VICTORY!! Redskins Win: 24-29
You know, when I was growing up in Silver Spring, MD, we used to say all the time, when the Skins when, it makes the upcoming week go so much better. Well, not much has changed.
There is much I could say about the second half. I could talk about how it appears Jason Campbell took a major step forward. Naysayers would say, no he didn’t. He just had the opportunity to have Santana Moss playing against a rookie. But, it was a huge heads-up play to audible at the line of scrimmage when he saw the matchup he wanted, and executed it even while under strong pressure from the Saints rush. You could almost see a sense of relief from Jason as the ball fell safely from the sky into the waiting arms of Moss. It was beautiful. I wonder if he heard his coaches words in his ear during the play: “Avoid, reset, and throw.” He was 24 of 36 for 321 yards, a touchdown, and no turnovers!! Hail, Jason.
I could also speak about Clinton Portis. He had a strong game. He has not had the flashy, home run scamper yet. But, where Ladell Betts would get a few yards, Portis has the vision to get a few and more yards. He had 21 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns; both of which were fantastic examples of using his vision and agility. Hail, Clinton.
And, I should also mention Chris Cooley. Remember, earlier this week I said it would be Cooley to win the matchup against Jeremy Shockey. Mission accomplished. Cooley had five receptions for 72 yards. As for Shockey, two catches for 22 yards, less a critical fumble to start the game. Cooley is a weapon that we should continue to showcase.
The defense was fantastic today. They held the Saints to 55 total yards rushing, and only 216 yards passing. If my math skills haven’t faded too bad since graduating from Montgomery Blair H.S., Campbell had more yards than the entire Saints team. That is a testament to some serious thumping from our defense.
LaRon Landry played some really good defense too, especially on two back to back pass plays that denied the Saints of extending their lead. But, more so than anything else, the one thing I must speak about is Chris Horton. The rookie was all over the field today with interceptions, recovering fumbles, and making a key tackle to stop the Saints short of a first down in the fourth quarter, and thus forcing them to punt. I’m sure Greg Blache will find something wrong with his game tomorrow.
But today, Chris Horton gets the Die Hard Redskins Game Ball.
