Studs
LB London Fletcher » Early in the game too many of his tackles came seven or eight yards downfield. But he finished with 12 tackles – 11 solo — and several jarring hits. It’s fun to watch a guy play with the passion Fletcher exudes. It’s not fake. There’s a reason a guy with his size has lasted this long. He had one drive in which he made a couple explosive tackles, one that knocked DeSean Jackson from the game.
DE Phillip Daniels » He was active and did manage some pressure inside at times. Had a tipped pass; chased down some ballcarriers to prevent even longer gains.
WR Devin Thomas » He’s starting to get it, though it helped that his 35-yard catch came off a good play by Jason Campbell to get out of the pocket. But Thomas at least is contributing more. And he had a 35-yard kick return, showing some explosiveness. He’ll have a few more of those the rest of the season.
RB Rock Cartwright (blitz protection) » The running lanes weren’t there so he had rather poor numbers rushing the ball. But when the Eagles blitzed, Cartwright did a nice job picking it up. Philly did not blitz nearly as much as anticipated. They didn’t need to, not with a line that can’t protect on anything other than a three-step drop.
QB Jason Campbell » I know he threw two interceptions. He telegraphed one, hesitated and then Asante Samuel pounced for a good pick. And one series later he threw another interception. Samuel, like DeAngelo Hall, excels at reading the play and he broke off Santana Moss to cover the route. The receiver, Thomas, was not open on the play. And I know those plays led to points. But the main reason Washington was in the game was because of Campbell and his ability to make plays behind a line that features three guys who struggled to protect. The touchdown to Fred Davis came off a scramble; the 35-yard strike to Thomas resulted from the same and the scoring pass to Moss was a good read. Campbell was hit after most of his throws and many times had someone in his face.
LB/DE Chris Wilson » He is playing more and more and is doing a nice job. Wilson hit Donovan McNabb’s arm as he threw a pass that led to a flutter ball and easy Justin Tryon interception. What I liked on the play: as Wilson got around the edge, his arms immediately got into position to go at the ball. Had he waited another split second to get them in position, he would have hit McNabb, but would not have affected the pass. Wilson also did a nice job in coverage at the goal line on Brent Celek, forcing an incompletion. He even lined up as a DT on one snap, dropping into coverage.
Duds
LT Levi Jones » Trent Cole owned him most of the day, on run downs and pass downs. Cole had a penchant for stepping inside, then moving back outside. Jones’ feet weren’t quick enough to handle such a move. Other times he lunged on a block or set up too wide. He also sets too high at times. Jones has yet to prove he’s anything other than a short-term fill-in.
RG Edwin Williams » The kid is trying and, in fairness to him, he’s out of position. Because of poor management with line depth and injuries, he’s forced to play. But Williams struggled, especially in the second half. On one series, he allowed his man to get free and prevent a cutback lane. Then, on three consecutive plays, he missed a block that led to a tackle; he allowed his man to break free for another tackle and he allowed pressure inside on the next play. Williams must work on staying lower; too often the defender was underneath his pads. Way too often.
RT Stephon Heyer » It’s not any one thing, but he allows too much pressure and just doesn’t move anyone in the run game. He had two costly penalties. And, once more, he gives away passes (or draws) based on his stance.
FS LaRon Landry » He and Fred Smoot were badly beaten by Jeremy Maclin and were bailed out only by an underthrown pass. Landry also tried to shoulder tackle Jason Avant and failed to bring him down, leading to a 46-yard gain. He gained 22 extra yards after the missed attempt. He did have a nice tackle at the goal-line, when he got inside the center to team with Rocky McIntosh. But the missed tackle really hurt.
DT Cornelius Griffin » He was taking on double teams and was more effective in the second half at keeping both blockers occupied. But he was not as active in one-on-one situations as he normally is during games.
FB/TE Mike Sellers » Was OK, but the Redskins need him to be better than that. Lost his man a couple times at the line and did not drive his man as he has in the past. Did not get much push on one of his lead blocks out of I formation and was called for holding that wiped out a 15-yard run.
