Injured players rested on the sidelines barely causing a ripple in the Redskins’ defense. One player went out and another player went in. The defense still flourished.
The company line: It doesn’t matter who starts.
Apparently, it has this season.
Which is why the Redskins can finally celebrate good news defensively because they’re healthy. At least as healthy as can be entering the eighth game of the season. And for the first time this season, their projected starting lineup will be on the field together. That’s what a unit ranked 26th needs to hear.
“It solidifies our defense,” end Phillip Daniels said. “It’s a good thing. Hopefully we can turn things around and when any of those guys are missing it weakens your defense. It’s definitely good to have them back.”
Cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Shawn Springs will start together for the first time this season. For a pass defense that has surrendered 30 plays of 20 yards or more, that should help. It should, in theory, also help the pass rush, which has produced only 10 sacks.
“We have to challenge receivers more so the rush has a chance to get there,” Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “I hope that works out.”
Considering Dallas’ receivers – Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens – this is a good time for the secondary to be healthy. It also enables Williams to use more of his packages, making the defense more versatile.
Meanwhile, tackles Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave’a, who have started together once in the past five games, are healthy. For a defense that ranks 15th against the run, and considering Griffin is their best lineman, that should help.
“It all starts with us,” Griffin said. “If we stop the run and pressure the passer, everyone’s job is easier.”
When Griffin and Salave’a can’t play, rookies Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery replace them. There’s a natural drop-off.
“With rookies, teams pick on those guys,” Redskins end Renaldo Wynn said. “The rookies did an excellent job, but it’s not like having Griff or Joe in the lineup.”
In the past two years, Washington battled injuries yet still flourished, with consecutive top-10 rankings. Two years ago linebacker LaVar Arrington, safety Matt Bowen and Daniels — all of whom began the year as starters — combined to miss 34 games. Griffin, Salave’a and Rogers combined to miss nine games last season.
When questions were asked about starters, Williams would remind reporters they didn’t have any. Thursday, a reporter asked Williams about starters and he smiled, knowing he had his full contingent.
Still, Griffin said, “It doesn’t guarantee anything.”
Week 9 Notes
» Add this to the growing list of problems for the Redskins: turnovers. At least when it comes to forcing them.
The Redskins are tied with Houston for fewest takeaways in the NFL (5). They struggled in this area last year as well, until they forced 16 turnovers in the final five regular-season games. They had forced only 12 in the first 11 games.
“In certain seasons that’s an Achilles’ heel that has always been righted,” Redskins assistant head coach for defense Gregg Williams said.”It’s one of the things we have to do to help this team. We’ve had those opportunities. All of a sudden it’s gonna come and you’ll say, ‘What was it?’ They were there before but we’ve dropped them. I don’t care how it happens, just do it.”
Having healthy potential playmakers in cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers helps.
» Wide receiver Santana Moss (hamstring) remains questionable and did not practice Thursday. Moss has said the past couple days that he doesn’t want to risk missing more games just to play in one.
Receiver Brandon Lloyd, who starts opposite Moss, was limited in practice because of a shoulder injury. But he’s probable for Sunday. Right tackle Jon Jansen (calf) also was limited in practice and is also probable.
» Linebacker Rocky McIntosh has received more repetitions in practice with the starters the past two weeks. “This is a learning year all year for him,” Williams said, “but he’s coming along.”
