THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 2, 1995 TAG: 9508020595
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Their names symbolize what has been the Washington Redskins' almost annual exercise in futility: Charles Darrington, Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Ransom, Ray Rowe, Frank Wycheck, Kurt Haws and Jamie Asher.
They are, or were, tight ends. The Redskins have selected seven in their last seven drafts. They hoped each one would grow in size, speed and experience. Each one, they hoped, would fill a vital role as run-blocker and short-yardage receiver.
It's never happened. All but Wycheck and Asher are history. Wycheck will be lucky to make the '95 roster; Asher injured his hamstring a week ago and isn't expected back for another week. His contribution should be negligible.
Yet the Redskins say they may have found their man in the legion of nameless, faceless prospects flitting through daily drills at Frostburg State University.
Coleman Bell.
He's not huge like past Redskins tight ends, just 6-feet-2, 240 pounds. He isn't the brutish blocker ex-Redskin Don Warren was. He'll never be extended honorary membership in the Hogs, like Warren. He isn't likely to make anyone forget Jerry Smith, the smoothest pass-catching tight end in Washington history.
But Bell can do more than a little of both.
``I think he gives us the most of what we're looking for in a tight end,'' tight ends coach Russ Grimm said. ``And that's a guy who's a combination good receiver, sufficient blocker.''
In last Saturday's scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bell caught three passes. Two of them resulted in first downs. Bell's grades were good.
``That's what this offense needs,'' Bell said. ``someone who can get the first down. All good teams have someone like that, whether it's Brent Jones in San Francisco or Jay Novacek with the Cowboys.''
Bell knows Novacek. Shortly after he was waived by the Miami Dolphins in 1993, Bell was claimed by then-Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson. He spent the '93 and '94 seasons on the Cowboys practice squad, watching Novacek.
``I learned so much watching Jay,'' Bell said. ``Like pass routes. One of the things they told me in Miami was that it was too easy for backs to undercut me. They kept telling me to give ground, but they never said how.
``Then I watched Jay in Dallas. When he was one on one, he gave ground, he came back to the quarterback so that the defensive back couldn't make a play on the ball and couldn't undercut him.''
Last Dec. 20, four days before the end of the Redskins' season, coach Norv Turner plucked Bell and signed him to a free-agent contract.
``It was good it happened,'' he says. ``It gives me an opportunity. In Dallas, throwing the ball to Jay is etched in stone. Here, they're looking for a third-down tight end to make plays.''
Bell made them Tuesday. He scored a touchdown during 7-on-7 drills and floated off the line of scrimmage several times to haul in short passes from Heath Shuler.
He also ran with the first unit.
Bell is unique in the NFL, one of a handful of players who have played tight end in high school, college and the pros. That hasn't made the adjustment to the professional ranks easier.
``In high school, I was a tight end, but slender enough that my main responsibility was pass receiving,'' he said. ``At (the University of) Miami, it was all about speed. You didn't have to be 250 or 260, and I was never asked to do a lot of blocking. I think I am a long ways away from being a good blocker, but I'm getting better all the time.''
The Redskins agree. They hope it continues. They have a variety of one-dimensional players competing for the position.
Incumbent James Jenkins blocks well but is raw as a receiver. Free-agent Scott Galbraith caught 27 passes while with the Browns in 1991, but just nine since. Grimm says he needs more consistent hands.
Then there's Wycheck, attempting to make the transition from last year's failed experiment at fullback, and Asher. The coaches hadn't seen enough before he got hurt to know what he could give them.
NOTES: The Redskins Tuesday released receiver Ray Carrington, the ex-California junior-college track star who hadn't played football in three years. The roster stands at 79. ... Running back Reggie Brooks took part in additional drills Tuesday. His tender hamstring appeared fine. ... Receiver Leslie Shepherd worked out for the first time since injuring his ribs late last week. He should be ready to play Saturday against Kansas City. ... There was no progress on No. 1 pick Michael Westbrook's holdout, which reaches 14 days today. That's one day more than Shuler stayed out last year. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
BILL ABOURJILIE/Staff
The Redskins are counting on Coleman Bell turning into both a solid
blocker and receiver.
by CNB