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Home , Ahmad Bradshaw, Checkdown, Chris Neild, LaRon Landry, London Fletcher, Reed Doughty

SPORTS INSIDE: Strasburg takes a back seat to offense in Nationals’ 8-2 win, C1 | LIFE: C8 ●Reshaped defense comes up big in victory, R2 Week 1 ●Rookie defenders make major impact in debut, R3 Redskins 28, Giants 14 ଁଁ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 washingtontimes.com/sports/football SECTION R

ROD LAMKEY JR. / THE WASHINGTON TIMES Rookie returns an for a early in the third quarter. Kerrigan started the play by tipping a pass by Giants . ONE GIANT STEP Big play leads to Confident Grossman leads reversal of fortune way as Washington receives osing can become a contributions from all over habit. It certainly has for the Washington Red- BY RICH CAMPBELL skins as far as the New THE WASHINGTON TIMES LYork Giants are concerned. In recent years, the Giants have Jabar Gaffney had seen this Rex Grossman before. The two of them been the lock without a key, the were on top of the world at the University of Florida back puzzle without a solution, the in 2001. Grossman-to-Gaffney was one of the nastiest quarterback-receiver cigarette and the blindfold. combinations in the country. Before Sunday’s opener at So when Grossman said he was DAN FedEx Field, the Redskins had “feelin’ like I was in Florida again” after “I thought Rex DALY dropped six straight to Tom leading the Washington Redskins to a Coughlin’s bunch and nine of 28-14 season-opening win over the New played an excellent 10. They had lost by a lot. They York Giants on Sunday, Gaffney was game. ... It’s really had lost by a little. But almost always, they had right with him. lost. What, they’ve been asking themselves, is it “That’s exactly what it looks like,” hard to get big going to take to put a stop to that? The Giants Gaffney said. “Just like we were in col- plays in the passing aren’t that much better than us. Or are they? lege — nothing but confidence in his game against a As it turned out, all it took to change the course eyes.” of this series — for an afternoon, at least — was Grossman showed some of the form defensive front that some big plays by players unburdened by the past. that made him the 2001 Heisman Tro- puts a lot of Rookies such as Ryan Kerrigan and Chris Neild, phy runner-up. He overcame a rocky pressure on the the Redskins’ first and last draft picks. Free agent start and, for at least one week, vali- pickups such as Jabar Gaffney, Stephen Bowen and dated coach ’s decision quarterback.” Sav Rocca. And let’s not forget Tim Hightower, to start him at quarterback over John who the Arizona Cardinals, next week’s opponent, Beck. --- Mike Shanahan were nice enough to send this way in a trade. He finished 21-of-34 passing with 305 Collectively, that group produced three of the yards, two and no . His 110.5 passer rating was Redskins’ four touchdowns, three of their four the fourth-best of his 42 NFL games. sacks, 72 of their 74 rushing yards and four beauti- “I thought Rex played an excellent game [against] a lot of pressure up fully placed punts inside the 20 to help the home front, very talented football team; they play extremely hard,” Shanahan team pull away to a 28-14 win. In terms of instant said. “It’s really hard to get big plays in the passing game against a defen- impact, you can’t ask for much more. sive front that puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback.” It was Kerrigan, still settling in at his new out- It was high praise from a coach who is normally subdued, who has to side linebacker spot, who made the single biggest watch the film before saying anything about anything. But this was the play. Three snaps into the second half, he batted a Grossman who Shanahan believes is capable of engineering a playoff push. pass by Eli Manning, gathered the ball in at the Grossman headlined a stirring start to Shanahan’s second season at New York 9 and, depending on your point of view, ROD LAMKEY JR. / THE WASHINGTON TIMES the helm, as the Redskins beat their NFC East rivals for the first time in Redskins Tim Hightower gets a lift from Fred Davis » see DALY | R3 after a touchdown. Gallery, www.washingtontimes.com/multimedia. » see REDSKINS | R3 EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL R2 | REDSKINS ଁଁ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 OPENING DAY SNAPSHOTS

PRATIK SHAH/THE WASHINGTON TIMES The kick off to the Washington Redskins to start the 2011 season. The game was a matchup of the cities most directly affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell (left) is greeted by fans as he walks a tunnel at FedEx Field following pregame ceremonies. Mr. Powell served as an honorary captain for the Redskins.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA Buffalo 1 0 0 1.000 41 7 Miami 0 0 0 .000 0 0 New England 0 0 0 .000 0 0 N.Y. Jets 0 0 0 .000 0 0 South W L T Pct PF PA

ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES Houston 1 0 0 1.000 34 7 Scott Ryan and his girlfriend, Amy Rider, react to the Jacksonville 1 0 0 1.000 16 14 9/11 tribute before the Redskins and New York Tennessee 0 1 0 .000 14 16 Giants clashed in a divisional matchup. Indianapolis 0 1 0 .000 7 34 North W L T Pct PF PA Baltimore 1 0 0 1.000 35 7 Season starts with a verdict for the defense Cincinnati 1 0 0 1.000 27 17 0 1 0 .000 17 27 he Red- troops had an unadulterated takes awhile,” Fletcher said. “Last half. Pittsburgh 0 1 0 .000 7 35 skins’ chance to make a positive impres- year, some of the plays the Giants But that pretty much con- West offense sion and begin their road to re- ran today would’ve been big plays. cluded the Giants’ highlight reel. T W L T Pct PF PA was in a lose- demption after last season’s hor- But this year, having the scheme Washington gave up just two first lose situation rific performance. under our belts and the addition downs after intermission before San Diego 1 0 0 1.000 24 17 entering Sun- Statement delivered. First step of the new guys makes a big differ- linebacker blocked a Denver 0 0 0 .000 0 0 day’s season- taken. ence.” attempt with 5:04 re- Oakland 0 0 0 .000 0 0 opener against They pitched a shutout in the Maybe it’s just that simple, maining. On the previous play, Kansas City 0 1 0 .000 7 41 the Giants. second half of Washington’s 28-14 where a little more familiarity, a Doughty tackled Bradshaw for a 2- Rex Grossman victory, yielding just one drive little more talent and a little more yard loss on third-and-1. NATIONAL CONFERENCE DERON & Co. could longer than 15 yards. Rookie Ryan youthful energy equals a whole lot Orakpo said aside from the East SNYDER have shined Kerrigan returned an interception more improvement. Maybe coach newcomers, the defense is pretty W L T Pct PF PA against the in- for a touchdown, and fellow rookie Mike Shanahan’s vision of an ac- much the same with “a few tweaks Washington 1 0 0 1.000 28 14 jury-depleted Chris Neild contributed two sacks. tive, ball-hawking, havoc-wreaking here and there,” and they’re just Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000 31 13 New York defense and elicited a Linebacker London Fletcher and defense is en route to becoming a focused on themselves — not out- huge so-what? cornerback Josh Wilson stuffed reality. One game is too early to siders’ impressions. He said his Dallas 0 0 0 .000 0 0 The Giants’ starting middle halfback Ahmad Bradshaw on tell for sure, but Redskins nose unit wasn’t fazed when Grossman N.Y. Giants 0 1 0 .000 14 28 linebacker was third string a few fourth-and-1 with the Redskins tackle isn’t waiting took a sack and fumbled, setting South days ago. Two of their best defen- clinging to a seven-point lead. for additional evidence. His ver- up a short field for the Giants’ W L T Pct PF PA sive linemen spent the day in Everywhere you looked, the dict is in. would-be game-tying touchdown Carolina 0 1 0 .000 21 28 street clothes. Their top defensive Redskins were making plays on “We’re convinced of that,” drive. back went down with a season- defense. Some were drafted last Cofield said, asked if his unit can “We were laughing when the New Orleans 0 1 0 .000 34 42 ending knee injury in the presea- April, like Kerrigan and Neild. Oth- rank among the best. “That’s what ‘O’ turned the ball over,” he said. Tampa Bay 0 1 0 .000 20 27 son. ers were holdovers, like Fletcher we believe and that’s what Haslett “We were ready to go.” Atlanta 0 1 0 .000 12 30 Under those circumstances, and safety , who led preaches. We compare ourselves They proved it by holding the North you’d expect Washington to crank the team with eight tackles. Still to the great 3-4 defenses across the Giants to three-and-out, forcing W L T Pct PF PA out some yards and put up some others were free agent acquisi- league, compare ourselves man- them into the blocked field goal points. If so, big deal. Conversely, tions, like Wilson and defensive to-man at every position, and we attempt. There would be no let- Chicago 1 0 0 1.000 30 12 failing to produce against an in- end Stephen Bowen, who was don’t sell ourselves short.” down against the team that has Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 27 20 jury-ravaged unit wouldn’t bode credited with a sack and two quar- They certainly came up short dominated the rivalry recently. It Green Bay 1 0 0 1.000 42 34 well for the new-look ‘O’ and their terback hits. early in the game, yielding touch- was a great day for the defense, Minnesota 0 1 0 .000 17 24 much-maligned QB. And they When we last saw the Red- down drives of 70 and 85 yards but beating the Giants was the West would have heard about their in- skins’ defense, it was finishing a through the Giants’ first five pos- most important outcome, by any eptitude all week long. season in which it ranked 31st out sessions. Doughty and cornerback means necessary. W L T Pct PF PA But the Redskins’ defense was- of 32 NFL teams, a sharp decline Kevin Barnes were burnt on a 68- “It was a good test for us be- Arizona 1 0 0 1.000 28 21 n’t going to be graded on a curve from its top-10 ranking the previ- yard pass from Manning to Ha- cause they’ve had our number,” San Francisco 1 0 0 1.000 33 17 for Sunday’s effort. There would ous three seasons. keem Nicks, setting up the Giants’ Orakpo said. Seattle 0 1 0 .000 17 33 first score. And Manning went 4- The defense passed its test and be no points deducted for holding “We went from a 4-3 defense St. Louis 0 1 0 .000 13 31 down an undermanned foe. In- — and a very successful 4-3 de- for-4 for 58 yards on New York’s has begun posting some (good) stead, coordinator Jim Haslett’s fense — and making the transition other scoring drive, late in the first numbers of its own. THE WASHINGTON TIMES GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM WEEK 1: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/MULTIMEDIA/COLLECTIONS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 ଁଁ REDSKINS | R3

REDSKINS 28, GIANTS 14 Two rookies on defense have memorable debuts Neild records 2 sacks; Kerrigan scores TD on pick

BY NATHAN FENNO Kerrigan recorded perhaps the game’s using a two-gap approach at West Vir- THE WASHINGTON TIMES pivotal play. ginia hasn’t been easy. Three plays into the second half, the But two sacks in his first NFL Forgetting about Chris Neild Giants faced a third-and-11 at their 18- game? The right words escaped Neild would’ve been easy. yard line. When a lineman tried to cut to describe the unusual turn of events. After all, 252 players were picked be- block Kerrigan, he knew a quick pass His left bicep is home to a tattoo of a fore the big nose tackle April’s NFL was coming. Kerrigan dodged the block, hand crushing a football. That was a draft. One selection separated Neild then tipped Manning’s pass. Arms good picture for what he did to Man- from Mr. Irrelevant, the moniker thrust stretched as far as his 6-foot-4 frame al- ning. on the draft’s last, lonely pick. But Neild lowed, Kerrigan pulled in the football The backup to veteran nose tackle was anything but irrelevant Sunday in and raced nine yards for a touchdown. Barry Cofield first struck in the third his regular-season debut with the Not since in October quarter, bowling through the Giants’ Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. 1999 had a Redskins rookie returned an line and throwing down Manning for a The rookie recorded two sacks and interception for a touchdown. 6-yard loss. That forced the Giants into helped send the New York Giants’ usu- As the team’s defense mobbed him third-and-15 and, eventually, a . ally reliable offense off-kilter en route in celebration, Kerrigan couldn’t see Of no solace to the Giants was that to the Redskins’ 28-14 victory. anything. That stuck in his mind. Neild actually missed his assignment on “I didn’t expect that,” Neild said, “at “That kind of set the tone for the sec- the play, landing him in position to ha- all.” ond half,” said Kerrigan, who hadn’t rass Manning. The big man couldn’t suppress a scored a touchdown since high school. Then on the last play of the fourth wide grin. “We talked about that at halftime, that quarter with the Giants reeling, Man- On a Redskins roster infused with we needed to come out with more ning faked a handoff. Neild didn’t bite youth — it includes nine rookies and 25 swagger and fly around, have more fun. and dropped the quarterback for an 8- players with three years or fewer of NFL “Fortunately the ball found my yard loss. experience — Neild stood out. So did hands. Twice.” Neild didn’t expect to sleep Sunday fellow rookie Ryan Kerrigan. While More unexpected was Neild’s play. night after the performance. Besides, Neild was the Redskins’ final pick of the A bemused look hung on his face in the there was film to watch from an after- draft, Kerrigan was the first. locker room after the game, as rivers of noon he couldn’t quite believe. “Man, rookies are coming in and sweat drained off his shaved head and “This was a real big day for us,” making plays,” veteran outside line- into his thick beard. He recorded three Neild said. “It was all about adjusting to ROD LAMKEY JR. / THE WASHINGTON TIMES backer Brian Orakpo said. “That’s what sacks last season for West Virginia, the speed of the game and how the Red- Redskins nose tackle Chris Neild, pressuring Eli Manning in the third quarter, had we need, guys with hungry attitudes.” none the previous season. Adjusting to skins play.” two sacks of the Giants’ quarterback. The Redskins opened the season with a 28- Starting at left outside linebacker, the Redskins’ one-gap system after And it’s one day Neild won’t forget. 14 win over their NFC East rival.

