Advertisement

PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Friesz Gets Starting Nod Over Shuler

Share
Associated Press

Washington Redskin Coach Norv Turner ended weeks of speculation Tuesday and named John Friesz the starting quarterback for Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Friesz, a four-year veteran who signed as a free agent during the off-season, got the nod over No. 3 overall draft pick Heath Shuler.

“It’s not that I think that Heath can’t handle it. He’d handle it fine,” Turner said. “I think in terms of this football team . . . . I just feel more comfortable with John in that role, early in the game.”

Advertisement

*

Kicker David Treadwell, waived by the New York Giants in April after finishing last season as their leading scorer, was re-signed by the team.

Treadwell, 29, has spent all five of his pro seasons kicking for Giants Coach Dan Reeves, the first four with the Denver Broncos. Contract terms were not disclosed.

He spent training camp with Kansas City and Pittsburgh before being waived by the Steelers on Sunday.

Brad Daluiso was given the Giants’ kicking job in the off-season after Treadwell was waived in a salary cap move. However, Daluiso made just two of five field goals in exhibition games. Daluiso will continue to handle kickoff chores, Reeves said.

*

Rookie linebacker Marty Moore, the 222nd and final player chosen in the draft, will start at right inside linebacker for the New England Patriots in Sunday’s regular-season opener at Miami. He will replace veteran Todd Collins, who injured his right knee in the Patriots’ exhibition finale at Green Bay.

Meanwhile, quarterback Drew Bledsoe was hospitalized briefly for what Coach Bill Parcells called a “gastric disorder.” The illness did not appear to be serious.

Advertisement

*

Sterling Sharpe, Green Bay’s All-Pro wide receiver, might leave the Packers if the team does not readjust his contract before Sunday’s game against Minnesota, the Milwaukee Sentinel reported. Sharpe’s agent, William Black, said the Packers and Sharpe have held intense discussions over Sharpe’s 10-year contract and that a resolution did not appear close.

*

Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Hugh Culverhouse was remembered at his funeral Tuesday for contributions to the NFL that were unassuming yet essential to the growth of pro football. . . . Former Pro Bowl running back John Stephens, released last week by the Kansas City Chiefs, was arrested on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. . . . The Vikings cut Bryan Barker, whom they had signed as a free agent in the off-season, and replaced him by signing Mike Saxon, formerly of the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys.

Advertisement