Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 20, 1995 TAG: 9511210043
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Washington Redskins emptied most of the seats at RFK Sunday, but not before their occupants made their voice vote on the club's quarterback controversy that's in full bloom between second-year learners.
``We Want Gus ... We Want Gus,'' the paying customers screamed with the Redskins sinking and stinking in a 27-20 loss to Seattle.
It was on NBC. It hardly was must see TV, however.
The fans turned as cold as the weather after Gus Frerotte was only 14-of-32 with two interceptions. They booed coach Norv Turner for yanking Frerotte for Heath Shuler with 13:53 left in the game and the ho-humming Seahawks leading only 17-10.
The raspberries came after Shuler had led the hapless Redskins to an Eddie Murray field goal that cut the Seattle edge to four points with 12:19 left. Shuler then answered the disgruntled hangers-on with just what they wanted.
He threw back-to-back interceptions before taking Washington to a touchdown of little consolation. He completed his last 12 throws, even if two were to Seahawks.
After seeing the Redskins' offense, it was obvious to Turner that the federal government isn't the only thing that's shut down here.
``Defensively, I thought we played well enough,'' Turner said. ``We had good field position. Offensively, we weren't making the plays that were there.''
It's true the Washington fans never seem satisfied. It wasn't much before Shuler's razzing that the crowd was booing Frerotte.
Who do they want to play QB, Sonny Jurgensen?
Turner changed quarterbacks for the second straight week after Seattle safety Robert Blackmon picked off Frerotte's forced throw into triple coverage in the end zone, when two Redskins receivers were wide open underneath the blanketed Henry Ellard.
``I think [Frerotte] had missed about five straight balls that I thought he was capable of completing, that he normally would complete,'' said the Redskins' coach. ``We were struggling offensively. We had good field position.
``To give us a chance, I thought it was time to make a change.''
He wasn't getting any help on the ground, either, as Washington rushed for only three first downs. The 'Skins ran only 22 yards in a 123-yard second half.
Last week, Shuler, the No.3 overall pick in the 1994 draft, said it was ``ridiculous'' that Turner hadn't given him an opportunity to play since his recovery from an opening-game shoulder sprain.
After the club's third straight loss, Turner wasn't naming a starter for Sunday's RFK visit by Philadelphia, although he said he probably would do so before the club returns to practice Wednesday.
The second-year Redskins' coach can't win. If he goes to Shuler, he's seeing if a top draft pick can play but it then appears he's giving up on the season.
If he sticks with Frerotte and the Redskins keep skidding, then it amounts to starting over with Shuler against next season.
``You know, they feel the same frustration the football team feels,'' Turner said when asked about the verbal abuse Shuler took from the stands. ``I don't think that frustration should be taken out on one guy, but that's the nature of this game and that's what's going to happen.''
What torched Turner the most was the opportunity the Redskins gave away. Washington was favored for only the fourth time in Turner's 27 games. Don't underestimate what a fourth victory could have meant.
With the Redskins at 3-8 - and still in a three-way tie for third and also last place in the NFC East - only the New York Jets have a worse record in the NFL.
As Week 12 of the league's 17-weekend season began Sunday, 21 of the 30 clubs had records between 6-4 and 4-6. Somewhere, ``Parity Pete'' Rozelle had to be beaming as he suns himself in retirement.
Parity also is mediocrity, and that was the Seahawks. As a Seattle pitcher, Rick Mirer won't make anyone forget Randy Johnson.
Were it not for the bullish running of former Virginia and Ferrum back Chris Warren - the AFC rushing leader had a 136-yard afternoon and is only 23 ground yards from his fourth straight 1,000-yard season - the Seahawks' attack would have gone nowhere.
Maybe Turner should have told his offense the Redskins' bye week was a Sunday earlier.
by CNB