REDSKINS 28, GIANTS 14 everybody had a feeling within them- REDSKINS GIANTS REDSKINS STATS selves that we were going to move the N.Y. Giants 7 7 0 0 14 ball, score and have success.” From page R1 Washington 0 14 7 7 28 And it’s no coincidence that Gross- seven meetings. First Quarter man became sharp when the blockers Redskins TEs give NYG–Manning 2 run (Tynes kick), 9:53. The afternoon was even more in front of him began allowing him emotionally charged than usual. A Second Quarter time to scan the field and throw. If Was–Hightower 1 run (Gano kick), 11:25. FedEx Field crowd of 80,121 observed NYG–Bradshaw 6 run (Tynes kick), 2:48. Grossman’s checkered career has foes double trouble the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 ter- Was–Armstrong 6 pass from Grossman showed anything, it’s that he’s dramat- rorist attacks in a pregame ceremony (Gano kick), :37. ically better when he’s comfortable in BY STEPHEN WHYNO and other times throughout the after- Third Quarter the pocket. THE WASHINGTON TIMES noon. Gen. Colin L. Powell, the former Was–Kerrigan 9 interception return (Gano He was sacked four times and hit secretary of state, addressed the Red- kick), 13:03. seven, but he persevered. When the Washington Redskins skins in the locker room before the Fourth Quarter “His demeanor, even when we do took three pass-catchers in the second game. Was–Gaffney 4 pass from Grossman (Gano give up a pressure or a hit or a sack, round of the 2008 draft, it was a gamble The Redskins received contribu- kick), 5:04. he’s not [mad] at us or blaming us,” that receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin tions from all over the roster, as true A–80,121. left guard Kory Lichtensteiger said. Thomas and tight end Fred Davis would contenders do. The defense held the NYG Was “He keeps his composure and just provide three big targets in the offense. Giants scoreless in the second half, First downs ...... 15 22 goes on with his next play. He made a While Kelly and Thomas have and rookie linebacker Ryan Kerrigan Total Net Yards ...... 315 332 hell of a lot of good throws today.” busted, Davis spent Sunday busting out scored the decisive touchdown in the Rushes-yards...... 20-75 26-74 Lichtensteiger could have been re- Passing ...... 240 258 with the best game of his career — six third quarter on a 9-yard intercep- Punt Returns ...... 2-27 5-53 ferring to any number of passes. There catches for 105 yards — and continued tion return. Kickoff Returns...... 2-21 2-48 was the fourth-and-5 that Grossman to put some struggles of youth behind Rookie Chris Neild, the penulti- Interceptions Ret...... 0-0 1-9 converted by throwing to Moss him. mate player taken in April’s draft, had Comp-Att-Int ...... 18-32-1 21-34-0 against soft coverage to extend the Sacked-Yards Lost ...... 4-28 4-47 “I’m put in the situation to finally two sacks. Veteran tight end Fred Punts ...... 6-45.2 6-43.0 Redskins’ first touchdown drive. make plays, and I had to,” Davis said. Davis had a career-high 105 receiving -Lost ...... 1-0 1-1 On the Redskins’ second touch- “When you get the opportunity, that’s ANDREW HARNIK / THE WASHINGTON TIMES yards on five catches. line- Penalties-Yards ...... 8-63 3-25 down drive, he completed all five of what it’s about.” Fred Davis (83) catches a 23-yard pass backer Brian Orakpo blocked a field Time of Possession . . . . 27:24 32:36 his passes to different receivers, mov- With Chris Cooley limited because Sunday in the win against the Giants. goal. