THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610270255
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 81 lines
It's bigger than a game between a 6-1 team and a 5-2 team that came within a whisker of the Super Bowl a year ago. It's more than the chance for the Washington Redskins to add an exclamation point to a half-season that's been better than anyone anticipated. It's greater than an intriguing encounter between the surprise teams of 1995 and 1996.
Smile when you say it, but call today's clash between the Redskins and the Indianapolis Colts the ``Dick Enberg Bowl.''
He didn't label it that in so many words, but when Washington coach Norv Turner ticked off all the reasons today's game is his team's biggest of the season, the appearance of the NBC play-by-play star was near the top of the list, after ``turnovers,'' but before ``respect.''
``We've gotten done what we wanted to get done over the last six weeks, winning games and improving in every area,'' Turner said. ``People have been pushing to see what we can do. We're playing a heck of a defensive football team, a very dangerous offensive football team. It's a great challenge. The game's on national TV. Enberg's coming in.
``I'm going to ask our players to raise it another notch and I'm going to ask our fans to raise it another notch, too. The Indianapolis people take a lot of pride in the noise level of their stadium and we want to show people what RFK is about when it's a big game. This is the first of a number of real big games we have and I'm really looking forward to it.''
He's not completely sure what he's going to find. The Colts, who have been ravaged by injuries all season, may be without star running back Marshall Faulk. He continues to be hampered by a foot injury that has forced him to miss four games this season.
He's just one of four or five starters who may not play, a secret the Colts guard by refusing to release the names of their inactive players until 90 minutes before kickoff. Others who may not play include linebackers Quentin Coryatt (chest) and Stephen Grant (groin) and Trev Alberts (elbow) and defensive tackle Tony McCoy (ankle). Running backs Zach Crockett (knee) definitely won't play because of a knee injury.
``They've done a great job of using the rest of their people,'' Turner said.
Broken nose or not, the one Colts player definitely in the starting lineup is quarterback Jim Harbaugh. He suffered the break last week when sacked in a loss to New England. That's gotten to be a problem for the Colts' offensive line. Harbaugh has been felled 23 times this season, for losses totaling 134 yards. Backup Paul Justin has been sacked twice.
Conversely, Washington quarterback Gus Frerotte has been sacked just seven times.
Nonetheless, Harbaugh is following his Pro Bowl season of a year ago with one almost as good. He's completed 61 percent of his passes, for 1,383 yards, seven touchdowns and just two interceptions. He has been superb in coach Lindy Infante's spread-the-field offense in which Harbaugh's mobility is the key to putting pressure on the defense, not the reverse.
``Whether he'll ever be compared to the greats in this league, only time can answer that question,'' Infante said. ``But for what we ask him to do, he does a fine job. He rises above the coaching he gets, makes some things happen that are outside our design. He has mobility, is accurate with the ball, plays knowing he's not the only thing that's going to get us in the end zone, that there are other guys who have to help.''
Count Turner among Harbaugh's admirers.
``They've had injuries, but the quarterback finds a way to make plays,'' he said. ``He runs around, scrambles, throws it deep awfully accurately. They're diversified enough that even though they've had injuries along the offensive line, you can't count on getting pressure on them. The last two games teams have, but he also makes plays in those games when there isn't pressure.''
A couple of injuries will limit Washington's efforts at keeping Harbaugh in the pocket. Defensive end Sterling Palmer and tackle Marc Boutte remain out with knee injuries. Dexter Nottage, who had two sacks last week, and William Gaines, who was solid inside, will take their place.
The other question is cornerback Darrell Green. The still-speedy veteran is recovering from a bruised calf. He practiced Wednesday through Friday and will play today, but at less than 100 percent. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Colts running back Marshall Faulk has been out with a foot problem.
If he can go, Indy is much more diversified.
Redskins offensive tackle Shar Pourdanesh gets his first start since
opening day, and goes against sack specialist Richard Dent. by CNB