Friesz Forced To Wait For Thumbs-Up Injured Digit Keeps Seahawks Quarterback On The Sidelines In A Supporting Role

Don’t feel sorry for John Friesz. He doesn’t.

But should you happen to know proven thumb rehabilitation techniques, forward them to the Seattle Seahawks quarterback.

Friesz lost his starting job when he broke his right thumb in the season opener in late August. Two months later, Friesz still isn’t healthy. Warren Moon is entrenched as the starter and has guided Seattle into playoff contention heading into today’s game against San Diego.

Can it get much tougher, John?

“Sure you want to be the guy on the field, but the only thing that’s getting me down is just not (being healthy),” he said. “Even if the job was there and Warren was playing very poorly, I still wouldn’t be in. That’s the only frustrating thing.”

That, and his pesky thumb. In the past, the tough-luck quarterback has broken his leg and torn knee ligaments, but nothing has been as annoying as his thumb.

“The most frustrating injury I’ve had,” he said. “Since I was a little kid I’ve always been able to throw whatever type of ball, a football, a baseball. This is the first time that’s been taken from me.

“And knowing how important the thumb is to throwing, I never cheated my rehab at all. I can admit with my knee and the other injuries, I tried to rush things or I let some things slide a little. This one I worked harder than any other.”

His thumb, which was broken near the base by the wrist, has healed. The problem is in the muscles and joints surrounding his thumb.

“The second (thumb) joint is real stiff and I lost some strength in my fingers and some flexibility in my thumb,” he said. “It makes the ball almost feel overinflated in my hand.”

Original recovery estimates were 6-8 weeks, but doctors sided on the latter after Friesz’s surgery.

Friesz was comforted to learn recently that he and his wife, Julie, are going to be parents for the second time. Her due date is in June.

“The obvious joke the coaches have been making is that I was spending too much time around the house,” Friesz said.

On the field, Friesz’s throwing has gradually improved, but he remains the No. 3, or emergency, quarterback.

Friesz arrives at the Seahawks’ practice facility every day expecting it to be the day everything returns to normal.

What hasn’t changed is that Friesz remains the consummate teammate. He showed as much when he lost his job, because of injury, to San Diego’s Stan Humphries. He showed it when he watched Rick Mirer struggle in Seattle the past few seasons.

“I think Warren would admit that I’ve done a lot of good things, helping him out on game day, going back 4 or 5 weeks ago,” said Friesz, who called it a “great move” by the team to sign Moon. ‘I’d go to him first because I didn’t want to go to the coaching staff first. Just trying to be another eye for a quarterback.”

Friesz is close friends with adversity, but refuses to let it alter his positive outlook.

“I’ll be ecstatic when I can be No. 2, because that means I’m healthy and throwing like I can,” he said. “The way I look at it, there’s still going to be a time when I’m called upon, whether it’s next weekend or the last weekend. I need to be ready.

“People close to me say, ‘It’s too bad Warren’s playing well.’ I feel the exact opposite. I’m thankful he’s healthy and playing well. It’s afforded me time to get ready.”

Of course, Friesz was hoping to be ready for San Diego, where he played from 1990-93.

“Since I signed with Seattle, I’ve always looked forward to San Diego. I’ve played against them in the Kingdome and that was gratifying, but it would be another thing to do it there,” he said. “I look forward to it each year, but this will be the third time (in San Diego) and I’ve yet to get into the game.

“But it’s coming around. Every day I throw better.”

Someday, he hopes he’ll get another chance to prove it.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. CHARGERS The game: 1 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif. Coaches: Seattle - Dennis Erickson, 20-21, third season. San Diego - Kevin Gilbride, 4-5, first season. The records: Seattle is 5-4, San Diego is 4-5. The series: Chargers lead 20-17. The line: Seahawks by 3.

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