Redskins getting more offensive
JEREMIAH TROTTER had one thought about what was different last week for his former team, the Washington Redskins, as they ended a three-game losing streak with a 31-7 thumping of the New York Giants.
"Improved play at the quarterback position," said Trotter, who is again the Eagles' middle linebacker, after 2 years in Washington.
Patrick Ramsey, 21-for-34 for 162 yards in a 28-6 Nov. 21 loss to the Eagles, hit 19 of 22 attempts last week. He threw for only 174 yards - supporting Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's contention that the Redskins like to throw quick, short passes - but he had three touchdowns and no interceptions.
If Ramsey can hit those quick throws off three-step drops, it will make it hard for the Eagles to bring the pressure their defense feeds upon.
Johnson said the way to combat that "sometimes is just getting your hands up...sometimes it's just a matter of elevating the throw and playing a tighter coverage."
On film, Johnson saw a Redskins offense that looked much improved, he said, mixing Clinton Portis' running with Ramsey's short passing.
"I think their first two drives, they just controlled the ball," he said. "Joe Gibbs-type football."
The Redskins' offense is still founded on running. Portis gained 148 yards against the Giants, on 31 carries. He ran for one TD and caught a pass for another. But the last time he played the Eagles, Portis was held to just 37 yards on 17 carries.
A patch of 'Gras'?
With defensive end Derrick Burgess (sternum) definitely sidelined and defensive end Jerome McDougle (knee) very unlikely to play in Washington, veteran defensive tackle Paul Grasmanis should see his first action of the season - in fact, his first action since he blew out his left Achilles' tendon Sept. 14, 2003, in the second game of that season, against New England.
Jim Johnson said it was hard to predict how much Grasmanis will play - probably only a handful of snaps, if the other DTs stay healthy. Grasmanis figures into the tackle rotation only because starter Darwin Walker will start at left defensive end, to better counter the Redskins' running game, with Jevon Kearse flipping to the right side and Hollis Thomas subbing at right defensive tackle for Walker.
"It's been difficult, obviously. Sometimes it gets discouraging," Grasmanis said. He said the worst times were right after games, when teammates would sit in the locker room and rehash what had just happened.
"You don't feel a part of that," he said.
McDougle, meanwhile, missed half his 2003 rookie season with an assortment of injuries, after the Eagles traded up to draft him 15th overall. This season he notched a sack in the opener, but hasn't had one since. This will be the fourth week he has been sidelined with his knee injury.
"I think it's hurt him, I really do," Johnson said yesterday, asked about the injury stalling McDougle's progress. "I thought he was coming around and being more consistent. It hurt him a little bit, there's no question. I know he's anxious to get back. Hopefully, we're going to get him back next week."
Birdseed
John Harbaugh said punt returner Reno Mahe is practicing this week but is "not full speed yet. He might be by Sunday." Harbaugh indicated Mahe and Dexter Wynn might both see action returning punts at Washington. Wynn notched a 40-yarder against the Packers, making up for an earlier muff. "When guys do a good job they earn more opportunities," Harbaugh said...Starting guards Artis Hicks (knee) and Jermane Mayberry (calf) made it through practice again yesterday and seem likely to play Sunday...Harbaugh was the first to discuss something everyone knows is coming - a game or games at the end of the season, after the Eagles have clinched homefield for the playoffs. "We're going to have a plan for that," he said. "I've already been talking to coach [Andy] Reid, to coach [Jim] Johnson and coach [Brad] Childress about that. We'll have a defined plan, I'm sure, for each game. It will range from anywhere from the starters will play all four quarters and it's business as usual, to certain guys aren't active because they have injuries and we have other guys out, or something in between. We haven't really addressed that yet besides to say that's something that could come up in the future, so I'm sure we'll have a plan."
By LES BOWEN
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