The Washington Redskins were looking for some togetherness.
An offense flowing better than a sun dress on a warm summer night. A defense showing the glistening teeth of the coming lion’s roar.
At the preseason’s midpoint, the Redskins achieved half their goals. The defense, for a few snaps with $100 million man Albert Haynesworth, was pure gold. A cold chill just went through offensive coordinators leaguewide at the sight of the Redskins pouring across the line like desperate brides at a Filene’s Basement sale.
But the offense once more looked lost in the red zone. Overlooked in the 17-13 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday was the two touchdowns were thrown by a rookie passer who won’t make the team. Last year’s trio of throwers combined for two interceptions and 9-for-21 for 91 yards.
Quarterback Jason Campbell couldn’t connect on two deep balls in a 1-for-7 outing. Todd Collins and Colt Brennan both threw picks. Aside a special teams gimmick that bailed out the starting offense for its only prolonged drive, the first unit was largely three-and-out in its one quarter of production. And on a second-and-goal at the 2-yard line, the running game replicated its regular 2008 stoning by not gaining an inch.
This is not the path to the Super Bowl. It’s a road to nowhere that the Redskins have traveled over so often during the last decade that they no longer pay the tolls. Eighteen years from its last Lombardi Trophy, the team seems equally far from hoisting it again.
At least, not this year.
The offense is looks scattershot. The parts are there, but the cohesion isn’t. The passing game isn’t connecting and the inside running lanes are closed. There have been too many third-and-longs and too few downfield plays. Don’t blame the offensive line — it hasn’t been that bad.
Washington lacks aggressiveness. Forget stay medium. How about getting angry that a talented team may squander its playoff potential, likely forcing a coaching change that players won’t want. How about taking a less mechanical look at the sport and just play some ball? The Redskins need warriors, not worriers.
“As long as we’re getting better than last week, that’s all that matters,” cornerback Fred Smoot said.
True, but that improvement curve better sky upward quickly. The New York opener is 20 days away and the Giants won’t play medium. They’ll play with anger.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or
e-mail [email protected].
