Armstrong becoming Redskins’ deep threat
ASHBURN – The measuring stick of Anthony Armstrong’s newfound fame can be found in small measures. Take, for example, his interviews. He can’t — and won’t — speak to reporters in front of his locker, lest they crowd others (namely the star quarterback). A case of energy drinks sits at his locker, a gift after he mentioned a competitor’s name.
Messages from people claiming they attended school together trickle in.
That’s not all.
“I used to walk through here and nobody would say anything, and now I can’t walk through here without people saying something,” Armstrong said. “I just take it in stride. It’s all fun.”
Everything’s fun when you’re catching passes, making a name for yourself and winning. All of which Armstrong is doing right now. He’s elbowing Joey Galloway aside for more action at the No. 2 receiver position and even started last week when Washington opened in a three-receiver set.
But it’s not just that. Armstrong caught three passes for 84 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
“If he continues to improve like he’s been improving, he’ll get a lot of playing time,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said.
And more attention — not just from the media and the public but from opposing defenses. Armstrong only has seven receptions in four games (he did not play vs. St. Louis). But four of those catches have been for 23 yards or longer — and none for less than 11. He’s averaging 26.9 yards a catch.
“When he hurt his groin and was out [vs. St. Louis], you could feel the difference in our team,” Shanahan said. “He does add a lot of speed.”
Yes, he does. Armstrong has become a deep threat, playing off attention paid to receiver Santana Moss — that’s how he broke free vs. Philadelphia — and tight end Chris Cooley. Green Bay tried to cover him deep with a slow-footed safety; it was a mismatch.
More plays like that by a new receiver can only help the offense evolve.
“It opens it up,” Cooley said. “I don’t think you’ll see guys get more or less catches, but you’ll see guys like me or Santana have our average go up. Once you see guys making more plays, you get bigger plays.”
But Armstrong knows that the more plays he makes, the more scrutiny he’ll receive.
“Some of the things that might have worked when people weren’t really paying too much attention isn’t going to work whenever teams are focused on you,” Armstrong said. “So you have to make sure you’re more precise on everything. The plays will come if you do that.”
As will more attention.
“I know there’s a lot more out there,” he said. “Hopefully nothing goes downhill, and if it does, that’s when the attention stops.”
