THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250430
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Analysis
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
HEATH WHO?
That was the headline, in type normally reserved for inaugurations, across the top of the Washington Times' Monday sports page.
Below that, readers were invited to vote for the Redskins rookie quarterback they want face the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday at RFK Stadium.
Heath Shuler. Gus Frerotte.
Like it's a contest, which it isn't.
That's OK. At 2-6 after victories at New Orleans and Indianapolis, the Redskins aren't heading anywhere. There aren't any more dome road games on the schedule.
And so, no matter how contrived, it begins.
Gus For-Real vs. HEATH WHO, a.k.a. The $19 Million Man, The Franchise, The Savior, The Kid, Kid Quarterback and, finally, Baby Heath.
But it is not a QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY. It is decidedly more gentle.
Try Quarterback Conversation.
See, the city that gave the world I LIKE SONNY/I LIKE BILLY bumperstickers in the early 1970s (admittedly, there was limited appeal) has a problem. Back then, folks were squabbling over Jurgensen and Kilmer, two guys who could play.
Thus far, I LIKE GUS/I LIKE HEATH resembles that Leon Spinks fight the other night. HEATH WHO has yet to throw his first punch and already he's on the canvas.
Gus, meanwhile, was. ... exceptional. After ignoring his quarterback for the first five minutes or so following Washington's 41-27 victory over the Colts Sunday, that was the word coach Norv Turner used to describe Frerotte's debut.
Later, he tried mightily to back off, saying it was ``exceptional in the context of a first start.''
Whatever. Bottom line is, Frerotte saved this Redskins season. He's given fans a reason the watch the games, some hope for the future, evidence that the team's college scouts aren't flushing away the company's money.
OK, ok, ok. We both know where these rags-to-riches plots end. Today's headline is tomorrow's trivia answer.
Troy Aikman, Steve Walsh. Case closed.
But the beauty of these things is that there's always a chance this is the exception to the rule.
Truth is, there are a lot of people who don't view Frerotte's 17-of-32, 226-yard, 2-TD performance as an aberration.
Joe Theismann doesn't. He predicted a strong showing on ESPN. Jurgensen doesn't. He has crowed about the kid's physical ability all season.
Most importantly, Turner doesn't.
The new wisdom in the NFL states that unless the quarterback you've got your eye on isn't worth drafting in the first couple of rounds, he sinks to the bottom of the pile.
Why?
Because if he's good enough to make the roster, but not start, then he's going to take advantage of free agency in four years. And you'd rather lose a seventh-round pick you've been paying seventh-round money than someone in whom you had a larger stake.
So maybe Gus, with that huge arm and a quiet confidence that belies his humble college background at Tulsa, really was a far better prospect than was thought last spring.
The question isn't who should start, but what should Turner do with his two young guns the rest of the season? Among his goals this season was to find the team's quarterback of the future. Does it really matter where he was drafted?
But Turner has to know for sure. He must be as positive as one possibly can in the NFL.
Shuler's three starts came against the Cowboys, Eagles and Cardinals. Washington's next two opponents are Philadelphia and the 49ers.
Close enough. Let Frerotte start the next two games, then make a decision who finishes out the season.
The timing is perfect. The Redskins have their bye week after the 49ers. Turner's Choice would have two weeks to prepare for Washington's next game, at Dallas.
If Frerotte wins, deal Shuler. The Carolina Panthers would love to get their claws on young Heath, all that talent, all that potential - and the pride of Bryson City, N.C. And they've got the draft picks to help Washington fill their biggest needs.
If Shuler emerges victorious, trade Frerotte to Pittsburgh, his hometown. Only in his dreams does Neil O'Donnell have Frerotte's arm.
You can't keep both without retarding one's development. That goes for the team, too. ILLUSTRATION: Associated Press color photo
Gus Frerotte's performance in his rookie start against the
Indianapolis Colts on Sunday was nothing short of exceptional
by CNB