THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 31, 1996 TAG: 9607310603
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: 75 lines
Cory Raymer is big enough, strong enough and fast enough to be an NFL center.
``But I'd trade all of that to be a little smarter,'' Raymer said after Tuesday morning's practice at Frostburg State University.
Can Raymer handle the job that now appears to be his, starting center for the Washington Redskins? With veteran John Gesek shelved indefinitely and facing possible retirement because of a serious neck injury, the Redskins are counting on Raymer to run their offensive line.
``Right now, I'm not ready,'' last year's second-round pick from Wisconsin said. ``There's still certain little stupid mistakes I keep making. I need a better understanding of the calls, so that I can make them as we're running to the line. It's the little mistakes that I can't be doing.''
When a play is called in the huddle, the blocking assignments are in place. But as the team runs to the line of scrimmage, adjustments often must be made. Those calls are handled by the person in best position to look over both sides of the line: the center.
``It's gotten frustrating,'' Raymer said. ``You not only screw yourself up, you screw up the other guys as well. With the way I've been playing, if there was a better center in here, he'd be playing.
``I'm not exactly ready right now. I want to be ready, but every once in a while, I pull a brain muscle.''
Offensive line coach Jim Hanifan is cautiously optimistic about Raymer being ready for the season opener against Philadelphia and its standout defensive linemen, Andy Harmon and William Fuller.
``Let's put it this way - he damn well better be ready in three to four weeks,'' Hanifan said. ``I would agree with his assessment right now. The mental part is what he needs to work on, making sure he's making the right calls, calling the right plays.''
WHY PLAYERS DON'T RETIRE: With numbness in his right arm and shooting pains in his back, you'd think it would be an easy decision for Gesek to announce his retirement. He played nine years, has Super Bowl rings from his time with the Dallas Cowboys and owns a very successful hardware store a couple of miles from Texas Stadium. However. . .
If Gesek were to announce his retirement, he would forfeit his 1996 salary of $500,000. There's some question whether he and the Redskins could legally reach an injury settlement. There's also the question of workman's compensation. Gesek, injured on the job, may be entitled to compensation for years.
Coach Norv Turner, who is extremely close to Gesek, can't afford to wait patiently for a decision. If Gesek is gone, he needs to find a center on the waiver wire who can come in and learn the system in time to back up Raymer.
``We need to know something soon, the next couple of days,'' Turner said. ``We've been practicing (as though he wouldn't be around) the last couple of days; we need to know within the next couple of days if he can be here.''
Gesek met with team physician Gordon Avery Tuesday afternoon.
``He told me, `You have an ongoing problem that is not conducive to playing football,' '' Gesek said. ``But I'm not in any hurry to make a decision. Things are the same as always. I'm a very patient person.''
GOING, GOING, GONE: The Redskins cut punter Lonny Calicchio (Mississippi) and kicker Sean Fleming (Wyoming, Canadian Football League) Tuesday, trimming the roster to 78.
Although the team ultimately will likely keep just one kicker, general manager Charley Casserly said it is possible they will open the season with both Scott Blanton and Eddie Murray on the roster, depending on what injuries would do at other positions.
RED CROSS: Linebacker Dion Foxx, who attended Richmond's Meadowbrook High School and James Madison University, will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday. He's expected to miss 2-3 weeks. . . . Quarterback Gus Frerotte threw at about 75 percent of normal Tuesday. He and Turner want him to play Friday against the Bills; trainer Bubba Tyer still isn't sure. . . . Guard Bob Dahl's arthroscopic surgery went well. He's still expected to miss 2-4 weeks. than the right. . . . Cornerback Scott Turner missed both practices with a stomach virus. . . . Defensive end Sterling Palmer returned to practice, but still struggles with a sprained back. Partner Rich Owens now will miss another week to 10 days due to a sprained ankle. by CNB