It worked the way it was supposed to all along. Sean Taylor coming up hard in run support … Cornelius Griffin plugging the middle … Andre Carter harassing the passer … and the Redskins’ defense shutting down an opponent.
There was more, too. Carlos Rogers made plays in the secondary; Shawn Springs reacted quick in his zones.
Why, the defense even caused a turnover.
“Everything just lined up,” Redskins linebacker Marcus Washington said. “Everyone played well.”
In other words, what happened Sunday in the win over New Orleans is not what has happened most of the season. The question is, what does it mean? Before answering, keep this in mind: In three of its past four games, Washington has held opponents to 270 yards or less (and only one of those three have surpassed 100 yards rushing as a team). Washington’s defense has allowed a combined 24 points the past two games.
Sunday, they shut down the NFL’s top-ranked offense, holding New Orleans to a season-low 270 yards in their 16-10 win.
“We got our identity back,” Redskins linebacker Lemar Marshall said. “We know what we’re good at. We know what we really have to do. It’s a shame we let a lot of games slip away. But that’s the type of season we’ve had.”
Said coach Joe Gibbs, “If we stop the run and then we run the ball, that’s Redskins football.”
However, problems remain. Numerous NFL sources say the Redskins have to fill holes at linebacker, along the line — at end and tackle — safety, and, possibly, at corner. They don’t see them as having many defensive playmakers, evidenced by Washington still only having 11 turnovers and 17 sacks. They are, after all, ranked 24th.
One top game won’t alter that. But a strong finish might change the perception. Or it might shift their offseason priorities.
The Redskins have talked about how Marshall has played at less than 100 percent, coming off knee and shoulder surgery. And how Griffin has battled a hip injury all season, not to mention Springs’ leg problems earlier. And how Carter is finally making an impact.
“Our front has played very well,” Gibbs said. “Sean [Taylor] is flashing in there. He shows up in run support. He’s rockin’ and rollin’ now. That has really helped us.”
And it may help that players know if their performance doesn’t improve, they could be gone.
“We know what everyone is capable of doing,” Marshall said. “It’s a matter of everyone showing they belong and want to stay.”
Week 16 notes
» Redskins coach Joe Gibbs reiterated Monday that running back Clinton Portis will be the starter come next season, despite Ladell Betts having rushed for 552 yards the past four games and 933 for the season.
“Clinton is our guy,” Gibbs said. “He’s run for a ton of yards. We have two real good running backs.”
» Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen said he’s “planning on going Sunday” against the St. Louis Rams after sitting out vs. New Orleans because of his torn left calf. He said he will test it in practice Wednesday and Thursday to see how he feels. Jansen watched Sunday’s win at home.
“You want the guys to do well,” Jansen said, “but to not be part of it after you’ve worked so hard to work things along, it’s frustrating.”
Veteran Todd Wade replaced Jansen.
“Todd had a very good day,” Gibbs said. “Todd is super-conscientious.”
» Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels could have the best chance of earning a bid when the Pro Bowl teams are announced today. The seventh-year Samuels has earnedthree Pro Bowl berths, including one last season.
The Redskins have had a Pro Bowl participant every season but 1993.
» Right guard Randy Thomas was named the Redskins Ed Block Courage Award winner, given to the player who had the most to overcome this season. Thomas broke his ankle late last season and had more than a dozen screws inserted, yet was ready to play by the time training camp opened.
