THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 5, 1995 TAG: 9509050128
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA. LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Stress tests on Washington Redskins quarterback Heath Shuler's right shoulder Monday morning revealed a Grade 1 separation. Shuler, who suffered the injury when sacked by Arizona Cardinal defensive end Clyde Simmons on Sunday, will miss between two and four weeks.
Second-year backup Gus Frerotte, one of the stars of Washington's 27-7 season-opening upset of the Cardinals, will run the first team for games against the Oakland Raiders this Sunday, at Denver on Sept. 17 and probably at Tampa Bay on Sept. 24, and home against Dallas on Oct. 1.
Trent Green was elevated to second-string Monday, and the Redskins were on the phone with several veteran quarterbacks arranging tryouts.
Among those available are former Redskin Jay Schroeder, Jim McMahon, Brad Goebel, Billy Joe Tolliver, Sean Salisbury and Bucky Richardson.
Salisbury may be the most likely candidate. He played under Redskins coach Norv Turner at Southern Cal in 1984 when Turner served as the Trojans' offensive coordinator.
``Sometimes, things work out crazy,'' Turner said. ``Gus' wife had a baby recently and he missed four days, so much time that guys were wondering whether it was Gus having the baby.
``But Trent got four great days of work and I'm confident he'll produce.''
Turner talked around the question of what happens at quarterback when Shuler is healthy enough to play again.
Asked whether he had a strict policy on starters not losing their job because of injury, Turner answered no.
``I guess I ought to check the NFL manual to see what they say,'' he joked. ``Any time you have a strict policy on something, you have to break it at some point.''
Frerotte is the NFL's second-rated quarterback behind Kansas City's Steve Bono.
After completing 9 of 15 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, Frerotte's quarterback rating is 135.3.
It's the second year in a row the Cardinals have given Frerotte the opportunity to claim the starting quarterback spot. Last October, Shuler sprained his right ankle against them during a 19-16 loss at RFK Stadium.
Frerotte started the following week's victory over Indianapolis and threw three touchdown passes the next week against Philadelphia in a 31-29 loss.
``People forget he played exceptionally well, except for an interception that was returned for a touchdown and a fumble he lost at our 20,'' Turner said. ``We'll spend a lot of time talking about those mistakes this week. I'll tell him, `Don't throw any interceptions for touchdowns and don't fumble at our 20.'
``I really think the biggest thing is that he realize he does not have to do everything himself. Get the ball to other guys. Let them contribute as well.''
Meanwhile, Shuler and Redskins trainer Bubba Tyer met with team physician Charles Avery at Arlington Hospital Monday morning. After a series of tests, Shuler's arm was refitted for a sling that he will wear the next two or three days.
Shuler already began rehabilitation Monday, with a combination of ice and electric stimulation at Redskin Park and ice at his home.
SHORT KICKS: When Terry Allen played against the Arizona Cardinals as a Minnesota Viking last season, he gained 18 yards on 12 carries. Sunday, Allen churned out 131 yards on 26 carries for the Redskins. ... Eddie Murray's two field goals gave him 300 for his career and tied him for eighth place on the NFL's all-time list with former Redskin Mark Moseley. Next up: Jim Turner and Pat Leahy with 304. Murray's 1,368 points are 12 behind Jim Bakken for seventh on the all-time scoring list. ... Top pick Michael Westbrook's debut was a mixed bag, though more positive than negative. Westbrook scored on a 58-yard end-around, caught three passes for 17 yards and was an effective blocker. But he dropped three passes and had a touchdown negated when he stepped back from the line of scrimmage, causing an illegal formation. According to the Redskins, whose archives only date back to 1938, Westbrook's 58-yarder was the longest run from scrimmage by a Washington receiver. Westbrook is the first Redskin rookie to score an opening-day TD since running back Ralph Nelson in 1975. ... Punter Matt Turk's net average of 40.0 leads the NFC. ... Each of Henry Ellard's four catches Sunday resulted in a first down. Last season, 74 of his 78 receptions gained first downs.
ANATOMY OF A TOUCHDOWN: The 73-yard touchdown pass Leslie Shepherd caught Sunday was off a play called ``686.'' Here's how it works:
Henry Ellard and Shepherd line up on the same side of the field, with Ellard in the slot. He runs a short route to occupy the safety. Shepherd, meanwhile, runs a stop-and-go. If the cornerback comes up to defend the short pass, Shepherd runs deep. If the corner plays soft, Shepherd breaks off the pattern and settles for the short gain.
Sunday, Arizona cornerback Patrick Hunter bit on the fake and Shepherd raced past him. Safety Ben Smith stayed with Ellard and Frerotte dropped the pass in perfectly for an easy touchdown. ILLUSTRATION: LAWRENCE JACKSON
Staff
Redskins quarterback Heath Shuler, who suffered a Grade 1 separation
to his right shoulder, began rehabilitation Monday.
by CNB