1. Cornerback Josh Wilson’s status won’t be updated until Thursday, but coach Mike Shanahan said Wilson felt more sore Monday morning than he did Sunday night. Shanahan said Wilson’s head, back and neck all were sore. Wilson exited the Redskins 22-21 win over Arizona early in the third quarter while attempting to tackle Arizona running back Beanie Wells.
2. Has Fred Davis passed Chris Cooley on the depth chart? Shanahan declined to say. Both players started Sunday’s game; the Redskins used both players together nine times. Davis played
“We have two excellent players,” Shanahan said. “Those are the problems you want. We will play the best players.”
3. Shanahan said he’s not surprised by anything he’s seen the first two games. “Guys are working hard; one thing we keep emphasizing is don’t get caught up in everything,” he said. “I think are players are doing that, the way we practice and go about our business. Even on game day if you keep your poise, good things will happen.”
4. This is the seventh time the Redskins have started 2-0 since 1978, with five of the previous six trips resulting in a playoff berth. But this is the ninth time a Mike Shanahan team has opened 2-0. And only four of the previous eight times ended in the postseason.
So what does being 2-0 mean to Shanahan?
“You just win two games, that’s about it,” he said. “I don’t think our players are overly excited that we’re 2-0. They understand we have a big game Monday night against Dallas and things change very quickly. Our concentration will be on Dallas and not what our record is.”
5. That’s quite a change from the Jim Zorn era. When the Redskins were approaching their 6-2 mark, Zorn talked about the playoffs and how he had to think about making sure certain players were ready for the postseason. And around that time I remember seeing Clinton Portis getting ready to tape a show while seated just by the practice field. Before the taping began he was talking with Randy Thomas and I kept hearing Portis say, “Championships!” Looking way too far ahead. It’s a moment that stuck with me and helped explain, in part, why that season fell apart.
6. Shanahan on Roy Helu: “When you get a guy like Helu, you don’t know why the guy makes plays, but the great ones [just] do. He has some speed and running ability. It will be an ongoing evaluation: can he pick up blitzes? Can he hold onto the ball? But we’re pleased with what he’s done so far. Hopefully it continues.”
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