Lack of poise dooms Skins

Published September 13, 2009 4:00am ET



Penalties, mistakes mark loss to Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – They knew they needed to play a certain way if they wanted to spring the upset. The formula did not include late hits out of bounds, unsportsmanlike conduct penalties or even botched attempts at big plays.

But that’s what occurred in Washington’s 23-17 loss to the New York Giants.

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“We just did not have the poise in the situations that we needed to,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “There was a lot of chirping going on verbally and a lot of things that happened where it became distracting a little bit. … We have to maintain composure.”

Safety LaRon Landry was flagged for a late hit out of bounds in the first quarter, after a 15-yard run. Later in the half, receiver Santana Moss got involved in a shoving match with defensive back Corey Webster in which Moss’ helmet popped off. Moss’ 15-yard penalty was offset by a 15-yarder on Webster.

“Our challenge was to become more disciplined on the field,” Zorn said.

“It’s something that should never have happened,” Moss said.

The players were clearly agitated by some of the silly penalties.

“It’s disappointing,” said receiver Antwaan Randle El. “It’s something we’ll address and clean up. We will be better.”

The Redskins also had to burn a timeout because of an alignment problem.

And Randle El was involved in another missed opportunity. After Clinton Portis gained 34 yards on his first run from scrimmage, topping his longest run last year by three yards, the Redskins handed the ball to Randle El on an end around. It was supposed to be a pass, but nobody was open. He tried to run and was tackled for an 11-yard loss.

“I should have thrown it away,” Randle El said. “You can dig yourselves out of [a hole], but you have to be perfect and we weren’t.”

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