1997 Washington Redskins season

1997 Washington Redskins season
Head coach	Norv Turner
Home field	Jack Kent Cooke Stadium
Results
Record	8–7–1
Division place	2nd NFC East
Playoff finish	did not qualify

The 1997 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record from 1996. This was the Redskins' first season playing in their new stadium, Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, that would be later called FedExField.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Main article: 1997 NFL Draft

1997 Washington Redskins draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	17	Kenard Lang	Defensive end	Miami (FL)
2	51	Greg Jones	Linebacker	Colorado
3	80	Derek Smith	Linebacker	Arizona State
4	115	Albert Connell	Wide receiver	Texas A&M
5	132	Jamel Williams	Safety	Nebraska
5	140	Keith Thibodeaux	Cornerback	Northwestern State
5	148	Twan Russell	Linebacker	Miami (FL)
5	162	Brad Badger	Guard	Stanford
Made roster

Personnel

Staff

1997 Washington Redskins staff

Front office President – John Kent Cooke General Manager – Charley Casserly Assistant General Manager – Bobby Mitchell Head coaches Head Coach – Norv Turner Offensive coaches Quarterbacks – Mike Martz Running Backs – Bobby Jackson Wide Receivers – Terry Robiskie Tight Ends – Mike Pope Offensive Line – Russ Grimm

Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Mike Nolan Defensive Line – Earl Leggett Linebackers – Dale Lindsey Defensive Backs – Tom Hayes Defensive Assistant – LeCharls McDaniel Special teams coaches Special Teams – Pete Rodriguez Strength and conditioning Strength – Dan Riley Conditioning Director – Jason Arapoff

Roster

1997 Washington Redskins roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Gus Frerotte Running backs (RB) Wide receivers (WR) 82 Michael Westbrook Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL) 52 Cory Raymer C Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB) Defensive backs (DB) {{{defensive_back}}} Special teams

Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
1	August 31, 1997	at Carolina Panthers	W 24–10	72,633
2	September 7, 1997	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 14–13	58,059
3	September 14, 1997	Arizona Cardinals	W 19–13	78,270
4	Bye
5	September 28, 1997	Jacksonville Jaguars	W 24–12	74,421
6	October 5, 1997	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 24–10	67,008
7	October 13, 1997	Dallas Cowboys	W 21–16	76,159
8	October 19, 1997	at Tennessee Oilers	L 28–14	31,042
9	October 26, 1997	Baltimore Ravens	L 20–17	75,067
10	November 2, 1997	at Chicago Bears	W 31–8	53,032
11	November 9, 1997	Detroit Lions	W 30–7	75,162
12	November 16, 1997	at Dallas Cowboys	L 17–14	64,559
13	November 23, 1997	New York Giants	T 7–7	75,703
14	November 30, 1997	St. Louis Rams	L 23–20	74,772
15	December 7, 1997	at Arizona Cardinals	W 38–28	41,537
16	December 13, 1997	at New York Giants	L 30–10	77,571
17	December 21, 1997	Philadelphia Eagles	W 35–32	75,939

Standings

NFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(3) New York Giants	10	5	1	.656	307	265	W3
Washington Redskins	8	7	1	.531	327	289	W1
Philadelphia Eagles	6	9	1	.406	317	372	L3
Dallas Cowboys	6	10	0	.375	304	314	L5
Arizona Cardinals	4	12	0	.250	283	379	W1