THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 10, 1994 TAG: 9408100590
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CARLISLE, PA. LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
It would have been tough finding two happier men Monday night than Norv Turner and Heath Shuler.
Curious how something as fundamental as one man handing a football to another can evoke such joy, particularly when what happened after the ball changed hands was, more times than not, unproductive.
But in the wake of the Redskins' 13-11 loss to Buffalo Monday, just running a play from scrimmage had Turner reaching for superlatives.
``Phenomenal,'' was one way he described some of Holdout Heath's 30 minutes at Rich Stadium.
Shuler attempted 10 passes. He completed four. One was intercepted. The Redskins scored three points while Washington's newest millionaire was on the field - after a 4-play, 4-yard ``drive'' that began on the Buffalo 20 after a fumbled punt.
Obviously, phenomenal is a relative term.
``Heath showed what he can do,'' Turner said. ``He's so quick with the ball. He's back, set and the ball's gone. And he's obviously very accurate. On the ball he threw down the middle of the field to the tight end, he squeezed it in a real tight fit. The reason he can do that is he releases the ball so quickly and it has some velocity. Defenders just can't react to it as easily as with some other guys.''
The play to which Turner referred was a 22-yard pass to rookie Kurt Haws. Three incomplete passes later, Washington punted.
Shuler didn't see his first night's work as phenomenal, just ``very exciting.'' Asked about the bullet to Haws, Shuler insisted that wasn't even his best play of the night. He preferred a 7-yard pass.
It wasn't the drop. It wasn't the throw. It was the fact that Haws, the receiver on that one too, wasn't supposed to even be part of the play.
``He was my third receiver,'' Shuler said proudly, like he just dissected his first frog. ``There's more to it than meets the eye.''
Prepare to hear that ``more to it'' phrase again when it comes to evaluating the Redskins quarterbacks. It'll
be used to put the best spin on performances that will make you and me hold our noses.
Turner, a frequent glimmer in his eye, spoke volumes Monday about why he chose to be Redskins coach instead of heading to a more foundationally strong team, such as Arizona.
The Cardinals had veteran offensive players, especially behind center. There would have been some bad habits to break, resistance to change.
Turner's a teacher. It's what he does best. The easiest blackboard to fill is one that is clean. John Friesz, who has some of Bobby Ross' San Diego theories rattling 'round his head, is the only QB who requires retraining. It's being done, gently.
``I think it's important for young quarterbacks that we all stay relaxed, because that's how they're going to get better,'' Turner said. ``Enjoy the good things, because there's going to be enough things happen you don't like.''
Like the interception Shuler threw. It came late in the first half, the first play of a series originating from the Redskins 42. A more prudent quarterback would have dumped the ball to a short receiver, or just dumped it.
Shuler let it fly long, way long, and Buffalo's Jeff Burris easily reeled it in.
``There were so many things I learned, but most important is to be patient,'' Shuler said. ``I accomplished that two times before, but on the third one, I was trying to make a big play, and it ended up intercepted.''
When he came to the sidelines, Turner reminded him of the play's other options. And he smiled before patting Shuler on the shoulder.
``With young quarterbacks, and young players, they want to get everything out of every play,'' Turner explained. ``And that's not going to happen.
``We're going to get between 55 and 60 snaps a game, and every play isn't going to be a big play. You have to be willing to take what the defense gives you and stay within the design of the play.''
No matter what happens this season, and there's a good chance most of it will be bad for the Redskins, expect Turner to remain upbeat.
It's obvious that here's somebody who enjoys what he does. He's enthused, and it has rubbed off on his players and coaches.
Shuler, in camp all of three days, proved that. Asked about the scrape on his head, courtesy of a shot from Buffalo's James Patton, the former Tennessee star agreed that it was a ``good'' thing to get that first blow to the skull behind him.
``Hopefully, during my career, there'll be a lot more headaches to come,'' Shuler crowed.
Guaranteed. This season, it could even be a case of the more, the merrier. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS COLOR PHOTOS
Norv Turner, above, is in his element with Washington, doing what he
enjoys most - teaching young quarterbacks to play in the NFL. Heath
Shuler, right, was pleased to begin that education Monday night.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Heath Shuler completed just 4-of-10 passes in a half of play Monday
night, but Skins coach Norv Turner liked what he saw.
by CNB