Die Hard Sports Fan

Over the years, I have learned that certain things just weren’t meant to be.  As a kid, I always wanted a brand new baseball glove.  I played every season for years and always used one my parents bought at a yard sale.  It had to be 40 years old at the minimum.  My little sister played softball one year with a brand new glove.  A new glove for me to be proud of just wasn’t meant to be.  In college, I spent a majority of my one class daydreaming about a believably good-looking girl that sat a row ahead of me, wondering what she looked like without all those annoying and frustrating clothes on but never found out.  It just wasn’t meant to be.  Life’s lessons never end because on Monday, I just realized another thing in my life that is not meant to be.

After suffering through a painful, horrific, and humiliating loss to the Washington Redskins Sunday, and trying to recoup from the loss, the hits just keep coming.  Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook now has two fractured ribs.  I don’t know who is in more pain; Westbrook or us Die Hard Eagles Fans.

Brian Westbrook is the heart and soul of the Eagles offense.  No offense to QB Donovan McNabb but Westbrook is anything and everything to our offense.  He instills fear in the minds of opposing defenses.  Other teams have to account for him on every play.  They have to spend all week game planning for how to stop him as a multi-level threat. 

We know what the Eagles can do with and without “Westy”.  We saw that for the 2^nd half of the Steelers game and unfortunately the entire Bears game.  With a current record of 2-3 and a 0-2 NFC East division record, can there be any worse time for this injury?  My hopes and dreams of an Eagles Super bowl are fading by the second.  Maybe it is just one more thing in our lives that is not meant to be.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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As one might expect after beating both the Cowboys and the Eagles, and both on the road, people are starting to sit up and take notice that this Redskins team is more than originally met the eye. And, why shouldn’t they. The Eagles defense was rated as one of, if not the best against the run. They were only allowing less than 60 yards rushing per game.

Clinton Portis and company ran for over 200 yards today!!

Listen to how the ESPN crew spins it.

What will be interesting now is what I was hinting at earlier this week. Now that the Redskins have shown that they are a team that can not be taken lightly, and given the fact that the Giants have played a relatively soft schedule to date, who will be on top of the Power Rankings this week.

The Redskins should be the rated Top Beast in the NFC East!

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Written by: SkinsLovaLinds, our newest Die Hard Redskins Fan blogger

As mentioned in my last post, the last time the Skins played in Dallas prior to our glorious win last week 28-26, I was at the game with 14 of my friends.  It was a very tough loss for us, coming down to the last two minutes…but I lived for every moment! After the game was over and we were walking out of the stadium, we were dealing with all sorts of heckling a smack talk from all the Cowboy fans.  On the way in… a few comments here and there. But I mean to tell you, after the game was over and we took the loss, these fans went from decent to RUDE! But what was the one thing I reiterated over and over AND OVER again to these fans when they were running their mouths? “That’s alright…we’ll take the loss because Sean Taylor will see you AND T.O. at Fedex in about a month.”

That was November 18th.  A little over a week later, the Redskins nation along with the rest of the world were stunned and saddened after learning our beloved Sean was shot in his home and a day later, passed away.  Never in my life had I imagined a sports figure would affect my world so much…but I was literally brought to tears when I heard the news. And when I awoke the next day to learn he had not made it through the night, I was overcome with grief.  So I did what any true fan would do, made arrangements with my fellow fans and took a trip to Fedex field to pay my respects.

But I’m not writing today to relive those bitter moments from last year.  I am simply making reference to the event because I am a firm believer that the tragedy has given the Redskins more of a purpose this season.  They went on to win four games last December to push Washington into the playoffs after being blown off by most teams and analysts as a team in mourning.  Even going into this season, we were expected to have a season to “restructure” after hiring all new coaches and were overlooked completely in the preseason power rankings.  Analysts considered themselves kind by projecting us to go 9-7, some even 8-6, but that we would remain at the bottom of the division and were no comparison to the Cowboys, Eagles and Giants.

Gary Fitzgerald of Redskins.com quotes London Fletcher as saying:

In wins you can overlook a lot of mistakes that were made that could cost you down the road and we had our fair share of mistakes as good as we played on Sunday… maybe people underestimated our resolve and that we were battle-tested from what we went through last year.

