The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

New Orleans Saints blow lead, lose to Redskins
by Teddy Kider, The Times-Picayune
Monday September 15, 2008, 6:38 AM

The Associated Press
Washington defensive back Chris Horton puts the finishing touches on the Saints with his interception late in the fourth quarter.



LANDOVER, MD. -- The New Orleans Saints had a nine-point lead Sunday with six minutes remaining against the Washington Redskins -- and for Saints Coach Sean Payton, it was a tease.

New Orleans' offense had been outdone, its defense continued to get banged around and turnovers were a bigger problem for the Saints than the Redskins. That all caught up to the Saints with 3:29 left in the fourth quarter, when Redskins receiver Santana Moss scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 67-yard pass from Jason Campbell.

Finally, after holding some unlikely leads, the Saints lost to the Redskins 29-24 before a crowd of 88,246 at FedEx Field, in New Orleans' first road test of the season.

"We didn't play well enough to win the game," said Payton, hours after it was announced he had received a contract extension that will keep him with the team through 2012. "We were fortunate, I thought, to be ahead at the half. And also I thought we were fortunate to go up by nine in the fourth quarter. And that teased us a little bit."

The Saints still appeared to be in position to pull out a victory with about three minutes remaining, then Drew Brees threw his second interception of the game, a tipped pass that landed in the hands of Redskins safety Chris Horton.

"It's so disappointing to end a game like that," Brees said. "I'd rather them stop us on fourth down than something like that happening, because you just, there's no doubt in my mind we were going to go down and score a touchdown and win this game."

Horton, a rookie who was selected in the seventh round of the draft and who attended De La Salle, also intercepted a Brees pass in the first quarter. And, earlier in the first quarter, he recovered a fumble by Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey.

The Saints (1-1) finished with 250 total yards, including 55 rushing, and were 3-of-10 on third-down conversions.

"I don't really feel like we've been in a rhythm yet this season, these first two games," Brees said. "So we've got a lot of work to do offensively."

Brees completed 22 of 33 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown, and he was sacked twice. Reggie Bush rushed for 28 yards on 10 carries, Pierre Thomas had 8 yards on six carries, and Deuce McAllister ran -- in his first appearance of the regular season -- for 10 yards on two carries.

With the Saints up 24-22 and just less than six minutes remaining, they began a drive. But it was a quick three-and-out, with Thomas unable to pick up a yard on third-and-1 from New Orleans' 37-yard line.

"It's a staple in our offense," Saints right tackle Jon Stinchcomb said about the play for Thomas. "It's something that we run every game."

The biggest surprise coming from the Redskins might have been their new West Coast-style offense, which struggled mightily in a Week 1 loss to the New York Giants but amassed 455 yards Sunday.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who had 96 yards on 21 carries, scored a touchdown with 5:59 to go that got the Redskins within two points. Then, on Washington's next drive, Campbell followed up on the Saints' three-and-out with a one-play touchdown drive -- the 67-yard pass to Moss, right over the head of Saints rookie cornerback Tracy Porter.

Campbell had 321 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions on 24-of-36 passing.

"It was a bunch of technical things," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said of the Saints' defensive problems. "Missed tackles here, bad reads there. It makes for a bad game."

The Saints' defense was shorthanded, playing without cornerback Mike McKenzie (knee), linebacker Scott Fujita (knee), safety Roman Harper (hamstring), cornerback Randall Gay (hamstring) and defensive tackle Antwan Lake (groin). Cornerback Aaron Glenn, who started in Gay's place, left the game with an ankle bruise, though Payton said X-rays were negative.

With the defense hampered and the offense out of sync, the Saints were able to stay in the game with some big plays on special teams.

Bush returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown with two seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Saints a 24-15 lead.

And in the second quarter, Saints safety Josh Bullocks forced Redskins receiver Antwaan Randle El to fumble on a punt return. Saints linebacker Troy Evans picked up the ball, and Thomas' 1-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive gave New Orleans a 7-6 lead.

