The Redskins have an identity crisis. When they perform like they did against the Giants, I find myself searching my soul for a reason to love the Deadskins. That game left me wondering who we'd pick with the first pick in the 2009 draft, because they honestly looked like the NFL's worst team. They looked absolutely atrocious. I actually thought this was the year my 'Skins would finally make some noise in the playoffs, but after seeing them play the Giants, my thoughts were diminished. And then they go and beat the Saints. They played like the team they are capable of being, led by quarterback Jason Campbell who had a stellar game, and the defense forced the turnovers that they lacked last season.
Lets take a moment to dwell on the past, aka the Giants game. I really had high expectations for the Redskins, and expected nothing less than a road win against the defending super bowl champions. I think I assumed new coach Jim Zorn's play calling would be a little more exciting than the bland and boring play calling of ex-coach Joe Gibbs. Yet on that dreadful Thursday night opener, the play calling reeked of Gibbs' style. Run on first down. Run on second down. Throw a swing pass on the third down. Punt on the fourth. I think my grandma could have called better plays against the Giants.
Zorn allowed the Giants to put eight men in the box and completely shut down the run offense. Whether it was the decision making of quarterback Jason Campbell or the pass play calling I don't know, but the Redskins took no chances downfield to their big play receiver Santana Moss. I had to turn that game off and walk away from it. I couldn't bear to watch any more of the Deadskins.
And then Sunday rolls around, the home opener versus the New Orleans Saints. Deep down inside, my heart still contained hope that the Redskins would break out of their shell and play like the team that they are capable of being. It seemed as if the first half was just their warm up. The offense looked above par. They had nice drives but didn't take advantage of possessions in the red-zone (something they will need to improve on if they want to be among the leagues elite).
They finally plunged into the end-zone in the third quarter, via Clinton Portis. That seemed to be the boost the Skins needed as they headed into the fourth quarter losing 24-15. Clinton Portis scored his second rushing touchdown, which brought the game to 24-22 in favor of the Saints. After the defense held the Saints to a three and out, Washington got the ball back. On the first play of the drive Jason Campbell connected with Santana Moss on a 68 yard bomb which gave the Skins the lead for good. New Orleans got the ball back, but quarterback Drew Brees threw his second interception to rookie safety Chris Horton to seal the deal for the burgundy and gold.
Jason Campbell arguably played his best game of his young career. He went 24 for 36 for 321 yards. Most importantly he threw no interceptions and had a 104.1 passer rating. Clinton Portis also had a stellar game, rushing for 98 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns. Jason Taylor notched his first sack of his Redskins career, and Cornelius Griffin also added a sack. Rookie safety Chris Horton had the game of his lifetime against his hometown team. Starting safety Reed Doughty was scratched from the game after coming down with an illness, giving the rookie out of UCLA the start. Horton had two interceptions, one of which sealed the win for the Redskins in the Saint's final possession, and also recovered a fumble.
This is why I hate to love the Redskins, because honestly I don't know what to expect when they take on the Cardinals this Sunday. They get my hopes up one week, and then crush them the next. Hopefully Jason Campbell can build on his second half against the Cardinals. His 68 yard pass to Santana Moss to give the Redskins the lead may be the pass that turns around his career. He avoided pressure, and finally took a chance deep to his superstar receiver. I know that Redskins fans harp that every year is "our year," but I actually do believe that my Redskins have a chance to be heard this postseason, as long as they figure out which identity is right.
