Some QBs Just an Interception From the Bench

From Kingdome to Metrodome, to Hoosier Dome and beyond, the NFL’s veteran quarterbacks are looking over their shoulder pads.

Experienced passers are facing the test of their professional lives and some of the league’s most proven performers are hearing the onrushing cleats of all those young dudes. Even San Francisco’s Joe Montana, who won his first passing title in 1987 and is praised by Coach Bill Walsh as, “undoubtedly one of the great all-time NFL performers,” is being pushed.

Other teams with heated quarterback competition include Seattle, Minnesota, Indianapolis, Kansas City and New England.

Steve Young, 26, acquired from Tampa Bay before the 1987 season, replaced an ineffective Montana in the 36-24 playoff loss to Minnesota and has sparkled again in exhibition games. Montana, 32, enters his 10th NFL season determined to keep the starting job he won in 1980. Young’s quick feet and natural running skills make him an intriguing alternative when the 49ers face a powerful pass rush.

“The last thing we want is a quarterback controversy because the quarterback does need total confidence in his team and his role,” Walsh says. “As soon as this is compromised, he loses some of the confidence and begins to worry how we will play rather than just play well.”

Montana is still No. 1 entering San Francisco’s Sept. 4 opener in New Orleans, but Young is just a few interceptions away.

“The answer to the question is that I want to play,” says the scrambling left-hander. “Nothing drives me more nuts than being on the sidelines.”

In Washington, where Doug Williams, the most valuable player in the Super Bowl, should be recuperating from the off-season banquet circuit, backup Jay Schroeder is consoling himself with the notion Williams is merely a few poor games away from a return to the Redskin bench.

Schroeder, 27-8 as a starter, led the NFC in attempts, completions and yards just two years ago before slumping last season. Williams has looked sharp in exhibition play and figures to remain as the Redskin starter until his fragile knees give way.

“Doug is our starting quarterback,” Washington Coach Joe Gibbs says flatly. “That has been determined. He started training camp that way and he still is.”

Williams, an erratic passer in Tampa before joining the United States Football League in 1983, may be difficult to dislodge after throwing four touchdown passes against Denver during the 42-10 Super Bowl rout.

“There’s no quarterback controversy here,” says Williams, at 33 six years older than Schroeder. “The only controversy I know about is who’s going to be No. 2. We knew who No. 1 was when we got to camp. Everything was settled a long time ago.”

In Seattle, Dave Krieg continues to accumulate numbers, if not respect. Despite a 44-27 record as a starter and 121 touchdown passes since 1983, Krieg can lack consistency. Jeff Kemp and Kelly Stouffer are dogging him. Coach Chuck Knox has tried to bolster Krieg’s shaky confidence, but the veteran passer is still prone to the big interception.

Wade Wilson, who performed so well for Minnesota down the stretch last season, has wrested the No. 1 quarterback job from Tommy Kramer, with second-year pro Rich Gannon stalking both veterans.

“After the season, I called all three in one by one and told each one that the quarterback position is wide open,” said Minnesota Coach Jerry Burns, who is still concerned about his club’s dismal attack from in close. “The top priority on offense is our inability to score from inside the 5-yard line . . . last season we were pitiful.”

Steve Grogan enters his 14th season entrenched as New England’s starter and backup Tony Eason is still recuperating from shoulder and elbow injuries. Grogan holds seven Patriot career passing records and threw for 10 TDs during his six starts last year, yet he has spent an NFL lifetime winning and losing his starting job.

“I’m not ready to give it up,” says Grogan, 35. “I hope I can play effectively between one and four more years. (Jim) Plunkett and (Jim) Hart played into their 40’s and were still effective.”

Indianapolis Coach Ron Meyer faces an assignment just to relieve his quarterbacks’ anxieties. Injury-plagued Gary Hogeboom, who has missed 21 of the past 32 games, has reclaimed the starting job from Jack Trudeau--who helped the Colts to the AFC East title in 1987. Trudeau is getting impatient and rookie Chris Chandler is also applying pressure for the No. 1 spot.

“It’s all up in the air,” Meyer said at the start of training camp before settling on Hogeboom, who has never fulfilled the promise he flashed in Dallas.