The Saints lost the first-half yardage battle 203-112, including 81-21 on the ground, and the Redskins held onto the ball for more than 18 minutes in the half. But thanks to two missed field-goal attempts by Washington's Shaun Suisham and the Redskins' inability to reach the end zone, the Saints used a last-second, 49-yard field goal by Martin Gramatica for a 10-9 halftime lead.

It was a lead the Saints would maintain until Campbell's long touchdown pass to Moss.

Washington ended any chance of a Saints' comeback with 1:58 remaining when it converted a fourth-and-2 on Campbell's 8-yard pass to Moss, who finished with 164 yards receiving, in addition to a 27-yard run.

"I didn't think we were very consistent at all on offense," Payton said. "Defensively, we played well at times but then in the end, they had 455 yards. And that's not going to be good enough for us."

Teddy Kider can be reached at tkider@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3409.

"It's so disappointing to end a game like that," Brees said. "I'd rather them stop us on fourth down than something like that happening, because you just, there's no doubt in my mind we were going to go down and score a touchdown and win this game."

SkinsHead56 wrote:I would like an 11 week subscription to the loser paper please.

Miscues cost Cards in 1st setback
Kent Somers - Sept. 21, 2008 06:00 PM
The Arizona Republic

Associated Press

Running back Edgerrin James fumbles when hit by Reed Doughty on Sunday. It was the Cardinals' first turnover of the season.



LANDOVER, Md. - It's tempting to blame the Cardinals 24-17 loss to the Redskins on Sunday on the smallest of things - a second that might have been stolen, a throw that landed a foot short, a pass deflected by a few fingers.

Bundle them together, however, and an old familiar theme is formed. Simply, the Cardinals made just enough mistakes to lose to a good team on the road.

Sunday's loss was the Cardinals' second in as many years at FedEx Field and cost the Cardinals (2-1) a chance at their first 3-0 start since 1974.
"Plain and simple, we didn't execute the way we should have," receiver Anquan Boldin said. "It's one that we felt we let slip away. We didn't capitalize on their mistakes, and we made too many mistakes of our own."

They did, but they also were beaten physically when it counted most, in the fourth quarter. The Redskins (2-1) were able to protect the lead late in the game by keeping the ball 6 1/2 minutes on one possession. And when the Cardinals did get the ball back, they couldn't do anything with it. Their three fourth-quarter possessions ended in an interception and two punts.

The Cardinals pride themselves on their hurry-up offense, yet a possession that started with 3:23 remaining lasted just three plays. Facing a fourth and 4 from the Cardinals 48 with 2:39 left, Whisenhunt decided to punt.

Whisenhunt figured that with two timeouts left and the two-minute warning "we could stop them and we could have the ball with right at two minutes with still a chance to go downfield. So I really didn't consider it (going for the first down) at that point."

Quarterback Kurt Warner was surprised because he just assumed Whisenhunt would go for it. "I was a bit surprised, yeah," said Warner. " In that situation you know you are going to have to stop them anyways even if you don't get it on fourth down."

The Cardinals never touched the ball again as the Redskins gained two first downs and ran out the clock.

"They were getting a body on a body and making plays in the run game," safety Adrian Wilson said. "We just needed to get off a block and make a play."

The Cardinals made enough plays to have a chance to win. There was Warner's 62-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald that tied the game at 17 late in the third quarter. There was running back Edgerrin James' 93 yards on 18 carries, and Warner's passing, which was on point most of the day. And the defense stymied the Redskins running attack early.

But the Cardinals made more than enough mistakes to lose. They had a first and goal at the 10 early in the third quarter and had to kick a field goal after Jason Taylor deflected passes on second and third downs. They committed costly penalties, including a few on special teams that resulted in poor field position.

Warner's first interception of the season was only a foot or so from being a touchdown for the Cardinals. Receiver Steve Breaston had a step on cornerback Leigh Torrence, but the ball was slightly underthrown.

It appeared to hit Torrence's helmet and bounced into the hands of teammate Carlos Rogers, who returned it 42 yards to the 15. The Redskins scored two plays later to take a 24-17 lead.

"You have to rely on your catch-up speed sometimes," Torrence said. "Thank God I had the ability to catch up to him."

The Cardinals were equally tormented by the play clock earlier in the game. On their first possession, the Cardinals decided to go for a first down on fourth and 1 from the Redskins 41. Warner faked a handoff, rolled right and hit tight end Ben Patrick, who looked ready to score.

But officials called a delay of game penalty, even though the Cardinals were adamant that one second remained on the play clock. Warner, Whisenhunt, Boldin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley all argued, to no avail.

"I was standing there to call timeout and there was one second on the clock when the ball was snapped. That's what I saw," Whisenhunt said. "I was ready to call timeout. I don't know why it was a delay of game."

Warner was equally emphatic that a second remained. "I really have no idea how they call that," he said, "because I know without a shadow of doubt that I was watching the clock and there was one second when the ball was snapped."

It was that kind of day. A few positive plays here, but a few more negative ones there.

"You get that play that sparks you up and then three plays later, something brings you down," defensive end Antonio Smith said. "It was like an upper and downer consistently."

Sunday's loss won't be easy for the Cardinals to escape. They're staying over in the Washington area to prepare for their game Sunday in New Jersey against the Jets, so they will get their fill of stories of how the Redskins won.

"It's only one game, it's not the end of the world," fullback Terrelle Smith said. "The bad part is we lost; the best part is that we can fix it."

Report

Key player

Washington quarterback Jason Campbell wasn't great, but he was efficient, and he got the ball to his playmakers. Campbell didn't commit a turnover and made wise decisions.

Key moment

The Cardinals had a touchdown nullified by a delay of game penalty. The Cardinals swear there was 1 second left on the clock but why cut it that close? And, the Redskins also had a touchdown called back.

Key number

216: Yards the Redskins gained in the second half.

Injury report

DE/OLB Bertrand Berry (left groin), returned to the game.

Did you notice?

The Cardinals started six of their 10 drives inside their 20.

Quote

"Nobody said we're at the top. All that hype about 2-0, you can't listen to it. Keep your head down and your elbows up and keep going."

- Cardinals fullback Terrelle Smith, on bouncing back from the loss

View from the press box

The Cardinals, to their credit, didn't make a big fuss over their 2-0 record. Now they have to take the same attitude after their first loss of the season. It's not the end of the world. The first month of the season is important, given that three of the first four games are on the road. The Cardinals need to come home 3-1, and they have that chance on Sunday against the Jets. There won't be any excuses. The Cardinals are staying East to get some rest, while the Jets play in San Diego Monday night.

Warner was equally emphatic that a second remained. "I really have no idea how they call that," he said, "because I know without a shadow of doubt that I was watching the clock and there was one second when the ball was snapped."

VetSkinsFan wrote:I've surfed a few sites today and the Redskins still aren't getting any respect. I hope it stays that way and our opponents take us too lightly.

JSPB22 wrote:

Warner was equally emphatic that a second remained. "I really have no idea how they call that," he said, "because I know without a shadow of doubt that I was watching the clock and there was one second when the ball was snapped."

Probably the same way they called a personal foul on Heyer, for a perfectly legal, pancake block, 30 yards away from the action, on Devin Thomas' 4th quarter TD play, that would have made it a 14 point game.

SkinsJock wrote:btw JSPB - did you notice before that (I agree - a perfectly legal) block by Heyer that Portis had a bit of an altercation with #90 Dockett - if you look at the replays, Portis gets into Dockett's face about how he (Dockett) had tackled Portis - I am sure that Portis probably told his lineman and Heyer took a shot at Dockett on the next play.

SkinsJock wrote:

VetSkinsFan wrote:I've surfed a few sites today and the Redskins still aren't getting any respect. I hope it stays that way and our opponents take us too lightly.

unfortunately, the Redskins dont have any games scheduled this year against the media or the fans so what the opponents' press (or fans) think about our team has very little to do with our chances for victory.

The players in the NFL do not prepare for opponents based on what anyone in the media has analyzed or predicted - these are all a bunch of idiots to the players






I do enjoy reading the articles though

VetSkinsFan wrote: ... We don't play the media or fans??? When did this stop?

Dallas Cowboys lose hold of first place with 26-24 loss
01:11 AM CDT on Monday, September 29, 2008

By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com


IRVING – The ball, tumbling end over end and hanging in the air perfectly, was there for a leaping Sam Hurd to snatch.

The dream scenario would come true if Hurd could recover the onside kick. Jerry Jones saw it. The players saw it. The fans saw it, too.

Of course the Cowboys would kick the winning field goal and walk off with another Texas Stadium memory.

Only the ball glanced off Hurd's fingers and out of bounds with 1:42 to play, and the dream turned into a 26-24 loss to the Washington Redskins, ending the Cowboys' perfect start to the 2008 season.

"I know I had it, actually," Hurd said. "I don't know how I dropped it. Can't tell you how."

It was one of many unexplainable things that happened Sunday. As a result, the Cowboys (3-1) trail the New York Giants (3-0) and are even with Washington in the NFC East after the first month of the season.

Like Marion Barber getting eight carries and picking up only 26 yards after averaging 21 carries and 95 carries through three games.

Like the Cowboys' run defense allowing Clinton Portis to pick up 121 yards on 21 carries after stifling Cleveland, Philadelphia and Green Bay.

Like Tony Romo being pressured too often – although not sacked – despite the absence of the Redskins' best pass rusher, Jason Taylor.

And like a 12-men-on-the-field penalty – after a Redskins timeout – that not only wiped out a potential third-down stop but allowed the Redskins to eat away more than three minutes before Shaun Suisham's 29-yard field goal with 3:22 to play forced the Cowboys to try the aforementioned onside kick.

"It's my fault," safety Patrick Watkins said. "I take the blame for it."

Watkins said he considered calling a timeout when he was lined up next to a linebacker, but it was too late. Instead of forcing a possible 48-yard attempt by Suisham, the Redskins were able to run six more plays before taking a 26-17 lead.

After committing at least seven penalties in the first three games, it was the Cowboys' second and final penalty that hurt them most Sunday.

"The little things can get you beat," linebacker Zach Thomas said. "That's what happened today. We've just got to learn it's not going to be easy. It's a long season, and hopefully we learn from this. Not everything is going to be smooth. The first three games were smooth. This game, we were a little out of sync."

An 11-yard touchdown pass from Romo to Miles Austin with 1:42 to play kept the Cowboys' chances at a flicker, but they had to recover the onside kick.

"Believe me that one play didn't make or break the ballgame," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said. "There were several other plays throughout the game that added up to the final outcome. It's never just one."

VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Dallas Cowboys' Sam Hurd (left) can't hold onto the ball during an onside kick attempt in front of Washington's Chris ey.

Last year at Buffalo, Hurd knocked Nick Folk's onside attempt free, allowing tight end Tony Curtis to recover. Eventually, Folk made a 53-yarder to beat the Bills, 25-24, as the Cowboys improved to 5-0.

This time, the Cowboys were not as fortunate.

"The reality of it is you hope to go 16-0, but it's pretty unrealistic," Romo said. "I know it happened last year [New England], but that's not the norm.

"We understand that some days you either make a play or two or you don't. And it's disappointing and frustrating when you don't. But we're a confident bunch, and I think we will come back next week with a lot to prove and hopefully get better."

KEEPAWAY

The Redskins ran 70 plays, the most against the Cowboys this season, and held the ball for 38 minutes, 9 seconds, the most by a team this year. It was the fifth time since 2006 a Cowboys' opponent has held the ball for more than 37 minutes.

Code: Select all

Date          Opponent      Time   Result  
10/14/07  vs. New England   38:15  L, 48-27  
Sunday    vs. Washington    38:09  L, 26-24  
12/10/06  vs. New Orleans   37:11  L, 42-17  
12/30/07  at  Washington    37:08  L, 27-6  
12/25/06  vs. Philadelphia  37:06  L, 23-7  

Dallas Cowboys' defense hasn't earned label as one of league's best
03:33 AM CDT on Monday, September 29, 2008

By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News
brdavis@dallasnews.com


IRVING – Question: Can we now table the discussion for a few weeks on where the Cowboys' firepower ranks in military history?

