Redskins hope showing against Saints is a sign of things to come
The play unfolded like many others the previous week, with the opponent attacking the left side of Washington’s line. The ending was different. In the opener, the play resulted in chunks of yardage. In the second game, it ended with no gain.
And the difference came in the subtleties. On this second-quarter play of Washington’s 29-24 win over New Orleans Sunday, reserve defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander, playing on the left side, stepped to the side of the guard, controlling him with his inside arm. That prevented the guard from getting to his real target: linebacker H.B. Blades. Left free, Blades filled the hole and stopped the dangerous Reggie Bush for no gain.
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Just as it is supposed to work. Just as it hadn’t worked in Week 1 vs. the New York Giants.
“It was just the right fits at the right time,” said defensive end Andre Carter. “That was the difference between last week and this week. That’s all it was.”
In the opener, Washington allowed 154 yards rushing — 99 more than vs. the Saints. Bush, who had 163 total yards in his first game, was held to a combined 91 yards rushing and receiving — 37 of which came on the last drive of the first half.
The Redskins hope Sunday was more of who they are against the run than the opener. Sunday’s opponent might not help them figure that out as Arizona is built to pass the ball with quarterback Kurt Warner posting a 128.5 passer rating. Receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin have combined for 23 catches, 406 yards and four touchdowns.
Meanwhile, running back Edgerrin James has rushed for 155 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry.
But the positive signs Sunday was the tackles occupying blockers, allowing the linebackers to run free to the ball. When Bush reached the outside, there usually was someone there to tackle him or turn him back inside.
However, it remains to be seen which direction the run defense takes.
“It’s all about momentum,” Carter said.
And a different mindset.
“Everyone was accountable,” Alexander said. “The No. 1 thing each week is to stop the run. If [the Cardinals] can do both, it will be hard to stop them.”
