DATE: Monday, September 15, 1997            TAG: 9709150172

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Column 

SOURCE: Bob Molinaro 

DATELINE: LANDOVER, MD.                     LENGTH:   62 lines

GAME WAS FORGETTABLE, 'TIL THE FINISH

There is nothing wrong with Jack Kent Cooke Stadium that a few more dramatic moments can't fix.

When Michael Westbrook came down with Gus Frerotte's prayerful parabola in overtime, the place probably started to feel a little like home to the Redskins, maybe even to the fans. An exit poll of attitudes and emotions would have been difficult at that point, however, seeing as how many hundreds of customers had long before run a fly pattern from Jack's Palace to the parking lots.

Speaking of the departed, Frerotte had this to say of former owner Jack Kent Cooke: ``He was in every seat in the stadium.''

Maybe this explains how the attendance could be announced at 78,270, despite the countless empty seats, especially on the pricey club level.

But, then, it took a heroic effort for some even to reach the stadium. Before the game, traffic congestion was the horror story. Apparently, some felt two gridlock misadventures - coming and going, that is - in return for one gridiron afternoon were too much to ask. In any case, many fans were in their cars when the Redskins danced off the field with a 19-13 victory.

The congestion carried over into the field, too, as both the Skins and Cardinals groped all afternoon for an elusive rhythm.

New stadium, same old NFL. It was fitting, then, that the first points scored in JKC Stadium would come on a 20-yard pooch from placekicker Scott Blanton.

This is, after all, the National Fieldgoal League. For the longest time Sunday, the stadium was a wonderful stage afflicted by unworthy players.

``It's incredible,'' Turner said before the game. ``You walk through that tunnel and you get chills.''

But for four quarters, the Redskins and Cardinals provided mostly spills.

Said Joe Patton, the Redskins' left guard: ``As we get more used to this field, it can't get anything but better. We played a terrible game today.''

After one game, what we know about The Jack is that it is a good punting stadium. Arizona punter Jeff Feagles hoisted nine to Matt Turk's eight, counting the one that never left Turk's foot and was recovered for a Cardinals' touchdown.

``This time of year,'' said Turner, ``there are a lot of offenses that aren't where they want to be.''

The Redskins' isn't. It won't be until Turner gains more confidence in Frerotte. Sunday, Frerotte's one interception came in the second quarter on a pass over the middle. Suddenly, Norv's play calling got even more conservative than usual.

While Redskins fans wait for Turner to take the training wheels off Frerotte, the stadium sits here all new and shiny, feeling more like a suburban mall than a place for football memories. Whatever indelible moments are yet to come, they will not be created by the stadium's colorful plastic seats or the three automatic teller machines.

What's needed are a few more aesthetic touches: improbable plays by unforgettable athletes, gritty comebacks, championship efforts.

Perhaps Darrell Green, the cornerback whose brilliant career spans both RFK and JKC stadiums, can help with the transition.

``If we keep doing our part,'' Turner said, ``this stadium is going to be one of the toughest places in the league to play.''

With time and more seasoning, JKC Stadium is only going to get better. The same can't necessarily be said for this year's tenant.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu