THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 12, 1996 TAG: 9609120538
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: 89 lines
For nine years, offensive tackle Ed Simmons searched the locker room at Redskin Park for someone to emulate.
There were the usual suspects - linemen Jeff Bostic, Mark May, Joe Jacoby. There was Donnie Warren, an average tight end in every way but work ethic. Later, there was Jim Lachey.
When the Washington Redskins convened for training camp in July, Simmons looked around again - and found himself looking at his own reflection. Until last week when Joe Patton was reinstated at left tackle, Simmons was the only starter on the line in the same spot as a year ago.
``I told myself, `You're the guy,' '' Simmons said Wednesday. ``I have the responsibility to make sure the young guys have something to learn from about playing offensive line here. I know what to do. I watched those men.
``I'm not equating it to being a father, but when I'm with my kids I can't spit or pick my nose because kids tend to copy what they see their parents do. By the same token, if I have a bad game and brush it off, the kids here say `Ed doesn't care.' If I go out and have a great game, they're likely to see that and try to do things my way.''
Nothing would please the Redskins more. A former sixth-round pick, Simmons has overcome three major knee operations, the last in 1993, to become good enough to be named All-NFC East last season by Sports Illustrated. He says Warren taught him the importance of playing through pain. The last two seasons, Simmons has been on the field for 1,981 of Washington's 2,058 offensive snaps.
On a line struggling to find a groove, Simmons is more than important. He is crucial to what hopes the Redskins have this season of developing a cohesive unit that will protect quarterback Gus Frerotte and open holes for running back Terry Allen.
``He's the vet,'' line coach Jim Hanifan said. ``I would think the rest of the guys would appreciate and look up to him. We've had so many leaders here, and in so many ways. We've had Jacoby, who'd get (angry). We had (Russ) Grimm, another very outspoken player. We had Bostic, a natural-born leader. We had quiet guys, like Rallo (Raleigh Mckenzie) and Mark Schlereth.
``Ed's going to do it this year. He demonstrated that last week.''
Like his team, Simmons is batting .500. By his own admission, he was awful against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 17-14 season-opening loss. He was considerably better in a 10-3 win over the Chicago Bears, as evidenced by the portable stereo he received for being named the team's offensive player of the week by the coaching staff.
``That first game, I made a lot of mistakes, more than I made in one game in three years - in the teens,'' Simmons said. ``That's real unusual for me. I couldn't believe it. This past game, two mistakes, one pass and one run. Exactly where I'd like to be all season.
``In Week One, I thought I'd just be intense and everything would take care of itself.
``Week Two, I just went out and played. Stayed within myself. It made all the difference.''
Staying within himself hasn't been a problem for Simmons. The soft-spoken 6-foot-5, 336-pound veteran almost never gave an interview his first eight seasons. Last season, he made a point of letting writers know he was available. Heading into this season, he took one more step and informed the team's public-relations department that he would do anything they asked of him.
``Before, I just wanted to play football, then get out of here,'' he said. ``Didn't want to be bothered. Now, I have to lead. I have to take a bigger role than before if we're going to get back on the winning track. I like this. It makes me feel important.''
The 32-year-old Simmons, who played college ball at tiny Eastern Washington, took his new role so seriously that he turned down overtures from Seattle and the Oakland Raiders during the free-agency period and signed a multi-year contract with the Redskins. Shortly thereafter, he found a tattoo parlor and had his jersey number - 76 - burned into his beefy right bicep. It is a symbol of his commitment to the organization, he says.
``He's really opened up,'' Patton said. ``He's showed us a lot more about the plays because he's the only true veteran, and that's been very helpful to us.''
Simmons is more vocal during team meetings and film sessions. One thing he said he doesn't want is for the line to make unreasonable assumptions about itself in the afterglow of Sunday's much-needed victory. This week's opponent, the New York Giants, has beaten Washington six consecutive times behind a defensive front that has swarmed all over the Redskins' attack.
``We don't kid ourselves and say we're a good offensive line just because we won a game,'' he said. ``We can be a good offensive line, but there are things we see on film that continue to humble us.
``But we are getting there. By the time we hit the bye week (Oct. 6), you'll see an offensive line the old Redskins would be proud of.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
After years in the background, offensive tackle Ed Simmons is ready
to do more. by CNB