Playmakers let the Washington Redskins down.
DeAngelo Hall was awful aside from grabbing a tipped pass. Santana Moss’ biggest blow was a haymaker in the opening minutes. Jason Campbell couldn’t make a big play until it no longer mattered. LaRon Landry was penalized for a cheap hit. Albert Haynesworth jumped offsides to set up a 45-yard field goal.
The New York Giants beat the Redskins 23-17 on Sunday. New York dominated despite the narrow margin. Yet Washington could have stolen it. Take away Campbell’s fumble for a Giants touchdown and it may have ended differently. Take away a handful of mistakes and Washington would have won.
“We didn’t have the poise in situations we needed to,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “The win for us was left on that field.”
» Rough start for Redskins, fall to Giants, 23-17
» Lack of poise dooms Skins
» Redskins Confidential blog
Most exasperating was marquee players not producing. Clinton Portis opened with a 34-yard run, then gained 28 yards on 15 carries the rest of the way. It was three yards here and there. Antwaan Randle El blew an option play for a 10-yard loss that killed the first drive. Chris Samuels didn’t sustain a block that led to the fumble and Giants touchdown.
This is not what the Redskins pay big money to gain, but it’s what they receive seemingly every year. They spend dollars for donuts with a big zero in the middle.
This loss mirrored last year’s 2-6 finish. The defense was good enough to win, the offense found a way to not.
The offense looked like last year’s red zone misfits — champions between the 20s, chumps near the goal line. Then again, when the only personnel change is a guard, why should it be different? The second time around was supposed to make a difference, but Campbell still looked as confused as a first grader on the first day of school.
The defense permitted one touchdown and three field goals. There were several outstanding short-yardage showdowns where the Redskins stuffed the Giants. However, Washington let New York convert long third downs repeatedly. That sure sounds like last year.
And where were the second-rounders from last season that were supposed to make a difference this year? Malcolm Kelly caught a six-yard pass, Devin Thomas gained zero yards on one carry and Fred Davis didn’t make the boxscore. That sure looks like last season, too.
It was a soft training camp. It was a soft preseason. When the real games began, the Redskins weren’t ready. Now you know why coaches shouldn’t baby marquee players in August. They’re not ready in September.
St. Louis now comes to Washington following its 28-0 loss to Seattle. The Redskins should easily beat the Rams. Then again, everyone thought so last year when St. Louis won.
Maybe that lesson won’t be forgotten.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or
e-mail [email protected].
