Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9407230016
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Medium
So, one week before the April college draft, the accurate free-agent passer left San Diego for the Redskins. In Friesz's mind, he got more than a one-year contract for $900,000.
"It was an opportunity," said Friesz, who, at least into the first weekend of training camp, is the Redskins' starting QB. "It was an opportunity to A compete for a job with a rookie.
"The reality was that they were going to draft Heath Shuler or Trent Dilfer. I said, `Great, that's just what I want.' It's tough for rookies to step right in and start and play with consistency in this league. And if I perform at a high level, I can start."
Friesz isn't smug about his ability or his competition. He's just realistic, and every day that Shuler misses in contract negotiations, winning the job coach Norv Turner wants the Tennessee rookie to have becomes more likely for Friesz.
The point being that Turner won't give No. 3 draft pick Shuler the job - at least not for starters in September - if Friesz is the better quarterback. Friesz's role is one the Redskins wanted their Super Bowl MVP of three seasons ago, Mark Rypien, to fill. They just didn't want him doing it for $3 million.
Washington could have done a lot worse than Friesz, who had lost his starting job to ex-Redskins bomber Stan Humphries in San Diego. In his three NFL seasons - he missed 1992 after surgery for torn knee ligaments - he's been one of the NFL's most accurate passers.
The 6-foot-4 Idaho product and native has made 23 NFL starts and he could have stayed with the Chargers. Again, Friesz was realistic. The huge contract San Diego handed Humphries last season meant the Redskins' washout was going to play.
"I understand how important it is to win in Washington," said Friesz, 27. "It's a rebuilding situation, but it's a club that's used to winning. That's why the guy that's best is going to play.
"If one of us is head and shoulders above the other, then he needs to be on the field. If it's close, then maybe other things will factor into it and that's OK. I'm the proven veteran and I have the opportunity early to be the starting quarterback."
That chance could be enhanced today when the Redskins motor to Indiana (Pa.) University to scrimmage the Pittsburgh Steelers. Turner said Friesz will get most of the snaps.
"There's no pressure on me here," Friesz said. "If it becomes Heath's job, I'm going to help him be the best quarterback he can be. That's part of my job. I understood that when I signed.
"In San Diego, Stan and I got along pretty well, all things considered. It's tough when veterans are competing for the same job. You expect a little friction there."
Friesz returned as the Chargers' starter for six games in the middle of last season when Humphries was out with a shoulder injury. For the season, he threw only four interceptions in 238 attempts, ranking fifth in the NFL in fewest interceptions.
Receiver Henry Ellard, the free agent signed by the Redskins from the Los Angeles Rams, called Friesz "the most accurate passer I've ever been around." Turner likes Friesz because in San Diego he played in an offensive system similar to the one the new Washington coach brought with him from Dallas.
Friesz prepared for life with Turner by talking with Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman. The players share the same agent, Leigh Steinberg. The experience hasn't been anything less than promised.
"I've never had a coach who was as vocal and emotional on the field. He gets the point across," Friesz said. "The first night of meetings, it was unbelieveable. I guess in 25 minutes I wrote six pages of plays. I'm very enthused about this situation."
And he knows what Shuler is doing. Friesz, although he wasn't a rookie, held out for 10 days in 1992. Then, he got hurt.
"Heath has to do what he thinks is right," Friesz said. "In the NFL now, with the salary cap, you can't afford to be sentimental. Not in this market. It's all a numbers game.
"When I held out, I was uncomfortable, but the veterans in San Diego said that I had to do what I wanted to do, because the clubs will take it to you when they get the chance."
Friesz is not quick. He won't match Shuler in elusiveness. The veteran doesn't have the strongest arm, "which might have even helped me be more accurate over the years," he said.
"What I need to improve on is attacking big plays up the field and hit them without losing my accuracy. I have to be more aggressive without losing my accuracy."
He may not even have to do that, however, to start the season opener against Seattle at RFK Stadium.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB