From: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Washington Redskins News - 8/27/92
Date: 27 Aug 92 10:58:29 GMT
Reply-To: swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Steve Williams)
Organization: Carderock Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center


Desmond Howard:
Late Tuesday afternoon wide receivers coach Rennie Simmons told Desmond
Howard to report for his first full day of work by 9 a.m.

Howard wondered if there would be transportation provided; he had checked
into a hotel several miles away.

Bluntly, Simmons in so many words said: "Find your own way.  You're
no longer on scholarship."

So the Redskins' highest-drafted rookie wide receiver hitched a ride
with the Redskins' lowest-drafted rookie wide receiver, Terry Smith.
He arrived for the first complete experience of the rest of his football
life by 8:45 a.m. yesterday - and spent lots more time catching information
during meetings than he did footballs during practice.

Howard's number when he makes his debut, probably against the Minnesota
Vikings this Saturday night (at RFK stadium - the last exhibition game),
will be the one he wore in practice yesterday: 80.

Other News:
Redskins outside linebacker Andre Collins was expected to be released
from Arlington Hospital today after a two-night stay caused by
gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines.  It
is possible that Collins could play against the Vikings this Saturday.

Cornerback Darrell Green said he was encouraged by his condition during
second full day of practice.  "Tired, yes," he said, "but I'm looking
forward to getting better every day."

The trade of pass rusher Charles Haley by the 49ers to the Cowboys caused
an immediate stir among the Redskins.  They are not quite sure where
he will fit in for the Redskins-Cowboy game seasoner opener on Sept.
17.  Haley's reputation around the league is: potentially dominant as
a pass rusher on the field, controversial attitude off it.  Haley is
a neighbor of wide receiver Gary Clark.

In practice cornerback Martin Mayhew stayed stride-for-stride with Howard
Desmond on a long sideline pattern - but Cary Conklin's pass was overthrown.
Cornerback A.J. Johnson wouldn't bite on a maneuver that had Howard
stopping and moving back toward the ball.  When Johnson batted the ball
away, his defensive buddies cheered.

The Only look-ahead practice activity for Howard was on kickoff returns. 
No work on punt returns.  No work on pass patterns during the offensive 
phase of the two-hour session.  And the kickoff-return action was mostly 
seat-of-the-pants stuff.  Howard lined up next to Brian Mitchell.  Before 
each kickoff either Mitchell or Terry Orr would tell Howard what to 
do if the ball didn't come his way. Mitchell and Howard alternated on 
four practice kickoffs.

The Redskins players are still finding their way around in the new Redskins
Park building.  Darrell Green remarked that it was like moving into
a new home, and that he still didn't know where every room is yet.

Source: The Washington Post, Aug. 26, 1992

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 Steve Williams                           swilliam@oasys.dt.navy.mil
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Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro