Darrell Green

When Darrell "Superman" Green sobbed on the sideline during a 41-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings six weeks ago, the Redskins organization and everybody close to the team probably wanted to cry with him.Green's tears were symbolic of how far once-proud Washington had fallen this season. Superman Green's spirit and strength had been broken by another humiliating setback, which dropped Washington to an 0-7 record.But there were nine more games to play, and the All-Pro cornerback had to somehow regain his status of caped crusader and fly again for the good of the franchise.

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins now face the task of trying to repeat as NFL champions without one of the players they least could afford to lose -- five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darrell Green.The Redskins yesterday announced that Green, who fractured the radius bone in his right forearm Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, must undergo surgery and probably will be lost for the season.Trainer Bubba Tyer said that Green must decide whether to have a plate inserted at the point of the break or to have pins inserted in his arm. Doctors failed in an attempt to set the break yesterday without surgery.

Highlights: The Washington Redskins rose up Sunday and played like the Super Bowl teams of the past on four plays late in the third quarter over a 1-minute, 27-second stretch that led to the deciding touchdown in a 10-3 victory over the Chicago Bears at RFK Stadium.Darrell Green recovered a Chicago fumble and returned it 14 yards to the Washington 39-yard line, then Gus Frerotte completed passes of 17 and 16 yards to Henry Ellard, and Terry Allen danced off the right side untouched for a 28-yard touchdown run. Scott Blanton had given the Redskins a 3-3 tie with 24 seconds left in the first half, making his first NFL field goal an unforgettable one -- a 50-yarder.

Ravens run offense vs. Redskins run defense -- Edge, EVENThe Ravens haven't been able to run effectively during the past two games, but they should be able to pound away at the Redskins, who have the 29th-ranked run defense. Ravens guards Jeff Blackshear and Ben Cavil have to be dominating up front against tackles Chris Mims and Marc Boutte.Ravens pass offense vs. Redskins pass defenseThis matches the league's No. 1 passing offense against the league's No. 1 passing defense. While Ravens receivers Michael Jackson and Derrick Alexander are quite a tandem, the Redskins' cornerbacks match up well because Cris Dishman can take away some of Jackson's physical advantages and Darrell Green can run with Alexander.

Linebacker Monte Coleman signed a one-year, $400,000 deal yesterday to play his 16th season for the Washington Redskins, which will tie him with Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh for the longest tenure with the team.Coleman, 36, showed no signs of slowing down last year, when he tied for the team lead in sacks with six. He has 56 career sacks, tied with Diron Talbert for fourth on the Redskins' all-time list behind Dexter Manley, Charles Mann and Dave Butz, all defensive linemen.Coleman's sack total last year was the second most in his career.

WASHINGTON -- Maybe coach Jimmy Johnson is still too new to the NFL to understand a basic axiom.The third-year coach of the Dallas Cowboys doesn't seem to understand that teams rarely try to challenge Darrell Green, the league's fastest man."Darrell's a great player," Johnson said of the Washington cornerback. "[But] if you stay completely away from him, we'd play into their hands. We've got to go to our strengths even if it is against a great player," Johnson said.Johnson also noted that if you always throw away from Green, you've always throwing into double coverage.

ASHBURN, Va. -- Darrell Green figures cornerbacks have to be a bit weird to put themselves on the line every week.Yet the Washington Redskins veteran enjoys the challenge, which is why he's looking forward to lining up against Michael Irvin of the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night."

LANDOVER -- The same Washington Redskins team vilified in September and October by nearly everybody walked off the field at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium yesterday with another fourth-quarter comeback victory -- and the hearts of its fans."

PHILADELPHIA -- When Calvin Williams found his way to the Veterans Stadium end zone for the third time yesterday, there was no holding him back.There was his traditional spike, which caromed uncomfortably close to an official.There were the ceremonial hugs and high-fives with his fellow Philadelphia Eagles.And then there was the improvisational flight of fancy. That was where he took off running from the end zone, as if on a wing, soaring in front of 65,435 zealots. He came to rest at the Eagles' 47-yard line, stretched his arms outward with palms up and soaked in the outrageous moment.

HERNDON, Va. -- On the front cover of Sports Illustrated was Joe Montana. On the back cover was Darrell Green, in a sportswear ad, running as if he were a Washington Redskin rookie again, chasing Tony Dorsett."