THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 19, 1994 TAG: 9410190539
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C01 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Gus Frerotte is not an NFL starting quarterback. Not yet, anyway.
He's a human white flag.
His emergence as the Redskins' quarterback of the hour is a signal that Norv Turner has surrendered almost all illusions of gaining ground in his first year as coach in Washington.
Frerotte, then, is this week's angle. No. 3 on the depth chart, No. 197 in last spring's draft, Frerotte is a good story even before he takes a snap in a real NFL game.
The Redskins could use some good stories. Sundays at RFK Stadium have moved slower than a Ken Burns documentary.
Heath Shuler's performance against the Cardinals was bad enough to shake your faith in the NFL computer. The Redskins should burn the film of Shuler's passes. Or run a laugh track under it.
Shuler needs to get a grip. Because a Sunday or two on the sidelines is what's best for his state of mind, the ankle injury came along at the right time.
For now, Frerotte holds an advantage over Shuler in the eyes of the fans. Frerotte's abilities may not match Shuler's, but, then, neither do his interceptions. This makes him a welcome distraction from the current dreariness.
The rules have changed at Redskin Park. John Friesz, the second-string whipping boy, was held accountable for the losses that came on his shift. Much grimness followed. The Redskin bandwagon rolled into a ditch.
By comparison, this week's test drive by the Gus Bus is being treated as something of a joy ride.
``See what you can do, kid,'' Turner is saying in so many words. ``If we lose, no hard feelings.''
Shuler is probably right when he says that Frerotte is the only one of the three quarterbacks ``that doesn't have to prove anything. He doesn't have anything to lose. And we can't do any worse ... ''
That depends on what you mean by worse. Anything that prevents the 'Skins from going to the front of the line for 1995 draft picks should not be encouraged.
In pro sports, there is a right way to win, and there is a right way to lose.
But what if Frerotte turns out to be a winner?
What if the Redskins find a way to score more points than Indianapolis?
What does that do for Frerotte's immediate future. Or for Shuler's? What does Turner do then?
Frerotte comes to us with none of Shuler's glamour. He was working as a corporate fitness consultant to the Pittsburgh Pirates when the Redskins selected him.
What else is there to know?
Played for a nondescript college program (Tulsa). From the Pittsburgh area. Unusual last name. Not a great physical specimen.
Frerotte's resume is faintly reminiscent of the storied background of another Pennsylvania quarterback. A sloped-shouldered guy who wore black high-top shoes.
In 1956, the Baltimore Colts signed John Unitas off the Pittsburgh sandlots for the price of an 80-cent phone call.
That year, the Colts were quarterbacked by George Shaw, a hotshot from Oregon. Shaw went down with an injury.
Unitas stepped in.
You know the rest.
The chances of Frerotte living this dream are slim. The Redskins have too much invested in Shuler to accept anyone else right now as No. 1.
Still, football fans fall hard for backup quarterbacks who give them hope, even for an afternoon.
When Frerotte takes the field Sunday, Shuler might want to check to see if he's wearing black high-tops. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
by CNB