Things were going too well over the last month. Even in their losses, the previously inept Skins gave the impression that they were playing well--and getting much better as a football team. The offense was finally opening up with back to back 30-point efforts as well. And now with a new General Manager on hand-- this emerging power only needed minor tweaking to cement its status...
Yeah, right. That's why the Skins 45-12 loss to the Giants was the best thing that could happen to this team long-term. No illusions... no more reading into the late-season mirage. Coach Jim Zorn's team is much closer to the bunch that went 2-6 and played poorly in just about every game than the team that went 2-3 on the back of five strong efforts.
D earns an F-- the Skins coughed up 232 yards in the first half and allowed the Giants to score on their first four possessions. The first drive set the tone for the night--a 16 play march over 9:13 that saw balance (9 runs and 7 passes) and power... and then after Redskins punt they
Offensive offense-- three straight three and outs to start the game. Fifty-one first half yards. Five sacks allowed. The near decapitation of Jason Campbell, Todd Collins and even Hunter Smith-- more on the punters most recent memorable play later.
Element of Surprise? Overrated! Twice this fall the Redskins have scored off of the fake field goal--the first time coming against the Giants in the season opener. Thus, with time winding down in the first half they were in position to get on the scoreboard with a 31 yard field goal- and who would think they'd try to put the ball in the hands of their punter once again? Certainly not the team they burned in week one! After the Giants called timeout, they ran the same exact play with three men rushing Hunter Smith. Why would the Giants think to defend against a fake field goal? Talk about bad luck. I'm surprised-- surprised the Giants didn't return the INT back for a touchdown.
What's a Haynesworth?-- the Skins 100 million dollar man recorded his first sack in almost two months (increasing his total to four) while adding six tackles... after the game the defensive tackle let his frustration with the Redskins record and his role in the defensive scheme show. Oh, and his wallet was made lighter by 10-grand after he was fined by the league regarding a scuffle he got into with the Giants Brandon Jacobs.
Tracking the triumvirate-- Devin Thomas was shut out... so the combination of Fred Davis and Malcolm Kelly notched 6 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown... bringing the season-long total to 81-1,072-9...and no mentions of the offensive linemen available in both rounds who went on to become starters in the league. Oops...
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