Battle-tested, something to prove, with a vengeance…however you’d like to put it, the Redskins have emerged this season and will continue to do so as long as they keep themselves grounded and focused.  Labeled the underdogs up until this week, we have finally broken into the ESPN power rankings top 10.  We’re sitting pretty at number 6, with the Cowgirls at number 3 and the Eagles at number 9.  A win in Philly this week could set the NFC East for a whirlwind.  If Jason Campbell can read the Eagles defense the way he read the Cowboys, there is no reason the Redskins shouldn’t be able to produce.  And in regard to our defense, in the words of Freddie Smoot, “They have their 12th man…we have ours.”

WE MISS YOU SEAN!

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Vedder:  Thank you for joining us today Warmontco.  This is a very important game this week between the Deadskins, I mean The Washington Redskins, and The Philadelphia Eagles.  With the NFC East being the best and toughest division in the NFL, as well as the most competitive, would you say that this is a must game for both teams?

Warmontco:  No, I don’t believe this is a must game for either team beyond the idea that each must defeat their rival. NFC East games are a cut above anything else you can identify in the NFL. It doesn’t matter if one team is perfect with zero wins, and the other perfect with zero losses. On game day, nothing else matters in an NFC match-up beyond the fact that the mindset is to win! There is no trophy, or big, blanking ring for being first in the division.

I recall as a kid we used to play a game called “King of the Hill.” It’s a popular game that I’m sure many can identify with. Playing in the NFC East is more like that game, year in and year out, than any other division in the NFL.

Vedder:  The Giants the only remaining undefeated team in the NFC East.  To date, their fans (especially a co-blogger of ours on www.diehardsportsfan.net) seem to have delusions of grandeur.  They did beat the Redskins and the Redskins beat The Dallas Cowboys in Dallas.  Do you think The Giants are currently the best team in the NFC East?   After all, I think I could have beaten the Rams and Bengals.  How pathetic that the Bengals took them to OT in the Meadowlands!

Warmontco:  Get real!! The Giants!?  Ha!  Not on your life. That said, I’m not comfortable stating who is the best team. I made this point in an earlier post leading up to the Cowboys game. Just because the Giants beat the Redskins (mostly because the Redskins weren’t ready in the first half of the game), and the Redskins beat the Cowboys, does NOT mean that the Giants can beat the Cowboys, or the Eagles. I believe this is a key fact that most people that don’t follow the NFC East never fully appreciate. All games, regardless of the perceived stature of the other team and the predictions of what they will achieve for the season, begin from base zero.

Most pundits who will try to offer their analysis would not put the Giants at the top of the hill right now, anyway. Why? Well, it’s simple. Who have they played. They beat a Washington team that wasn’t quite ready to begin the season and a mere shadow of itself today, the St. Louis Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Giants need to beat a team that is clicking on all cylinders before they can honestly be given king of the hill. But again, I remain reserved in that assessment because as I mentioned earlier, it doesn’t matter who is king of the hill today, tomorrow, next week, or at the end of the regular season. If the Giants taught us anything last year, it was that the only game that matters is the next one, until it’s the last one.

Now, that said, let me also say that I do believe the Redskins are playing very strong right now. For that, I also believe that the Redskins will give any NFC East team a very strong challenge. The Redskins defense did to the Dallas Cowboys what the Philadelphia Eagles defense couldn’t do. Still, in truth, we were more successful because were able to watch the tape of the Eagles/Cowboys game. 

Vedder:  The Redskins have been questioned around the league as being run by an owner who needs to stick his nose out of things.  Do you think owner Daniel Snyder has learned how to own the team without treating it as his own personal fantasy football team?

Warmontco:  Dan Snyder, in my humble opinion, has matured. He is acting, and operating the team, with prudence and forethought. It is well known, and he has even spoken of his early exuberance. But, for anyone to criticize him for that is shallow, at best. This is a man that has created success. Through that success, he was able to buy his most favorite childhood professional sports franchise. Now, in any other metropolitan outside of the D.C. metro area, that might not seem like very much. But, to Mr. Snyder, and to me, and to so many others that are a part of Redskins nation, you’d have to admit: what a rush that must have been to buy the team you love so much. So, naturally, he was exuberant and wanted to win…badly. I believe that has not changed. But, unlike his early years, I believe he now manages the team with the wisdom that can only come from experience. It’s the difference between knowledge and ‘know-how.’ Mr. Snyder now knows how to run the Redskins.

