Shanahan, veterans really don’t like that word ASHBURN — The progress is measured in various ways, not all of which have to do with wins. Yes, that’s what the Redskins want — and need. Four straight losses aren’t on the list of desired scenarios. They also point to a reality borne from injuries and inexperience.
“We’ll have growing pains with the quarterback situation and with shuffling guys around,” coach Mike Shanahan said.
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Those growing pains were evident again in Sunday’s 19-11 loss to San Francisco. Scoring 11 points combined in the past two games is a tough way to build hope. So Shanahan settles on other areas — like sacks. Two weeks ago the Redskins surrendered 10 to Buffalo; on Sunday, they allowed one. It’s hardly time to spray confetti in celebration, but it’s the situation Washington finds itself in with eight games remaining.
– John Keim
| Notes |
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| Receiver Leonard Hankerson will continue starting at receiver after his four-catch, 34-yard performance vs. San Francisco. It was Hankerson’s first start. “Hankerson has been pretty consistent, so we wanted to give him an opportunity,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He showed us he deserves to be the starter next week.” |
| » Shanahan said he did not know how severely right tackle Jammal Brown hurt his groin Sunday. His status will be updated later in the week. Receiver Niles Paul will miss a “couple weeks” with a turf toe, according to Shanahan. Paul played just one snap from scrimmage in Sunday’s loss to San Francisco. Meanwhile, Shan?ahan said he’s optimistic that running back Tashard Choice will practice this week. |
| » Shanahan was not pleased with returner Brandon Banks‘ decision to field a punt inside his own 5-yard line. Banks muffed the punt. “Those mistakes can’t be tolerated,” Shanahan said. |
They’re turning more toward younger players; they’re now starting four rookies, including three on a struggling offense, plus a quarterback who now has seven career starts (and losses) in John Beck. Perhaps it will pay off for them at some point. For now, it’s still part of the dreaded rebuilding.
“Some young players are getting experience,” Shanahan said. “If that’s what you call rebuilding, then we’re rebuilding. … The reason young guys get an opportunity is the older guys have gotten hurt. So we have young guys backing up. You really don’t have an option.”
Of course, the fact that they have only 19 players remaining on the roster from when Shanahan took over suggests the rebuild has long been in progress. But the younger players in the starting offensive lineup — left guard Maurice Hurt, receiver Leonard Hankerson and running back Roy Helu — all got there because of injuries to others.
Not that players like hearing that word.
“The word rebuilding can be taken out of context,” Redskins linebacker London Fletcher said. “If you say that, people assume you’re saying we’ve just given up on this season and we’re resigned to losing. There’s no one who accepts losing. When you use that word rebuilding, that can take a negative connotation.”
For players, the word rebuilding equals losing.
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“I never felt like that,” Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “Even before the season we never felt we were rebuilding, and we still don’t feel that way. That word is overrated. I don’t care. I want to do my part to do what it takes to play football and do the best I can.
“We have a lot of guys filling in shoes, trying to get better. We have [an inexperienced] quarterback. They’re going through growing pains. We have to have their backs.”
Besides, they’re not worried about semantics. Nor are they worried about a locker room fracturing because one side of the ball (the defense) is playing better than the other.
“They weren’t jumping on our backs when we were 31st in the league last year,” cornerback DeAngelo Hall said. “It’s not right for us to jump down their backs. … The guys in this locker room understand what we have going on. We understand the issues. We understand the ups and downs, the highs and lows. We’ll continue to fight through them.”
