THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 26, 1994 TAG: 9409260162
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
On Throwback Day at RFK Stadium, it was difficult to make out the Grey Poupon-colored numbers sewn into the Redskins' vintage burgundy jerseys.
This, I must assume, was by design. If you are going to play as poorly at home as the Redskins did, it is not a bad idea to camouflage your identity.
``You can't turn the ball over and give up good field position like we did,'' Norv Turner said Sunday. ``Otherwise, it's a down-to-the-wire game.''
As analysis goes, Norval's is not novel. It may even be correct, if you allow for the fact that, in RFK, the Atlanta Falcons have never been more than just another flock of pigeons.
Atlanta did what it could to extend its losing streak in the Nation's Capital to 11 before Redskins' mistakes and the law of averages propelled the visitors to a 27-20 victory.
``For us to win,'' Turner said, ``everyone on the field has got to play at a high level. We were doing that, but it only takes one lapse and we had several.''
Lapse is as good a word as any - as kind a word that comes to mind - to describe some of John Friesz's passes. On a day when the Redskins' defense played better than anyone could have expected, Friesz's chilly touch convinced Turner to try Heath
Shuler in the fourth quarter.
Although the millionaire heir apparent did nothing more than mop up against a backpedaling Atlanta defense, he may have earned a starting job by default.
Of his own performance, Friesz said, ``You just have to stay away from the terrible games.''
Over the course of a long season, that's probably asking too much of these Redskins, who will find it easier to change quarterbacks than fortunes.
For his part, Shuler said, ``I'm sure Norv will go with John next week.''
The rookie said he needed to be more patient, which is what a rookie quarterback is supposed to say.
``My turn will come when Norv says it does,'' he figured.
Probably sooner than later. It's no secret that Turner is looking for an excuse to throw Shuler to the wolves. Or even the Cowboys.
As Friesz said, ``I made the decision easy for him to remove me from the game.''
In what sounded like a concession speech, Friesz added, ``I think I can still do some good things at quarterback, but if my role is as a backup, I'll be ready for that.''
If only the Redskins' problems could be blamed on the quarterback. Missed kicks by Chip Lohmiller and a confusing call in the back of the end zone that denied the home team an interception distract from the fact that the Redskins catch the ball almost as poorly as they run it.
People anticipated a wild, high-scoring game between the Redskins and Falcons. Instead, they got an ugly game in which Atlanta looked even more confused than its cooperative host.
It was a game in which the most memorable moment was a spectacular forward flip by wide receiver Henry Ellard, celebrating a 73-yard touchdown play.
Ellard is the Skins' best offensive threat. He is also 33 years old. At times, Turner is not rebuilding as much as he is, by necessity, patching.
This week - Dallas Week - Turner will assess his kicking game while deciding whether to ``go in another direction'' at quarterback.
Asked about Friesz's passing against the Falcons, which resulted in three interceptions, Turner said, ``Make a play, make a play, miss a play.''
Two out of three isn't bad. Unless you were brought in to hold the coat of a No. 1 draft pick. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Heath Shuler's days of cooling his heels on the Washington bench may
be nearing an end.
by CNB