THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 30, 1996 TAG: 9607300459
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD. LENGTH: 81 lines
Starting Washington Redskins center John Gesek may soon have to decide whether to end his nine-year career because of a recurring neck injury or continue playing and risk permanent damage.
Gesek, who has a history of back and neck problems, hasn't practiced since injuring his neck last Tuesday in practice against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Originally, coach Norv Turner and trainer Bubba Tyer said Gesek was being held out of practice for precautionary reasons. But when Gesek, 33, failed to dress despite cool temperatures and a relatively-light workout Monday, all parties admitted there was a problem.
``I thought it would get a little better with a couple days of rest,'' said Gesek, a free agent who came to the Redskins from the Dallas Cowboys in March, 1994. ``It hasn't. I'm concerned. I have to pay it some respect. I won't be back on the field real soon.
``I've decided to play this one day at a time. If (retirement) comes up, I'll deal with it then. I don't know that I want to dwell on it. I'd rather keep it positive right now. Until it comes up, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.''
When the neck injury is aggravated, Gesek's right arm goes numb and pain shoots down his back. He saw a neurologist last season. He saw Redskins team physician Charles Avery last week.
He and Avery will visit again soon, though the date isn't set.
``We obviously have some concern about his neck,'' Turner said. ``He has some concerns, too. We're in the process of trying to keep it from getting stung. He didn't feel like he could go today, and I'm concerned about it. We're trying to buy some time until he feels better.''
Gesek's backup is Cory Raymer, a second-year pro who is a former second-round pick from Wisconsin. It is Washington's hope to allow Raymer to gradually work his way into the starting lineup, and for him to share time with Gesek this season. Those plans may change in the next couple of weeks, depending on Gesek's condition.
Washington also has veteran snapper Trevor Matich and second-year pro Brian Thure working the center spot. But Thure, who is nursing a pinched nerve in his neck, is expected to move into the starting lineup today replacing right guard Bob Dahl. Dahl underwent surgery on his right knee Monday night.
Although Gesek took part in 98 percent of Washington's offensive snaps a year ago (1,016 of 1,042), there were times he removed himself from the game because of pain in his back and neck. He'd take off for a couple of plays, then return to the field.
``I don't know if I can come off the field three, four, five times a game without any feeling in my arm,'' Gesek said. ``It isn't fully herniated, so they don't want to do surgery. But there isn't much I can do with it the way it is. I'm in a twilight zone right now.
``The neck is such a goofy part of the body. You mess with it, and the rest of the body follows.''
GRITTY GUS: Quarterback Gus Frerotte, nursing a pulled rib muscle, did more than doctors or coaches expected Monday. He held for extra points and field goals, ran the goal-line offense and lobbed passes in the 20-yard range during pre-practice warmups.
``It's hard when you have to be vigorous, take the snap and throw a quick out with something on it,'' he said.
``That's when I feel the pain. But right now, I feel pretty good. And, who knows, I might wake up tomorrow and feel great. There might be no pain.''
Frerotte's chances of playing in the preseason opener against Buffalo Friday aren't good. Turner said Monday he's leaning toward starting Heath Shuler against the Bills and letting third-stringer Trent Green take the rest of the work. Frerotte then would play most of the first half the following week against Detroit.
``I don't see that as a setback at all,'' Frerotte said. ``We have four weeks of preseason. Heath would get a game, I would get a game. We'd both get the reps we need. That would be enough for the coach to make a decision.''
GETTING A LEG UP: Shuler was exceptionally sharp throughout most of Monday's practice. He did throw a pair of interceptions in the 11-on-11 portion of drills. If Turner was upset or angry at the mistakes, he didn't let on. Quite the opposite.
``Here's the thing that happens: Last week in Miami, we put in a `Seven' pass and Heath missed a couple of them. (Miami coach) Jimmy (Johnson) comes over to me and says, `Boy, he's having a tough time.'
``And I asked him if he remembered when Troy Aikman first tried to throw that pass and he couldn't hit it, either. And Jimmy said, `Hey, you know, you're right.'
``If it's something we've had a lot of reps on, I get concerned. But if it's something that we're working out the kinks on, I look at it differently. I'm not concerned.'' by CNB