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS ing the Redskins 80 yards. His 6-yard of an injured left knee, Davis’ role in the This was Grossman’s day, though. RUSHING—N.Y. Giants, Bradshaw 13-44, fade pass in the back left corner of the offense got bigger. In Sunday’s 28-14 The game began like a repeat of Jacobs 6-29, Manning 1-2. Washington, settled into Armstrong’s victory over the New York Giants, Davis venture too often, Davis took a few hits Washington’s recent defeats to the Hightower 25-72, Helu 1-2. grasp after falling over cornerback justified that extra faith from coach but most importantly held onto the ball Giants. New York won nine of the pre- PASSING—N.Y. Giants, Manning 18-32-1- ’ shoulder. Mike Shanahan and offensive coordina- and minimized the mistakes. vious 10 meetings by controlling the 268. Washington, Grossman 21-34-0-305. Grossman was solid while protect- tor Kyle Shanahan by being the most ef- A career-best in yards only served as line of scrimmage on both sides of the RECEIVING—N.Y. Giants, Nicks 7-122, ing the lead in the second half after fective weapon for quarterback Rex further evidence that a shaky rookie sea- ball. New York surprised the Red- Manningham 4-49, Ballard 2-59, Hixon 2- Kerrigan’s interception. He did fum- Grossman. son and an oversleeping incident from skins on Sunday by blitzing and play- 21, Bradshaw 1-10, Hynoski 1-4, Ware 1-3. ble on a sack after Jason Pierre-Paul Washington, Moss 6-76, Davis 5-105, Splitting out wide at times, Davis cre- minicamp in 2008 is ancient history for ing more man-to-man coverage than Gaffney 3-54, Hightower 3-25, Armstrong blew by left tackle , but ated big-time matchup problems for an Davis. they expected. 2-24, Cooley 2-21. Washington’s defense bailed them out, already banged-up Giants defense and “I’m really proud of Fred how he’s Grossman struggled to find his MISSED FIELD GOALS—N.Y. Giants, Tynes and Orakpo blocked the 38-yard field provided a significant deep threat from handled himself,” Mike Shanahan said. rhythm, and his first four passes were 38 (BK). Washington, Gano 39 (WR). goal. a position not known for that kind of “He made some big-time plays today.” incomplete. The Redskins went three- That allowed Grossman to flash production. Cooley made a couple of catches and-out on their first two drives. THE WASHINGTON TIMES back to those Saturdays in Gainesville “Fred stretches the field vertically as and moved into first place in franchise “You always have confidence that when he and Gaffney reigned. On well as any tight end in the league,” history with receptions by a tight end eventually we’ll get into a rhythm,” Hightower followed. Grossman was third-and-goal from the 4, Gaffney Grossman said. (422), but more games like this from Grossman said. rolling. ran free to the post on a slant. Gross- That’s by design. The Redskins lined Davis could put him on the path to And he was right. It started with a “He was down there with [offen- man drilled him in stride in the end up in a lot of two-tight end sets and re- challenging that record down the line. third-down completion to Santana sive coordinator Kyle Shanahan] get- zone, sealing the win. lied on Cooley for blocking skills, while As for 2011, having Davis and Coo- Moss out of the right slot. A 10-yard ting his coaching up,” receiver An- “It was a fun day,” he said. “It was Davis went down the field. The young ley — if healthy — both in the lineup can checkdown to running back Tim thony Armstrong said. “I think really a day I’ll never forget.” tight end said he lost 12 pounds in the make this offense dangerous. offseason for the purpose of being able “To have, in my opinion, two of the to spread out the offense. best route-running, pass-catching, all- “[Grossman’s] demeanor, even when we do give up a pressure “I wanted to be able to run all day around good tight ends with Cooley and and be able to make plays down the Fred, you’ll see us in a lot of two-tight or a hit or a sack, he’s not [mad] at us or blaming us. seam,” he said. “I see a lot of tight ends end situations for the rest of the year,” make plays down the seam, and in this Grossman said. He keeps his composure and just goes on with his next play. offense you can do a lot from the tight For Davis, that just gives him more end position. I just wanted to benefit chances to make plays. More than any- He made a hell of a lot of good throws today.” from it.” time else in his career, he looks poised Going places tight ends usually don’t to seize that opportunity. ---- Kory Lichtensteiger, offensive lineman

defense that fit the scheme well. And be starring in “Ice Road Truckers” on take a victory over them any way they performance. But the Redskins’ 3-1 DALY coach Shanahan has a lot of new play- the History Channel.) can get it. mark in exhibitions ended up being From page R1 ers on offense as well.” It was left to Gaffney to supply the Let’s face it, if Shanahan is going to fairly predictive of how they would Those new faces couldn’t have knockout blow — the first time the build anything here, it has to start fare in the first game. They didn’t either strolled or sauntered into the been much more visible Sunday. Redskins have delivered it under with the Redskins playing their divi- jump out to a quick lead the way end zone to give Washington its first Granted, Hightower will have better Shanahan, hard as it is to believe. sion rivals — all of them — tougher. they’d been doing, but they played lead at 21-14. consistent days — he was boom or Their biggest margin of victory last They were 2-4 against the NFC East with great energy and just kept com- Almost everything flowed from bust against the Giants — but he did season was six points, and their six in his first season, pretty much in line ing — until the Giants finally caved. that — Neild’s (two) and Bowen’s have a 22-yard gain and, later, a walk- wins came by a total of 23. Jabar’s TD with their 21-41 division record over No, this is what you were looking (one) muggings of Manning, in touchdown for the Redskins’ first put them up 14 and spared them from the last decade. So when presented for from the Redskins as they begin Gaffney’s clinching 4-yard touch- score. He also had three catches for 25 having to sweat out the final minutes. with an opportunity Sunday because Year 2 of the Shanahan Era. This was down catch with 5:11 left, Rocca’s pin- yards, giving him 97 yards from How often has that happened of late? of the Giants’ battered state, the Red- progress. They looked like a solider ning of the Giants at their 9-, 10- and scrimmage (on a career-high 28 “You’ve got to put games away,” he skins did what they needed to do. team, a surer team, a team that has a 17-yard lines. Only once in the second touches). said. “It was great to get that two- They beat a club that has owned better idea about what it’s doing — half did the Giants cross midfield, Neild’s sacks, meanwhile, came in touchdown lead at the end.” them of late, coming back twice from even if, because of the lockout, it and they came away empty at the limited playing time — by his count, a It didn’t matter that the Giants a seven-point deficit. They weren’t didn’t have the benefit of an offsea- Washington 31 when London Fletcher mere 10 snaps. One of them caused a were missing and Osi great in any one area, but they were son. The Giants club they face the and Josh Wilson stuffed Ahmad Brad- at the New York 2 near the Umenyiora, their twin pass-rushing good enough in most of them to grind next time figures to be more of a shaw on fourth-and-1. end of the third quarter, but Manning terrors, and others on their formida- out the win and take a positive vibe challenge, won’t be missing as many As another newcomer, Barry averted disaster by pouncing on it. ble defense. This is the NFL. You go into their Week 2 matchup with Ari- players; but by mid-December the Cofield, put it (in what might well be (Neild, by the way, is the guy with the to battle with the team you have. Be- zona. Redskins could be much improved, the Understatement of the Week): bushy beard, the one who, if he wasn’t sides, the Redskins, given their recent It’s always hard to know how too, provided they can build on this “We’ve got a lot of new faces on this playing pro football, would probably troubles against the New Yorkers, will much to read into a club’s preseason encouraging effort. R4 | REDSKINS ଁଁ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