Better question: Can the Cowboys count?

Never mind that one of the NFL's most celebrated secondaries has gone four games without an interception, and for once we can't even blame it on Roy Williams.

No, the lack of forced turnovers wasn't the worst of it in a 26-24 loss to Washington on Sunday.

Nor was giving up a 50-plus-yard pass play for the third game in a row.

No, this one tops them all: On a pivotal play late in the game, the defense makes the stop, only to find it was over the limit.

"We had 12 men on the field," Ken Hamlin said. "You can't have 12 people on the field."

No, Ken, you can't.

"It's not Pop Warner," Bradie James said. "It's the NFL."

Right, Bradie.

Wade Phillips probably figured the previous points made by his safety and linebacker were obvious, but now he knows better.

"I can't understand how two players playing the position could be standing out there," Phillips said, clearly flustered. "I can't fathom that.

"They were standing right next to each other."

Hey, Patrick Watkins: Did it seem odd to you?

"I was talking with one of my teammates, and I thought the play was set, but apparently it was changed," he gamely confessed.

"It was on me."

Watkins' bonehead penalty gave the Redskins a first down and, ultimately, an easier field goal attempt for Shaun Suisham to put the game out of reach.

But before we pile this loss on Watkins' narrow shoulders, let's back up a bit.

The extra-man penalty was the signature silly play Sunday. But Terence Newman brings up an excellent point that shouldn't be overlooked.

"We're not living up to that tag you guys have given us about being a great defense," he said.

If it's any consolation, Terence, we're taking it back. As of right now.

A great defense doesn't let Clinton Portis run through it for 121 yards on 5.8 yards per carry. A great defense doesn't let Santana Moss catch eight passes for 145 yards, an 18.1-yard average.

A great defense doesn't let Moss get behind it when it's in a three-deep zone.

A great defense isn't tied with the likes of Detroit for last place in interceptions.

A great defense forces more than two turnovers in four games.

Complain about the lackluster offensive performance Sunday if you want, because it was certainly uninspiring. But they're not going to light it up every Sunday. Tony Romo won't always dazzle. Marion Barber won't always trample. T.O. won't always act interested.

Occasionally, the defense has to win a game on its own. Knock a ball or two loose. Pick off a pass.

Maybe even score a touchdown.

"We were very fortunate in the first three games that we didn't win the turnover battle," secondary coach Dave Campo said, "and we still won."

Jason Campbell presented some problems for the Cowboys. He was sacked twice, but he spun out of at least two more, moved the pocket, even picked potential fumbles out of midair to advance the play. He's a rising young quarterback in the hands of a guy who used to be a pretty good one, Jim Zorn.

But the Cowboys' secondary didn't make it too hard on the kid, either.

VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips (left) reacts to being penalized for having 12 men on the field late in the game.

Too often Campbell eluded someone's grasp to find a receiver running as loose as Jerry Jones' tongue.

Campo says he's not worried about the lack of interceptions. They'll come, he says, and when they do, they'll come in bunches.

But while we're waiting on the percentages, can't the defense do something to increase the odds?

"We have to be more aggressive," Hamlin said. "We've got to get to the ball. You've gotta force 'em sometimes.

"Make things happen."

Good idea. Of course, first things first. Eleven guys at a time, fellas. That's one, two, three ...

Dallas Cowboys given reality check by Washington Redskins in 26-24 loss

By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
chill@star-telegram.com

STAR-TELEGRAM/Ron Jenkins


IRVING — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was in full scene control early in the week.

With his team 3-0 and riding a wave of emotion following victories against Philadelphia and Green Bay, Jones said it was important to see how his team handled prosperity.

He even compared Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins at Texas Stadium to the NFC divisional playoff game against the New York Giants last January.

The same game the Cowboys lost after quarterback Tony Romo and others took a bye-week vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Well, there was no vacation preceding Sunday’s game — but the outcome was the same.

The improving Redskins, who Jones said could be this year’s version of the Super Bowl-champion New York Giants, shocked the Cowboys 26-24 before 63,462 fans in the final regular-season game of this historic rivalry played at Texas Stadium.

It was the Cowboys’ (3-1) first loss of the season and put them in a tie with the Redskins for second place in the NFC East behind the undefeated Giants.

More important, it was another lesson learned by a Cowboys team that admittedly got too full of itself last season when they ruined a 13-3 regular season with a divisional playoff loss to the Giants.

Through the first three games of this season, the Cowboys looked like a team ready to make amends for last year’s failure. They were considered to be the best team in the NFC, if not the NFL.

And based on their history against the Redskins — they had won 11 of the past 12 at Texas Stadium — there was little reason to think that things would change.

But they did, as the Cowboys were disjointed and out of sync throughout the game. According to coach Wade Phillips, they were outplayed by the Redskins.

Receiver Santana Moss continued his mastery of the Cowboys with eight receptions for 145 yards. He has topped the 100-yard barrier in each of the past three meetings, while running back Clinton Portis rumbled for 121 rushing yards.

The Redskins held the Cowboys’ explosive offense to 44 yards on the ground and its lowest scoring output of the season.

"It’s disappointing," Phillips said. "We didn’t play as well as we needed to play. It seemed like we relaxed. We can’t do that."

Said cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones: "We just needed this for a reality check for the team."

Never mind that the Cowboys rallied from a 17-7 second-quarter deficit and a 26-17 fourth-quarter deficit to pull within 26-24 with 1 minute, 42 seconds left on an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tony Romo to receiver Miles Austin.

Never mind that the Cowboys came within a failed onside kick of a potential miracle comeback.

And never mind that quarterback Tony Romo passed for 300 yards — tying Troy Aikman for the most 300 yards games in club history with 13 — and three touchdowns. He was not efficient against a harassing Redskins defense, completing 28 of 47 passes with a costly interception that led to a Redskins field goal. Receiver Terrell Owens wasn’t a factor much of the day despite seven catches and one touchdown.

The outcome was simply representative of what transpired on the field. They were outplayed by a team that is riding a three-game winning streak and proving it’s for real after a season-opening 16-7 loss to the Giants.

It was too much to overcome when you add in the Cowboys’ own physical and mental mistakes, including numerous protection breakdowns.

The biggest gaffe came with 6:58 left and the Cowboys trying to stop the Redskins on a third-and-2 play at the 31 and force a long field-goal attempt. Following a timeout, the Cowboys stopped the Redskins, but were flagged for having 12 men on the field because safety Pat Watkins didn’t pay attention to the defensive personnel call.

"It was 12," Adam Jones said. "We were in single [coverage] and not to point no fingers, but Pat shouldn’t have been on the field."

The play allowed another 3:32 to run off the clock before the Cowboys could get the ball back after Shaun Suisham’s 29-yard field goal gave the Redskins at 26-17 lead with 3:22 left in the game.

"I can’t understand how two players playing the position could be standing there," said a frustrated and exasperated Phillips in his most critical comments about a player. "I can’t fathom that. They were standing right next to each other."

Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760

MICHAEL MULVEY / DMN
Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (9) and RB Marion Barber sit on the bench after a lackluster performance during the first half.

TOUGH GOING

Washington has been able to hold Marion Barber in check. His numbers against the Redskins:

Code: Select all

Date       Car.  Yards  TD

Sunday     8     26     0  
12/30/07   6     -6     0  
11/18/07  15     43     0  
11/5/06    7     45     0  
9/17/06    8     39     1  
12/18/05  10     30     0

T.O. shows rust: Terrell Owens was obviously out of his touchdown-celebrating rhythm after taking a week off.

T.O. followed up a nice T.O. arm gesture by going airborne for a high-flying chest bump with Miles Austin. The execution was awful, though, with T.O. landing on his butt.

