Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Huey's gone, Clark's slumping and readers are curious Date: Sun, 8 Nov 92 15:50:37 EST Message-ID: \SE C;SPORTS;REDSKINS GAME REPORT;Q&A \HD Huey's gone, Clark's slumping and readers are curious \BY Dave Fay \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Readers have called in with questions about the Redskins, and Dave Fay of The Washington Times has the answers: Q: Could you tell us what happened to Huey Richardson? David Hammond, Arlington. A: After being cut by the Redskins, Richardson was signed by the New York Jets but has yet to see action. Huey was a 1991 first-round pick by Pittsburgh but failed with the Steelers and would have been waived if the Redskins hadn't gambled a seventh-round pick in trading for him. Both Washington and the Jets said much the same thing after signing him: A great college talent like Huey can't be that bad a pro, can he? The clock is running. Q: What is the Redskins' record against playoff teams and teams with winning records since 1988, not including last year's Super Bowl season? Ron Phillips, Severn. A: Why do I have the feeling there is a part two to this question and it will appear next week? Counting the '88, '89 and '90 seasons, Washington is 9-15 against teams with winning records, 10-16 when playoff games are included. Against playoff teams, the Redskins are 8-13, or 9-14 if playoff games of those years are included. The club's record during those three seasons, by the way, was 27-21 during the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs. Q: Given Gary Clark's misfortunes this year, would Gibbs consider replacing him with Stephen Hobbs or Desmond Howard? He needs to give one of these two guys a chance. Harry Tapp, Alexandria. Do you think the problems Clark had in the off-season are affecting his play? He sure looks like he's struggling. Brendan Severo, Sterling. A: Let's look at the figures. Clark is the team's leading receiver, averaging 15 yards for each of his 34 catches, and is tied with Earnest Byner for the lead in TDs with four. He has dropped some passes this season but probably not many more than last season. It's just that any mistake by anybody this year is magnified by a 5-3 record vs. last season's 8-0 mark at the same time. No doubt, he was horrible last Sunday against the Giants. Clark is in a slump, but who isn't on this offense. Off-season problems? Clark bought a used car from a friend in good faith; the car turned out to be stolen. The police and courts have cleared Clark of any illegal involvement. Hobbs? He's on injured reserve with a sprained knee and probably won't be brought back until the playoffs, if then. Howard? If the rookie was ready to step in and make an NFL-caliber contribution, he'd have been in already. Maybe he gets his chance today, but Gibbs appears more inclined to give a proven pro a chance to work himself out of a slump. Q: I understand Gibbs planned to bench players who hadn't practiced, but most of those in question have played pretty well. One who has practiced hasn't played well, Mark Rypien. How about giving Cary Conklin a chance? Art Colding, Forestville. Eagles coach Rich Kotite benched Randall Cunningham after a rough game ... etc. Roger Butts, Rockville; similarities from John Sakhleh, Gaithersburg; Monty Clayton, Bladensburg; Bettie Dantzler, Washington; and others. A: First, Gibbs has said repeatedly that if he thought the problem was solely Rypien's, the quarterback would be history. Rypien has not played well, but neither has the offense as a whole. He is operating behind a line that will get worse before it gets better because of injuries and inexperience; Rypien was sacked seven times last season in 16 games, he has already been sacked nine times in eight. Receivers are running bad routes or dropping balls, or Rypien misses them. Byner is 60 yards off last season's rushing pace and Ricky Ervins nearly 40 yards off his. Also missing: Gerald Riggs and his 204 yards of plunging and seven touchdowns through eight games. There are only two tight ends, and both are nicked. Conklin? Wise beyond his years, he is saying nothing. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM