Dueling Backs Battle for Job : Pro football: Hicks and Davis offer intrigue as they fight for Redskins’ starting job.

Hard to believe, but there appears to be no quarterback controversy in Washington this year. Redskins fans desperate to take sides must instead be content to debate the running back duel: Skip Hicks vs. Stephen Davis.

No, Skip vs. Stephen doesn’t have the drama of Sonny vs. Billy, Jay vs. Doug or Heath vs. Gus. Neither one is particularly outspoken, and each is remembered as much for an unpleasant off-the-field development as for any big runs in their short NFL careers.

But coach Norv Turner has to make someone his top back, either the put-the-head-down, grind-it-out Davis or the quick-footed, maybe-break-a-long-one Hicks.

Or, as Turner points, he could just play them both. After all, it’s easier to rotate running backs than quarterbacks.

“It bothers fans when they rotate more than coaches,” Turner said. “If a guy rotates in and gets an 8-yard run, it still counts.

“You’ve got to play to their strengths. If one guy is a little more balanced player, that’s what puts him over the top. But when the other guy’s in the game, you try to feature what he does best.”

In other words, Davis could start and be the workhouse on long drives early in the game, while Hicks would get the call if the offense is struggling and needs a big-play spark.

That seems to be where things are headed after last week’s exhibition game against Buffalo. Davis was clearly the better back, charging up the middle for 38 yards on nine carries.

Hicks, trying to break a long one, kept running sideways and gained just 12 yards on nine carries and was taken out of the game for missing a crucial block on a play near the goal line. He knows he has ground to make up.

“I learned from those mistakes,” Hicks said.

Davis has been waiting his turn since 1996, when he was taken in the fourth round out of Auburn. Playing behind Terry Allen, his dubious moment in the spotlight came when teammate Michael Westbrook pummeled him to the ground on the sideline during a practice two years ago.

Davis also started 12 games at fullback last season after Larry Bowie was injured. The experience made Davis a tougher runner and a better blocker, and now he feels it’s his turn to carry the load as an every-down back in his natural position.

While the rotation idea looks good on paper, Davis feels a good back needs more than spot duty to get into the flow of the game.

“When you look at some of the best running backs in the league, like Terrell Davis, those guys have got to have 12, 15 carries and they get in that zone,” Davis said. “Terry was the same way. You get the ball that many times, it wears the defense down and the defense gets tired of the big guys leaning on them.”

Hicks started five games last season after Allen was injured. He set a Redskins rookie record with eight touchdowns, but averaged only 3.5 yards per carry.

Hicks’ unwanted notoriety came last month when he was linked to the handicapped parking scam at UCLA. Hicks admitted to having a handicapped pass but was not charged.

On the field, Hicks seems more amenable than Davis to the idea of splitting time.

“It really depends on the situation,” Hicks said. “Sometimes it’s better for us to rotate all game because we can run them to death.”