NOTE:
If the Washington Redskins selected their quarterback by fan voting, Gus Frerotte might be the starter, not Heath Shuler.
Shuler, the No. 3 pick of the 1994 draft, received much of the blame for the team’s preseason offensive woes.
Under Shuler’s leadership, the first-team offense didn’t produce a scoring drive until the fourth, and final, preseason game. Shuler had the worst rating among NFL passers, 43.8 percent. He threw four interceptions and no touchdown passes.
Still, second-year head coach Norv Turner has chosen Shuler to start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener.
Get ready for Frerotte supporters to voice their opinions.
“There’s not much I can do about it,’ says Frerotte, who threw six touchdowns and compiled an 80.6 percent passer rating during the preseason. “I don’t think that’s what they should do. (Shuler) is the quarterback. You’ve got to be supportive, and that’s what I am trying to do.’
Shuler says he doesn’t mind the criticism, as long as it’s valid.
“If they’re right, I’d put a lot of stock in it,’ says Shuler, who was 6 of 10 for 52 yards in the preseason finale. “I have a lot more to focus on besides who is yelling in the stands, and that’s our offense.
“We’ve struggled at times. Other times, it has been good. It comes from practice and (getting) our timing down.’