Vedder:  A few years ago, the Redskins dealt Pro Bowler CB Champ Bailey and a 2^nd round pick to the Denver Broncos for RB Clinton Portis.  At the time, Washington was criticized for giving up too much for Portis.  Now that a few years have gone by, as a Skins fan, how do you now evaluate this trade?

Warmontco:  I’m a huge Clinton Portis fan. I’m glad he is on the Redskins team. I’m glad that we are going to keep him a Redskin for the foreseeable future. I do not believe that there is no clear difference and/or drop off between having Portis in the backfield as compared to our other running backs. In my mind, there is a huge drop off. But, while I acknowledge and accept the value that CP has on the team, I would rather we not made that trade, except for one key factor. To me, it is more valuable to have a lock down cornerback than it is to have a top flight running back. Defense is what wins championships. That said, Champ Bailey wanted out. He wasn’t happy. So, because of that, we should have traded him. I don’t believe on making players stay where they don’t want to be. I think we paid too much for Clinton, but I’m most happy that we got him. 

Vedder:  Over the last few weeks, we have seen the first stages of the evolution of QB Jason Campbell take place.  Critics jumped on him early saying his delivery was too slow for the West Coast Offense or he wasn’t the right QB period.  What are those critics saying now?

Warmontco:  There has been a thundering silence from Jason Campbell’s critics. Very early on, I wrote about us needing to be patient. I believe most of the noise was created by those who are just interested in having Colt Brennan play. They’re not mature fans, in my opinion. While it was fun to watch Brennan in the preseason playing against guys that aren’t even in the league today, it’s something altogether different to expect him to play, and play effectively right now. Even Coach Zorn has said as much. In fact, I agree with Matt Terl of The Official Redskins Blog in how he put it towards the end of the preseason. He said that he liked watching Colt play, but he didn’t want him taking another snap until the start of next preseason…in 2009!

As for the ‘professional’ critics, well that’s their job. They get paid to create and/or feed controversy. So, they appear to have moved on to find controversy elsewhere, i.e. T.O.’s latest issue in Dallas.

Vedder:  During the off-season, one of the Redskins weaknesses appeared to be their WR core.  They addressed that need by using the draft in selecting WR Devin Thomas and WR Malcolm Kelly.  However, after 4 weeks, neither has barely seen the field.  Are you as a fan disappointed with their involvement and contributions to this point?

Warmontco:  Well, once again, it’s a question of how much value a rookie can actually have at a skill position. It is truly rare, in my opinion, where a rookie can step in and add value right away. On those occasions, the team has found someone special. In our case, I can’t really speak to either one of the three receivers we drafted; Thomas, Kelly; and Davis. Davis has it tough because he plays behind a highly underrated TE in Chris Cooley. Thomas and Kelly had an opportunity to play more by pushing Randle-El and James Thrash to reserve roles. I still believe that may happen by the end of the year for Thomas, as long as he stays healthy. As for Kelly, well you can’t make the highlights if you’re sitting in the tub. No player has control over injuries. But, to a degree, I believe that Kelly in particular may have enjoyed a better transition to the NFL if he had a stronger off-season training program. That said; they kept him off of IR because they thought he might contribute this year. And, he just may…later. But even if he doesn’t, no worries…they’ll get him in shape for next season.

Vedder:  What player on the roster excites you most so far this season?  You have been pretty clear on your past Die Hard Redskin posts that you are enjoying the play so far of Safety Chris Horton.

Warmontco:  “The Predator” is fierce. I love watching him play. Aside from him, I have to be honest and say that I am most thrilled watching Jason Campbell come into his own. I only hope that he continues in his progression and takes a place among the leagues elite QB’s.

Vedder:  Regarding DE Jason Taylor, does he have anything left in the tank and are you concerned the Skins gave up too much to acquire him? 

Warmontco:  Contrary to what many believe, there is a HUGE difference in how to play LEFT defensive end, as opposed to RIGHT defensive end. Taylor created his legend playing Right DE. He played it for a number of years. In doing so, he got comfortable…more than comfortable. It’s a completely opposite technique that must be employed on the Left side. It sounds easy, i.e. just put your opposite hand down, and move your opposite foot forward in your stance. But, that couldn’t be further from the truth. So, I don’t believe he will be as dominant playing on the Left side as he could be playing on the Right side. That said, I still think he will be better than many Right side DE’s in the league. He still has ‘gas in the tank.’ Although he hasn’t registered many sacks yet, he is still impacting the game with his smart, head’s up play. We had a need. He was available. It was a good trade.

