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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Riesenberg Has Seen Both Sides Of Nfl

Offensive lineman Doug Riesenberg has experienced both sides of the NFL. He won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants in 1991. He currently plays for 0-3 Tampa Bay.

He has blocked for Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler … and Dave Brown and Trent Dilfer. He has been screamed at by Bill Parcells; encouraged by Tony Dungy.

Riesenberg’s block sprung Reggie Brooks on a 56-yard run last week against Denver. He missed the block that led to Dilfer being sacked, effectively ending Tampa’s upset hopes.

“You can have 54 plays and you can do 52 of ‘em fine, but it’s the other two everyone remembers,” said Riesenberg, a Moscow High School graduate. “That’s the nature of the position.”

As pragmatic as he is reliable (he hasn’t missed a start since the 1991 season), Riesenberg has a decade of dependable NFL service in a precarious occupation.

“I don’t have any plans to retire. My wife keeps bringing up Jackie Slater,” Riesenberg joked. Slater retired in 1995 after 20 years as a lineman.

If Riesenberg was considering retirement, this might be the right week to walk away. Then he wouldn’t have to butt helmets with Seattle end Michael Sinclair, who leads the NFL with seven sacks. More important than the individual battle is that one of these desperate 0-3 teams will find the win column.

“We are starting to play a little better,” Riesenberg said.

Riesenberg hasn’t had to make an adjustment to play on one of the league’s traditionally hapless teams. He signed with Tampa Bay in June after nine seasons in New York.

“We hit a rocky point (with the Giants) after we won the Super Bowl,” Riesenberg said. “Tampa was my best opportunity.

“To be completely honest, I never really followed the Bucs because they were in the other division. But I think things are changing here, probably not as fast or as dramatically as some people hope.”

An all-state performer at Moscow, Riesenberg was recruited by several Pac-10 schools, including Washington State. He chose Cal because “I wanted to go on my own,” he said.

His parents remain in Moscow where his father works as a University of Idaho professor. Riesenberg, too, likes his job.

“I work six months and I get six months off and turn into Mr. Dad,” said Riesenberg, father of two daughters.

Commiserate Bowl

Seattle’s Rick Mirer and Tampa Bay’s Dilfer are poster children for the struggling young quarterbacks club.

Dan Marino is one of the few QBs who entered the league and had immediate success. But for every Marino, there are a handful of Heath Shulers, Mirers and Dilfers who crawl along the learning curve. Even Brett Favre, current toast of the position, needed seasoning before thriving.

Dilfer, a third-year pro, ended 1995 as the league’s lowest-rated quarterback. He fumbled 13 times.

“I see Rick a couple of times in the off-season,” Dilfer said. “He knows what I’m going through and I know what he’s going through without saying anything.

“We’re going through being young in the NFL. Both of us are on teams in the rebuilding process. Most people don’t understand how difficult it is. If they did, they’d be more understanding.”

Riesenberg understands.

“These guys are getting drafted in the first round and they’re expected to produce right away,” he said.

Dilfer’s advice for Tennessee’s Peyton Manning, who is already being labeled as the next can’t-miss QB.

“He’s going to struggle, I don’t care what anybody says. Peyton didn’t do anything that Heath (Shuler), Rick or myself didn’t do (in college) and we’ve all struggled in the NFL. My advice is to be patient and not be too hard on yourself.”

As for today’s game, Seattle should have insight into some of Dilfer’s weaknesses. Dilfer’s position coach at Fresno State was Seattle QB coach Rich Olson.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo