THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 12, 1995 TAG: 9505120613
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Reggie Brooks' knee surgery went better than expected Thursday, but the Washington Redskins nonetheless used the afternoon to make the first move towards bolstering their backfield corps by inviting ex-Minnesota Viking Terry Allen to their practice complex.
Allen, who has had major surgery on both knees within the last three years, led the Vikings in rushing with 1,031 yards last season, eighth-best in the NFL. Only three running backs - Detroit's Barry Sanders, Indianapolis's Marshall Faulk and Seattle's Chris Warren - had better per-carry averages than Allen. However, he was waived on Monday in what Allen characterized as a cost-cutting maneuver. He was scheduled to earn $1.5 million this season.
The Redskins gave Allen a physical Thursday, which he passed. They said they have no concerns about his physical condition, but how much it will take to sign him and whether they can afford it under the salary cap.
They don't have to look far to find a situation that would encourage them as to their chances. Linebacker Andre Collins was scheduled to earn $1.5 million this season, but instead was waived recently by the Redskins. Collins, who drew interest from 10 teams, signed earlier this week with the Cincinnati Bengals for $715,000. The Redskins would happily offer Allen that kind of money.
The problem isn't the quantity of the competition, but who is involved. Among the teams said to be interested are Denver, Green Bay, New England and Carolina.
Sources said the Redskins feel confident they can match anything offered by the first three teams. But Carolina still has plenty of money to spend under the cap and a running back corps full of journeymen. That combination, plus the fact that Allen played at the same Clemson University stadium the Panthers will call home in 1995, has the Redskins no more than cautiously optimistic about their chances.
Meanwhile, Brooks' surgery on his pinched meniscus was performed on an outpatient basis at Arlington Hospital. The procedure was termed a success, and Brooks' recovery period, initially estimated to last as long as six weeks, was updated to approximately three weeks. by CNB