A Season of Triumph and Trial

Micah goes back to the doctors tomorrow for what could be an important visit. His enzymes and kidney function will be reviewed again to determine if dialysis must begin shortly. The baby appears healthy, as active as any newborn, and was 20 1/2 inches at birth despite his premature arrival. He weighs 14 pounds, and must weigh 25 -- the weight of an average 24-month-old -- before a transplant can be performed.

"If the levels haven't improved enough, then the doctor says we'll probably start dialysis in January," Katie Doughty said. "We're hoping he's progressing and we can put that off. He's growing great and putting on a lot of weight and eating a lot. Babies with kidney failure have a hard time growing, but he's doing really well."

Katie Doughty was a cardiac nurse before Reed was drafted and Micah was born. Her medical training is being put to use in ways she never imagined, and many early mornings are spent commuting to doctors' offices with Micah. She was able to attend only one game, Oct. 1 against Jacksonville (Reed was inactive), because of child-care responsibilities, and has done little in the area beyond the occasional dinner out in Leesburg.

She makes constant trips to local pharmacies -- Micah's prescription for his three-times-weekly shots must be filled individually -- and relies on the wives of players and coaches for support. The wife of receivers coach Stan Hixon visited her in the hospital and the wife of punter Derrick Frost has accompanied her on trips to the hospital with Micah.

"Everyone in [the Redskins'] Bible study has been so great," Katie Doughty said. "We've met so many good people there."

Much at Stake

The Redskins have accommodated Doughty in every way possible. He has been excused from meetings for doctor visits. A quick study and hard worker, he has become a favorite of many coaches.

"It was kind of scary for all of us at first, because the baby was so premature," Coach Joe Gibbs said. "But [now] the baby looks great and Reed takes time when he needs to and he's done all he could for us. And this past week he took a big step up. Sometimes it takes rookies a little while to catch on and he's really conscientious -- you won't get anybody more conscientious than he is -- and now he's making some plays for us."

Still, Doughty worries about his future. He was not seriously recruited by Division I schools because he was considered too small and too slow and is the rare youngster in the Redskins' experienced secondary. Doughty has played sparingly in the regular defense, was inactive for six straight games (including three straight last month), and realizes nothing is guaranteed beyond this season.

If he is cut in the offseason, NFL Players Association medical insurance would run until September, and the additional $13,000 he can make in offseason workouts and training camp would lessen the need to get an additional job. Had Katie not had health insurance when Micah was born, Doughty said his son's preexisting condition would not have been covered by insurance.

Obviously, there is much at stake when Doughty takes the field or enters a meeting room. He accepts each game as a challenge to show he belongs in the NFL, and has impressed coaches with his strong knowledge of offense, defense and special teams (he is a coach's son), and ability to adjust to an opponent.

"I have to try to make a good statement for myself and always play well," Doughty said. "If I got cut, I'm not sure what we'd do. We might have to get on [Medicaid] or something and it's so expensive without health insurance. We're really not trying to take that route."

When the Redskins signed veteran safety Troy Vincent in October, Doughty knew that was a signal to improve his play. He knew the team did not see him as someone who could help the defense in the short term, and is hoping his strong special teams play will help sway the team. Doughty is beginning to adjust to the pace and intricacies of the pro game, is involved in all aspects of special teams play and delivered a crushing blow on a return last week in New Orleans.

Like so much else in his life, what occurs in the coming months will be beyond Doughty's control. He plans to immerse himself in offseason workouts and spend as much time at Redskins Park and with his family as possible. The Redskins might opt for pricey free agents to add depth in the secondary, and with Micah, all Doughty can do is provide constant care and pray.

Football remains something of an escape, and lately Doughty's play has been impressive. He helped force a fumble against Philadelphia, received national attention for a huge hit against New Orleans and delivered another big blow on special teams in Sunday's loss at St. Louis.

"He really has grown tremendously here from about midseason on," said Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense. "Last week he took a huge step in the plays he made on special teams, but really for about four to five weeks prior to that he was making significant progress there and defensively he's been making significant progress and he had a tremendous week of practice.

"[Thursday] I was walking off the field talking to Coach Gibbs about how well he's practiced in all areas -- special teams and defensively. The game has started to slow down a little bit [for him]. You can present everything that's going to happen to them through that first season, but they've got to go through some of those things and it looks like the game is starting to slow down a little bit for him because we're starting to see some of the skills that we saw in college. He's playing more free right now."