Vedder:  If you could change one thing now to improve the Redskins even further, what would that be?

Warmontco:  I had to think about this for a minute. In my mind, we need the biggest improvement in our Punt Return game.  Randle-El has been effective in the past, but I believe that either he needs to do it exclusively without playing receiver, or the coaches need to allow someone else to do it. I don’t think any team is afraid of punting to us because Randle-El is not the threat that he may once have been.

Vedder:  I think the Redskins shocked the NFL last week with their performance and victory against the Dallas Cowboys.  When the 2008 Redskins season is over, do you think you and other Skins fans will look back and say that this was the game that set the tone for the rest of the year?  Are you worried now that the Redskins won this game, they will be content with their achievement and ‘fall asleep at the wheel’ for less provocative match-ups?

Warmontco:  No such thing in the NFC East, with one exception. Last year, the New York Giants benefited from a goal line stand against the Redskins. That one game instilled a sense of renewed determination and the proper mindset which allowed them to win it all. That exception aside, and generally speaking, I don’t believe any one game between NFC rivals amounts to season changing trends. However, if T.O. implodes in Dallas, as recent comments and indicators suggest, then we may all sit back and look at last weeks game as the one that took the heart out of the Cowboys.

Vedder:  What match-ups this week favor each team?  What concerns do you have as a Redskins fan playing against Philly?

Warmontco:  There is no other team in the NFC East that concerns me more than the BEagles. The match-ups are across the board. Our offense against the BEagle defense, and vice versa. I believe this will be a very defensive ‘flavored’ match-up. That said; it will be fun for me to watch the match-up on the outside between DeSean Jackson and our secondary, in particular LaRon Landry who will cover against the deep pass. Landry is only a step or two slower than Jackson. But, he can bring the pain and make any receiver second guess how much to extend for the ball. 

Vedder:   What is your prediction for this week’s heated match-up between my beloved Philadelphia Eagles and your stinky, smelly Redskins?

Warmontco:  I’m an optimist. And when it comes to the Redskins, I’m a biased optimist. Redskins win 13-7.  

Vedder:  Thanks for joining us today Warmontco.  I have one final thing to say to you as we look forward to Sunday’s game:  “”E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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Everywhere I go, at work, at home, in the car, when I am awake and when I am asleep, I have one vision in my head and I cannot shake it from my thoughts.  The harder I try, the more it keeps replaying, over and over again.  That image is Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter being stuffed at the Bears 1 cm line in Sunday’s loss to the Bears.  I want to yell at Buckhalter to reach the ball over the goal-line while you are getting stacked up.  I want to jump into the vision in my head myself and help backup TE Matt Schobel block Bears DE Alex Brown.  In my vision, I want to run onto the field, over to the sidelines and beg Head Coach Andy Reid to run his 230 pound quarterback on a QB keeper.  I want to tell him to get his head out of his arse and run a bootleg or some kind of quick hitter instead of the slow, developing running plays to Buckhalter that they called. 

The NFC East is up for grabs.  It will probably come down to the final week of the NFL season.  With the development and improvement of QB Jason Campbell of the Redskins and their upset victory over The Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, there are now a total of four teams in the NFC East that could win the division.  Just a week ago, we thought it would only come down to The Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles.  Not so fast and now we face the Skins this Sunday in what is looking like a must win game.  Now I fear The Eagles loss to The Bears on Sunday may just come back and bite us in the rear come the end of the season where that we will look back and say “what if we only dialed up the right play calling when the game was on the line that September evening in Chicago?”

You think I am being too hard on Coach Reid?  Check out this article and let me know your thoughts (click here)

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!

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I had the opportunity to interview another Die Hard Redskins Fan, Lindsay King, recently. Enjoy.

1. How did you become a Redskins fan?

I’ve been a redskins fan since I was a little girl.  Literally, my grandparents have pictures of me and my sister holding a Redskins pennant with our fists in the air…I think I was 5.  But it’s funny because the person I would say that I have to thank for being a Redskins fan would be my old step dad.  Most of my family grew up Baltimore Colt fans and after they left town, the Redskins were the home team to root for.  My Grandpa was on the season tickets waiting list for Washington for about 20 years…and the year he was finally offered tickets, he declined because he was on his way to becoming a fan of a new team….hello Baltimore Ravens.  Needless to say, the majority of my family has followed in his foot steps as Ravens supporters and I pretty much stand alone in my burgundy and gold.  Lots of people claim it’s ‘wrong’ to be a Redskins fan while we’re living in Maryland because of taxes, this that and the other…in my opinion, it’s wrong to switch the team you like based on location.

