Frerotte, Miller Will Get the Starting Call

With the opening day of the NFL season less than two weeks away, major quarterback decisions were made around the league heading into today’s 60-man roster cutdown.

In Pittsburgh, Coach Bill Cowher confounded fans and conventional wisdom by choosing Jim Miller, a third-year quarterback, over Kordell Stewart and Mike Tomczak as the Steelers’ starter.

In Washington, Coach Norv Turner decided that Gus Frerotte, a seventh-round pick in 1994, had outplayed Heath Shuler, a former first-round pick, in three exhibition games.

In New York, Coach Dan Reeves scolded fans and the media before he ended the Giants’ quarterback controversy by cutting Tommy Maddox, who had been battling Dave Brown for the starting position.

Starting quarterbacks were also sacked by injuries. In Philadelphia, Rodney Peete may miss the start of the Eagles’ season because of a sprained knee, and in Oakland, Raider Jeff Hostetler will sit out Friday’s exhibition against the New York Jets also because of a knee injury.

Cowher’s decision was surprising, considering that Miller did not gain many supporters with his exhibition play. Many had thought that Stewart, a versatile second-year pro and fan favorite, or Tomczak, a 12-year veteran, would get the call.

“I don’t look at it as anybody winning,” Cowher said. “I think they’re all winners. As I told all three, what I’m trying to do is define roles.”

Miller, a sixth-round draft pick from Michigan State in 1994, has never started a regular-season game. He will Sept. 1 against Jacksonville.

“I accomplished the goal I set out for myself,” Miller said. “I’m happy about that. Going into Jacksonville I’m starting, and I’m not going to be looking over my shoulder.”

Cowher said Tomczak will back up Miller, and Stewart will return to his multipurpose role as a wide receiver, running back and sometime quarterback.

“I’m sure I’m capable of getting out there and doing the job, but with the decision he’s made, I guess I’m a slash again,” Stewart said. “My chance will come. I’m determined to make that happen.”

Tomczak put up the best passing statistics among the three, completing 13 of 19 without an interception, but throwing for only 173 yards and no touchdowns in exhibition play.

“My initial reaction? I was angered and disappointed,” Tomczak said. “I felt like I could have led this team, but he felt differently. My reaction is very normal for a guy who loves to compete.”

For Frerotte, consistency was the key to beating out Shuler, the first quarterback taken in the 1994 draft.

“What I’m looking for from a quarterback is a guy who can give us consistency on a week-to-week basis, on a quarter-to-quarter, play-to-play basis,” Turner said. “Right now, I think Gus Frerotte is in a position to give us consistency, and to give the rest of our football team a chance to play at as high a level as we can.”

As for Maddox, a former UCLA quarterback, his fate seemed sealed after he started two weeks ago against Baltimore and got only one first down in seven possessions. Reeves gave him another shot Saturday night, and he completed six of 16 passes for 83 yards against the Jets.

That leaves Stan White the backup to Brown, with rookie Danny Kanell No. 3.

Reeves insinuated that fans who were down on Maddox were influenced by media reports.

“It wasn’t fair to the young man, regardless of who he is,” Reeves said. “If you don’t like me, that’s one thing. Don’t boo the quarterback.”

For Peete, the good news is that he still may start on opening day, despite his knee injury.

“We feel he should progress pretty quickly,” Philadelphia trainer James Collins said. “But we still need to see how it goes.”

Like Peete, Hostetler is not expected to miss much time.

“[Hostetler]’s a little beat up right now,” White said. “It’s nothing to be concerned about. We just want him at 100% for the season opener.”