Vent
Manager
Andrew
Lent
 |
Redskins Roundup: Week 3
| Published 09/26/03
Graphic By: Andrew Kinback
First off, this game has officially reduced my life expectancy by three years. I felt despair by halftime for being down 21-3 then elation as I watched Patrick Ramsey drive the Redskins to get two consecutive scoring drives to tie the game at 21-21 by the end of regulation. Memories of the Monday Night Football Giants' embarrassment last week crept into my mind. The Dallas Cowboys tied the Giants at the end of regulation and later proved victorious in overtime. However the Redskins could not reminisce.
The early problems the Redskins faced were themselves with nine penalties in the first half and seventeen in the game. These penalties had a habit of creeping in at the most inopportune time, as it did in the first half when the Redskins had the Giants at 3rd and 29. As usual with an imposing down and distance, the Redskins bungled this opportunity. First Lavar Arrington produced a five yard neutral zone infraction penalty. Then Jeremiah Trotter drew the fifteen yard unnecessary roughness penalty that gave the Giants a new first down automatically.
On top of the Redskins discipline woes, the usually stout defense had trouble. Playing cornerback Fred Smoot was a game time decision since he suffered a concussion in practice during the week. He looked as if he still felt the disorientating effects since he had a difficult time staying with Ike Hilliard. On the other side of the field, the quarterback's bane, Champ Bailey, had his hands tied with explosive Amani Toomer, including a touchdown pass horribly covered. However, the big coverage story involved linebacker Lavar Arrington on the insatiable Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey. Shockey had a slow start to the year, but he managed to catch six passes for ninety-two yards against the Redskins defense, providing key first downs and momentum swings.
The second half was a change of pace. The Redskins connected on touchdown passes from Ramsey to wide receivers Darnerien McCants and Rod Gardner. After Gardner's touchdown, the Redskins tried for two. Ramsey bought time and launched the ball into McCants in the end zone. After stopping the Giants, the Redskins drove down the field, and John Hall kicked the 33 yard field goal to tie the game at 21.
It was this moment where I anticipated writing this article in elation, rather than heartache. The Redskins defense, which made up for its first half shortcomings in the second half, was sliced open and diced to pieces by the Giants offense. Kerry Collins directed them into field goal range and the sudden death overtime victory.
Although this loss is disappointing, the Redskins and Giants will share the lead in the NFC East. Both teams are currently two games ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles, the perennial powerhouse in the division. Next week the Redskins will see the New England Patriots, a team who has lost a lot of defensive starters and whose offense has struggled in the running game. The Redskins defense is going to have to shore up this weeks bad coverage on the receivers, but I believe that the Redskins will make a powerful bounce back against the Patriots next week.
Good game, Redskins. Even though you lost, you provided your fans with an excitement that hasn't been present in years. Patrick Ramsey appears to be a big league quarterback and with the addition of league leading receiver Lavernues Coles, the Redskins have a tremendous offense. Spurrier will seek to fix his discipline problems leading to the penalties, as well as find the right offensive line combination to keep the defense off of Patrick Ramsey.
Even in loss, it is easy to see the Redskins are a growing team in the
NFL.
|
Responses: Year: Of the Rat Major: Hardhead Comments: "The early problems the Redskins faced were themselves with nine penalties in the first half and seventeen in the game" Notice a few key numbers in there 17 FRIGGIN PENALTIES???? 80 minutes in a game...Divided by 17 penalties....Equals..... 1 penalty every 4.7 minutes... Bad news Deadskin Fan.
|
|
|