THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 24, 1995 TAG: 9504240140
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
The Washington Redskins discarded that age-old ``best player available'' philosophy for the second day of the NFL draft and addressed critical needs at several positions Sunday.
When they were done, general manager Charley Casserly had added a running back who talked about gaining 1,000 yards this year as if it were a given; a tight end as productive at catching passes as any available; a defensive end who defines the term ``project;'' an offensive lineman who could provide much-needed depth and a quicksilver cornerback short on experience.
``I feel good about what we've been able to accomplish,'' coach Norv Turner said. ``One thing that jumps out is that we've upgraded our speed. We picked some guys who were very athletic and along with that speed, we're going to have much greater competition at those positions.''
With their fourth-round pick, the Redskins grabbed running back Larry Jones of Miami (Fla.). He's the size of a fullback at 6-foot-1, 244 pounds, but runs a 4.62 40-yard dash. He catches passes as well as Turner likes from players at that position and the Redskins feel he's someone who just needs a chance to blossom.
``People don't know how good I am,'' Jones said Sunday. ``I couldn't be more happy that the Redskins have asked me to be their man. I'm going to come in, do my best, and I think that'll be enough to get them back to where they should be.''
Jones was victimized by Miami's system of shuffling running backs. After suffering a knee injury as a high school senior, he was red-shirted his first year at Miami, then came back the following season to become the MVP of the 22-0 victory over Nebraska in the '91 Orange Bowl.
He started only seven games during the next three seasons and never gained more than 409 yards in a year. But he also never carried the ball more than 100 times in a season either.
``Every time he got the opportunity to play at Miami, he played well,'' Turner said. ``He's not a breakaway threat, but he finds seams. He catches the ball well, he's 240 pounds and I think he can really help us inside the 10.''
Jones if figuring on doing more than that.
``I feel I can do it all,'' he said. ``With my talents, my size, speed and strength. I think I can play it all.''
Reggie Brooks enters training camp the unquestioned leading candidate to start.
The Redskins are banking that this season will more resemble his rookie year than last season, where he fell from favor in the view of Turner and the other offensive coaches.
``Ultimately, I think Jones may be a fullback,'' Casserly said. ``But there are things he can do on the field that I think could help us right away.''
Washington used a fifth-round pick on tight end Jamie Asher of Louisville. A fullback at the start of his career, the 6-3, 243-pound Asher caught 153 career passes, 70 last season.
``I'm anxious to see him,'' said Turner, who's been seeking a Jay Novacek-type tight end for his offense since coming to Washington 15 months ago.
``I feel very good about his pass-receiving skills.''
Turner was asked if Asher could be compared to last year's tight end draftee, Utah's Kurt Haws.
``He's far more productive than Kurt,'' Turner said. ``And he played in a pro-style offense (under Howard Schellenberger).''
The Redskins traded their second fifth-round pick to the Los Angeles Raiders for the Raiders' fifth and seventh-round selections.
With L.A.'s choice they selected defensive end Rich Owens of Lehigh, a Division I-AA member. Owens weighs just 255 pounds. Injuries have kept him from completing even one full season at Lehigh.
``But we took a player no one had ever heard of last year (Dexter Nottage) and he made our football team,'' Casserly said. ``At least we've got film on this guy.''
Casserly characterized the final two picks - Cal offensive tackle Brian Thure and Illinois cornerback Scott Turner - as ``one guy with the right size and one with the right speed.''
Thure is 6-5, 300 pounds and was voted the most improved lineman on a team that featured NFLers Todd Steussie and Eric Mahlum. He started every game for Cal his last three seasons.
Turner, like third-round pick Darryl Pounds, is small (5-9, 178 pounds), but extremely fast. A two-time Big Ten 400-meter sprint champion, Turner started every game for the Illini last season and had his best games against the best competition.
He recorded seven tackles against Michigan and Penn State and had six tackles and a forced fumble against Minnesota. by CNB