DATE: Thursday, September 11, 1997          TAG: 9709110469

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE:    - JIM DUCIBELLA

                                            LENGTH:   95 lines

REDSKIN REPORT

Skins hope new

home means new

results vs. Cards

ASHBURN, Va. - It may have been the most bizarre contest in Washington Redskins history which, considering they once lost a championship game 73-0, is saying something.

The last time the Arizona Cardinals played in Washington, then-Cardinals quarterback Boomer Esiason passed for 522 yards, third-most in NFL history. The Cardinals committed five turnovers, but their defense held the Redskins scoreless after each.

The teams combined to attempt five field goals - just in overtime. Washington's Scott Blanton converted what appeared to be the game-winning field goal, only to have it wiped out by a holding penalty against tight end Scott Galbraith.

Later, Arizona's Kevin Butler missed 37-yard field goal, but got another chance when the Redskins jumped offsides. This time, he converted to give Arizona a 37-34 victory.

A few weeks later, the Cardinals beat Washington again, 27-26, when Butler booted a 28-yard field goal on the final play of the game.

Sunday, the Cardinals help the Redskins christen the new Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, where the Redskins hope to create few memories like the ones from that overtime game a year ago.

``I just remember all those field goals, back and forth, back and forth,'' said quarterback Gus Frerotte, shaking his head. ``And the holding call. I've never been through anything like that before. We had our chances to win, and we didn't come through.''

Esiason tried 59 passes against a Redskins defense that earned just two sacks. When he was through, the Cardinals had fashioned the first 600-yard game in the history of a franchise founded in 1898.

``It was a nightmare,'' defensive tackle Marc Boutte said. ``As bad as we played defense, we still had a chance to win the game. If we win one of those games, we make the playoffs.''

The Cardinals have won their last three against the Redskins and seven of the last eight. Washington's only victory since Norv Turner took over as coach was a 27-7 blowout in the opening game of 1995.

Kuehl goes from high

school back to the pros

Former University of Virginia defensive tackle Ryan Kuehl was helping out at his high school alma mater, Bethesda, Md.'s Walt Whitman, Tuesday when his mother showed up.

``I thought something had happened in the family,'' Kuehl said. ``Then she told me that the Redskins had called.''

And wanted to re-sign him to play defensive tackle.

``I talked to (assistant general manager) Joe Mendes, then got my rear down here,'' Kuehl said.

To make room for Kuehl, who they waived at the start of the season, Washington dumped veteran Keith Rucker. The 300-something pound Rucker certainly was big enough, but they were looking for some additional quickness inside.

``I've always been most comfortable playing tackle,'' said Kuehl, who was flip-flopped between end and tackle during training camp. ``When I played against Tampa (in preseason), I thought I had a pretty good game, made some good plays.''

Kuehl hasn't worked out since being waived, making practice Wednesday and today critical to get ready for Sunday's game against Arizona.

``It's an opportunity, depending on what occurs Sunday,'' he said. ``Actually, if I can get in there and get into a rhythm, I think I've got a shot at making it.''

Once he was cut, Kuehl didn't exactly spend every minute worrying about his hometown team.

``I haven't seen them play much at all,'' he said. ``Sunday, I played golf. The Sunday before, I watched maybe a quarter, then went to bed.''

Pay the Metro man the $2

If you're planning to drive into the city Sunday, then take Metro to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, you'll have to pay a $2 shuttle fee from the stations nearest the stadium - Cheverly, Landover and Addison Road - to the stadium. And it's only $2 because the state of Maryland agreed Tuesday to subsidize the plan. The Redskins were set to charge at least $5 per head. In the original agreement between the Redskins and Prince George's County, the Redskins agreed to ``provide'' shuttle service. Earlier this week, one of their attorneys argued that agreeing to provide shuttle service didn't mean agreeing to absorb the cost.

Quick kicks . . .

The Redskins are 6 1/2-point favorites Sunday to beat Arizona. . . . Running back Terry Allen, who missed Washington's 14-13 loss to Pittsburgh because of a broken thumb, is listed as probable for Sunday. He practiced Wednesday, wearing a club-like cast that will be replaced by a smaller, lighter, wire cast Sunday. . . . Also probable is TE Jamie Asher, who had six catches against the Steelers despite nursing an ankle injury sustained against Carolina the previous week. G Tre' Johnson (shoulder) and CB Scott Turner (ankle) still are listed as out, though Johnson was in full pads Wednesday and went through his most thorough workout since mini-camp in April. . . . DT William Gaines (ankle) is questionable.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu