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SPORTS INSIDE: Penn State a conflicted campus in scandal’s wake. C1 Week 10 in the NFL. C4 | LIFE: C10 ● WR Hankerson enjoys big day back home. R2 Week 10 ●Defense creates, but offense can’t convert. R3 Dolphins 20, Redskins 9 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011 washingtontimes.com/sports/football SECTION R TAKING THE FALL Change fails to produce points; skid reaches five

BY RICH CAMPBELL

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. | The Wash- ington Redskins are circling on a carousel of losses. Round and round they go. This disaster of a season got away from them last month because of Rex Grossman’s . It then twirled to John Beck’s poor timing. And on Sunday it whipped back around to another costly Grossman pick. It’s a nauseating ride the Redskins can’t get off. Coach re- instated Grossman as the starting before Sunday’s game against the only to be reminded why he benched Grossman in the first place. Grossman’s fourth-quarter inter- ception at the Dolphins’ 5-yard line stopped a potential go-ahead touch- down drive and ultimately doomed the point-starved Redskins to a 20-9 defeat. After their fifth straight loss, they’re back to where they started. Shanahan has exhausted both of his quarterback options with negligible success. He’ll proceed into the final seven games without a clear-cut starter, proof that the organization has made no progress at quarterback through 25 games of his tenure. “We’ll change week by week like I told you,” Shanahan said. “We’re just going to keep on fighting and do what we feel like gives us the best chance to win based on a number of situations. It could be the defense. It could be per- sonnel.” If the quarterback is the most im- portant player on a football team, then you understand the hopelessness that clouds the Redskins’ final seven games. Players inside the locker room afterward expressed support of both Grossman and Beck, but the results on the field have not earned that. Shanahan said he intended to stick with Beck after last Sunday’s 19-11 loss to San Francisco. He changed his mind by Tuesday, however, and both quar- terbacks split practice repetitions with the first-team offense last week. “Putting John in a situation where we had a number of players go down, with his experience, I thought it was in our best interest to go with the guy I felt would give us the best chance to » see REDSKINS | R3

Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman gets off a pass as he is pressured by Dolphins linebacker Cameron Wake ASSOCIATED PRESS during the fourth quarter. QB or not QB? That is the question for Grossman MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. more games for young players — thrown that again, Shanny? Oh yeah, “hard work.” the Redskins’ five straight defeats. But in or a team in the throes (or is it the into the breach because of a lengthening It’s also there — every week, from the the next month, as the injuries mounted, overthrows?) of what the Wash- injury list — to make young-player mis- sound of it — Shanahan will decide which the situation went from bad to (John) ington Redskins are in the throes takes. Seven more games to wonder quarterback will “give us the best chance Beck. Indeed, probably the only reason of, there is no bottom. Two losses whether the Shanahan Redskins are ever to win” Sunday. All kinds of factors will Grossman didn’t play last Sunday, in the becomeF three. Three turn into four. And going to resemble, in any respect, the be considered, apparently, including prac- second half of the San Francisco loss, is then you run the streak to five with a 20-9 Shanahan Broncos. A long time, seven tice performance, the opponent, which that the coach was tired of admitting he’s loss on Sunday to the previously 1-7 games. guys are out of the lineup and whether wrong . . . about this quarterback, that Miami Dolphins. Maybe they should stop televising the one of the QBs has pneumonia. quarterback and every other quarterback. That might seem as low as a club can games and just air the Redskins’ practices. In the days before the Dolphins game, But the switch back to Grossman DAN sink, but then you glance at the schedule After all, that’s where the real action fig- Shanahan spun his spinner and it pointed brought no dramatic change in the Red- DALY and realize there are still seven games to ures to be these next two months. It’s to Rex Grossman, who had been banished skins’ fortunes, basically because their is- go. Seven more games for Mike Shanahan there the players and coaches plan to to the bench after throwing four intercep- to play Guess the Quarterback. Seven solve their problems through — what was tions against Philadelphia — the first of » see DALY | R2 EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL R2 | REDSKINS ଁ MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011 FOR THOSE ABOUT TO PLAY, WE SALUTE YOU

ASSOCIATED PRESS Miami defensive end Randy Starks was greeted by enthusiastic U.S. military personnel before the Dolphins beat the Redskins 20-9. It was Washington’s fifth straight defeat.

DOLPHINS 20, REDSKINS 9 DALY Hankerson enjoys ‘special’ day From page R1 sues on offense extend far, far beyond the QB spot. As Grossman said, the unit hasn’t been generating any with 106 yards receiving at home “breakout” plays — the kind that get you “60 or 70 yards a pop,” flipping BY ANTHONY CHIANG the field position and the momentum SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES with one bold stroke. On top of that, he added, “It feels like [opposing de- MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. | Despite the fenses are] are taking away some of loss, will always our deep shots.” remember Sunday’s game. What they’re doing, The rookie didn’t just post a career said, is “leaving their two safeties back high in receptions and receiving yards all the time and pretty much daring us against the Miami Dolphins, but he to run the ball on ’em.” This is a sound ASSOCIATED PRESS also returned home for the first time strategy, given the damaged state of Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has since being selected by the Washing- the Washington offensive line. Against gone back and forth with his top two ton Redskins in the third round of the the Dolphins, the left guard (Kory through the first nine 2011 NFL Draft. Lichtensteiger, replaced by rookie Mo games. “It was very special to go out there Hurt) and the right tackle (Jammal and play in front of my family in the Brown, replaced by Sean Locklear) stadium that I’ve been playing in for were missing — and the left tackle to the sideline). On defense, mean- the last three years,” Hankerson said. () remains less than while, had two sacks “It was special to have my family 100 percent. Why not dare the Red- and two forced . That’s what come out there and see me.” skins to run? we’re reduced to, talking about the The Fort Lauderdale native, who And sure enough, progress being made by the Redskins spent four years at the University of made little headway, gaining just 20 of the Future . . . so we don’t have to Miami, had about 50 of his closest yards in 11 carries in the first half be- think too much about the Redskins of friends and family members scattered fore yielding to rookie (41 in the Present. around Sun Life Stadium during Sun- six tries). Until the Redskins run it a How bad is tailspin the Redskins day’s 20-9 loss to the Dolphins. good deal better than that, defenses are in? Answer: They haven’t led, not Hankerson treated them to quite will just continue to sit back and deny once, in the past five games. What the performance. the downfield stuff. makes it even worse, though, is that In his second career start, he led Let’s face it, when your tight end is their coach has never had to deal be- the Redskins with eight catches for your principal deep threat — and fore with — how shall I put it? — such 106 yards before leaving because of a that’s certainly the case with this of- a rapid loss of cabin pressure. This is right hip strain late in the fourth quar- fense “at times,” Fred Davis said — the first time as a head man Shanahan ter. After the game, he said his hip was you’re in a world of trouble. What’s has dropped five in a row. So the “a little sore,” and he didn’t know if it happening now, of course, is that coach being counted on to lead the would force him to miss any time. Davis is “being double-covered a lot franchise out of the wilderness is now However, he was on the field just more, which is creating more oppor- in uncharted territory — up a creek long enough to become the first Red- tunities for other guys.” Unfortunately without a GPS, so to speak. skins rookie to accumu- for the Redskins, those guys aren’t Not to worry, though. He’ll just late more than 100 receiving yards in (broken hand), Chris turn a weakness into a “strength” by a game since Rod Gardner did it on Cooley (knee surgery) or any of the remaining mysterious about his quar- Oct. 21, 2001. other playmakers of recent vintage terback plans. Maybe he’ll stick with “It just felt good to contribute to (e.g. ). They’re journey- Grossman this weekend against Dal- the team and know that I’m capable men Gaffney and Torain, neophytes las. Or maybe he’ll go back to Beck. Or of making plays,” Hankerson said. Helu and Leonard Hankerson, and maybe he’ll promote Jonathan Cromp- Two of the most impressive as- ASSOCIATED PRESS whatever street free agent strolls by ton from the . Or pects of Hankerson’s performance are Leonard Hankerson was the first Redskins rookie with more than 100 receiving (e.g. David Anderson, who caught a maybe he’ll lure Jake Plummer out of that his eight catches came on just yards in a game in 10 years before leaving with an aching hip in the fourth quarter. pass against the Dolphins just four retirement. (Or maybe he’ll activate nine chances, and he accounted for days after his first workout with the himself. He used to play QB, didn’t nearly 50 percent of Washington’s Redskins). he?) passing offense. at least one pass in the past three “Being on scout team In such circumstances, Redskins I asked Gaffney — the erstwhile These types of stats wouldn’t have contests and made his first career games have begun to take on a presea- Houston Texan, New England Patriot been possible for him earlier in the start last Sunday against San Fran- and then going to get reps son feel — plenty of kids playing, the and Denver Bronco — if he’d ever season, as he struggled to find play- cisco. with the first-team score seeming almost incidental. On been on a team where the quarterback ing time. But after impressing team- “[My comfort level in the offense offense, it’s helping me the developmental front, Helu made position was in such flux. mates and coaches in practice over the is] growing a whole lot,” he said, “be- another nice contribution (54 yards “Not since college,” he replied. “We past couple of weeks, Hankerson has cause, being on scout team and then get more confidence from scrimmage in essentially two had Rex and [at ], found a spot in Washington’s offense. going to get reps with the first-team to go out there and do quarters of work) and Hankerson had and we never knew who was going to After not seeing the field in the offense, it’s helping me get more con- what I have to do.” the first of what could be many 100- start.” Redskins’ first five games of the year, fidence to go out there and do what I yard receiving days (before hurting Oh, great. Now we’re comparing the 6-foot-2 wide receiver has caught have to do.” ---- WR Leonard Hankerson his hip in the late going and hobbling Shanny to . EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011 ଁ REDSKINS | R3

