Redskins fans on THN were fortunate enough to get the Andre Carter blog for 2008, and with it, an inside peak into the mind of a Redskins player. Each and every week, Andre looked at the game that passed and the game that was ahead, as well as whatever news was pertinent to the team and/or opposition that week.
He also took the time to answer questions from the fans each week – that we curated on our message board. Having the ability to ask a player virtually anything you would like to, is a privilege indeed.
Carter’s first year writing THN Weekly picked up where Todd Wade’s 2007 lineman diary left off, but from a defensive end’s point of view. Week after week, he broke down the Redskins’ opponents, credited his teammates, and gave fans an honest look at a season that started with real promise and ended just short of the playoffs.
Washington opened 2008 with a new head coach in Jim Zorn and climbed to 6-2 at the halfway mark. A rough second half brought the record back to 8-8. Through every high and low, Carter kept showing up with his weekly breakdown. As we archive these entries, we wanted to walk back through the year the way he told it.
The 2008 Season, In His Own Words
Week 1: vs. Giants — September 4, 2008
Carter previews his first opener as a full-time THN blogger, breaking down Washington’s Thursday night showdown with the defending Super Bowl champion Giants. He praises Eli Manning’s poise and explains how new addition Jason Taylor should open up one-on-one matchups on the edge. It was a debut that set the tone for a season of honest, detailed football talk.
Week 2: vs. Saints — September 10, 2008
Following a tough loss to the Giants, Carter previews Washington’s home opener against Drew Brees and the Saints. He breaks down New Orleans’ explosive offense and shares what it means to finally play at FedEx Field. The defense delivered, and the Redskins picked up a come-from-behind win to get the season on track.
Week 3: vs. Cardinals — September 18, 2008
Carter reflects on the comeback win over New Orleans and previews a home matchup with the 2-0 Arizona Cardinals. He credits rookie safety Chris Horton’s two interceptions and calls Arizona’s defense more physical than people give it credit for. Washington moved to 2-1 with a hard-fought win.
Week 4: vs. Cowboys — September 26, 2008
With Washington riding a 3-0 start, Carter turns his attention to a marquee showdown with the rival Cowboys. He details Dallas’s top-ranked passing attack, led by Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Jason Witten, and explains the defense’s plan to slow them down. He also welcomes ten-year veteran Jon Jansen back into the starting lineup.
Week 5: vs. Eagles — October 4, 2008
Carter breaks down a thrilling 26-24 win in Dallas, Washington’s first at Texas Stadium under Jim Zorn. He credits Jason Campbell, Santana Moss and Clinton Portis for the road win, then previews a tough divisional test at Philadelphia. He also opens up about just how hostile the Eagles’ fanbase can get on gameday.
Week 6: vs. Rams — October 10, 2008
Fresh off back-to-back road wins over Dallas and Philadelphia, Carter reflects on Washington’s 4-1 start and the chemistry building on both sides of the ball. He praises the reserves who stepped up with three starters sidelined, then previews a home date with the winless St. Louis Rams. He warns fans not to overlook a desperate opponent.
Week 7: vs. Browns — October 19, 2008
Carter addresses a stunning trap-game loss to the previously winless Rams, a defeat that snapped Washington’s four-game winning streak. He explains what went wrong up front and previews a physical road matchup with the Cleveland Browns. He also welcomes newly signed running back Shaun Alexander to the roster.
Week 8: vs. Lions — October 25, 2008
Carter recaps a gritty 14-11 road win over Cleveland that pushed Washington to 5-2, its best start since 2000. He breaks down a goal-line stand and credits the defensive line’s continued growth, then previews a trip to face the winless Detroit Lions. He cautions that no team, regardless of record, should be taken lightly.
Week 9: vs. Steelers — November 2, 2008
Carter reflects on Washington reaching 6-2 at the halfway mark, matching a feat last accomplished in 2000, despite defensive coordinator Greg Blache’s blunt postgame criticism. He details a big day from Clinton Portis and Santana Moss, then previews a Monday night showdown with the 5-2 Steelers. He breaks down what it takes to prepare for a national primetime stage.
After The Bye
Week 10: Bye Week — November 8, 2008
Carter reflects on a rough 23-6 home loss to Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football, a night when Steelers fans nearly took over FedEx Field. He describes how the team used its bye week to rest, heal and refocus for the stretch run. He also shares how he personally spends time away from football during a break.
Week 11: vs. Cowboys — November 15, 2008
Carter previews a Sunday night showdown with Dallas and the midseason addition of cornerback DeAngelo Hall to an already deep secondary. He’s candid about the tough business of roster turnover, addressing the release of cornerback Leigh Torrence. He also breaks down what the extended bye week meant for a banged-up roster.
Week 12: vs. Seahawks — November 20, 2008
Carter addresses a second straight home loss, this time to Dallas, and Washington’s growing struggles at FedEx Field. He’s honest about the defense’s inability to finish games late, then previews a matchup with the struggling Seattle Seahawks. He also reflects on Jim Zorn’s return to Seattle, where he once coached.
Week 14: vs. Ravens — December 6, 2008
Carter reflects on Washington’s emotional Sean Taylor Ring of Fame ceremony, held before a loss to the rival Giants. He previews a tough matchup with the 8-4 Ravens and breaks down Baltimore’s disguised blitz packages. He also opens up about a nagging foot injury that never kept him off the field.
Week 15: vs. Bengals — December 14, 2008
Carter addresses a third straight primetime loss, this one on a frigid night in Baltimore, and the frustration of going 0-4 on national television. He details season-ending injuries to left tackle Chris Samuels and reserve Justin Geisinger. He then previews a road matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Week 16: vs. Eagles — December 20, 2008
Carter calls a loss to Cincinnati the low point of the season, Washington’s fifth defeat in six games. He addresses the swirl of controversy around Clinton Portis’s comments about Jim Zorn and Coach Blache’s colorful postgame comparison. He closes with a message to fans: don’t give up on this team.
Week 17: vs. 49ers — December 28, 2008
Carter reflects on a season-sweeping, defense-led win over Philadelphia that kept Washington’s pride intact down the stretch. He previews an emotional return to Candlestick Park, his NFL home for five seasons before joining the Redskins. He closes out his first year of THN Weekly with reflections on his 49ers days and what home means to him now.
A Final Word of Thanks
Reading back through these entries, one thing stands out: Andre Carter gave Redskins fans more than a weekly preview and recap. He gave a real, detailed look at what it’s like to prepare for an NFL season from the trenches, week after week, win or lose.
So to Andre Carter — thank you. Thank you for the honesty about the tough losses, the credit you always gave your teammates, and the patience to break down an opponent’s offensive line one more time for the fans.
Thank you for making your first season of THN Weekly worth the wait between games.
HTTR.