‘Everyone’s pride is wounded’

The Redskins defense, after spending the previous two years largely carrying the team, now needs help.

The unit is ranked 21st in the NFL after allowing 411 yards in Sunday’s 19-3 loss at New York. The defense again allowed its share of big gains — four plays accounted for 138 yards. However, it also made numerous mistakes, as it has all year. The squad has now allowed 21 plays of 20 yards or more, second most in the NFL. Also, New York rushed for 155 yards, many of them coming at the Redskins’ right side.

“Everyone’s pride is wounded because we’re not playing up to capabilities,” Redskins defensive end Renaldo Wynn said. “It’s a disappointment.”

It must be one to assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams. But he ducked out a side exit Sunday following the loss.

Poor tackling is a major culprit. On the first play from scrimmage, linebacker Marcus Washington had a chance to stop running back Tiki Barber in the backfield for a loss. Washington missed, as did two others on Barber’s nine-yard gain.

When the Redskins pinned New York at its own 2, the Giants predictably ran Barber up the middle on first down. Safety Sean Taylor tried to drop him with a shoulder tackle. He missed and Barber gained seven yards.

“Missed tackles are hurting us a lot,” Redskins defensove end Phillip Daniels said.

The pass rush from the front four is nonexistent. Blitzes often arrive a step late and the secondary allows receivers to get open deep.

There’s hope that No. 1 cornerback Shawn Springs could return soon, perhaps for this Sunday against the visiting Tennessee Titans but more likely for Indianapolis on Oct. 22. The defense is not as versatile without him. Other cornerbacks are now covering players they ordinarily would not have.

“We miss Shawn, but that’s not an excuse [for poor play],” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.

Others say it is.

“We have good personnel,” Daniels said. “[But] we need Springs back. That’s one of the problems. We lost some people who were real good in the system — Ryan [Clark] and Walt [Harris]. We’ve got people who can do the job. We have to find out why we’re not doing the job.”

Week 5 notes

» Kicker John Hall’s leg injuries have flared up again — and once more it could cost him. Hall, who missed 13 games the past two years, has a groin injury that puts his status in question for Sunday’s game against Tennessee — and beyond. “It’s something we have to address,” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.

Hall, who is nine of 11 on field goals this season, did not kick off Sunday because his right quad was tired. But Gibbs said as the game wore on, the pain spread to his groin.

If Hall can’t kick, the Redskins could choose from a list of free agents that includes Todd Peterson, Paul Edinger, Nick Novak, Ola Kimrin (who kicked here last year). Peterson and Novak might work out at Redskins Park today.

» Cornerback Shawn Springs (groin) will take part in limited practice Wednesday, likely performing individual drills. Defensive tackle JoeSalave’a strained his other calf; the injury is similar to the one that sidelined him for two games.

» Giants running back Brandon Jacobs accused Washington’s defense of dirty tactics late in Sunday’s game. Jacobs said safety Sean Taylor was hitting guard Rich Seubert at the knees as the Giants were kneeling down on their final series.

“It was team-wide,” Jacobs said. “It seems like they teach it. We are a pretty high-class team. We don’t do anything like that. It just makes me mad when people do it to me. Be professional. That is high school, you don’t do that in college.”

Taylor declined comment Monday, but defensive end Phillip Daniels was mystified by the charges.

“What did we do dirty? That’s crazy,” Daniels said. “What is he talking about? He has to clarify what he’s talking about. We teach tackling, hitting people and getting off the field.”