Preseason Game No. 3: Off to Miami!
The Washington Redskins and head coach Joe Gibbs continue their preseason campaign with a road game against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium on Saturday night.
The Redskins are looking to get back on track after falling to the Carolina Panthers in overtime, 23-20, last Saturday in their home preseason debut at FedExField. So far, the Redskins are 1-1 in the preseason.
The 2004 Redskins and Gibbs made their home debut against Panthers last weekend, scoring two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing, while the defense posted an interception and two sacks.
Quarterback Mark Brunell, who will start this week at Miami, finished the game 6-of-15 passing for 119 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darnerien McCants. Though the team struggled a bit at times it did show some bright spots on defense and special teams and Coach Gibbs believes the team is progressing and can learn from Saturday night's game.
"I think right now our defense is playing very well right now," said Coach Gibbs after the Carolina game. "Offensively, there were way too many mistakes. I think we made some mistakes all the way across the board. I think the film will be a good study for us. I admire our guys' heart. They are laying it all out there, playing really hard. Hopefully, if we keep doing that we are going to win some football games. But right now, obviously we are making mistakes and we have some concerns. We are not running the football. So we have got a lot to work on. Hopefully the game will be a learning experience for us."
Gibbs rejoined the Redskins in January and returns to the playing field after 12 seasons. The offseason has been a busy one for Gibbs and his staff, spending extensive time getting ready for the 2004 season both on the practice fields at Redskins Park and in the meeting rooms.
Gibbs, who coached the team from 1981 to 1992, turned the Redskins into an NFL dynasty during his first tenure. He led the Redskins to four Super Bowls--winnning three titles--and accumulated a 124-60 record during regular season play and an amazing 16-5 postseason record.
Washington features many new faces on the Redskins sidelines after another busy offseason of free agency acquisitions including running back Clinton Portis, linebacker Marcus Washington, defensive lineman Phillip Daniels, defensive lineman Cornelius Griffin, quarterback Mark Brunell, cornerback Shawn Springs and 2004 first-round draft pick safety Sean Taylor.
Redskins fans can watch the continued progress of the team Saturday night on the WUSA-TV Channel 9 broadcast from Miami.
http://www.redskins.com/gameday/