howard. Truitt caught just two passes for 89 yards and a touchdown last season; Howard contributed 40 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns, all career-highs.
``If it wasn't for the salary cap, we wouldn't be talking right now,'' Howard said. ``There's a sense of sadness about the last three years, because I enjoy D.C. and I've made some life-long friends. Still, I can't say anything bad about the Redskins. They're still a class organization.''
Redskins coach Norv Turner said he had ``mixed feelings'' about Howard's departure.
``He improved as the year went on, and he made a big contribution the last half of the season,'' Turner said. ``But on the positive side, we now have the ability to go out and sign a top wide receiver.''
By Wednesday afternoon, Goganious already had spoken with the Jaguars' strength coach. He also had made arrangements to travel to Florida in mid-March to meet with Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin, a disciple of Bill Parcells and a believer that the linebackers are the strength of a defense.
``In Buffalo, it was more playing within a system,'' Goganious said. ``Now, I've got the feeling we're going to be playing to make plays, risking something to see what we can do.''
When Goganious' name was called, ESPN analyst Joe Theismann said the 6-foot-2, 239-pound Goganious was ``the bargain'' of the draft ``at $380,000.''
``He's got great instincts and you're looking for a guy who can find the ball,'' Theismann said. ``It's a great pickup for them.''
And a great pick-me-up for Goganious. ILLUSTRATION: REUTERS/
File photo
Former Buffalo Bill Keith Goganious, No. 95, feels his move to the
expansion Jacksonville Jaguars could provide a pick-me-up for his
NFL career.
by CNB