WOW! Break up the Redskins! After a 2-6 start they evidently have been showing their true selves (2-3... but outscoring opponents 121-97!) and have a multitude of contributions from every backup who's had a chance to contribute (Fred Davis to Reed Doughty)... they are going to be SO MUCH better next year-- right?
Step back... this 4-9 team has beaten bad backup quarterbacks (Chris Simms and Jamarcus Russell) to avoid a double-digit season-- if Kyle Orton or Bruce Gradkowski play a full 60, chances are things are quite different. The Raiders are an absolute mess (the worst franchise in football hands-down, if only because Al Davis should know better)-- and the Broncos were in the middle of a major slide (from 6-0 to 6-4). The three games the Skins needed to win to stay in contention? All close losses where they gave good efforts but weren't good enough to win. Is this situation hopeless? Hardly, but let's not turn a competitive stretch into something it's not.
Throw away the thermometer-- for the first time under coach Zorn, the Skins played way above their opposition...and maintained it for the entire game. This is the effort and execution everyone was looking for in games against Tampa Bay and St. Louis. Well done, lads.
Ask no quarter-- nice fourth period push...outscoring the Raiders 17-0 to lock up a victory. After allowing three straight opponents to get back into games, it was good to see the Skins not just shut but slam the door with authority-- outgaining Oakland 91-11 in the final period of play.
Bad Backups-- here's another place Jason Campbell could wind up if he's not wanted around here... can you believe how awful Jamarcus Russell is? I'm not trying to turn Bruce Gradkowski into Ken Stabler or even Darryl Lamonica, but Oakland gained 188 yards with BG as their QB before halftime--and was held to 39 after intermission with the former #1 draft pick at the helm.
Return to Sender-- someone please stop Antwan Randle El before he lines up again! Two returns, no yards... and guess what? a muffed kick that the Raiders recovered! Why is he still back there? Does anyone know? #82 averages 3.9 yards per return...why is he still there? He also has 3 more fair catches than actual returns...why? Why? Like interest on a credit card that's not taken care of... yards are seeping away from the Skins-- and when they lose 6 games by less than a touchdown, these seemingly tiny yards loom large.
What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man missed his third game in four weeks... good thing the team isn't in a playoff race, because then they'd really be missing his presence inside.
The Joy of Sacks-- the pass rush didn't miss a beat minus Haynesworth; they actually were on fire, posting a season-high 8 sacks...including six after halftime when the Raiders where in obvious passing situations. Andre Carter added a pair to increase his total to 11... but he didn't have the most dominant day...
B.O. smells great!-- Brian Orakpo moved into a tie with Carter for the team lead at 11 thanks to four sacks against the Raiders... and the Texas product also forced a fumble. Great pick, gentlemen.
Tracking the Triumvirate-- the firm of Davis, Kelly & Thomas tallied 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns...bringing their season's total to 75 (almost 4 times last year) for 898 yards and 8 scores. Nice to see all three get into the act this season after quiet 2008's.
Davis deserves his own entry-- oh yeah... 35 grabs for 369 yards and 5 TD's... I hope they keep Cooley and use a lot of twin-tight end sets next year... much like the Skins in the 80's... Cooley's the more natural "flex-TE/H-back" while Davis belongs on the line.
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