Riggins’ Legacy Haunts Redskins’ Rogers

Maybe George Rogers could solve his problems by telephoning Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor with the message: “Loosen up, Sandy baby.”

Or Rogers should consider standing at midfield and making a deep bow to the crowd. Or getting a mohawk haircut.

But Rogers is not John Riggins, whose job he assumed on the Washington Redskins two years ago. And that, Rogers says, is part of his problem.

Despite gaining more than 1,000 yards in both seasons since joining the Redskins, and despite scoring a league-leading 18 touchdowns in 1986-87, Rogers says he is still plagued by Riggins’ legacy.

“I still think I’m haunted by the shadow of playing to the expectations (that fans had of Riggins),” he said. “I think that’s something everybody is still trying to hold over me.”

Riggins retired after the 1985 season as the Redskins all-time leading rusher. But in Washington, he was known nearly as much for his antics off the field..

During a speech given by Vice President George Bush at the National Press Club, Riggins leaned across a banquet table to share his credo with O’Connor. After running for 185 yards in a playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, he took a midfield curtain call before 54,000 fans at RFK Stadium. And he reported to one New York Jets training camp with a mohawk.

Rogers’ credentials as a player are just as impressive, but his personality is more tame.

He capped an outstanding career at the University of South Carolina by winning the Heisman Trophy in 1980, then ran for 1,674 yards for the New Orleans Saints the next year, the most ever by a rookie at the time. In his seven National Football League seasons, he has amassed 6,583 yards rushing (only Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett have more during that span) and scored 48 touchdowns. He came to the Redskins in 1985-- Riggins’ last season--and became a starter by midseason.

About the only personality trait the two shared was an unfortunate one: substance abuse. Riggins had a drinking problem, Rogers a cocaine problem.

Rogers wants to be considered a football player on his own merits, not as successor to Riggins.

“I don’t think it’s a lack of respect, I think it’s more of a personal thing . . .,” Rogers said. “People want me to be a John Riggins, and I can’t do that. I’ve got to play like I play, not like John plays.

“Everybody’s got to realize that we’re both different types of runners. I think with the team that we’ve got, we’re doing different things than when John was here. We’ve got more outside plays and we’re not running so much inside.”

For the first time in his professional career, Rogers has been hampered by injuries. He sprained his left big toe Aug. 4 during training camp when teammate Dexter Manley fell on his foot. He aggravated the injury in an exhibition game four weeks later, then sprained his right shoulder on a touchdown plunge in the Redskins’ season opener Sept. 13.

Rogers has carried the ball only eight times for a total of 20 yards this season. Keith Griffin started in his place during the three non-strike games, with Kelvin Bryant coming off the bench on third-down and passing situations.

Washington Coach Joe Gibbs says Rogers shouldn’t be concerned with emerging from Riggins’ shadow, only with recovering from his injuries.

“When George came in, John was towards the end of his career and when John stepped out, George kind of took over,” Gibbs said. “I think the only thing that’s been haunting George has been the injuries. It’s just himself, the fact that he’s been hurt.”

Said Rogers: “I’m not used to getting injuries, and when I start getting injuries, I start getting down on myself. I’m capable of playing well, especially if I’m healthy. I think at this point, this is the healthiest I’m going to get. I think that right now, it’s time when I should go out there and really play hard and try to see where I’m at as far as playing on this team.”

Gibbs suspects Rogers is having a tough time because he is so accustomed to being successful.

“When you think back to what George’s background is, you’ve got a guy who did it all in college -- and very few guys have made as many yards since he’s been in pro ball, too, which maybe is lost to some people,” Gibbs said. “George is so used to being the guy, I think being away from that, you naturally miss that.”

Rogers has put considerable emphasis on doing well in Sunday’s game against the Bills at Buffalo.

“I look at it as a critical game as far as me being able to play,” he said. “If I can’t play this game, surely I can’t play the rest of them. . . . If I don’t do well this game, it would be kind of bad for me as far as coming back next year. I don’t want to be around if I can’t help this team.”

But Rogers said he does not want to play for another team. After five straight losing seasons in New Orleans--the only NFL team never to have a winning season--he reached the NFC championship game last season with the Redskins.

“I would rather be in Washington than be with anybody in the league,” Rogers said. “They win games, and you want to be on a winning team.”