Tuesday,August 26.1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 5
Apology doesn't erase receiver's violent act
Attack on teammate remains a mystery
The Associated Press
ASHBURN, Va. — Michael Westbrook strode out of the locker room, whistled an upbeat tune, scratched his head, shared a laugh with a member of the Redskins staff, then walked out the back door to face a sea of microphones.
"I thought it was very important that I came out here to say an apology to Redskins fans, the owner, my teammates, because it's a great embarrassment for the way I reacted out there on the field," Westbrook said.
"I think it's important now just to move on and not let this thing be a distraction to my team," he said. "We have to come together, and I learned a great lesson Tuesday. Thank you."
Westbrook then turned and went back inside Redskin Park. He refused to take any questions about his bloody attack six days ago on teammate Stephen Davis.
Without more insight from West-
brook, it remains a mystery what
prompted the third-year receiver to punch Davis several times on the sidelines during a practice. Westbrook left the running back face down and bleeding on the turf. Westbrook has been fined $50,000 for the attack, and was suspended for last week's exhibition game at Miami. He will not start Sunday's regular season opener against Carolina, and the Redskins have reportedly asked him to undergo counseling.
"Something like this you just don't put behind you in one day," coach Norv Turner said. "There's a process you go through, and we're going to be going through that process."
Yesterday was not only Westbrook's first public statement since the incident but was also his first practice. He apologized privately to Davis and to the rest of the team Saturday morning but left before the players took the field.
With the Redskins now operating under their regular-season rules, reporters were allowed to watch only the last 15 minutes of Monday's practice. Westbrook appeared to take part without incli-
dent.
"I didn't see any problems," said quarterback Gus Frerotte. "I think everything went fine, went smooth. Michael's back in the system, and we need him back."
Davis, his vision back to normal after having his eye swollen shut by Westbrook's punches, also practiced. He has denied provoking Westbrook, although sources indicate Davis was taunting Westbrook and called him a name. Davis has also refused to rule out legal action.
Turner would not say who would start at receiver at Carolina — although it's almost certain to be Alvin Harper and Henry Ellard — or how much Westbrook will play.
But the demotion of the 1955 No. 4 overall draft pick from Colorado is another blow to an aggressively self-confident man who has spent more time talking about his talent than displaying it through two injury-plagued seasons.
"You all know what I think of myself, I think I'm great," Westbrook said with a straight face during training camp. "I don't care where I was drafted. I could've been picked 21st in the draft. Fortunately, I was picked fourth, and I made a lot of money, but I don't care. I just think that I'm that good."
Westbrook, whose nonchalant attitude toward workouts and practices has irritated coaches, has caught only two touchdown passes in 68 receptions over two seasons.
Meanwhile, his millions have bought him a Lamborgini and a huge house with a movie theater, yet his repeated failure to pay some $50 per month in homeowners association dues landed him in criminal court last Friday. He also has a Sept. 19 court date to answer charges of reckless driving after he was clocked at 76 mph in a 45-mph zone earlier this month.
Inexperienced quarterbacks to lead Jaguars into season
"With what happened with Mark's injury, we needed to reevaluate that whole scenario."
Starter's injury places backups in spotlight
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — If there's anything more daunting than sending out Rob Johnson for his first NFL start, try this on size: Johnson is the most experienced quarterback the Jacksonville Jaguars have.
Sure, the Jaguars haven't missed a beat since Mark Brunell, their $31 million quarterback, tore ligaments in his right knee three weeks ago.
"We want to win the game — and hopefully, the quarterback won't get hurt," he said.
The Associated Press
But in his two years with the Jaguars, Johnson has played in only one game that counted — if you can call it that — throwing seven passes during mop-up duty in a 44-0 loss to Detroit his rookie season.
Claymores in the World League.
Should something happen to Johnson on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, the backup is Steve Matthews. His only live action has come with the Scottish
"They have to keep people off Rob, and the running game has to get going," said linebacker Eddie Robinson. "But I don't think you can go out there with an attitude of, 'Don't get the quarterback hurt.'
Coughlin wasn't even planning to look around the league for quarterbacks until Brunell got hurt against the New York Giants. He not only found Matthews, but decided that an ineffective Philcox wasn't worth keeping around.
Matthews, waived by the Kansas City Chiefs, has been with the Jaguars for all of five days.
The only comforting thought is that Johnson, who never had a chance to run the offense, has looked promising after Brunell's injury. He completed 72 percent of his passes for 506 yards and six touchdowns, and finished the preseason with a 142.9 pass efficiency rating.
"That's the kind of hand we've been dealt," Coughlin said. "You're playing a risk, just like you are on the roster playing with two quarterbacks. There is no comfort zone."
Coughlin concedes he is taking a gamble by starting the season with only two healthy quarter-backs on the roster.
Coughlin was troubled that Johnson took some big hits last week against the Falcons.
Todd Philcox, the third-string quarterback last year who started five games for the Cleveland Brown's in 1993 and 1994, was released on Sunday. To add a third quarterback, at least until Brunell returns, would have meant cutting another player to make room on the roster.
"The pace will pick up a little bit this week," McCardell said.
"They'll show him some different things. But he's been here long enough. He's very confident in himself and we're confident in him. I don't expect the intensity from him to back down."
Coughlin said. "We have to have a guy who can go on the field and give us more production."
Matthews, a seventh-round pick in 1994, was having a good training camp in Kansas City. The Chiefs waived him after deciding to go with Pat Barnes, a fourth-round draft pick, as the No. 3 quarterback behind Elvis Grbac and Rich Gannon.
"When I got released, chances were I'd be picked up, because I started getting some calls the next morning," Matthews said. "But to come in and be the No. 2 quarterback is something I didn't expect."
University Christian Fellowship
BIBLE STUDIES: LEARNING, SHARING AND GROWING
SOCIAL EVENTS: GAMES, CONVERSATIONS AND FRIENDSHIPS
Music and Drama: artistic expressions of faith Retreats: time to get away to relax and reflect Small Groups: giving and receiving support MISSIONS: SERVING, HELPING AND LOVING
TUESDAYS 7:00pm BURGE UNION DAISY HILL ROOM (top floor)
for info and rides: Amber 864-8171;
Tim 841-7139; Clint 749-4865
UCF office 841-3148 (Rick) website:
http://www.ukans.edu/~rcbsup