Heckuva Job Redskins

The first one's always the toughest

Tough defense, solid running, keep the mistakes to a minimum. That's how to grow a passing game in this league, and that's exactly what the Redskins did in beating the Saints 16-10 in the still-recovering city of New Orleans. There were some scary moments, and the conservatism of the Redskins offense shone through a few times, but overall it was an outstanding effort and we learned a lot about what this team can do.

Right out of the gate the Redskins attacked, setting up the first score (see Duckett Watch, below), and came right back on defense with Marcus Washington nearly intercepting Drew Brees from like four feet away. Washington literally jumped five feet in the air. Sean Taylor did strip that ball from Reggie Bush and after the Signature Hit on Marques Colston, Saints receivers were a tad bit hesitant out in the secondary. Sean Taylor is a game-changer at safety.

New Orleans would not roll over, and Reggie got back at Sean by making him whiff. Both teams dialed back the offense and amped up the defense in the third quarter, I definitely got the feeling that both teams were trying to keep it close and hope for a mistake or a big play. That big play came in the fourth quarter. Despite each team scoring just a field goal in the 4th, it was one of the more exciting finishes in a while.

Throughout the day, the Redskins defense harrassed the NFL's number one offense, and kept Drew and Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister in check. This defense is improving, playing more like they should, and dadgummit if Andre Carter isn't suddenly a pretty good player. Skin Patrol is wondering if he made a deal with the devil, but I think he realized 10 million doesn't go as far as it used to. Shawn Springs also probably played his best game of the year so far. And despite what the announcers were saying, that was not 'encouragement' Sean Payton was yelling at his offensive line, and later his defense.

Drew was over 100 yards under his passing average for the year. Reggie Bush's long play was a 15 yard pass catch and Deuce was held to 48 yards on 15 carries (3.2 average). Marques Colston was the big man for New Orleans, seeming to be always right over the first down marker, and he pulled in two crucial third downs and one fourth down. Of all the Saints players, he was the guy I was darkly envisioning catching one behind Carlos Rogers and taking it in.

Speaking of Carlos, looks like I owe someone some flan. Carlos juggled, then caught an underthrown pass intended for Devery Henderson. All in all an encouraging day for Carlos, with four tackles, an INT and the game-saving pass deflected in the end zone to seal the deal. Drew completed four consecutive passes on Carlos, but after the interception, didn't go at him again until the Saints' last play. A good game, positive growth and a confidence builder. Makes me feel a little better about the possible breakup of the defensive core signed in 2004. A little.

Offensively for the Redskins, Ladell Betts is just a hoss. The guy can do it. Four straight 100 yard games, and he's only 67 yards from his first career 1000 yard season. We have learned something about Ladell though, that he is a straight ahead, between the tackles type of runner. The sweeps and tosses, so valuable for tiring out defenses, are not his cup of tea. Send him up the middle, get those linebackers to commit and toss some play-action.

Since we're talking about passing, I countes 9 deep throws by Jason yesterday. Only one was complete, to Santana Moss for the touchdown, but I like what I see. Keep those defenses honest and the safeties playing back. They'll get in rhythm at some point and we'll see those starting to connect. Oh and Chris Cooley? A quarterback's best friend. Three times, Chris caught a pass of less than ten yards and turned it into a gain of more than ten. He is terrific in space.

As you may have read, even though the Saints lost, because the Panthers got pasted 37-3 by the Steelers, the Saints clinched the NFC South division title. They are still fighting for a home game and a bye, with Dallas tied with New Orleans at 9-5. Thanks to all the Cowboys fans who chimed in with words of support for the Redskins. Weird stat: this is only the third division title for the Saints in 40 years, with the other two being in 1991 (the Redskins won Super Bowl 26 but never had to play the Saints) and 2000, the Jeff George year here in Washington. By contrast, the Redskins have won the NFC East seven times since its creation in 1970. (15 times for the Cowboys, six times for the Eagles, six times for the Giants, twice for the Cardinals)

Tom Boswell warns that games like this are not a reliable gauge of team talent, but don't knock it.

Duckett Watch: 4 carries for 18 yards. Season now projecting to 34 carries for 135 yards. It makes me kind of sad to say it, but they guy has to go away. Right in the first drive of the game, Ladell comes out after two carries. TJ comes in and the drive suddenly looks like this: 1st down TJ for 2, 2nd down TJ fails to pick up a block forcing Jason Campbell to scramble short of the first down, 3rd down Jason fumbles the snap, 4th down delay of game, 4th down replay Shaun Suisham 37yd FG. Even the announcers were wondering why Ladell was standing on the sidelines.

B-Lloyd Blues: 2 catches for 30 yards, but the highlight of the game was Brandon Lloyd streaking down the left sideline in the second quarter, a full three steps ahead of Fred Thomas, wide open...and then losing the ball over his head, it falling harmlessly to the turf one yard to his left and behind. It would have been a sure 50 yard gain, if not a TD. Also, he's still not starting.

Being Mark Brunell: had a hand in one completion this week: he agreed to restructure his contract so the Redskins could sign Ladell to his longterm deal. So he gets no money for the rest of the season, and gets what he would have made weekly as a signing bonus for his 2007 contract which he will no doubt be asked to renogtiate again.

Arch Deluxe: once again does not appear in the defensive statistics for the game, and I never saw Adam Archuleta on the field. This piece however, at least mentions that he is still alive. Reed Doughty, the strong safety drafted this year to be Sean Taylor's backup, is being trained as a free safety, Adam's position.

There is a storm brewing over Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis.

Box. Full play by play.

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Carlos Rogers: Preston Keres / Washington Post