THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 16, 1996 TAG: 9608160736
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 71 lines
The rubber match in the competition between quarterbacks Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte takes place tonight when the Washington Redskins play host to the Cincinnati Bengals in what could be the last preseason game ever at RFK Stadium. Kickoff is 8 p.m. (WNIS 850 AM, 8 p.m.)
Shuler and Frerotte, both third-year players vying to be designated the leader of a team that feels it is on the rise, appear to be dead even after two preseason games and dozens of training-camp practices.
Shuler has completed 17 of 26 passes for 213 yards. He has no touchdown throws. He has no interceptions. Frerotte has completed 21 of 31 passes for 230 yards. He has no touchdown throws. He has no interceptions. Frerotte has completed 67 percent of his throws. Shuler has completed 65.
Shuler will open the game, but coach Norv Turner plans for each to play four series of downs, or about 25 plays, with the first unit. What, if anything, remains will go to Trent Green, unless Turner feels compelled to throw some work at free-agent rookie Mark Hartsell. But he doesn't figure to be around after the team cuts from 80 players to 60 by 4 p.m. next Tuesday.
Turner will annouce his starter for the '96 season ``early (next) week.''
``At times before, Heath has done everything he's done in this camp,'' Turner said. ``The difference is that he's done it on a daily basis and it's carried over into the games. He's done the things we thought he could do when we drafted him, the things we said he could do, but couldn't prove.
``Gus has become more disciplined, just like Heath. He has an understanding of our offense and what we're trying to get done.''
The players themselves are sick of talking about the ``controversy.'' Both understand the impact Turner's decision may have on their careers, with Turner admitting that the winner will receive ``80 percent, maybe more, of the work with the first-team offense from week to week.''
The odd-man out will run the opposing team's plays and spend a lot of time watching, although starting quarterbacks on only eight of 30 teams played every down last season. Both have said that the loser likely will play somewhere else next season.
``I've said all along both quarterbacks probably would play this season,'' general manager Charley Casserly said. ``And as for next year, we'll take care of that when we get there. I don't agree that it's a given one of them will be somewhere else.''
The third preseason game is the most critical in Turner's mind. He will play his anticipated starters about three quarters before inserting the reserves. It is their last extended chance to prepare themselves for the regular season. Next week against New England, Turner will rest his starters after about one quarter.
Tonight is Turner's first chance to see his two new strong safeties in action. Darryl Pounds likely will start next to free safety Stanley Richard, with Darryl Morrison certain to see a lot of action. Pounds and Morrison are combining to replace James Washington, a surprise cut five days ago.
Rookie Brian Walker of Washington State debuts as the team's nickel safety, another position formerly manned by Washington. Walker, Turner said, is the camp's biggest surprise.
Competition at fullback is another battle Turner and his staff will watch closely. Rookie Larry Bowie has been one of the surprises of camp and leads Larry Jones and William Bell. With Marc Logan figuring to make the final roster despite recovering from a neck injury, Bell's play on special teams tonight will be crucial.
Veteran kicker Eddie Murray and 22-year-old Scott Blanton continue their competition. Neither has missed a field goal through two games, though Blanton's kickoffs haven't been as deep and as high as special-teams coach Pete Rodriguez would like.
Another roster spot available is the fifth receiver. Greg McMurtry holds the edge over Deandre Maxwell and Tydus Winans, who is just back from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for three weeks.
As for RFK Stadium, the Redskins vow they'll open the 1997 season in 78,600-seat Redskins Stadium in Raljon, Md., near Landover. That facility is currently under construction. by CNB