DOLPHINS 20, REDSKINS 9 Defense creates turnovers; offense can’t convert Two FGs all that come from prime position

BY ANTHONY CHIANG

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. | If it’s not one thing, it’s another for Washington’s de- fense. After struggling to force turnovers over the past three games, the unit in- tercepted a pass and recovered a fum- ble Sunday. But this week, the Red- skins could not get off the field in important situations as the Miami Dol- phins converted 57 percent of their third-down opportunities in a 20-9 vic- tory. “That was the big thing today,” line- backer Ryan Kerrigan said. “That’s something we’ve been really good at this year. I think we’re one of the top five or six teams in the league on third down, but we weren’t able to get off the field today. Ultimately, I think that led to their long, sustained drives.” In fact, the Redskins entered with the fifth-best third-down defense in the NFL, limiting opposing offenses to a 32.7 percent conversion rate through the first eight games. But Miami was successful in confus- ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS ing Washington with different offensive Redskins cornerback Kevin Barnes (22) celebrates with Josh Wilson during the first quarter after intercepting a pass from Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore. The play formations in those spots. was set up thanks to pressure by nose tackle Barry Cofield (right). “They moved [Brandon] Marshall around a couple of times to kind of cre- ate situations and matchups they liked,” “We just couldn’t get it done,” said However, the Redskins managed 10-yard line in the fourth quarter. The That mentality has not helped the linebacker said. “We linebacker Perry Riley, who made his just two field goals. Dolphins broke the game open by scor- defense to overcome Washington’s of- tried different coverages and pressures first career start Sunday. “I can’t pin- “You always want to get six points ing a on the following pos- fensive struggles. The Redskins have to try to negate what they were doing. point exactly what the problem was.” every time you have the ball with a session. scored a total of 20 points in their past We tried single out, we tried pressures, Aside from its inability to stop short field,” Kerrigan said. “But our job But defensive players continue to in- three games — all losses. we had a couple two-on-two man, Miami in these situations, Washing- as a defense is to, no matter what our sist that the offense’s play is not affect- “I’m running out of material,” line- straight cover two, cover three, a little ton’s defense gave its offense opportu- offense is doing, hold the other team out ing them. backer said. “I don’t know bit of everything.” nities to put up points. of the end zone and off the scoreboard, “Really when I focus on stuff, I look what else to tell you. I’ve never been a Not much seemed to work, though, In the first quarter, cornerback and we didn’t do that.” at it from a defensive standpoint,” part of something like this, and we just as the Dolphins were able to gain just Kevin Barnes intercepted a pass and re- Instead, a turnover hurt the Red- Fletcher said. “We did enough things have to keep fighting, man. I know we enough yards to convert three third- turned it to Miami’s 5-yard line, and in skins, when quarterback Rex Gross- today defensively to keep us from win- have a good team and great players on down chances during their two posses- the third quarter Kerrigan forced a fum- man threw an to kill a ning. We did some things with the take- this team, we just have to put it to- sions that ended with a touchdown. ble that was recovered at Miami’s 24. drive that had Washington on Miami’s aways, but at the end of the day, we lost.” gether.”

DOLPHINS 20, REDSKINS 9 Washington 3 3 3 0 – 9 Miami 7 3 3 7 –20 First Quarter Mia—Bush 1 run (Carpenter kick), 8:20. Was—FG Gano 26, :49. Second Quarter Mia—FG Carpenter 21, 10:27. Was—FG Gano 47, 1:07. Third Quarter Was—FG Gano 23, 10:38. Mia—FG Carpenter 28, 4:59. Fourth Quarter Mia—Bush 18 run (Carpenter kick), 6:07. A—57,007. Was Mia First downs ...... 16 20 Total Net Yards ...... 246 303 Rushes-yards ...... 17-61 33-103 Passing ...... 185 200 Punt Returns ...... 1-22 2-22 Kickoff Returns ...... 2-38 2-42 Interceptions Ret...... 1-30 2-42 Comp-Att-Int ...... 21-32-2 20-29-1 Sacked-Yards Lost ...... 3-30 2-9 Punts ...... 2-46.5 1-49.0 Fumbles-Lost ...... 0-0 3-1 Penalties-Yards...... 6-51 6-55 Time of Possession . . . . 26:27 33:33 Leaders RUSHING—Washington, Helu 6-41, Torain 11-20. Miami, Bush 14-47, Thomas 17-42, Moore 2-14. PASSING—Washington, Grossman 21-32-2- 215. Miami, Moore 20-29-1-209. RECEIVING—Washington, Hankerson 8- 106, Gaffney 3-37, Davis 3-28, Helu 3-13, Paulsen 1-16, Anderson 1-14, Torain 1-4, Young 1-(minus 3). Miami, Marshall 7-98, Bess 4-37, Bush 4-4, Fasano 3-60, Hartline 1-6, Clay 1-4. MISSED FIELD GOALS—Washington, Gano 50 (WL), 49 (WL). Miami, Carpenter 49 (WL). ASSOCIATED PRESS Redskins safety LaRon Landry can’t catch during Sunday’s game in Miami. Bush scored both of the Dolphins’ in a 20-9 win. THE WASHINGTON TIMES

struggled — again — and they con- The running game again failed to of a rhythm; more, at least, than Beck Jabar and I tried to put it to Hanker- REDSKINS verted only 5 of 14 third downs. Wash- take pressure off the quarterback. For did. Rookie receiver Leonard Hanker- son behind him,” Grossman said. “He From page R1 ington averaged only 4.7 yards per the first time in three games, the Red- son (106 yards, eight catches) became stepped back and made a great play on play, its second-lowest single-game skins were able to stick with it in the the first Redskins receiver to eclipse it. I’ve got to be more careful with the win the game, and that was Rex,” average of the season. second half because they kept the the 100-yard mark in a game this sea- ball, especially on first down in the red Shanahan said. Grossman at first seemed to be a score close. But running lanes weren’t son. zone at a crucial point in the game.” Shanahan told Grossman Saturday tourniquet, moving the offense on consistently available. His 22-yard catch down the middle The Dolphins turned Karlos night that he would start, ending his drives of 33 and 39 yards in the first Starter Ryan Torain and Roy Helu on third-and-10 gave Washington first- Dansby’s interception into a 10-play, 81- three-game stint on the bench. Beck half. Those aren’t impressive totals by combined for only 61 yards on 17 car- and-goal from the Miami 10, trailing 13- yard touchdown drive that sealed lost all three of those games, and two any standard, but the Redskins have a ries. 9 early in the fourth quarter. Washington’s defeat. of them were particularly ugly. substandard offense. “The first thing you’ve got to do is But Grossman failed when it mat- It left the Redskins at a loss. Beck Sunday’s game, however, wasn’t any “We moved the ball pretty well, look at your running game,” Shanahan tered most. The Redskins on first wasn’t a solution, and neither was better. but we didn’t get it in the end zone,” said. “We’re going to have to improve down came out with three receivers to Grossman. Now what? The Redskins failed to cross the Grossman said. “We just didn’t get it in that area to be the type of offense we the left. Hankerson ran out, and Jabar “Anything right now,” right tackle goal line for the second time in the past done, and it’s frustrating because I want to be.” Gaffney ran in. Sean Locklear said. “We’re trying to three games. Their rushing attack think we should have.” Grossman forged some semblance “The linebacker came down on find anything that might spark us.”

“The linebacker came down on Jabar and I tried to put it to Hankerson behind him. He stepped back and made a great play on it. I’ve got to be more careful with the ball, especially on first down in the red zone at a crucial point in the game.” ---- Rex Grossman EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL R4 | REDSKINS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011

REDSKINS SCHEDULE DOLPHINS 20, REDSKINS 9: QUARTER-BY-QUARTER WEEK 1

vs. Giants W, 28-14 WEEK 2

vs. Cardinals W, 22-21 WEEK 3

at Cowboys ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS L, 18-16 FIRST QUARTER: Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman, making his first start since being SECOND QUARTER: Dolphins cornerback intercepts a pass intented for the WEEK 4 benched for three games, is sacked by Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby. Redskins’ Leonard Hankerson. The rookie receiver slipped while running his route.

at Rams W, 17-10 WEEK 6

vs. Eagles L, 20-13 WEEK 7

at Panthers L, 33-20

WEEK 8 THIRD QUARTER: Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore hands off to rookie Daniel Thomas, FOURTH QUARTER: Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby celebrates with teammates after who eyes a big opening in the line. Thomas ran for 42 yards on 17 carries. his interception thwarted a Redskins drive. Miami intercepted Rex Grossman twice.

