From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Washington Redskins News - 8/21/92
Date: 21 Aug 92 13:23:13 GMT
Reply-To: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)
Organization: Carderock Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center

Gerald Riggs' release:
The Washington Redskins released Gerald Riggs yesterday.  Riggs, a short
yardage specialist, departed for Atlanta.

Former Redskins General Manager Bobby Beathard got Riggs and Byner in 1989 
draft day deals.  At that time, Byner was expected to be a third-down back
and H-back, and Riggs would be the No. 1 running back.  The Redskins gave up 
first- and second-round draft picks for Riggs.

Riggs was expected to be a durable "John Riggo" running back, but he was 
sidelined by arch injuries in both 1989 and 1990.  By the time he got healthy 
again, Earnest Byner established himself as the No. 1 running back.  Coach 
Joe Gibbs used Byner almost exclusively in short yardage situations last 
season.  

In Riggs' debut, he rushed for 111 yards against the New York Giants, and then 
went for 221 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in the following week.
Unfortunately, Riggs also fumbled the ball late in the game which set up the 
Eagles' game winning touchdown.  Riggs was sidelined briefly by bruised ribs,
but after seven games he had 658 yards.  A sprained arch kept him on the 
sidelines most of the remainder of the season.

When Riggs suffered the same injury in the next season Byner won the job with
back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons.

Last season Riggs stayed healthy but carried just 78 times for 248 yards.  His
11 touchdowns were 5th highest total in NFC, and he rushed for two more in the
Super Bowl XXVI.  Riggs is 13th on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 8,188
yards.

Riggs' release leaves the Redskins with five running backs on the roster: 
Byner, Ervins, Mitchell, Settle, and Green.  It is possible that all five will
make the team in some capacity.

It was Green's emergence that sealed Riggs' fate with the Redskins.  Green
rushed 17 times for 104 yards and a 6.1 yard average.  Riggs rushed 14 times
for 30 yards and a 2.1 yard average.

Gibbs said that Ricky Ervins would likely get the short yardage role this 
season, and that Settle would also get some carries in those situations.

Jim Lachey:
The contract terms are stalling the negotiations between Lachey and the 
Redskins.  The Redskins wants a four-year deal while Lachey wanted a short 
term deal.  Lachey didn't want to be tied into a long-term contract at current
market prices.  

The Redskins are offering a four-year deal worth about $1.25 million per 
season, and although the contract would make Lachey the NFL's highest paid 
offensive lineman in 1992, he wouldn't be allowed to take advantage if NFL 
players win their free agency.

Lachey called Coach Gibbs to explain his side of the story.

Bye-bye, Carlisle:
The Redskins ended their training at Dickenson College in Carlisle, PA, 
yesterday and will have a brief walk-through at the new Redskins Park today 
before attending the "Welcome Home" luncheon.  The Redskins are to fly to 
Los Angeles today for their game with the Los Angeles Raiders tomorrow night.

Gary Clark:
Wide receiver Gary Clark missed the afternoon practice yesterday to meet with
his attorneys concerning felony auto theft charges.

Coach Gibbs said, "He had to line up everything with his attorneys.  I think
they wanted to come out with a statement and get everything squared away."

Gibbs said that his understanding was that Clark double-checked those deals.

-----------------------------------

The source: The Washington Post, Aug. 21, 1992


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 Steve Williams                           swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil
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