
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 19, 1993                   TAG: 9310190146
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SECULES WANTS TO ATONE FOR ERRORS

Even after replaying his costly interceptions over and over in his head all night, Scott Secules still had few explanations for the mistakes that plagued his first NFL start.

"I'm still as disappointed," Secules said Monday, a day after his New England Patriots lost 28-14 to the Houston Oilers in his first start after five seasons as a backup quarterback. "It's just a matter of making some poor decisions at crucial times in the game."

The former University of Virginia quarterback probably will start again Sunday in Seattle. Drew Bledsoe, who missed the Houston game with a sprained left knee, is questionable for the Seahawks game and Patriots coach Bill Parcells said Secules will get the start - rather than third-string quarterback Scott Zolak - if Bledsoe can't play.

Secules, who still appeared somewhat shaken Monday, said he wanted another start so he could atone for his errors.

"I'd like to be able to have the opportunity to improve and not make those bad decisions," he said. "Just climb back in there and not make those mistakes."

Secules completed 23 of 40 passes for 280 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to fullback Kevin Turner. But he was sacked five times overall and was intercepted three times in the fourth quarter.

Perhaps the worst thing about Secules' disappointing debut was that he was signed by New England in March as a free agent from Miami because the Patriots thought he could provide a veteran's composure and sound judgment.

"That in itself makes it a little hard to deal with," Secules said. "I made some bad plays that cost this team."

Keywords:
FOOTBALL

by CNB