THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9608020630
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. LENGTH: 91 lines
Odds are, it will not be just another opening preseason game.
If the Washington Redskins are serious about there being level competition between quarterbacks Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte, tonight's 7:30 preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills could have a dramatic impact on the future of the franchise.
``The game's what it's all about,'' said coach Norv Turner. ``Their starters against our starters. You get a good feel for the guys. The most competitive work is the best gauge of where a guy's at.''
Perhaps only Turner really knows where his two quarterbacks stand in the competition to earn the starting spot.
Frerotte has often looked better in practice, but the coaches also have scrimmages against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins to weigh.
Shuler will start and, according to Turner, play most of the first half. Frerotte, nearly recovered from the pulled rib muscle suffered last week in Miami, may follow Shuler, though Turner said that decision won't be made until this afternoon.
``It's not a football decision,'' Turner said. ``It's much more a medical decision.''
Turner's concern is not compromising Frerotte's chances of starting Washington's second preseason game, a week from tonight against Detroit. Since the coach has said he would like to select his starter after that game, tonight could be Shuler's major opportunity to win the job.
``I'm just going to play,'' Shuler said. ``Whatever happens, happens. I would hope there wouldn't be a judgment on who's starting off the first game of the year. Obviously, you're going to play better the second game than the first. You've got more experience and you've been together longer.
``But I'll go out and play and let the best man win.''
Turner, Frerotte and trainer Bubba Tyer are scheduled to meet Friday afternoon to discuss Frerotte's availability. Frerotte knows which way he's voting.
``I'll have it wrapped up, put a bunch of pads on, and go play,'' he said. ``If I take a shot, I take a shot. That's the nature of the game. If they won't let me play, maybe I'll be (third-stringer) Trent Green for the night, change jerseys with him and go out there.''
The Bills have some quarterback uncertainty of their own. Jim Kelly, looking for a new contract that would pay him nearly $6 million per season, says he's not playing tonight. Coach Marv Levy says his star quarterback will be out there.
Kelly, who met with Bills owner Ralph Wilson Thursday, refused to say whether his plans to sit out were related to the contract.
``Read between the lines,'' he said.
For Washington, there still are key questions at other positions that coaches hope to begin answering by watching the Redskins against the defending AFC East champion.
Second-year center Cory Raymer will play with both the first and second units. With veteran John Gesek out an indefinite amount of time with a severe neck injury, Turner needs to know whether the former All-American from Wisconsin can handle the job or whether to shop around for someone who can.
Joe Patton will start at left tackle, but former Canadian Football League all-star Shar Pourdanesh is pushing for the starting job and will get plenty of playing time.
``That's a close battle,'' Turner said. ``They've done a nice job of competing. Shar's getting his technique squared away, and that's so crucial to pass-protection. It might not show up against some guys, but against a Bruce Smith, one bad step and you not only get yourself in trouble, but others.''
Terry Allen and Brian Mitchell will get a few carries each at tailback, but rookie Stephen Davis and veteran Reggie Brooks figure to do most of the work.
With Rich Owens (sprained ankle) and Sterling Palmer (sprained back) unlikely to play, veteran Tony Woods and third-year pro Dexter Nottage will open at defensive end.
He and Owens would form a young, exciting pair of pass-rushing bookends if the former Florida A&M player can reach the potential line coach Bob Karmelowicz has steadfastly touted.
``Nottage is having an outstanding camp,'' the coach said. ``Last week in Miami, he put on a clinic from left end. You can see him start to play with some experience. He's reacting quicker. It's starting to come together for him. We had a plan for him and it's working.''
Three Virginia players - Virginia State's Kelvin Kinney and UVA's Ryan Kuehl and Don Reynolds - will spell Woods and Nottage.
Chesapeake's Jim Kitts is running with the third unit linebackers, grouped with free agent Patrise Alexander and veteran Matt Vanderbeek.
Finally, Scott Blanton will handle all the kicking chores for the first two preseason games, special-teams coach Pete Rodriguez said, unless the Redskins score an avalanche of points. In that case, Eddie Murray would handle a couple of the extra points and kickoffs. MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: MIKE HEFFNER photo, The Virginian-Pilot
While Heath Shuler, at right, will start tonight, Gus Frerotte may
not play because of a rib injury. by CNB