Washington Redskins

Free-agent running back Brian Mitchell, who was unhappy when he lost his starting job to Reggie Brooks last season, signed a one-year deal for an estimated $600,000 yesterday to stay with the Washington Redskins.Mitchell's signing means that fullback Steve Smith, who was waived by the Los Angeles Raiders and was the 24th free agent to visit Redskin Park yesterday, is not in the team's plans.

Anyone who insists that guns are not the problem is the problem.A Meadowlands sports complex in Laurel is an idea whose time has passed. It needed the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Orioles to work.The good thing about the Baltimore City police commissioner search is that there are still people who want the job.Washington would be an OK town if you could drink the water.

ASHBURN, Va. -- Quarterback controversies have a long and storied history with the Washington Redskins. Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer. Kilmer and Joe Theismann. Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte. Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell. Season opener Vikings@Redskins, Monday, 7 p.m., ESPN, 1430 AM

CollegesGeorgia -- Announced TB Sterling Boyd has decided to leave the team and transfer.Navy -- Fired quarterbacks coach Greg Briner.FootballArizona Cardinals -- Signed QB Jay Schroeder. Waived QB Shawn Moore. Cut CB Perry Carter from the practice squad.Washington Redskins -- Claimed WR Leslie Shepherd off waivers. Placed S Keith Taylor on injured reserve.HockeyPD Los Angeles Kings -- Signed D Rob Blake to a four-year contract.

FOOTBALL (NFL)* Chicago Bears -- Signed Lars Tate (running back). Placed Mark Green (running back) on injured reserve.* Cleveland Browns -- Waived Leo Lewis (kick returner). Signed Eugene Rowell (wide receiver).* Denver Broncos -- Released Jeroy Robinson (linebacker).Signed Kerry Porter (running back).* Minnesota Vikings -- Signed Gilbert Renfroe (quarterback).Washington Redskins -- Placed Mark Rypien (quarterback) on injured reserve. Signed Gary Hogeboom (quarterback) and Johnny Thomas (defensive back)

FootballBuffalo Bills -- Placed All-Pro DE Bruce Smith on IR because of fluid and swelling in his left knee.Miami Dolphins -- Placed All-Pro LB John Offerdahl and OF Keith Sims on IR. Activated LB Ned Bolcar off the physically-unable-to-perform list. Signed OT Dave Zawatson.Washington Redskins -- Activated TE Don Warren. Put TE Jimmie Johnson on IR.HockeyHartford Whalers -- Signed free-agent C John Cullen to a 4-year contract. Sent G Daryl Reaugh to Springfield (AHL).

There goes the neighborhood.The Washington Redskins have announced they are moving to Laurel, which is practically in Howard County, which is practically in Baltimore, which wants a football team so badly that . . . No. We do not want a football team that badly.We now face one of two equally disturbing scenarios:* By threatening to move to Baltimore's doorstep, the Washington Redskins effectively chase away any likely competitors, such as the Baltimore Rams/Raiders/Bucs/Patriots.* They could actually move there.

The Washington Redskins have replaced revelry with realism. Off to the franchise's second 2-0 start in three years, and only its third since 1991, thanks to two long Mark Brunell-to-Santana Moss touchdown passes against the hated Dallas Cowboys nearly two weeks ago, the Redskins should feel ecstatic. Seahawks@Redskins Today, 1 p.m., Chs.45, 5, 1430 AM, 106.7 FM Line: Redskins by 2

ASHBURN, Va. -- The first two weeks of preseason camp for the Washington Redskins have had little in the way of controversy, and not much in the way of competition when it comes to starting positions. But the Redskins aren't completely devoid of debate, particularly in the kicking game. Preseason: Redskins@Bengals Tonight, 8, Chs. 11, 4

Suddenly, the preseason has taken on a whole new meaning for the Washington Redskins. Two straight lackluster defeats - a 19-3 road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals eight days ago and an embarrassing 27-14 rout by the rebuilding New York Jets on Saturday night at FedEx Field -have put much more significance on Saturday's trip to Foxboro, Mass., to play the New England Patriots. Next preseason game Redskins@Patriots, Saturday, 8 p.m., Comcast SportsNet, Ch. 9