THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 29, 1995 TAG: 9504290479
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
Monte Coleman, who appeared in more games for the Washington Redskins than any player in franchise history, was not offered a contract by the club for a 17th season.
The 37-year-old linebacker broke Art Monk's record of 205 games as a Redskin against Philadelphia last Oct. 9.
He finished his pro career having played in 216 games, all with Washington.
His 16 seasons with the Redskins tied quarterback Sammy Baugh for the most in team history.
``Any time a guy who's been that big a part of an organization isn't here, something's missing,'' Redskins coach Norv Turner said.
Coleman, who was selected in the 11th round of the 1979 draft - and without the Redskins ever having seen him play at Central Arkansas - finished his career with 653 tackles.
MORE CUTS: Coleman isn't the only player who no longer figures in Turner's plans. Other familiar players who will not be offered contracts for this season are running back Ricky Ervins, veteran cornerbacks Alvoid Mays and A.J. Johnson and safety Martin Bayless, who started last season after being brought in during training camp.
Ervins, who led Redskins' rushers last season with 650 yards, has been negotiating with the Bears, Lions and Raiders.
The others so far have no other football offers.
RUNNING DEEP: Turner opened the afternoon practice with Brian Mitchell and free-agent pickup Marc Logan as the No. 1 backfield. Reggie Brooks, who was sensational as a rookie but fell way off last season, was with the second team, though Turner said it was ridiculously early to read anything into that alignment.
``If you base how he performed as a rookie, you need a guy who makes plays like he did,'' Turner said, referring to Brooks' 223-carry, 1,063-yard performance in 1993, statistics that bettered those put forth by rookies Emmitt Smith and Thurman Thomas. ``I think what we've got are 3-4 guys at the running back position we're going to let compete. Hopefully, we'll come away with one. It'd make it easier on everyone at every position.''
Turner disputed all assertions that Brooks was benched last year, even though he didn't play for two weeks after fumbling twice against Dallas on Oct. 2, and barely played the following three weeks after that. He said Brooks pulled a muscle in his rib cage after the game against Dallas. That, he said, plus solid performances by Ervins and Brian Mitchell, contributed to Brooks' inactivity.
``I didn't work as hard last year as I should have,'' Brooks admitted after Friday's workout. ``It was a learning experience. This year I have been here every day, working out, and I feel I'm doing OK.''
Turner agrees.
``He's done a very good job during this offseason,'' he said. ``He will be given all chances to compete for the job.''
THIS 'N' THAT: Clyde McCoy's football career didn't last long. The free-agent wide receiver from Arizona State failed his physical Friday, and was released. That brought the number of players at camp to 77. ... Oft-injured defensive tackle Bobby Wilson, of whom much is expected this season, strained a quadricep muscle during the early Friday workout. He did next to nothing in the afternoon session. ... Defensive tackle Tim Johnson missed Friday's session. He and wife LeChelle were celebrating the Thursday birth of their third child, an 8-pound, 12-ounce girl they named Karah Grace. group of the greenest on the field for an additional 20-25 plays each day, while the vets head inside. ``It'll help their exposure (to the coaches),'' Turner explained, ``and it'll give them some extra attention at what we're doing.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Monte Coleman, a 37-year-old linebacker, played 216 games for the
Redskins, a team record.
by CNB