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.

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.

ASHBURN, Va. -- Fifteen years after he burst into national consciousness with speed that chills, Darrell Green still chases down running backs and wide receivers with uncommon verve for the Washington Redskins.The first chase, in which Green caught Tony Dorsett from behind on "Monday Night Football," may have been the most tantalizing, however.Green, a 23-year-old rookie cornerback at the time, was making his Redskins debut. Dorsett was in the prime of his Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Record: 3-2Last game: Lost, 24-10, Sunday at Philadelphia Eagles.Highlights: Midway through the third quarter, Michael Westbrook went airborne and extended fully to catch a pass from Gus Frerotte for a 38-yard completion to the Philadelphia 5-yard line. On the next play, Frerotte threw a touchdown pass to Terry Allen to cut the Eagles' lead to 17-10. But in general the passing game was ineffective. Brian Mitchell returned the second-half kickoff 47 yards to the Philadelphia 48, but the Redskins wound up punting.

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.

Real men don't like figure skating. Just ask the real man who controls the remote control in your life. He'll tell you it is not a sport.It is not a sport if you wear sequins when you do it. It is not a sport if the music they play while you do it matters. It is not a sport if you do it while holding a woman in your arms. And it is not a sport if people watching decide who wins.But the men of America will be good sports this month when women seize control of the television to watch the Winter Olympics from Lillehammer, Norway.

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.

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."

ASHBURN, Va. -- As coach Joe Gibbs walked toward the press room at Redskin Park to begin his news conference yesterday, he spotted cornerback Darrell Green walking out of the front door.Gibbs sprinted to the door and asked, "Is that thing doing any better?""So-so," Green replied.That was the question of the day for the Washington Redskins. They all wanted to know the condition of Darrell Green's bruised left heel.Green didn't make the trip to Minnesota last Saturday so he could stay off his feet, but he still doesn't know how well he'll be able to play Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC divisional playoff game.