Thursday, October 24, 2002
NFL Notebook: Redskins QB fears sniper
Matthews sends family to Florida
The Associated Press
ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins quarterback Shane Matthews is moving his wife and kids to Florida to get them out of the sniper's range.
The professional sports community has not been immune to the psychological impact of a Washington-area sniper who has struck 13 times since Oct.2.
“You feel like you're in prison,” Matthews said. “You can't take your kids to the park and play, you can't go to the grocery store, you can't go to a gas station.”
Matthews said his wife and two children will move to their offseason home in Florida on Friday and, “They'll probably come back for the holidays.”
“My daughter broke down crying because she loves her teacher and friends,” Matthews said. “A lot of people don't have a chance to go someplace else, but I feel it's the best decision for my family.”
Long snapper Ethan Albright said he also was moving his family out of state, and defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson said it was something he might consider.
Other players, however, aren't ready to take such measures.
“My family's staying here,” punter Bryan Barker said. “If we left every time there was a threat, I don't know if we'd have any place to live.”
As the team practiced, players couldn't help but notice the off-duty police officers, hired by the team's director of security to check the woods and stick around until all the players were inside.
“It was a little different, but (the team) felt like it was the smart thing to do,” coach Steve Spurrier said. “It's unfortunate we're in these times.”
The Redskins play host to the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at their stadium in Landover, Md., 10 miles from the site of one of the attacks.
BROWNS: Corey Fuller will have to sit out this week's game against the New York Jets, the third starter in Cleveland's defensive backfield to be sidelined by an injury.
Safety Robert Griffith is expected to miss three more weeks with a broken bone in his left shoulder, and cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, who was inactive last week, was listed as questionable with a sprained left elbow.
Fuller reinjured a torn tendon behind his right knee during the first half of Sunday's win over Houston.
STEELERS: The team confirmed Wednesday that Jerome Bettis and center Jeff Hartings will miss Sunday's game at Baltimore with left knee injuries.
The winner Sunday in Baltimore takes over first place in the AFC North. The Steelers (3-3) have won three of four since their 0-2 start.
RAVENS: Ray Lewis wants to play against the Steelers. His ailing left shoulder - and the Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff - probably won't allow that to happen.
Lewis did not practice Wednesday and was listed as questionable. The middle linebacker hasn't played since Oct.6, when he partially dislocated his shoulder.
VIKINGS: Rookie kicker Hayden Epstein signed Wednesday. Gary Anderson will continue to kick extra points and field goals, but Anderson will serve as a mentor to Epstein, who'll handle kickoffs.
DOLPHINS: WR Oronde Gadsden had season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair ligament damage in his left wrist.
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NFL Notebook: Redskins QB fears sniper