2. What is your favorite Redskins / Cowboys game that you’ve watched? Tell us about it.

The Redskins/Cowboys rivalry is one of my favorites (naturally) and I look forward to seeing a good game every time they meet.  An NFC match up will always come down to who wants the win more and who plays best that day, regardless of records. I would have to say my favorite Redskins/Cowboys experience thus far would be last years first meeting.  Granted, we took the loss, but I organized a trip for myself along with 14 of my friends to fly to Dallas and attend the game. We tailgated with Chief Zee, Clinton Portis‘ mom, Rock Cartwright’s family and every Washington Redskins fan in the Dallas area.  And it was quite the experience to be sitting in the Cowboys endzone, just ten rows from where the majority of T.O.’s touchdown saga went down.  It was a VERY back and forth meeting, despite what the numbers may say and the Skins were never really out of the game at all.  Matter of fact, we were on our feet screaming the entire game and irritating the surrounding Cowboy fans until Jason Campbell’s interception to Terence Newman with 1:39 that pretty much would send us back to D.C. with a loss. Oh well. And like I said, we may have taken the loss but it was an experience of a lifetime.

3. Before the game yesterday, what were you most concerned about as a Redskins fan?

My number one concern walking into the game this week was our offense, but especially our offensive line.  We’ve been producing the last few weeks, yes, however the Cowboy’s secondary is phenomenal.  Demarcus Ware is probably the greatest linebacker in the league and Jason Campbell needs protection from that.  Chris Samuels went on to play a great first half, but Campbell slipped away from Ware multiple times post half time.  If Samuels and the rest of the line work on pass protection in particular, I don’t see why or how Philly’s defense should be a problem next week.

4. In your opinion, what is the number one thing we did right yesterday?

In the game yesterday, I would have to say the number one thing we did right would be utilizing the West Coast Offense to the best of its capablities.  Zorn was calling the pass and rush quite strategically, which was a very critical part of us winning the game.  Now that our offense is seriously starting to click, implemention of the new offense is beginning to show and we are utilizing our weapons to the best of our capability!

5. Conversely, what is the number one thing we need to fix before the Eagles next week?

Above all else…. we need our boys to be HEALTHY going into next week!!!! Between losing Jason Taylor after our win over the Cardinals last week, followed by Fred Smoot and Marcus Washington coming off the field yesterday, I am a little bit concerned about a McNabb/Westbrook show next Sunday.  As I’m trying to remain optimistic, I think the reality should be to try and add depth so that we don’t run into serious problems if Washington and Smoot aren’t 100% next week.

6. If you could tell Coach Jim Zorn one thing after today’s game, what would it be. Please explain.

The one thing I would say to Jim Zorn after the win today would definitely be congratulations. He is the only Redskins coach in the history of the franchise to be undefeated in Texas stadium.  Considering the fact we had only won one of the last twelve match ups in Dallas going into this game, coming back to Washington with a win is HUGE.  Not only did we defeat the ‘best’ team in the league thus far , but we did it to them at home.  Not only did we hold Marion Barber to 26 yards on the ground, but we also didn’t allow any passes longer than 18 yards throughout the game.  This win was absolutely vital for the Redskins to be considered with the rest of the ‘elites’ in the division and now we’re sitting pretty in second place with a quarter of the season under our belts!

7. Who do you think deserves the Die Hard Redskins Fan game ball. Why?

And the game ball goes to…Jason Campbell! He had 231 yards yesterday, 145 of which were connecting with Santana Moss, a man who is known for playing well in Dallas.  He also managed to lead the Skins down the field to score on four consecutive drives over the second and third quarters.  He threw two touchdowns and is proving himself week after week to be the leader of this team.  My biggest complaint about Jason Campbell would be his tendency to linger in the pocket, but he managed his time well yesterday and knew when it was time to throw the ball. The man has yet to throw an interception this year and has a 102.2 passer rating.  When Campbell was first added to the team, we were told he was the future. It seems the future is closer than anyone thought, and he is doing a great job proving everybody wrong that doubted him being able to adapt so quickly to the West Coast Offense.

