Embarrassing. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s the word Redskins linebacker Andre Carter and many other teammates used to sum up the 59-28 drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football at FedEx Field. <\/p>\n
All seemed to be going in the Redskins\u2019 favor before the game. Donovan McNabb had just signed a 5-year extension, the team was coming off of their bye week and had a 2-0 record in NFC East games. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were fired up and motivated,\u201d Carter said. \u201cWe were happy to hear McNabb received an extension. We felt ready and prepared. However, the results were crazy during the game.\u201d <\/p>\n
During pregame warmups, a mini-brawl broke out, which actually seemed to fire up both teams. Unfortunately for Washington, retribution ruled the day for the Eagles. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think they were motivated before the fight. We had their number when we played them in Philly and they never forgot it. Revenge can be deadly,\u201d Carter said. <\/p>\n
Yes, it certainly can be and in this case, it was done pretty much singlehandedly by quarterback Michael Vick. The Eagles\u2019 signal caller put up 333 yards passing with 4 touchdowns through the air and ran for another 80 yards and two more scores on his own. An individual performance of that magnitude is about as common as witnessing Halley\u2019s Comet. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s difficult to stop an athletic QB who is in the zone,\u201d Carter said. \u201cWhat can I say? Vick was on fire.\u201d <\/p>\n
It would be incorrect to say Carter is used to playing in blowouts like this but he has experienced them before. Having played 10 years in the league, he feels the ability to get over big losses is easy. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s never hard (to get over a big loss). The first 32-48 hours can be miserable but as a professional it’s important to push forward. Every team has good and bad days. On to the next one,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Carter had to move on from games like this as a 49er following a 52-17 loss, ironically enough to the Redskins in 2005, and after a 52-7 blowout loss to the Patriots as a member of the Redskins in 2007. Both of those games were followed up with wins by Carter\u2019s respective teams and the Redskins even made the playoffs despite losing to New England, who finished their regular season undefeated. <\/p>\n
In order to continue his trend of following up big losses with wins, Carter will have to stop an explosive Tennessee Titans offense that is ranked third in the league in points per game. <\/p>\n
After having faced a potent offense with weapons like Vick, DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy, the Redskins will have go up against a Titans offense that is equally as dangerous. They are led by the NFL\u201ds 2009 rushing leader and third leading rusher this season, Chris Johnson, the very athletic Vince Young and newly acquired Randy Moss, who is hoping to aid a receiving corps that has been without Kenny Britt for their last two games after he put up 225 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Eagles in Week 7. <\/p>\n
With another daunting task ahead for the Redskins defense, Carter says they will continue to be just as aggressive as they have in week\u2019s past. <\/p>\n
\u201cDespite our failure against the Eagles, we will continue to challenge opponents. It\u2019s a must. It’s the NFL. We can’t be tentative based on a player who has speed and creates plays. That\u2019s every team\u2019s mentality,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Johnson has nine rushing touchdowns this season, one more than the Redskins have mustered as a team all season. Currently, he stands at 838 yards so it appears the 2,000 yard mark that was surpassed last season is out of reach this year but it doesn\u2019t make him any less special as a runner. He is still a very unique athlete and his ability to elude tacklers is special. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis style of running is unorthodox,\u201d Carter said in regards to what makes Johnson special as a runner. \u201cHe will lose yards to gain additional yardage. When he\u2019s successful, he can have a carry for 50, 60, or 70 yards. It’s going to be important to gang tackle him.\u201d <\/p>\n
Moss, who was claimed off of waivers from the Minnesota Vikings during Tennessee\u2019s bye week two weeks ago, was held to only one catch for 26 yards against the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday but can be dangerous at any time and usually makes the receivers around him better by taking on double teams. <\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone and their mama knows that Randy is a deep threat. He can still run routes full speed and is athletic. Analysts claim he is not as fast as he used to be but he can still get the job done. <\/p>\n
Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who made his fondness of his time in Tennessee known this week, returns home to play his former team since his departure for the Redskins to sign a $100 million contract last offseason. It will be interesting to see the reaction of his former home crowd. <\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly don’t know the last impression Albert made when he was in Tennessee. I am sure it was a great one. I’m sure there will be a few cheers and trash talking,\u201d Carter said. <\/p>\n
Fan Questions: <\/p>\n
REDEEMEDSKIN:<\/b> How does your pre-game ritual differ, if at all, for an evening game (SNF or MNF) versus a regular afternoon game? Any superstitions? <\/p>\n
AC:<\/b> I used to watch action movies like \u201cBraveheart\u201d when I was a rookie but now I just listen to music from rock, rap, and gospel. I’m all over the place on my iPod.<\/p>\n
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Jake Russell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"