'04 Player Preview: Shawn Springs
January 12, 2004
Shawn Springs stretches prior to a Redskins mini-camp practice earlier this year. (Photo by Greg Fiume)
Shawn Springs played seven seasons in the Pacific Northwest for the Seattle Seahawks. Now that he's joined the Redskins, it's like a homecoming: Springs hails from Silver Spring, Md. and played his high school football at Springbrook High School.
In his introductory press conference, Springs even commented that he was nervously excited to play NFL football in his hometown.
Selected by Seattle with the third overall pick in the 1997 draft, the former Ohio State standout has been a steady performer throughout his career. He won a Pro Bowl berth in 1998 and has recorded 20 interceptions.
Springs is expected to replace perennial Pro Bowler Champ Bailey, who was traded to the Denver Broncos in the deal that landed Clinton Portis for the Redskins. Springs will join expected starter Fred Smoot, newcomers Walt Harris and Ralph Brown, and holdover Rashad Bauman to form a solid corps of cornerbacks.
"We think Shawn has really fit into what we're trying to do," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "He's a big player and we like his size at corner."
Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, says Springs' size and aggressiveness is something that he expects to employ throughout the season. "Let me tell you, our corners are going to hit," Williams said.
In Springs' family, the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry takes on a new meaning, since Shawn's father Ron was a Dallas running back from 1979-84. Springs has always been a fan of the NFC East and recalls Gibbs' run of Super Bowl success during the 1980s.
"Coach Gibbs is an old-school coach, but at the same time he's very personable, the type of person you can talk to," Springs said. "That's the thing about this coaching staff-they're so detail-oriented."
CAREER STATISTICS
Year Team GP/GS T A Sack PD FF FR INT Yds TD
2003 Seattle 12/8 43 6 1.5 10 0 0 1 8 0
2002 Seattle 15/15 59 5 0 12 0 1 3 0 0
2001 Seattle 8/7 20 4 0 4 0 1 1 0 0
2000 Seattle 16/16 85 13 0 14 1 0 2 8 0
1999 Seattle 16/16 73 10 0 15 0 1 5 77 0
1998 Seattle 16/16 75 14 0 21 1 1 7 142 2
1997 Seattle 10/10 38 4 0 6 1 0 1 0 0
Total 93/88 393 58 1.5 82 3 4 20 235 2
Memorable Game On Nov, 1, 1999, on Monday Night Football against Green Bay, Springs picked off two Brett Favre passes, including one in the end zone that halted a Packers scoring threat. He added five solo tackles and three passes defensed in the Seahawks' 27-7 victory. Springs was also a key factor on special teams: he returned a blocked field goal 61 yards for a touchdown.
From the Files In 2000, Springs' high school teacher, Joyce Amatucci, was named NFL Teacher of the Year thanks to his nomination. The Springbrook High School teacher received a $5,000 grant and was honored during a pre-game ceremony at the 2001 Pro Bowl.
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