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What is most enjoyable in this video is watching the breakdown in the coverage by Terence Newman on the Redskins first touchdown.

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I don’t know about the rest of Redskins nation, but I slept like a baby!! There is nothing better to start of the work week than a good, resounding victory. Even more so, a victory over the hated Dallas Cowboys.

Any style of victory would have suit me just fine. But, the manner in which the Redskins beat the Cowboys has me floating on a cloud. Consider for a moment the key indicators.

The High Powered Offense of the Cowboys -

I’m not going to make any disparaging remarks about their offense. I respect them. They have some talented players. But, most importantly, I believe their offensive line is top notch. That said however, our defense stepped up huge yesterday. First, and foremost, we shut down their run game. They knew it. And, in short order, they abandoned that aspect of their game. In the end, Marion Barber ran for only 26 yards on eight carries. It was noted here earlier in my PreGame Thoughts that when Barber gets more than eleven carries, the Cowboys are an incredible 22-1.

So, the question is already being asked amongst the pundits. Why did Dallas abandon the running game? Well, let me offer my two cents. Marion Barber is a beast. He is a big, strong back with a very high sense of balance. But, he’s slow. Our defense ran him down. More specifically, except on one or two occassions, he couldn’t generate enough momentum to break through the line and gobble up the yards, like he is capable of doing. If the Cowboys start to play Felix Jones more as the season progresses, they will add a dynamic to their offense at the running back position that all teams need: SPEED!

Terrell Owens, naturally, has a different perspective. During his interviews after the game, he seems to be in late season form suggesting that the Dallas offense is all about him.

“It’s no secret, when I get involved, we move the chains. When I don’t, we’re more stagnant in our offense,” Owens said.

Well, what T.O. is not acknowledging is that Shawn Springs played his ‘boohooty’ off yesterday. When he left the game with leg cramps, I admit that I cringed. On television, they had a close up of T.O. speaking to Tony Romo. It was possible to read his lips when he said, “I got him,” speaking of Carlos Rogers. He was licking his chops to go against Rogers.

Well, that didn’t work out for T.O. either. On one drive, late in the game, they attempted three consecutive throws to T.O.; all fell incomplete. T.O. is great receiver. But sometimes, his emotion, or more accurately, the lack of attention his emotion perceives, takes him out of the game. In the end, he only had 71 yards on seven catches.

Matt Mosley reports today that T.O. may have created a new drama in Dallas.

After the game, a Cowboys starter on offense said he thought the team tried too hard to involve T.O. in the second half. It’s not good when a player senses that coaches are calling plays in order to keep a teammate happy. It’s not time to panic if you’re a Cowboys fan, but I’d certainly keep your eye on that situation. It’s a slap in the face to Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin — and especially rookie Felix Jones to freeze them out in order to please T.O.

Tick tock, tick tock…I’m waiting for the explosion to come to big ‘D’.

The Quality of Play of Jason Campbell -

WOW! I also admit that I was a bit nervous for Jason Campbell going into this game. I remember reading how Jim Zorn told Campbell that he had to trust him. Campbell shot back that Zorn needed to trust him, too. Well, it’s time for all of us fans to trust Campbell, even those that were advocating putting a rookie, Colt Brennan, in as the starting QB.

It’s easy to point to Campbell’s yardage and his touchdown throws yesterday. But, by doing so, we would miss something else: his growing ability to move in the pocket, keep the play alive, and make a play to move the chains or, specifically to yesterdays game, exploit Terence Newman downfield.

Campbell played like a QB that was fully focused on the task at hand. He was the field general that the Redskins needed.

Other Things That Made Me Smile -

Watching Terence Newman try to keep up with James Thrash in motion only to slip and the third change of direction. Campbell saw it and hit Thrash in stride for the Redskins first touchdown.

Watching Terence Newman get beat down field by Santana Moss, time after time. He had to consoled on the sidelines by his teammates.

Watching Clinton Portis find some running room (121 yards on 21 carries) and ripping off a nice 31 yard scamper.

Chris Cooley; that man can catch a football! He’s awesome.

Shawn Springs and the difference he makes in the secondary.

Chris “The Predator” Horton, along with Greg Blache that designed the play, running underneath the pass pattern for the only interception of the game. What a great story he is.

The offensive line met a formidable foe in the front four of the Cowboys defense. They gave up two sacks, but it could have been a much longer day. Well done.

Seeing Jon Jansen play again. He’s the best back up tackle in the league.

Jim Zorn. His arrival as a head coach may not have come as early as he would have liked, but from a Redskins perspective, it was right on time.

Things That Made Me Cringe -

Casey Rabach. Seriously?!?! Two nullifed touchdowns in a row on the same drive. What’s up with that?

Hail to the Redskins!

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From the Associated Press, here is a recap of the game and a brief mention of what is ahead.

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Both teams showed their defensive strength early in the game. It was nothing short of an NFC East knock down fight with the Redskins emerging victorious.

1st Quarter -

Redskins first drive stalls after a false start penalty by Lorenzo Alexander, follwed by a dropped pass by Santana Moss. Cowboys first drive begins at their 10-yard line with a couple of first downs before they are forced to punt. Both teams continued to show high energy. But, defense set the tone.

On the Redskins third possession, the Cowboys entire defensive line met at the quarterback, Jason Campbell, for the second sack of the game. On the Cowboys ensuing drive, Patrick Crayton catches a long ball against Carlos Rogers to drive deep into the Redskins territory. On a subsequent play, Carlos Rogers is called for holding, which gave the Cowboys another set of downs. On the very next play, Tony Romo connects with Jason Witten for a touchdown down the middle over Marcus Washington.

Score: Cowboys, 0-7

2nd Quarter -

Redskins drive deep into the Cowboys territory. They finish the drive with a touchdown pass from Jason Campbell to James Thrash to tie the game.

After a short series and punt by the Cowboys, the Redskins drive inside the Cowboys five-yard line. On third-and-goal, Jason Campbell avoids the pass rush and throws a touchdown to Antwaan Randle-El to take the lead.

After another three-and-out series by the Cowboys, the Redskins open up their series with a long pass completion to Santana Moss from Jason Campbell placing the Redskins inside the Cowboys ten-yard line. On third-and-goal from the two-yard line, fail to convert and settle for a field-goal.

With under two minutes left in the first half of the game, the Cowboys drive the length of the field for a field-goal with five seconds remaining.

Score: Redskins, 17-10

3rd Quarter -

The Dallas Cowboys tie the game on their first series of the second half with a quick slant to Terrell Owens from Tony Romo.

On the Redskins next series, Clinton Portis rips a 31-yard run on third-down and two in order to keep the drive alive. After another big catch by Santana Moss, take the ball to the Cowboys 6-yard line. A touchdown run by Portis is negated by Casey Rabach, which put the Redskins all the way back to the 16-yard line. On third and goal, a touchdown pass by Jason Campbell is negated, once again by Casey Rabach. On third and goal, the Redskins fail to convert. They barely make the field goal.

The third quarter finishes with a nice interception by Chris “The Predator” Horton to give the ball back to the Redskins.

Score: Redskins, 20-17

4th Quarter -

Chris Cooley has two key catches to keep the Redskins drive alive. On third and four, at the Cowboys 15 yard line, Santana Moss can’t hold on to the rocket pass from Jason Campbell. Redskins kick a field goal to extend their lead.

After another strong defensive stand and subsequent punt by Dallas, the Redskins advance the ball down the field on the back of Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. On third and two from the Cowboys 19 yard line, Ladell Betts gets another first down for the Redskins with less than five minutes left in the game.

After taking seven minutes off the clock, the Redskins extend their lead with a field goal by Shaun Suisham.

Cowboys take the ball at their 14 yard line and drive the length of the field for a touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Miles Austin. The Cowboys were unable to convert an onside kick. The Redskins kneel to run out the clock.

Score: Redskins, 26-24

Wrap-Up:

• Jason Campbell was 20/31 for 231 yards and two touchdowns. His QB rating was 108.4
• Clinton Portis rushed for 121 yards on 21 carries; almost six yards per carry.
• Santana Moss was the leading WR of the game. He had eight catches for 145 yards, but no touchdowns.
• Shaun Suisham was 4/4 on field goals. His longest was from 33 yards out.
• Durant Brooks punted very well. His average was over 46 yards, which includes a 60 yarder, and two punts inside the 20.
• Carlos Rogers led the team in tackles. The Redskins scored no sacks against Tony Romo.
• London Fletcher forced one fumble.

NFL.com Game Center Post Game is attached.

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