THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 9, 1996 TAG: 9608090639
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 69 lines
It's Gus Frerotte's turn.
Frerotte will start at quarterback and play the first half tonight when the Washington Redskins play the Detroit Lions in the Pontiac Silverdome (6:30 p.m. WNIS, 850 AM. Kickoff is 7:30).
Heath Shuler, who completed 12 of 15 passes as the starter last week against the Buffalo Bills, will play almost all of the second half. Coach Norv Turner may make a decision on who will start the regular-season opener based on who plays well tonight. If the competition remains even, he may wait until next week's home exhibition game against Cincinnati.
``I've just got to go out and have fun,'' said Frerotte, who completed 9 of 12 attempts in second-half duty against Buffalo. ``The only time a player feels pressure is when he doesn't know what he's supposed to do. I know my assignments. It's just a question of going out and doing it.
``Besides, there's no sense putting any more pressure on yourself than there already is.''
Shuler seems to have taken the momentum generated by his performance last Friday and carried it into subsequent practices. He's been sharp and accurate with his short throws and you can almost see the confidence he's gained.
``He's had a number of good days,'' Turner said. ``He's had some games like that in the past, but they've usually been followed by an injury. I'm thinking of St. Louis last year (Shuler was 10 of 13 in the first half before breaking his hand). This is an opportunity for him to use the momentum he's built and keep it going.''
Shuler downplays the competition with Frerotte and the significance one game could have on Turner's decision.
``I think the (preseason) games are important,'' he says, ``but I also think everything you do plays a part in the coach's decision. The attitude I've had from the beginning is that I'm competing with myself, trying to get better because I want to be better, not because of Gus. There's a ways to go, but I'm pretty happy with where I'm at.''
Rookie free agent Larry Bowie will get his first NFL start at fullback, with Marc Logan missing the game with a back injury. William Bell and Larry Jones also will see time at what might be Washington's most unsettled position.
Bowie admitted he had the jitters last week. He went the wrong way on a third-and-1 play on Washington's first drive. Reggie Brooks was stopped at the line of scrimmage and the Redskins had to settle for a field goal from Scott Blanton.
``If he just goes out and plays physical, he'll learn our system,'' Turner said. ``He's 242 pounds, a good, physical player who can help our running game.''
In a special-teams switch, Turner said that veteran Eddie Murray will handle extra points and field goals. Originally, he said that Blanton would kick in the first two games.
But it shouldn't be a surprise if the game comes down to a field goal and Turner sends out Blanton.
``What he needs are more big kicks,'' Turner said. ``I'd love to get him in the game with six seconds left to make a kick to win. That's what you think about when you're a coach and a kicker in this situation.''
Blanton will handle kickoffs tonight. Turner said it's too early to tell if there's a chance both could be kept on the roster. But, like the quarterback competition, a decision must be made - and soon. ILLUSTRATION: REDSKINS REPORT
MIKE HEFFNER
The Virginian-Pilot
``I know my assignments. It's just a question of going out and doing
it,'' Gus Frerotte said of his start tonight. by CNB