REDSKINS SCHEDULE REDSKINS 28, GIANTS 14: QUARTER-BY-QUARTER WEEK 1

vs. Giants W, 28-14 WEEK 2

vs. Cardinals Sun., Sept. 18 WEEK 3

at Cowboys ROD LAMKEY JR./THE WASHINGTON TIMES ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES Mon., Sept. 26 FIRST QUARTER: Giants receiver is brought down by Redskins safety Reed SECOND QUARTER: Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman (8) celebrates with receiver WEEK 4 Doughty just short of the goal line. The play set up a touchdown. Anthony Armstrong after scoring a touchdown that made it 14-14.

at Rams Sun., Oct. 2 WEEK 6

vs. Eagles Sun., Oct. 16 WEEK 7

at Panthers Sun., Oct. 23 ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES THIRD QUARTER: Redskins linebacker London Fletcher contributed to a solid defensive FOURTH QUARTER: Redskins receiver Jabar Gaffney gathers in a 4-yard touchdown pass WEEK 8 effort with this stop of Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. that sealed Washington’s 28-14 victory over the New York Giants.

Three things were With a little help This was a defen- The final quarter apparent during the from his friends up KEY PLAY sive period, in a big of the Redskins’ sea- 1 first quarter of the 2 front, Grossman 3 way for the Redskins. 4 son-opening victory at Bills (Toronto) Redskins’ season. looked like a different The obvious At the start, top draft was a cross section of Sun., Oct. 30 Quarterback Rex Grossman quarterback. Taking advantage choice is rookie pick Ryan Kerrigan batted a their highlights of the day, with can be made to feel very uncom- of better protection (and per- ARyan Kerrigan’s 9- Manning pass, then caught it and the offense and the defense tak- WEEK 9 fortable with a decent pass . haps processing things a bit yard interception return ran into the end zone from nine ing turns in the spotlight. The The Giants put some pressure on quicker), he was the central fig- for a touchdown. The yards out for the only touchdown defense continued to shine, Grossman and he didn’t handle it ure in the Redskins’ two scores. less obvious choice, and of the quarter. The last rookie to holding the Giants without a well. To be fair, he had some nice He was helped by a beauty of the winner here, is a score on an interception return point in the second half. The throws, but the bad outweighed a catch by Anthony Armstrong for the Redskins was Champ Bai- unit’s big moment of the period vs. 49ers the good. early in the quarter, an 18-yard tackle made by running ley (59 yards) on Oct. 17, 1999. came after Grossman fumbled Sun., Nov. 6 Second, Graham Gano may completion that set up Tim back Tim Hightower in Later in the quarter, the Gi- while being sacked, allowing the have vanquished the minimal Hightower’s first touchdown as the fourth quarter. The ants went for it on fourth-and-1 Giants to take over on the Skins’ WEEK 10 competition in preseason but a Redskin. After the two-minute Giants’ on the Skins’ 31. Ahmad Brad- 27. The defense forced a field coach Mike Shanahan probably warning, Grossman had a bril- picked up a Rex Gross- shaw took the handoff, only to be goal try that was blocked by needs to keep an updated liant stretch with a 39-yarder to man fumble and looked stopped for no gain by London Brian Orakpo. Rolodex for available kickers. Jabar Gaffney followed by a 9- like he might be end- Fletcher and Josh Wilson. On the The offense, silent like the Gi- Gano missed a 39-yarder on the yarder to Hightower followed by zone-bound. Hightower final play of the quarter, Man- ants up to that point in the half, at Dolphins drive after the Giants’ touch- a 6-yarder to Armstrong for a ning was sacked back to his own went right down the field to Sun., Nov. 13 down. TD with 37 seconds left. somehow got to Boley 2 by Fletcher and Chris Neild. It score the game’s final touch- Finally, the deep ball could be For the quarter, Grossman and pulled him down on could have been worse, as Man- down. Grossman directed a 70- WEEK 11 a problem. It looked like Reed completed eight of 10 passes for the Skins’ 27. The defense ning fumbled but recovered it yard drive that took 5:33 off the Doughty got beat on a 68-yard 114 yards. His 13 completions in held, Brian Orakpo himself. clock and culminated with a 4- pass from Eli Manning to Ha- the half went to six different re- blocked a field-goal try The Redskins’ offense didn’t yard pass to Gaffney. The Giants keem Nicks that set up the Gi- ceivers. and the Redskins went put up any points. It didn’t mat- gained a mere 25 yards on their ants’ score. LaRon Landry, the The Giants’ touchdown in the down the field and ter because the Redskins defense final two drives. New York vs. Cowboys regular strong safety, is suscepti- quarter came on the ground, a 6- scored a touchdown and kept the gained 213 yards in the first half, Sun., Nov. 20 ble to the deep ball, too. yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw. scored again. Giants from doing the same. and only 102 in the second. WEEK 12 REDSKINS NOTES WEEK 2 CARDINALS AT REDSKINS at Seahawks Sun., Nov. 27 Hightower does it his way for 72 yards, TD

