Monk, Green honored

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By David Elfin

Art Monk and Darrell Green, Redskins teammates from 1983 to 1993 and fellow members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008, received their Hall of Fame rings in a ceremony before Sunday night's game against Dallas.

”The fans were such a big part of our careers,” Monk said. “Even though Canton was 90 percent Redskins fans, a lot of people couldn't make it there, so this gives us a chance to share the experience with more of them. The Redskins gave us the choice of a couple of games, and this seemed like the appropriate game, a night game against Dallas.”

Green's joy was tinged with sadness. His brother, Leonard Green Jr., died unexpectedly Tuesday, and Green will fly to Houston on Monday for the funeral. He said before the game he would prefer not to discuss the subject publicly.

Green played a record 20 seasons and 295 games for the Redskins. The self-described “itty-bitty” cornerback from Division II Texas A&I played in seven Pro Bowls, the last just before his 38th birthday.

The 48-year-old Green now operates learning centers for underprivileged children.

Like Monk, Green noted the appropriateness of getting his ring before a Cowboys game - but not just because they're the Redskins' chief rivals. He also played his first and last games against Dallas.

“To get our rings against the Cowboys, with a win, would be awesome,” Green said before the game. “We lost the first game I played. We won the last one. It would be great for the team. It would be great to commemorate our night.”

Monk played 14 years with the Redskins before finishing his career with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Along the way, Monk broke the all-time records for catches in a career (940), a season (106) and consecutive games (183). All have since been broken.

Monk played on Washington's Super Bowl champions in 1982, 1987 and 1991. Monk, 50, owns Alliant Merchant Services with former Redskins teammate Charles Mann, also his partner in the Youth Power Center Community Partnership, which trains inner city teenagers for college and careers.

Portis plays, Springs sits

Clinton Portis and the Redskins got some good news before Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. But for Shawn Springs, the story remained the same.

Portis, the NFL's second-leading rusher, suffered a sprained left knee two weeks ago in the loss to Pittsburgh. Even though he was officially listed as questionable, he did not practice all week and was not expected to play. But the Redskins left him off the inactive list and put him in the starting lineup.

Portis finished with 68 yards on 15 carries. He also caught two passes for 6 yards.

Springs, the 33-year-old cornerback who was expected to play after practicing Friday, missed his fourth straight game and his fifth overall. Fred Smoot again started in his place.

Springs last played Oct. 12, when he suffered a severely strained left calf muscle. He is among the five highest-paid players on the team. Given that plus his age - he turns 34 in March - the recent acquisition of cornerback DeAngelo Hall and now his health, Springs' future with the club beyond this season appears to be in doubt.

Linebacker Marcus Washington, who practiced Friday for the first time since spraining his right shoulder against the Steelers, started for the Redskins but was carted off with a left ankle injury during the first half. X-rays were negative.

Receiver Antwaan Randle El missed a series at the end of the third quarter as trainers worked on his left ankle, and Ladell Betts was helped off the field after the same drive with a leg injury.