The ugliest moment occurred in New York, fueled by one play but padded by others. There went Tiki Barber through a gaping hole on the left side, sprinting downfield for 57 yards.
By game’s end, the Giants had rushed for 262 yards, won the game, 36-0, and left the Redskins frustrated. It was yet another week in which the Redskins’ defense, strong in many areas, had surrendered too many big plays.
The long runs represented a problem: For the season, Washington surrendered 10 runs of 30 yards or more, including two runs of at least 50 yards in that loss.
The Redskins’ defense didn’t have many weaknesses in 2005, but it ranked 21st in yards-per-carry allowed, tied with sacks per play as its lowest ranking in any defensive statistical category.
“We don’t play for stats and average,” Redskins middle linebacker Lemar Marshall said, “but we do want to be remembered as the No. 1 defense.”
The long runs prevented that last season.
“We got waxed a couple times,” Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “A couple big runs skew those things.”
Not always. Against New York, two runs accounted for 116 yards; but that still left 146 yards on 43 carries. And 10 of those first-half carries resulted in gains of at least five yards.
Also, the big runs led to defeats against the Giants, Denver and San Diego; a 60-yard screen pass by Kansas City did the same.
But, of the 10 30-plus-yard runs, only two came during the six-game winning streak.
Part of that stems from playing their assignments better. The majority of the long runs occurred because of blown assignments.
“When it comes to explosive plays, usually it comes down to technique,” Redskins safety Pierson Prioleau said. “Sometimes it comes back to tackling. If you tackle and you hit your blocks the way you’re supposed to, you stop long runs.”
Weakside linebacker Warrick Holdman blew some of those assignments, but he was also new to the defense. But losing physical corner Shawn Springs won’t help, even if reserve Ken Wright also plays physical. Springs excels in run support — as does second-year corner Carlos Rogers.
The improved play coincided with better health up front with tackle Joe Salave’a and end Phillip Daniels. However, new end Andre Carter has been knocked for his play against the run.
“We can’t allow those big plays to occur,” Redskins middle linebacker Lemar Marshall said. “That’s the quickest way to lose a game.”