WEEK 13 BY STEPHEN WHYNO got to do,” Hightower said. Orakpo sprained his right BY THE NUMBERS THE WASHINGTON TIMES “Sometimes it’s not always ankle on the first defensive se- 600: Career completions for going to be where you want it ries and missed the next one Kickoff: 1 p.m. TV: Fox While quarterback Rex to be, I’m just showing up, man before returning heavily taped. Radio: AM-980, FM-92.7, FM-94.3 quarterback Rex Grossman Grossman spread the ball — whether it’s receiving, He managed to play most of What to watch: Redskins running vs. Jets after a 10-yard pass to Tim High- around in the air, the running whether it’s picking up blitzes, the rest of the game, but back Tim Hightower gets a shot at Sun., Dec. 4 tower in the first quarter, Gross- game was all about Tim High- whatever it is, man — I’ve got Shanahan still was concerned the team that traded him in July for man’s second completion of the tower. The Washington Red- to do what I’ve got to do.” about his star outside line- a late 2012 pick and a 35-year-old WEEK 14 skins rushed the ball 26 times, With coach Mike Shanahan backer. defensive end. With all due respect day. It left him a cool 5,700 com- and Hightower got the call on noting — as always — that im- “Initially I thought he was to Vonnie Holliday, that’s a bargain pletions behind career leader 25 of those plays. provements are needed, play- out for the game, so hopefully basement price. In the preseason, Brett Favre but only 2,809 out of That’s exactly the way he ers think the running game can it’s not too bad,” Shanahan Hightower averaged 6.8 yards per the career top 10. likes it. be part of that, too. said. carry and showed a pass-blocking vs. Patriots “I plan on that,” he said “Tim, he runs very hard. ability that makes him a complete Sun., Dec. 11 422: Career catches for Chris after Sunday’s 28-14 win. “I He’s hitting the hole hard,” Powell visits Redskins player. He’ll be out to show the hate coming off the football tight end Fred Davis said. “It Cardinals what they gave up on. WEEK 15 Cooley after he hauled in a 6- yarder from Grossman with nine field. I use my words wisely: I can do better, too. That’s the Before he went out onto the ● Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb hate coming off the football funny thing about it — we can field as the Redskins’ honorary threw for 309 yards and 2 TDs in his minutes left in the game. That field. I don’t like watching. I’m still be better.” captain on the 10th anniver- first game in Arizona, a 28-21 win. moves him ahead of Jerry Smith a team guy, but I like being that Don’t expect Hightower to sary of the Sept. 11 terrorist at- ● It will be interesting to see how and into the No. 1 spot all-time guy; I like the responsibility slow down, either. Next week tacks, former Secretary of often cornerback DeAngelo Hall is at Giants among Redskins tight ends. and putting the team on my he and the Redskins face the State Colin L. Powell had an- lined up against Arizona receiver Sun., Dec. 18 back. That’s the kind of guy I team that traded him six weeks other job — stepping inside Larry Fitzgerald. That matchup of 31:50: Minutes and seconds it am.” ago, the Arizona Cardinals. the home locker room at Pro Bowlers would be compelling, WEEK 16 took first-round draft pick Ryan Hightower wound up with “This one means a lot,” he FedEx Field as a source of in- but the Cardinals could avoid it by 72 yards and a touchdown, and said. “I’m looking forward to it. spiration. lining Fitzgerald up on the left. Kerrigan to score his first pro the Alexandria native was a bit It’ll be an emotional day for Later, taps played to the touchdown. frustrated by that lack of pro- me; it’ll be a record-setting day sound of wild cheers, and the Larry Fitzgerald 110.5: QB rating for the game duction. for me.” pregame ceremony using clips vs. Vikings But even though Hightower from the Pentagon ceremony Sat., Dec. 24 for Grossman, his highest since won’t make the list of fantasy Orakpo plays hurt added to an already charged Dec. 11, 2006, and only his third football rushing leaders, his atmosphere. WEEK 17 game above 100 since then. presence opened up the of- Brian Orakpo has devel- “Colin Powell’s in the Grossman completed 21 of 34 fense for the passing game. oped into the face of the Red- locker room giving you a There’s a reason backup Roy skins’ defense and one of the pregame speech and then fans passes for 305 yards, two Helu touched the ball once, better pass-rushers in the are chanting ‘U-S-A’, I was touchdowns and no intercep- and it’s because of Hightower’s league, so when he left the overwhelmed,” Grossman said. at Eagles tions. effectiveness. game in the first quarter there “It was a fun day. It was a day Sun., Jan. 1 “I’m doing whatever I’ve was reason for worry. I’ll never forget.” EXPANDED REDSKINS COVERAGE: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL