Redskins coach Joe Gibbs opened Dallas Week with the mindset that Patrick Ramsey, despite throwing three interceptions in Sunday's loss to the Giants, probably would play against the Cowboys.
Gibbs described starter Mark Brunell's hamstring strain as "substantial" and indicated that there is a very real possibility that Ramsey will start.
"We'll see how everything goes with Mark, but if I had to guess right now, I'd say (Ramsey is) going to be playing a lot on Monday night," Gibbs said.
Brunell, who went down in the third quarter Sunday, received treatment for his strained hamstring Monday and was tepidly hopeful of playing against Dallas.
"That's what I'm shooting for," Brunell said. "Absolutely."
Gibbs defended Ramsey and said No. 3 quarterback Tim Hasselbeck isn't an option for the time being. The coach pointed to Ramsey's several big throws and indicated that the team won't hesitate to use him. Ramsey, meanwhile, was reasonably upbeat about improving.
"I know I can (play better), and I have," Ramsey said. "I think (in games so far), if I avoid a couple of plays, I have decent days. It's certainly there. I can see it. I can feel it. It's just adjusting to this offense and this mindset. It's something I've got to do."
Ramsey certainly wasn't the only Redskin turning the ball over at Giants Stadium. Brunell had a fumble and an interception himself, while running back Clinton Portis coughed up the ball twice.
Those miscues have Washington at the bottom of the NFC in turnover ration (-5) and at 1-1 despite the NFL's No. 1 defense.
"I don't know how many points we've given up — I'd say 20, 23 points — without putting our defense in a position where they can play defense," Gibbs said. "You're not going to win games like that in the NFL."
NOTES, QUOTES
RT Kenyatta Jones was held out of the Giants loss because of continuing issues with bone spurs in his ankle. However, he wasn't aware the problem was any greater leading up to the game than it had been. He was disappointed and surprised that he didn't get a chance to play against DE Michael Strahan, giving way to veteran Ray Brown.
"I don't know," Jones replied when asked about his absence. "You've got to ask the coaches."
Said assistant head coach for offense Joe Bugel: "The trainers came up to me on Wednesday. They said we better be careful about Kenyatta, as far as his reps and stuff like that. He's got a little bone spur on his ankle, some swelling. I moved Ray there right away. We moved them around. I thought, game-time decision, 'Hey, play the healthy one.' "
—The two fumbles by RB Clinton Portis were his first in nine regular-season games. The streak dated to Denver's 17-14 win over Pittsburgh on Oct. 12, 2003.
"I know you can't give the ball up," Portis said. "Everybody knows you can't give the ball up. It ain't no big thing. Fumbles happen. That's what the defensive players get paid for."
—DE Phillip Daniels, who strained a groin against the Giants, is expected to miss at least two weeks. Coach Joe Gibbs revealed no immediate plan for the right defensive end position. It appeared likely that Ron Warner would start.
—K John Hall now has two injured hamstrings, though neither strain is considered serious. Hall is expected to play Monday against the Cowboys.
—LB LaVar Arrington didn't suffer any setbacks while playing on a knee sprain. He should be fine to play the Cowboys.
—LBs Marcus Washington and Antonio Pierce and DT Cornelius Griffin were singled out by Gibbs as having stood out in the Giants game.
—WR Laveranues Coles enjoyed his first 100-yard game of the season, catching nine passes for 100 yards and showing some of the yards-after-catch talent that defined his 2003 season. However, he and fellow WR Rod Gardner had several key drops.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
REPORT CARD VS. GIANTS
PASSING OFFENSE: F — The Redskins have a pair of duds at quarterback. The first, Mark Brunell, hasn't had any zip on his throws and in this game committed two turnovers, a fumble and an interception. The second passer, Patrick Ramsey, looks dreadful in coach Joe Gibbs' offense and against the Giants threw three interceptions. The Dirtbags allowed four sacks. A variety of players contributed to the poor effort with drops.
RUSHING OFFENSE: D — A bad day for RB Clinton Portis, who fell from 148 yards in the opener to 69 yards with two fumbles. Runs to the edge worked well early, but for some reason the Redskins got away from them. Portis has yet to show he can pound it up the middle, at least given the small holes the O-line is opening. Backup RB Ladell Betts was nothing special. The nicest plays came on quarterback scrambles.
PASS DEFENSE: B — Kudos to CB Fred Smoot, who is playing with tremendous passion if not always perfect technique, and LB Marcus Washington, who helped the Redskins finally solve Jeremy Shockey (five receptions for just 36 yards). CB Shawn Springs sacked Kurt Warner. But S Matt Bowen got burned for a 38-yard touchdown by Tim Carter, while No. 3 CB Walt Harris had some issues in coverage.
RUSH DEFENSE: A — Not that Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne are known as Thunder and Lightning these days, but the Redskins' defense intercepted any potential storm. Barber averaged just 2.3 yards per carry, and Dayne was a full yard worse. The defensive line, despite observers' skepticism, is holding the line, and linebackers are fitting well into gaps. Washington has yielded just 92 rushing yards to date.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B — P Tom Tupa continues to generate solid results. His coverage is solid, which is surprising considering that kickoff containment remains such a problem. Darting for a 34-yard return this time was the Giants' Willie Ponder. K John Hall entered with a strained kicking hamstring and exited with a strain on the other one. But he performed all his usual duties. KR Chad Morton had a 49-yard kickoff runback and is closer to breaking the big one.
COACHING: C-plus — Coach Joe Gibbs and the "Space Cowboys" are supposed to be offensive wizards. Their unit turned the ball over seven times. Gibbs is responsible for getting backup QB Patrick Ramsey into game shape. And we have to wonder about the play-calling—why was Washington still passing after its third pick? Defensively, Gregg Williams enjoyed another fine performance. We just wish we knew what he was doing with S Sean Taylor.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football ... s/home.htm
