Redskins Newsletter

Volume 12 #11

November 26, 2007

Redskins lose to Bucs 13-19

The Redskins opened the game as follows: fumble, fumble, punt, fumble and fumble. Their last two possessions of the game were as follows: interception and interception. The Tampa Bay recovered those four fumbles in a span of 16 Redskins' offensive plays which led directly to 16 points in the beginning 20 minutes of the game (a touchdown and three field goals). They held on for their third straight victory despite being out gained 316 yards to 15. The Buccaneers improve their prospects for returning to the playoffs, while the turnover prone Redskins took another step in the other direction.

"I don't think it's on Jason. It's on us. We've got to make plays," Moss said of the interceptions at the end. It's hard to be a quarterback in this league. It's hard to be a quarterback on a team like we have when you have so much potential and you keep coming up short." "To start the game off like that, it's hard to explain," said Redskins coach Joe Gibbs. You're not going to beat a real good football team when you turn the ball over like that. We put ourselves in such a mess. I'm proud of our guys the way they came fighting back in the second half." Quarterback Jason Campbell was philosophical saying: "It's tough to swallow, three losses in a row. We've got to put them behind us as soon as possible. It's frustrating. You want to finish off the game."

In addition to six turnovers, Tampa Bay's defense stopped Portis on fourth-and-inches from the Bucs 5 late in the third quarter with Washington trailing 19-10. If Coach Gibbs had gone for a field goal at that point, the Redskins may not have needed a touchdown at the finish. Another aspect of the game this past Sunday was that the offense and defense were not in sync, with the defense conceding little and the offense inventing various ways to give the game away. The points the Redskins gave up could be traced to offensive errors.

On Sunday, the defense allowed field goals as opposed to touchdowns, keeping the Redskins in the game. In the second half, the defense responded by not allowing a first down in the entire half, surrendering only 15 total yards on 13 plays. Tampa Bay had less the 100 rushing yards as a team, and passed for just 115 total yards. The Redskins had three sacks and allowed Tampa Bay to convert only one third down all game (1 for 12), still it was their third straight loss and with it a sinking feeling that another season is slipping away.

Since Coach Gibbs took over the Redskins, the defense has been a top 10 team every season except for 2006, while the offense is failing to score enough points and is repeating mistakes.

And the winner of the best quote award goes to wide receiver Santana Moss: "We know what we need to do: score points to win games" The runner-up is defensive end Phillip Daniels: "We're still a team, we've just got to learn to not turn the ball over," The Redskins are suffering from numerous injuries. The following is a list of Redskins injured, hurt or sick enough to miss practice: RT Todd Wade took limited work on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday with the left knee he sprained against the Cowboys; DT Cornelius Griffin didn't practice for a second straight day because of the foot he injured against the Cowboys; WR Santana Moss returned on Thursday after missing Wednesday's workout with his lingering bruised heel; WR Antwaan Randle El was very limited on Thursday after missing Wednesday with the chest injury he suffered against the Cowboys; FB Mike Sellers was out on Thursday after leaving Wednesday's practice early when his back locked up; G Pete Kendall returned on Thursday after resting his sore knee and ankle on Wednesday; MLB London Fletcher took full practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday with bruised ribs suffered in Dallas; FS Sean Taylor remained out with the sprained right knee he suffered on Nov. 11 against Philadelphia; WR James Thrash remained out with the high ankle sprain he suffered on Nov. 11 against Philadelphia; RB Ladell Betts returned on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice due to an illness; G Randy Thomas took limited work for a second straight day after missing more than 10 weeks with a torn left triceps; OT Stephon Heyer missed Thursday's practice due to illness.

Trivia: Last week’s question: In 1972, the Miami Dolphins had a perfect 17-0 season. Who did they play in the Super Bowl?

The Redskins were matched up with Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Coliseum. However, it was not the Redskins day. They could not get anything going on offense and trailed the Dolphins 14-0 in the 4th quarter with 5 minutes left. However, just as it seemed the Dolphins were going to drive the last nail in the coffin with a FG, the kick was blocked. In a strange move the Dolphins kicker tried to pass the ball but the ball slipped out of his hands and in to the arms of Mike Bass who returned it 49 yards for the Redskins only score of the game.

This week’s question: How many winning seasons did George Allen have and who was his replacement?

beganjrfl@comcast.net