Childress calls Frerotte pain 'self-inflicted'

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Quarterback Gus Frerotte admitted he was "a little beat up" after being sacked three times and taking plenty of hits while trying to make plays in the Vikings' 30-12 victory Sunday over the Jaguars. But the veteran did not get any sympathy from coach Brad Childress during the game or afterward.

"I feel like a lot of that [getting beat up] was self-inflicted," said Childress, who had a "one-sided conversation" with Frerotte about the subject. "I think when you get out of the pocket, you've got to throw the football away. I told him so. ... We talk about that all the time. Generally, he's good about that, and he doesn't take anything on himself."

The 37-year-old Frerotte, who isn't exactly nimble of foot, rolled out more than usual. The play that might have frustrated Childress the most came late in the second quarter when Frerotte ran left and let loose with a pass across his body as he was being hit by two Jaguars. The ball sailed over tight end Jim Kleinsasser and into the hands of Jacksonville safety Gerald Sensabaugh.Frerotte had to be attended to by the Vikings training staff after landing on his left shoulder.

Frerotte, who threw for a season-low 120 yards, admitted he did not blame Childress when asked about his coach's frustration.

"That's his job," said Frerotte, who left the game for one play in the third quarter after taking a shot to the head at the end of a 3-yard scramble. "You're not going to make every play. I'm not going to be a guy that's running around like crazy out there. So when I'm out of the pocket, we've just got to be able to throw the ball away. It's one thing to say; it's another thing to do. But that's his job. That's what he's supposed to do. He's the ultimate leader of this team, and he's got to tell me what to do."