THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 6, 1994 TAG: 9409060156
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The Redskins on Monday replaced injured safety Keith Taylor with receiver Leslie Shepherd - and may replace the two-quarterback system with one that features just one thrower.
Taylor, who blew out his right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's 28-7 season-opening loss to Seattle, was put on injured reserve and should be out for the season. Deral Boykin, recently claimed off waivers, will get a chance to back up new starter Martin Bayless.
About halfway through the Monday post-mortem, Redskins coach Norv Turner noted that he and the offensive coaches had met for a couple of hours to discuss the worth of shuttling quarterbacks John Friesz and Heath Shuler.
Turner said he would make a decision on whether to continue playing both men by the start of practice Wednesday. Even if he decides to play both men - and Turner hinted it's doubtful he would start Shuler in a place as noisy and intimidating as the New Orleans Superdome - the coach clearly is already weary of the current system.
``We're not going to go with this much longer,'' Turner said. ``If we went another week, that'd be it.''
Asked if that meant Shuler would be the new starting quarterback and Friesz would be benched, regardless of performance, Turner replied, ``I'd like it to be Heath, yes.''
Shepherd was the nation's top receiver prospect coming out of high school. He attended Temple, then signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent in 1992. He was the Bucs' final roster cut.
He signed with Pittsburgh and was released on the Steelers' final cut this year. The last time he played, he caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of play against the Redskins in a 22-21 Washington victory.
Shepherd is 5-feet-11 and 189 pounds, and was a Maryland state track champion in the 100 and 200 meters, long jump and triple jump. by CNB