WP: Wuerffel Will Pass On Redskins' Offer Ailing

[bubba9497]

Wuerffel Will Pass On Redskins' Offer

By Nunyo Demasio

Washington Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, October 28, 2003; Page D01

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26559-2003Oct27.html

Rob Johnson's release last week appeared insignificant after Washington Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier was granted permission to reacquire the quarterback he can't quite keep out of his system. After all, Danny Wuerffel hadn't received a smidgen of interest from any NFL team since he was waived by the Redskins on Aug. 30. Now the team was offering him another opportunity to run the offense he knows almost as well as Spurrier himself.

But Wuerffel, 29, has rebuffed his biggest advocate, declining the Redskins' offer of roughly $300,000 for the remaining nine games as Patrick Ramsey's backup. Now the Redskins (3-4) must rely on rookie Gibran Hamdan and newly-signed Tim Hasselbeck. Neither has thrown a pass in a regular season NFL game.

"We're in a bind," Spurrier said. "But we don't think it's much different than a bind we were in last week [when Johnson was on the team]."

Last week, Spurrier acknowledged that Wuerffel's return wasn't guaranteed because his wife, Jessica, is expecting a child and he is involved in a New Orleans ministry. But according to a person close to Wuerffel, the quarterback didn't think it was worth returning, especially because of the way he was dismissed from the team.

Spurrier will use this week's practices as auditions before deciding who to activate as the No. 2 quarterback for Sunday's critical game against the Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Texas Stadium.

Hamdan appears to be the favorite, if only because he is more familiar with Spurrier's quirky offense. Hamdan -- who attended Bishop O'Connell High in Arlington -- was selected in the seventh round out of Indiana University after Spurrier was impressed by his strong arm during a predraft workout for players with local ties. Hamdan would have to be promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster by Sunday.

"One of the benefits of being on the practice squad is you can learn the offense and work on your fundamentals," said Hamdan, whose only NFL experience is an appearance in a preseason game against the New England Patriots. "You don't get the reps in practice, but you can sit back and watch and learn, and that's what I've been doing.

"Obviously, if I'm put in that situation, I feel confident. And I've set myself up to go out and perform well."

Hasselbeck entered the NFL in 2001 as an undrafted free agent out of Boston College. Last year, he played for the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, who cut him earlier this season.

The Redskins may have better luck in landing a defensive tackle. Darrell Russell, whose prodigious talent matches his character issues, was released yesterday by the Oakland Raiders shortly after being reinstated from a drug suspension by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Russell, who tested positive for Ecstasy, was supposed to be suspended until Jan. 2, 2004.

During his suspension, Russell was charged in January 2002 with drugging a woman with GHB, the so-called date-rape drug, in San Francisco and then videotaping two friends who allegedly raped her. But prosecutors eventually dropped the charges against Russell, citing insufficient evidence.

According to a source, owner Daniel Snyder started a background check on Russell less than two weeks ago to determine if the 27-year-old was worth the financial investment he would command. Russell's salary with the Raiders this season was set to be $9 million, including a $l.66 million signing bonus.

In seven games, the Redskins have 10 sacks, with a defensive line that has applied little pressure. They replaced tackles Dan Wilkinson and Daryl Gardener, last year's team MVP, with lesser known players whose strength is run-stopping.

Russell made the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 1999 while amassing 19.5 sacks. But Russell hasn't played since 2001.

Redskins defensive end Regan Upshaw played with Russell in 20 games from 2000 to 2001, and described him as one of the NFL's most athletic defensive tackles.

"I think he's a heck of a player," Upshaw said yesterday. "I loved playing with him. He's a good dude. I'd love to have him next to me.

"It's not that I'm biased. I'm realistic, too. I'll say this about anybody: If he has his problems in order, then he can get back to being the best football player that he can be."

Defensive end Bruce Smith agreed: "I think he'll be a great addition to the team."

Washington's backup quarterback is an issue partly because Ramsey has been sacked more times (22) than any quarterback in the league. Despite Ramsey's toughness, he was knocked out of an NFL game for the first game after suffering a bruised right hand during a 24-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 19.

Washington's pass protection has been so troublesome that last Tuesday, the organization -- with Spurrier's blessing -- flew in Joe Bugel, considered one of the best offensive line coaches in NFL history. Bugel watched film for several hours before returning to his Phoenix-area home. Yesterday, Spurrier received Bugel's assessment during a telephone conversation. Much of Bugel's feedback, Spurrier said, regarded fundamentals.

"I had a nice conversation with Joe," Spurrier said.

[Montilar]

:applause:

Good for many reasons.

Spurrier doesn't get his security blanket to fall back on. He MUST go with Ramsey and decide to protect him.

The front office may learn something about jerking players around. And cooperating with the coaches wishes, even if the player has no NFL talent.

Anyway, we were just as screwed with Weurfel as a back-up as anyone else on the roster. We all knew the season basically goes as Ramsey goes.

[FROSTY28]

Woeful could have got us through a game or two (see the Rams game last year and some of the Cowboys game). Hamdan and Hasselbeck will be lucky to get us a first down.

[AdmiralWaugh]

Wuerffel was obviously a million times better than Johnson, and how many times do people have to point out how much better Wuerffel has played than Johnson in his opportunities and ESPECIALLY in preseason? I went to Jacksonville, I saw it, and he should never have been cut.

They cut him for the lamest reasons imaginable, and they definitely do get what they deserve. Hopefully they'll learn: they have no ability to build a team whatsoever. It's a disgrace and we all get screwed by it. Where's Mendes...

[BG]

Originally posted by Montilar

:applause:

Good for many reasons.

Spurrier doesn't get his security blanket to fall back on. He MUST go with Ramsey and decide to protect him.

The front office may learn something about jerking players around. And cooperating with the coaches wishes, even if the player has no NFL talent.

Anyway, we were just as screwed with Weurfel as a back-up as anyone else on the roster. We all knew the season basically goes as Ramsey goes.

Maybe truth to the second part of your statement but I doubt it. Not likely that Dan and Vinny feel the least bit bad about this. More than likely there was an evil smirk by either one when this came out.

I don't think this is any good at all. While it will never be proven that DW could have helped this team from the sidelines as a tutor for Ramsey or audible/defense decipherer(is that a word?) this also sends a bit of a b*tch slap back at our organization that a guy who was brushed off by every team out there said No to us when we came groveling back. Not good.

If he could have proven himself as a tutor/stable back up, this guy could have been here a long time not only as a back-up but as a asst. coach.

[Symbol]

I don't care who's backing up Ramsey. I don't want to see that guy do anything but holding a clip board.