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Posted: Sunday August 12, 2001 1:32 PM
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Sports Illustrated's Don Banks checks in from Carlisle, Pa., to tackle three questions that matter to Washington Redskins fans:
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How does Washington's decision to stay out of the veteran backup quarterback market this offseason look about now? |
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QB Jeff George has been relegated to being a spectator.
Jamie Squire/Allsport |
Not too shrewd. With starter Jeff George sidelined by right shoulder
tendinitis for the past 11 days, and no timetable for his return firmly in
place, the Redskins head into Sunday night's preseason opener at Kansas City
with second-year man Todd Husak (two career regular-season passes) and rookie
Sage Rosenfels holding down the 1-2 spots on the depth chart.
Husak hasn't given anyone a comfort zone yet running the first-team
offense in training camp. The former Stanford product, a sixth-round pick in
2000, has looked erractic and generally in over his head. Both he and
Rosenfels are expected to see a half worth of action against the Chiefs.
Washington isn't panicking on the quarterback front. Yet. But head coach
Marty Schottenheimer seemed to go out of his way Friday to lower expectations
for Husak, and the team officially will start getting antsy about George's
shoulder if both young quarterbacks struggle at K.C. While an Aug. 6 MRI of
George's shoulder showed no structural damage, he'll only begin testing his
arm again by the middle of this week, at the earliest.
By his own account, George threw more this offseason than he ever has in
an attempt to master Schottenheimer's offense, which puts a premium on
high-percentage, safe passes. But as a result, he's this year's version of
Brett Favre, with a high-profile case of tendinitis and no cure that doesn't
include lots of rest.
Maybe for cap reasons or to send a confident message to George, Washington
passed on the chance to pick up a Trent Dilfer or a Mark Rypien in recent
weeks. Those decisions look risky now. Expect the Redskins to get into what
remains of the slim veteran backup market by the end of this week if George
suffers any more setbacks or Husak flounders against the Chiefs.
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What will be the second-most watched position on the Redskins depth chart in the Kansas City game? |
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D-back David Terrell is in the spotlight -- and under the gun. Jamie Squire/Allsport |
Free safety. Converted cornerback David Terrell (no, not that one)
has been primarily a special teams performer, and his resume doesn't include
an NFL start. But he is being given every opportunity to win the job that
came open when the Redskins released hard-hitting veteran Mark Carrier in
June.
Terrell is on the light side at 6-foot-1, 187 pounds and must prove he can
handle the pounding and contact that the position requires. He'll start and
play almost the entire first half against the Chiefs, which will be longer
than most every other Washington starter except Husak.
And like Husak, if Terrell doesn't prove himself up to the job rather
quickly, Washington could be on the phone giving veteran safetys like Keith
Lyle or Darren Perry an invitation to camp.
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Entering the final season of his contract, is this the year wide receiver Michael Westbrook finally lives up to expectations? |
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WR Michael Westbrook has 20 career TDs in six seasons. Doug Pensinger/Allsport |
True, Westbrook's 1999 season looked like the real deal, making
everyone believe he had finally grown up and turned a corner. But then came
2000, when he blew out his left knee in an season-ending Week 2 injury at
Detroit. Now, with a new regime and new offense in place, Westbrook has
something to prove all over again.
So far, so good, although Westbrook has teased us with strong preseasons
before. They just haven't carried over. Only once in his first six seasons,
1999, has the '95 first-round pick played an entire 16-game season. He's
still waiting for his first Pro Bowl berth, and has produced a paltry 20
career touchdown receptions.
Westbrook, who lost his father to cancer this spring, has displayed a
new-found maturity this year and has taken on a leadership role with young
Redskins receivers Rod Gardner, Darnerien McCants, and Derrius Thompson. At
29, with the retirement of Irving Fryar, he's the team's most experienced
wide receiver.
George says he'll lean heavily on Westbrook at his go-to receiver and the
two introverts have become each other's closest friend on the team. It only
makes sense for them to consider their success in mutual terms. After a
string of disappointments in their careers, both may be playing for their NFL
lives this season.
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