Pilot: Skins’ backfield could find spark from new source

[1niksder]

Skins’ backfield could find spark from new source
By JIM DUCIBELLA, The Virginian-Pilot
© August 7, 2004

ASHBURN, Va. — Chad Morton may force Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs to break one of his cardinal rules. It’s the one that reads that when a player is great at two things, Gibbs uses him where he can most help the team.

Exhibit A is Darrell Green, undoubtedly one of the most dangerous kick- and punt-return men in football history. At least he could have been. But Green also excelled as a cornerback, and Gibbs rarely succumbed to the temptation to employ Green at both.

When he did, the results could be spectacular, which is the only way to describe Green’s 52-yard punt return against Chicago that won a road playoff game during the 1997 season. By the same token, Green injured his ribs on the play, making the team’s road to the Super Bowl that year more difficult than it might have been.

“I was always torn on that,” Gibbs said. Fast-forward to Morton. Two years ago with the New York Jets, he averaged a career-best 28 yards per kickoff and returned two for touchdowns to lead the AFC and set a team record.

Last season with the Redskins wasn’t nearly as good. Although Morton’s 23.4-yard kickoff-return average included a return for a touchdown, it was sixth in the NFC. However, Morton salvaged respect from scrimmage. He started two games for the first time since 2000 and averaged 4.5 yards per rush. He also caught 15 passes for a career-best 12.5-yard average.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/st ... ran=214080

[DEHog]

Chad is great, may have the best hands on the team, catches anything near him. I loved the times last year when he was used on 3rd down!

[JansenFan]

Chad is great, may have the best hands on the team, catches anything near him. I loved the times last year when he was used on 3rd down!

He is also blazing fast. You always hear how fast he is, but when you see him kick it into over-drive from a few feet away, it is unbeleivable.

[welch]

When he did, the results could be spectacular, which is the only way to describe Green’s 52-yard punt return against Chicago that won a road playoff game during the 1997 season. By the same token, Green injured his ribs on the play, making the team’s road to the Super Bowl that year more difficult than it might have been.

For those who did not see that game, the Redskins were behind, and Ditka's "tough" guys were ready for a kill. Green leaped over a Bear's player on the return, stretching his ribs. I have never seen a player leap that high...and think of the pressure situation...and consider that Green leaped clear over a guy who was driving to tackle him at the belt buckle...not someone going for a shoe-string.

*

I don't know if it made the SB 22 drive too much harder. Yes, hard for Green to play, as anyone who has had a rib injury can imagine. But there were two awesome goal-line plays the following week against the Vikings.

With The Redskins ahead 21-14, and about 20 seconds left, the Vikings had the ball on the goal line. Play one, was a hand off to the RB, who expected to hurtle the center pile. BUT: at the snap, Neil Olkiewicz, not famous except here, never going to be in the HoF Neil O leaped for the exact spot where the Vikes ball-carrier would take the handoff. Neil O hit him at the ankles just as he got the ball, for the RB never had a chance even to start his jump.

Loss of two or three yeards.

Final play, no time, and the Vikings QB (Wade somebody?) hits their all-star receiver (Carter?) at the goal line, but Darrel Green comes from behind, reaches, and punches the ball away. Rib problem? No mention.

On to SB 22...and everyone n=knows about that!