By Liz Clarke
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 14, 1998; Page D8

CHARLOTTE, Dec. 13 — A wiry 6 feet and 179 pounds, Albert Connell is a slip of a man compared to Michael Westbrook, the Washington Redskins' star wide receiver. But with Westbrook on injured reserve awaiting surgery on a herniated disk, Connell loomed larger than vital statistics suggest in today's 28-25 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Making his third start of the season, Connell led the Redskins with career highs of eight receptions for 116 yards, including a 16-yarder for a touchdown 1 minute 23 seconds into the game. After leading, 7-0, the Redskins never trailed, although Carolina clawed back from an 18-point deficit to pull within three early in the fourth quarter.

As the Redskins fought to protect their lead with roughly three minutes left, however, a play involving Connell could have cost Washington the victory.

The Redskins had taken over at their 8 after safety Stanley Richard intercepted Steve Beuerlein's pass. On the second play of the Redskins' drive, Connell leaped high to grab a 20-yard pass from Trent Green, then tripped, fell and slammed the ball to the ground in disgust. The official hadn't whistled the ball dead, and safety Brent Alexander scooped it up.

The officials ruled that Connell was down by contact, and the Redskins retained possession. However, replays indicated that Connell fell on his own.

"I felt he [Alexander] touched me," Connell said. "That's why I got up, and I was kind of upset about it because I could have scored with that one. I felt he touched me. That's the only reason I would do something like that – just letting the ball go like that. I would have gotten up and run if I hadn't felt somebody touch me."

Afterward, Coach Norv Turner didn't second-guess his wide receiver. "It was contact with" the defensive back, Turner said. "Obviously, he felt the contact, or he wouldn't have left the ball on the ground."

The Redskins never got out of their own territory on the possession, bringing Matt Turk in to punt from the 28. After his 40-yarder, the Panthers' drive started at their 32, and cornerback Darrell Green ended Carolina's final surge by intercepting Beuerlein at Washington's 41 with 1:40 left.

The Redskins' lack of depth at wide receiver was a major concern entering the game. Westbrook and backup James Thrash became the 12th and 13th Redskins on injured reserve after a 24-20 win over San Diego Dec. 6. Connell missed that game with a knee sprain, and his return for today's game was questionable at one point.

"I didn't plan on coming back this week," Connell said, "but I had to suck it up because a lot of guys were down."

Turner's offensive scheme tapped several targets for Trent Green. Connell, Leslie Shepherd and Chris Thomas combined for 11 catches. Henry Ellard, the 37-year-old veteran signed earlier this week, joined the lineup late in the game, but didn't make a catch. Fullback Stephen Davis caught four passes, all-purpose back Brian Mitchell had one reception, and rookie tight end Stephen Alexander made a spectacular, 17-yard diving catch in the end zone in the third quarter to give the Redskins a 28-17 lead.

Turner's plan for his wide receivers sent most of Trent Green's deep throws to Shepherd on the sideline and the short- to mid-range passes to Connell. While few of those long shots panned out, they helped stretch the Carolina defense.

"He's got a chance to be a real good receiver," Turner said of Connell. "And he got a good matchup. They were going to match [Eric] Davis on Leslie Shepherd. And they had a tough time with the other corner [Steve Lofton], and Trent and Albert took advantage of it."

Staff writer Mark Maske contributed to this report.