WPost Email: QB Similarities

[MTK]

Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell and Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia have followed similar paths this season. Both are veteran, mobile passers who do not have tremendous arms but can beat teams with play-action fakes and by rolling out of the pocket. Each is in his first season with a new team and adjusting to an unfamiliar coaching staff and set of teammates. Each has been inconsistent, and their teams both carry a 1-2 record into Sunday's game in Cleveland.

There is ample room for improvement in both teams' offenses, and Garcia hopes that on Sunday he will be used in schemes similar to those Coach Joe Gibbs runs for Brunell. The Browns have leaned on their running game thus far in the season. Garcia has been used more as a pocket passer and has not been free to improvise while roaming out of the pocket as much as he used to when playing for the San Francisco 49ers.

"I enjoy throwing on the run," Garcia said during a conference call yesterday. "I enjoy doing those types of things, and I think that's something we're going to continue to work on and continue to build into the system as far as making it a possibility. It's just not something that's been as much of an emphasis to this point right now."

Browns Coach Butch Davis seemed more inclined to diversify the point of attack, with the significant attention the issue has garnered in Cleveland perhaps influencing him to do so. "You try to find a happy medium," Davis said in his conference call, "and that's what were trying to work through right now."

Washington's defense has yet to face a mobile passer this season, and Garcia's elusiveness could be a significant factor in the game. The defensive line has not generated a sustained pass rush on its own, and of the Redskins' seven sacks, five have come from cornerbacks, safeties or linebackers. Garcia's ability to avoid the first wave of pass rushers could open up big play opportunities downfield with the Redskins committed to getting after the quarterback.

Not having linebacker LaVar Arrington on the weak side to chase Garcia down or limit his scrambles will not work in Washington's favor, either.

Winslow Injury Nixes Miami Reunion



The Redskins and Browns spent months mulling over which University of Miami star player to select in the first round of April's draft, but when they meet Sunday, only one of those standouts will be on the field. Washington took Miami safety Sean Taylor with the fifth overall pick, and he is likely to start the game. The Browns took Miami tight end Kellen Winslow with the sixth overall pick but have lost him to season-ending surgery.

Had Winslow been healthy, he and Taylor were primed for an intriguing one-on-one battle, since Taylor is one of the few defensive backs in the NFL with the speed, size and agility to stay with Winslow. The two went at it in practice on a daily basis in college and were considered prospective offensive and defensive rookie of the year winners. But Winslow broke his leg trying to recover an onside kick in the second week of the season and will not play again this season.

Davis, the former head coach at Miami, quickly snagged Winslow after Taylor was chosen by the Redskins. "Sean was somebody we liked and we knew," Davis said, "but we targeted obviously he and Kellen Winslow along with a couple of other guys we felt like would be guys who would really help our team."

Losing Winslow was a significant blow to Cleveland's slumping offense, while Taylor has played more each week, earning his first start Monday night against Dallas. Taylor was recruited by Davis out of high school but began his freshman season in 2001, when Davis joined the Browns. Davis compared the big-play ability Taylor is exhibiting in the NFL to what he saw on tape and in person when recruiting him.

"He's playing like his hair is on fire," said Davis, who coached Redskins running back Clinton Portis at Miami. "He is playing exactly the way I remember him in high school. He's athletic, he's fast, he's a playmaker. He plays all out and he plays full speed."

-- Jason La Canfora

[BIGREDSKINFAN63]

who is the skins 2nd fastest lb?marcus washington?whoever it is,i do'nt think garcia scares williams enough to put a spy on him.on paper the skins should win easy,but we all know the game ai'nt played on paper.