Redskins take a step backward against Rams
Associated Press
Posted: 28 minutes ago
ASHBURN, Va. - The Washington Redskins had every reason to be confident about the way they were playing in the preseason. Then they met the Rams.
In last Saturday's preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, coach Joe Gibbs watched his defense dominate and his offense hold the ball for more than 41 minutes.
Friday night, however, all the Hall of Fame coach could watch was wide receiver Torry Holt and the other speedy St. Louis Rams run past the Redskins and win 28-3.
Holt sliced Washington's secondary for seven catches, 143 yards and a touchdown in the first half. One was a 58-yard catch behind starting cornerback Fred Smoot and rookie safety Sean Taylor that set up the second St. Louis touchdown at the 1.
Holt could have had even bigger numbers if not for some off-target throws by Rams quarterback Marc Bulger and a call along the sideline that wiped out an apparent catch.
"We didn't play well all night against the pass," Redskins safety Matt Bowen said. "I don't think it was speed; our guys can run too. We just didn't play with the proper technique, and when you do that in this league you get beat."
The Rams numbers got the attention of Gibbs, especially after the Redskins allowed but 98 yards to Miami, just 73 through the air.
Taylor did intercept his third pass of the preseason in the second quarter near the goal line, but he nearly made a turnover as he casually tried to lateral the ball to a teammate after the turnover.
Washington's offense also was stuck in last week, following up an 181-yard rushing night against the Dolphins with just 62 on the ground Friday. Clinton Portis carried three times for 13 yards against the Rams.
"I think we could say that we were disappointed in every single phase," Gibbs said. "We didn't run the ball well; didn't move the ball well on offense. I think on defense we struggled. I really can't think of anything we did well."
Quarterback Patrick Ramsey, making his second and final start of the preseason, led Washington to its only score - a 28-yard field goal by John Hall - on the opening drive. Ramsey, who finished 5 of 10 for 81 yards, failed to hit wide receiver James Thrash, who was open in the end zone.
"It's nobody's fault in particular at all," said Ramsey, who has not thrown a touchdown in the four exhibition games. "I've got to make a better throw. Essentially, that's what it comes down to."
Mark Brunell, who will start Washington's final exhibition game against the Falcons, completed 5 of 8 for 28 yards.
There was some good news for the Redskins. X-rays on the right ankle of starting offensive tackle Chris Samuels were negative. The crown of Rock Cartwright's helmet landed on the ankle of Samuels in the second quarter.
The Redskins already had lost their other starting tackle, Jon Jansen, for the season because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon in the exhibition opener against Denver.
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