THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611030265
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. LENGTH: 76 lines
It seemed like such a big deal for the Washington Redskins, beating the Indianapolis Colts. But the Redskins, winners of seven straight and tied for the best record in the NFL, have seen films of an AFC team they think is far more impressive.
It's today's opponent, the Buffalo Bills.
``Despite what people were saying, I don't the Colts are that good,'' said tight end Scott Galbraith, the only Washington player to be that blunt. ``Now Buffalo, that's a different story. I think Buffalo's good, a lot better than them.''
The records don't indicate that. The Bills and Colts, the latter beaten 31-16 by the Redskins seven days ago, are among three teams tied for first in the AFC East with 5-3 records. But Buffalo has two things going for it against the Redskins that the Colts didn't - defense and homefield advantage.
Today's game will the last 4 o'clock affair this season at raucous Rich Stadium. Only a few tickets remained early last week and a wild crowd is expected.
``You think they won't be pumped up in Buffalo?'' linebacker Marvcus Patton, a former Bill, asked. ``They'll be ready. Everybody's going to be pumped up to play us now.''
``Defense'' is short for end Bruce Smith and end/linebacker Bryce Paup. Together, they give Buffalo what is probably the best pass rush in the NFL. Last season, they combined for 28 sacks, with unheralded left end Phil Hansen adding another 10.
They go against a Washington line that is tied with Dallas for fewest sacks allowed this season with just eight.
So what, says Galbraith.
``We haven't been tested yet,'' he explained. ``We get tested (today). Bruce will take a play off, and coast and coast, but when he wants to turn it up, there still isn't anyone as good. Whoosh! He's past you and sittin' on your quarterback.
``And Paup, he goes inside, he goes outside. If he thinks he smells something, he'll run to it, no matter where it is on the field. You can't count on him ever staying in one place. He plays a lot like Charles Haley used to play. He does things that are not part of the defense.''
Fortunately for the Redskins, guard Tre' Johnson is expected to return to the lineup after missing a week with a mild knee sprain. That would enable offensive line coach Jim Hanifan to return Joe Patton to left tackle against Smith rather than rookie Shar Pourdanesh.
Galbraith and fellow tight ends James Jenkins and Jamie Asher will be asked to stay in more than usual to help put an extra body on Smith.
``Paup and Smith have got to look at the films and say, `I don't think 89 (Galbraith) and 88 (Jenkins) are going to run on us like they ran on (the Colts),' '' Galbraith said, referring to Washington's 215-yard rushing performance a week ago. ``They've got to be saying that these tight ends aren't that good.''
They may also be saying the Redskins' defense isn't as good as its record would indicate. Washington is 27th in yards-allowed per game, 25th against the run, 18th against the pass.
Although Thurman Thomas is coming off a 119-yard rushing performance last week against New England, his first of the season, the question is whether Buffalo's offense can take advantage of a Washington defense that is third in points-allowed.
The big debate here last week was whether coach Marv Levy should give in to quarterback Jim Kelly and let Kelly run the K-Gun offense. That's the no-huddle scheme former offensive coordinator Ted Marchibroda implemented during the Bills' Super Bowl days. Levy favors mixing in multiple formations featuring two tight ends and plays called in the huddle.
But that mode of attack struggled for the first 2 1/2 quarters of last week's 28-25 loss to New England. The Bills went five consecutive possessions without making more than one first down in falling behind 13-0. But when Levy switched to the K-Gun, Buffalo wiped out the deficit, although it ultimately lost.
Kelly's performance this season isn't making Levy's decision any easier. Although the veteran quarterback hasn't played every game, the Bills are 25th in passing, averaging just 185 yards a game. They're also 24th in the league in scoring, at 16 points per game. Kelly has just four touchdown passes this season and has made mistakes when pressured. by CNB