Redskins Backed Into a Corner

In February, Ron Springs underwent a kidney transplant, receiving a kidney from Everson Walls, a teammate of his with the Cowboys and a close friend. Ron Springs has had diabetes for 16 years, requiring dialysis three times a week, and awaited a transplant for several years. He rejected his son's offer to be tested for a possible transplant match. As Ron Springs struggled to become healthy enough for a transplant, potential matches with other family members failed to materialize, prompting Walls to volunteer to help his friend, who uses a wheelchair because of the amputation of a foot.

With Gibbs's permission, Springs left the team to be with his family in Dallas the week of an Oct. 21 game against Arizona. He returned and played well in a 21-19 victory at FedEx Field. "Football is my sanctuary," Springs said after the Jets game Nov. 4. "When I'm out on the field, I just focus on the game and what I have to do to help my team. Football . . . that's just fun for me."

Springs has been excused from team activities Monday and Tuesday of every week since his father slipped into a coma. He has traveled to Dallas in support of his family and returned in time to practice. His teammates say he has inspired them with his display of inner strength and commitment to the team.

"You can't help but be impressed with what that man is doing," Smoot said. "You know he's going through a rough time with his family, but he's taking care of his family and taking care of his business. You can't help but respect that."

Smoot has been an inspiration as well, coaches said, in that he has encouraged teammates while approaching his work with professionalism.

"Fred has been a pleasant surprise for me," Jerry Gray, secondary-cornerbacks coach, said recently. "I didn't coach Fred the first time he was here, but they always told me about what Fred did when he was here before. Fred is a guy that's always upbeat, always getting guys going in practice and in games, and what a lot of people may not know is that Fred really studies the game.

"There's a facade that he puts on, 'I'm cool,' but he also understands what he's actually doing on the football field. A lot of times, when you look at a guy like that, he's so happy-go-lucky, you don't think he's actually putting time in the meetings. But Fred, he actually is. He works hard."

Springs, Smoot and the rest of the secondary will be tested against the Cowboys.

Dallas is second to New England in total offense at 396.8 yards per game and scoring average at 32.9 points, and third behind Green Bay and the Patriots in passing yards at 2,466.

Quarterback Tony Romo has a 103.3 passer rating in his first full season as a starter -- he's ranked third in the league -- and wide receiver Terrell Owens is tied for fourth in the NFL with eight touchdown receptions.

"They have a great offense, a fast-paced offense with the way they attack you," quarterback Jason Campbell said. "With the way Romo and T.O. and those guys are playing now, it's definitely going to be a challenge, especially with Sean being out. But we have confidence in all of our guys, and we've had guys step up all season. With all the injuries we've had, guys have had a lot of opportunities to contribute."

Prioleau figures to have an expanded role in the defensive game plan that Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, will unveil to players today at Redskins Park. The nine-year veteran struggled -- he and middle linebacker London Fletcher were beat on a 45-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter -- while filling in for Taylor late against the Eagles, but Prioleau is considered a smart player who is often in the right spot.

"We know Dallas is a good team, but there's also a good team right here at Redskins Park," Prioleau said. "You'd rather have all your guys available, but you have no control over that, so all you can do is go out with the guys you have. We have a lot of good guys here who can play. Our job is to get prepared, and then go out and play football when you're called."