Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 12, 1994 TAG: 9409130049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS LENGTH: Medium
Friesz is the Washington Redskins' quarterback for now, and after Sunday's show in the Superdome, now will last a bit longer.
Heath Shuler may be first on the Redskins' payroll, but he'll be staying second on the depth chart at quarterback after Friesz guided Washington to a 38-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Friesz, who had never thrown for more than two touchdowns in a game in four NFL seasons, completed four scoring passes in the Redskins' ridiculously easy triumph, the first for new coach Norv Turner.
This was the week that Shuler, the high-priced pitcher from Tennessee, was supposed to see more playing time. Well, of the 47 Redskins who dressed the part in the dome, only two didn't play - Shuler and receiver Leslie Shepherd, signed a week ago today.
Only a week earlier, Turner was talking about perhaps starting Shuler in Week 3 for their NFC East visit to Giants Stadium. That talk ended after the Friesz job Sunday. Turner told Friesz he will start in the New Jersey Meadowlands.
That said, Friesz knows his days as Washington's starter - no matter how good - are numbered. He's not bitter. He left San Diego and signed a one-year, free-agent contract for $900,000 before the April draft.
``I knew what the situation was,'' Friesz said. ``They told me they were going to draft a quarterback.''
If it hadn't been Shuler, it would have been Trent Dilfer, and he was to be the franchise's future, as Drew Bledsoe has become in New England and Rick Mirer in Seattle and, a bit further back, Troy Aikman in Dallas.
``I think I played well enough,'' Friesz said when asked about keeping the job. ``Has anything changed? No, I don't think so. There's everything with Heath, and he warrants that he should eventually get a shot to see what he can do with this team.''
Still, Friesz probably got the most satisfaction as a Superdome visitor until the Rolling Stones play here Oct.10. New Orleans was the Big Easy for the Redskins' quarterback, once return man Brian Mitchell used the wedge about as well as possible against the Saints' not-so-special teams.
Friesz completed 15 of 22 passes for 195 yards, and he admittedly got very good protection from the Redskins' shuffling offensive linemen and a running game that controlled the clock.
Although recycled Saints quarterback Jim Everett completed 31 of 46 passes for 376 yards, he spent much of the game trying to escape an improved Redskins' pass-situation front four of Ken Harvey, Leonard Marshall, Tony Woods and Sterling Palmer.
Friesz was sacked only once, and in the third quarter he was 6-for-6 on two scoring drives. That's when it became apparent that if Shuler was going to play this day, it would be to finish someone else's masterpiece.
``What we were getting with the running game on first down really made a difference,'' Friesz said. ``We put ourselves in position to have success, and I think we used the entire play book.
``The thing that overshadows all of the stats for anybody out there, whether they go for a fumble or a punt return or a touchdown, is getting a win. It was really crucial that we win, not just me playing the way I did.''
The Redskins looked nothing like the confounded club that opened a week earlier with a 28-7 loss to Seattle at RFK Stadium. Then, the Saints won't be mistaken for the Seahawks, who pounded the Los Angeles Raiders on Sunday.
Turner said the Redskins perhaps practiced better last week than they played against the Saints. As for Friesz, he settled down from his two-interception opener. Having to share the quarterback job in San Diego with Redskin expatriate Stan Humphries has made a difference for Friesz, too.
``It's [the inevitable Shuler ascension] been a lot easier to handle because I've gone through something like this last year,'' said the quiet Idaho native. ``Last year it was very difficult to look over my shoulder, and I did, and it was hard.
``I understand it's probably inevitable that there will be a time when I don't play like I want to play, and Heath will go in and play well and it will be his. And I understand that, and I'm content with that.''
That said, Turner realizes it's as important for a franchise building from last season's 4-12 rubble to learn how to win as it is to learn how to play. That's why Shuler stood and watched Sunday.
Friesz's four touchdown tosses are more than any Redskins quarterback threw in a game since Mark Rypien fired six in a November 1991 victory over Atlanta. The Saints hadn't given up four scoring passes since Rypien did that in a November 1990 meeting.
And he may never have the opportunity to do that again.
``I'm just thankful for the amount of time I'm getting now,'' Friesz said.
He's pitching for a job, although it's not the one he has now.
by CNB