Monday, September 16, 2002
LeBeau hesitant to change QB
By Mark Curnutte mcurnutte@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CLEVELAND - Gus Frerotte's career with the Bengals is not off to the start he envisioned, but the ninth-year quarterback vowed Sunday to fix what's wrong.
He threw three interceptions - one on a Hail Mary at the end of the game - and was sacked five times in the 20-7 Bengals' loss to the Browns. He's 0-2 as the starter, and has thrown four interceptions and just one touchdown pass.
“We're going to get better,” he said. “We have to keep having confidence in each other.”
Asked if he would be surprised if the team pondered a quarterback change, he said, “Yes, I would. But you wouldn't. That's what you guys want.
“But it's not going to happen. I'm not going to let it happen. I could have no feet and no hands and I'm going to be out there. They named me the starter. I'm going to work my butt off and improve every week and do the things we need to do to get better.”
Frerotte's biggest gaffe of the day was the left-handed interception he threw at the end of the first half to avoid a sack deep in Browns territory.
Instead of attempting a 40-yard field goal and possibly closing the deficit to 10-3, the Bengals watched Cleveland defensive end Kenard Lang rumble 71 yards down to the Bengals 8-yard line. One play later, Cleveland quarterback Kelly Holcomb threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson for a 17-0 lead.
“I was trying to make plays, that's all,” Frerotte said. “I'm taking full responsibility for that.”
Frerotte was also victimized by his wide receivers. Several times they fell down trying to cut on the wet Cleveland Browns Stadium grass.
“When they're slipping and sliding and you're throwing to a spot, it makes it hard,” he said.
Coach Dick LeBeau was asked if he is contemplating a change at quarterback
“I don't want to,” LeBeau said of making a change.
“But you can't win if you don't score. We didn't score much last week. We didn't score in the first half. I want to stay and let these guys get a chance to grow and get it going.”
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LeBeau hesitant to change QB