A quarterback change The difference with If ever the Redskins Perhaps the most produced the same Grossman under center KEY PLAY were going to seize remarkable aspect of at Bills (Toronto) 1 result in the opening 2 as opposed to Beck is 3 the advantage, this 4 the Redskins’ play in railing 13-9 early L, 23-0 quarter, though the key obvious, at least when it was their opportunity. recent weeks is the feeling in the fourth breakdowns for Rex Grossman were comes to what the Redskins think Ryan Kerrigan forced a on that emerges whenever they face quarter, the WEEK 9 also indicative of why John Beck they can do offensively. If nothing the Dolphins’ second play from even a slight deficit. NFL teams down Redskins finally didn’t succeed under center. Namely: else, the offense was more interesting T scrimmage after halftime and 14 points or fewer with more than four had some forward mo- problems at other positions. On the to watch — and gave the opposing Stephen Bowen recovered it, setting minutes to play in a game shouldn’t mentum going and were opening drive of the game, Grossman defense a lot more to think about — the Redskins up at Miami’s 24 with appear hopeless, but these Redskins poised to take the lead was sacked for an 11-yard loss on than the dink-and-dunk display a another easy opportunity to punch it do. Once the Dolphins scored their with first down from the third-and-4 when Karlos Dansby week earlier against the 49ers. Not in. But a holding penalty on Trent second touchdown of the day, with vs. 49ers Dolphins’ 10. As Rex strolled by Sean Locklear. The next that it made much of a difference, of Williams and subsequent 6-yard loss Bush running it in from 18 yards out L, 19-11 Grossman dropped back, time Washington had the ball, a drive course. The flip side of Grossman’s on a pass to Fred Davis stalled the on a drive that followed Grossman’s he looked to his left with WEEK 10 that had been humming along was ability and willingness to throw the Redskins’ momentum and they interception near the opposite goal his eyes locked on Jabar derailed when Jared Odrick stopped ball downfield is his tendency to ended up settling for another Gano line, Washington was toast — and the Gaffney all the way. Dol- for a 12-yard loss on have it picked off — even if it isn’t field goal. It wasn’t what they wanted margin was merely 20-9 with 6:07 to phins linebacker Karlos third-and-2. The latter sack made necessarily his fault. That surfaced or needed, but at least it narrowed play. Sure, with Grossman in there, Dansby noticed that, too, Graham Gano’s field goal attempt a again Sunday when a promising the margin to one at 10-9. All they the Redskins seemed to have a and jumped the route at Dolphins 50-yarder, and he missed it wide left. drive came to an end as Grossman’s had to do was come up with a big better chance to rally than the week with little trouble to pick L, 20-9 Gano later made a 26-yarder, but the pass for Leonard Hankerson was play — on offense or defense — and before, but any of the confidence that the ball off at Miami’s 5 Redskins emerged from the period in intercepted by Vontae Davis at the the game was there for the taking. might actually occur was not evident. and return it to the 19. WEEK 11 a hole thanks to a Reggie Bush TD Dolphins’ 25 when Hankerson fell Following with the trend from the Though Washington got big assists The Dolphins marched that capped Miami’s opening drive. down. That turnover led only to a fifth game of the season on, though, from a roughing the passer flag and the length of the field The Washington defense tightened missed field goal, though, and when Washington failed to do so. Miami an offside penalty that wiped out from there to put away up after that, with Perry Riley making Gano redeemed himself with a 47- ate up a good chunk of the quarter what would have been a second the game with a TD. a handful of big plays in his first start yarder the Redskins were able to with an 11-play drive that ended in a consecutive sack, the Redskins had vs. Cowboys and Kevin Barnes picking off Matt enter halftime knowing they were in field goal and Washington had no to settle for a Gano field goal attempt. Sun., Nov. 20 Moore late in the quarter. the game. answer. Naturally, he missed. WEEK 12 REDSKINS NOTES WEEK 11 REDSKINS VS. COWBOYS at Seahawks Davis, Williams facing NFL punishment Sun., Nov. 27 BY RICH CAMPBELL spot and finished with nine tackles WEEK 13 BY THE THE WASHINGTON TIMES (seven solo), including four for a loss. NUMBERS MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. | Washing- Riley snuffed out a pair of screen Kickoff: 1:05 p.m. TV: Fox ton Redskins tight end Fred Davis passes and shot in behind blockers Radio: AM-980, FM-92.7, FM-94.3 106: Receiving yards and left tackle Trent Williams face in space to make the tackle. What to watch: The Cowboys vs. Jets for Leonard Hankerson, disciplinary action from the NFL On the downside, he appeared to look to sweep the season series. Sun., Dec. 4 making him the first Red- after violating the league’s substance play a run fit inside instead of con- Dallas won an ugly 18-16 decision skins rookie to top 100 abuse policy by testing positive for taining the edge on Reggie Bush’s 1- on Monday night in Week 3. It was WEEK 14 yards in a game since recreational drugs, according to an yard touchdown run in the first the beginning of Rex Grossman’s Rod Gardner had 208 ESPN report. quarter. It’s uncertain, however, ex- initial downfall. He threw a costly against Carolina on Oct. Ten NFL players face fines and actly what Riley’s responsibility was interception in the first half, as another player faces a fine and a sus- on the play. Washington converted only 3 of 12 21, 2001 pension for testing positive shortly “I felt like I did some good things third-down attempts. The defense vs. Patriots 1-8: Mike Shanahan’s after the lockout ended in July, out there, but I made some mis- failed to get off the field on third- Sun., Dec. 11 career regular-season Yahoo! Sports reported Sunday, cit- takes as well,” he said. “Those are the and-21 in the final minutes, which record against Miami ing two unnamed player represen- things I’m really worried about get- extended Dallas’ game-winning WEEK 15 tatives to the NFL Players Associa- ASSOCIATED PRESS ting cleaned up. I’m not worried field goal drive. 20: Rushing yards for tion and another anonymous source. Tight end Fred Davis is one of two about the things I did good.” ● Rookie running back DeMarco starting tailback Ryan ESPN reported that Davis and Redskins who face disciplinary Murray earned the starting job after Torain, leaving him with Williams are among that group of 11. action from the league for violating Gano off-target in wind rushing for 253 yards on 25 carries the NFL substance abuse policy. in a Week 7 win over St. Louis. 999 in his career “Until the situation comes out all at Giants the way, I’ll talk about it later,” Davis So much for kicker Graham ● Tony Romo is coming off his best Sun., Dec. 18 35: Percent success on said after Sunday’s 20-9 loss to the Gano’s stellar first half of the season. game of the season, throwing for Miami Dolphins. One player rep told Yahoo that He missed two out of five field goal 270 yards and 3 TDs without an WEEK 16 third-down conversions for Washington (5 of 14) Coach Mike Shanahan declined he was under the impression play- attempts Sunday. Through eight interception in a 44-7 rout of Buffalo. comment. ers would have a 30-day grace pe- games, he made 12 of 13 tries that 5: Consecutive losses “I can’t go into that area right riod for testing after the lockout traveled full distance (three other at- DeMarco for Washington, making it now,” he said. “I’m not allowed to.” ending. However, the league began tempts were blocked). Murray the longest losing streak According to the Yahoo report, testing on the second day of train- Gano missed wide left from 50 vs. Vikings of Shanahan’s career some players are upset with NFLPA ing camp. and 49 yards into a stiff wind in the Sat., Dec. 24 executive director DeMaurice Smith west end zone at Sun Life Stadium. 364: Days since Miami’s because Smith assured them there Riley makes most of start Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter also WEEK 17 last victory at home, Nov. would be a grace period for drug missed from 49 yards in the same di- 14, 2010, vs. the Titans; testing after the lockout. Not to be outdone by the Red- rection. the Dolphins entered the There was no collective bargain- skins’ struggling offense, a defensive “That wind out there, you can’t ing agreement or drug policy in ef- veteran was replaced in the starting judge it,” Gano said. “That’s what he game Sunday having lost fect during the lockout, which lasted lineup Sunday by a young prospect. said after the game, too, Carpenter. at Eagles seven in a row at home. from mid-March until the end of Second-year inside linebacker That 50-yarder, that’s about as much Sun., Jan. 1 July. Perry Riley took Rocky McIntosh’s wind as I’ve ever kicked in.” EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL