Player to watch » Shawn Springs • CB
Lost in the hoopla over Carlos Rogers’ game was Springs’ performance vs. Anquan Boldin. He shut him down all day, covering him in the slot or, at times, out wide. Boldin’s longest reception, a 14-yarder, came when Springs tipped the ball. Springs has continued to show he’s a top corner. He’s also versatile, playing safety on occasion in the fourth quarter Sunday.
Quarterback watch » Jason Campbell
Campbell has done an extraordinary job of protecting the football. Through three games, he has not thrown an interception or even fumbled the ball. Last year he fumbled 13 times. It’s a matter of getting rid of the ball quicker, as the West Coast offense demands, and taking fewer hits. He also has shown more pocket presence and is not leaving the ball exposed as much when he is hit.
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What we’ve learned
» The Redskins love running to the left side, which is understandable given the presence of left tackle Chris Samuels and left guard Pete Kendall. It’s good to have a go-to side. Keep in mind, though, that Samuels has gained attention for his pass-blocking skills more so than run blocking. But at some point they must start trusting the right side. It’s clear they don’t yet trust tackle Stephon Heyer. If that continues to be the case, then why start him?
» Whether or not the Redskins have more depth than other teams in the secondary is uncertain. What isn’t uncertain is that Washington isn’t afraid to use that depth. They played a number of coverages calling for either four corners or three safeties. That’s not unusual from what they’ve done in the past, but it is different than many other teams. And because of it, they’ve been able to develop contributing players such as corner Leigh Torrence.
» One of the bigger concerns for Washington entering the Dallas game has to be the Cowboys’ ground game. The Redskins haven’t done well with power runners this year — New York’s Brandon Jacobs and Arizona’s Edgerrin James combined to average 5.4 yards per carry vs. Washington. The Redskins wanted to stop the pass Sunday, which they did. In doing so, they gave up some yardage on the ground. Still, they must improve.
Notes
» Dawan Landry, the brother of Redskins safety LaRon Landry, suffered a spinal cord concussion Sunday. He is expected to return at some point this season.
The injury led to a fearful drive for LaRon Landry, who went to the Maryland Shock Trauma to visit his brother Sunday night.
“It was pretty scary driving over there,” Landry said. “I didn’t know [anything] until I got there.”
But Landry said it doesn’t change his approach or mindset.
“Each and every time you never know,” Landry said. “Anything may happen. I take every game the same way I’ve been taking them. I give 110 percent effort, throw my body around. It doesn’t matter. It’s part of football.”
» Right tackle Stephon Heyer suffered a sprained shoulder and his status for Sunday’s game at Dallas is uncertain. Coach Jim Zorn said Heyer would not have been able to practice Monday and said he would want him to work before Friday to be ready to play.
If Heyer can’t play, Jon Jansen would temporarily regain the starting job. Jansen played most of the second quarter for Heyer Sunday.
“He did fine, no question,” Zorn said of Jansen’s performance.
