THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 27, 1994 TAG: 9407270539
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
This was the dilemma John Friesz faced after last season ended:
Return to San Diego - a system he knew and a team for which he'd started and won - to battle erratic veteran Stan Humphries for the starting quarterback job.
Or come to Washington: new coach, new system, new conference, bad team. On paper, the chance to start, but in reality, a season on the bench behind a rookie quarterback, the third player drafted and the franchise's future.
The answer wasn't easy. Even now, Friesz pauses to collect his thoughts on why he came East.
``Primarily because of the season Stan had two years ago and the contract he was given after that year,'' Friesz said. ``There is no way to compete with a veteran management has invested lots of money in.
``Then there was the chance to compete for a starting spot with a rookie. I knew he would be very talented, but it's difficult to start right away.''
Particularly when you haven't yet made it to training camp. So far, the only thing Friesz knows about the rookie competition at quarterback is that Gus Frerotte's arm is better than most seventh-round picks.
Heath Shuler, the No. 1 pick who is the key to Washington's present and future, still hasn't signed a contract.
``It's going to be tough on him,'' Friesz said. ``There's a lot going on here that would help him. You can read the playbook, but there's nothing like facing someone across the line of scrimmage.''
So Friesz's strategy has crystallized. At 27, he is gambling that he can either beat out Shuler this season, or play enough to get noticed in time for next season's free-agent derby. After all, he signed just a one-year pact, albeit for $800,000.
He also called a certain Super Bowl-winning quarterback from Dallas before turning the family car toward Pennsylvania.
``Troy Aikman told me there was no one better to learn from than Norv Turner,'' Friesz said. ``I figured this could be good for my career.''
Nothing that has happened in camp so far has indicated Turner would be upset if Friesz was his starter Sept. 4 against Seattle. The coach has heaped praise on Friesz, at one point calling him ``the most accurate passer I've ever been around.''
Turner is not given to hyperbole. In the next breath he added: ``But he doesn't have really good movement. You must concentrate on protecting him.''
That is only one of the differences between Friesz and Shuler, who has been likened to Steve Young for his cunning dashes into the secondary. Turner admits that the rookie from Tennessee has a stronger arm, a quicker release and the potential for better footwork.
When Turner heard about a remark Friesz made to a reporter - ``I feel some pressure to make big plays'' - the coach thanked the writer for the tip.
``I'm going to sit with John this afternoon and straighten it out,'' Turner said. ``We want John to run the offense as it's designed, not worry about making the spectacular play.''
Maybe they spoke. Maybe they didn't. Day after day, however, the 6-foot-4, 218-pound Friesz is a practice standout, throwing short darts with pinpoint accuracy, rarely making a mistake, leading an offense he doesn't yet fully grasp.
``God gave me good size and the ability to figure out where a guy was going to be at a certain time and to throw the ball there,'' he said. ``I also knew early I was not going to tuck it away and run like Steve Young. I've had to learn to throw the ball standing, sitting, sliding, off-balance. I've had to be more accurate.''
Every day Shuler stays away is a boon to Friesz. But it also brings thoughts of what will happen once the top pick signs. Shuler will be so far behind, Turner and the coaches understandably will have to devote special attention to him.
``This whole scenario, where Heath is projected as the starter and I'm the backup, doesn't bother me,'' Friesz said. ``I anticipated this. Does that mean it can't change? No. But I must have a real strong preseason for that to happen.
``Heath and I talked, and we agreed that there were two things we needed in our relationship. One was a commitment to compete against each other. The other was to be there every play and help each other along.''
So far, Friesz is the only one upholding his end of the bargain - and the only one with a chance to reap the ultimate benefit in September. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
BILL ABOURJILIE/Staff
Quarterback John Friesz (17), a free-agent signee from San Diego,
has been called ``the most accurate passer I've ever been around''
by new Redskins coach Norv Turner.
by CNB