Redskins steal league's spotlight
Zorn, Campbell make early statement by trusting each other

12:21 AM CDT on Monday, September 29, 2008



IRVING – Turns out the fourth-best team in the division isn't bad.

Turns out quarterback Jason Campbell can rise to the occasion, and Jim Zorn is a quick study in his first head coaching gig.

September isn't the month when teams make statements. Those come later.

But it's fair to say that Washington got the league's attention with Sunday's 26-24 win over the previously undefeated Cowboys.

"We really don't care about the respect," Redskins receiver Santana Moss said. "Call us what you want to call us and we'll keep playing good football. I don't look forward to seeing myself or our team talked about highly every week. That's a set-up for failure.

"But don't get me wrong. When credit is due, give it."

OK, here it goes.

Washington's victory was more thorough than the final score indicated. The defense neutered Marion Barber and the Cowboys running game, rendering them one-dimensional. A beat-up and dehydrated 'Skins secondary allowed Terrell Owens and Jason Witten to get their catches but no game-changing plays.

Campbell frustrated the Cowboys' normally explosive offense with clinical efficiency. He threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He played keep-away, presiding over an offense that held the ball more than 16 minutes longer than the Cowboys.

Clinton Portis, who pounded between the tackles for 121 yards, helped.

"Where Jason shined is he stayed concentrated in difficult situations against a tremendous defense," Zorn said. "He didn't have any of these ups and downs, sways of emotion."

When the team had two touchdowns negated by penalties on the same drive in the third quarter, Campbell implored his teammates to keep their heads in the game and came away with a field goal.

The young quarterback was sacked twice in the game's first 12 minutes. He didn't go down again. He felt the pressure and would slide up in the pocket, the way Zorn wants. One of those moments resulted in a 53-yard completion to Moss.

"Jason is going to get better every week," Moss said. "The thing he's learning now is that he has so much help out there. He doesn't have to take too much on his shoulders."

And Zorn? After a 16-7 loss to the New York Giants in his coaching debut, his clock management and sideline presence were questioned. His goal was not to flinch.

JOHN F. RHODES / DMN
Washington RB Clinton Portis (left) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys DB Ken Hamlin.

"You know what I mean by that," Zorn said. "Oh no, we lost, now we have to redo everything.

"I'm in the growth process myself. I hope I get better. I hope you haven't seen my best."

Zorn approached Campbell after that loss to the Giants.

"One thing I have to do is trust you more," Zorn said.

"Trust me," Campbell said, "and we'll go a long way."

This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

DallasNews.com wrote:T.O. should either shut up or give credit to Redskins cornerbacks

I'd really prefer that T.O. give credit to Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers, because it wouldn't be good for the blogging business if the Original 81 shut up.

But it's absolutely ridiculous for T.O. to question the number of times the ball came his way today.

He was targeted 18 times, catching seven (38.9 percent). The Redskins loaded up on the run, leaving T.O. in a ton of one-on-one battles, and the Cowboys couldn't take advantage with the exception of the second half's opening series. Take that TD drive out of the mix, and T.O. caught four of 15 passes thrown to him.

Maybe, just maybe the Redskins' cornerbacks did an outstanding job on him. Shawn Springs blanketed him the entire first half. Once Springs went out, Carlos Rogers clamped down on T.O., holding him to one catch (on seven pass attempts) for the final quarter and a half.

If T.O. wants the ball more often, he ought to try getting open.

SkinsFreak wrote:...If T.O. wants the ball more often, he ought to try getting open.

BigRedskinDaddy wrote:

SkinsFreak wrote:...If T.O. wants the ball more often, he ought to try getting open.

Priceless! TO = Totally Owned.

MDSKINSFAN wrote:

BigRedskinDaddy wrote:

SkinsFreak wrote:...If T.O. wants the ball more often, he ought to try getting open.

Priceless! TO = Totally Owned.

how true. he was involved in 19 of the 58 plays they ran. he can stop crying for the ball. maybe they are trying to make the offense about one player and not the whole team?