ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607190044
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FROSTBURG, MD.
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte. Gus Frerotte and Heath Shuler.
You have to be careful when you mention the most talked about players at the Washington Redskins' training camp. You have to be careful how they're mentioned so no preferences are evident.
Washington coach Norv Turner declared the starting quarterback position ``wide-open'' in the off-season, and the Redskins are making sure it at least looks that way. The Redskins' public relations office is being so careful about giving each quarterback equal time that Shuler and Frerotte (or is that Frerotte and Shuler?) are each listed as the starter and the backup on the training camp depth chart.
``There's no difference than the last day they worked out, June 12,'' Turner said. ``I know some of you will be keeping score on a day-to-day basis. I certainly won't be doing that.''
Shuler took the snaps with the first team Thursday, but in keeping with new team policy, Frerotte will work with the first team today. ``I think Gus was with the first team in our last practice,'' Turner said with a smile.
Public interest seems to be focused directly on the two third-year pros. Other than veteran cornerback Darrell Green, the cornerback considered the Redskins' last link to greatness, Shuler and Frerotte were the only players asked to speak at a Wednesday pep rally.
Not everyone, however, is concerned with who gets the job. ``As a player,'' said tight end Scott Galbraith, ``I could give two nickels who the starter is.
``He's an announcer. Just tell me what the play is. That's all I need to know.''
Shuler and Frerotte, friends off the field who spend a great deal of time together in the off-season, have shown no animosity toward each other. Quarterbacks coach Cam Cameron said that is just their nature.
``I think this is really good for both of us,'' Frerotte said. ``It puts pressure on us early. I think we'll push each other to the limits.''
One is destined to wind up as a backup, most likely for the entire season. General manager Charley Casserly ensured that when he didn't make a trade in the off-season. He revealed Tuesday that each was put on the block, but no team made a suitable offer. When asked if both would remain with the Redskins for the entire 1996 season, Casserly said, ``That's correct.''
If Turner has his druthers, only one will play. The reason he opened the position to both players was to settle on a starter once and for all.
Frerotte completed 50.3 percent of his passes last season for 2,751 yards, but in the second half of the season, his passing rating had the largest decline of any NFL quarterback. Shuler, originally the starter in 1995, spent five games on the injured list and did not play in four others.
``There's nothing more I would like than to have a guy take every snap at the quarterback position for 16 games,'' Turner said.
PALMER HOME: Not every player made it to the first day of camp as expected. But Sterling Palmer, a fourth-year pro, had an excuse. The defensive end's grandmother, Verise Palmer, died Wednesday.
The funeral is scheduled for Monday and Palmer is expected to arrive the following day.
DAVIS IMPRESSIVE: Rookie running back Stephen Davis, a Heisman Trophy candidate before his senior season at Auburn, showed good form Thursday, particularly during a rainy morning workout.
``He caught the ball extremely well today, considering how wet it was,'' Turner said. ``He's got a naturalness to the way he runs, and I think he looked good today.''
Turner has said Davis, a fourth-round draft pick, has the makings of being a ``steal.''
SHORT YARDAGE: Injuries were limited Thursday, with running back Reggie Brooks bruising a knee in the morning practice (he played with a kneepad in the afternoon) and Galbraith suffering a slight sprain in his left knee. Galbraith sat out the afternoon drills. ... Two former UVa players competing for a spot on Washington's defensive line, Ryan Kuehl and Don Reynolds (Laurel Park), faced each other in pass-rush drills. Kuehl is in the running for a job as a tackle and deep-snapper, while Reynolds is being tried at end.
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Frerotte| Shuler| (headshots) KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB