Die Hard Sports Fan

This has been a decision I’ve been contemplating for about 24 hours now.  How do you decide who gets the game ball when the team as a whole pretty much won us the game?  Both sides of the ball were executed phenomenally, however my Die Hard Redskins Fan game ball goes to…Chris Cooley.

While I was quite impartial, debating between Cooley and Clinton Portis, I decided to go with Chris Cooley for a number of reasons. One, he had his first touchdown of the season yesterday, an 18 yard option toss from WR Antwaan Randle El that gave us the go-ahead in the third quarter.  Which, by the way, was the first visiting team touchdown scored at Lincoln Financial Field since last season. Two, he had a career-high 109 yards versus last weeks #9 power ranked Philadelphia Eagles.  Three, with the biggest concern for the Eagles defense being tight end coverage, Chris Cooley walked into the game ready to eat it up!

He credits “Tana Man” Santana Moss for his production in his official blog today.

“I finally put a touchdown on the stat sheet. I knew I was going to have a great opportunity to help the offense this week and really I felt it was a compliment to Santana Moss. Although he was catch-less, he opened up all kinds holes for the rest of us.”

Now, let’s move onto grading the team.  Beginning with the defense, I am handing out a B+.  Granted, Brian Westbrook isn’t healthy, but his presence did offer the Eagles their only touchdown in the game on Sunday.  Our defense was missing three key starters- Marcus Washington, Shawn Springs and Jason Taylor, however as a whole, they only allowed 58 yards on the ground.  DE Andre Carter recorded six tackles in the game, a team record so far this season.  And despite the mishap in the first quarter where WR Desean Jackson returned a kickoff for a touchdown, the most notable performance by the Redskins defense was when the Eagles pushed to the two yard line, followed by a no-gain second down and a 3 yard loss on third down, both on the account of Brian Westbrook. Ackers came in for the field goal where the Eagles were finally able to put up points after the Skins had posted 23 unanswered points.

Onto the offense. CLEARLY I am going to give the big O an A for their performance Sunday.  Between 204 yards on the ground against the #1 rushing defense in the league, along with a career-topping performance by Cooley, a brief taste of what may be to come with WR Devin Thomas, and the distraction methods used by Santana Moss, our boys worked together as a whole and executed beautifully in this win.

K Shaun Suisham racked up the points in field goals the first half yesterday, scoring us 9 points.  While at the time we were probably squirming a bit trying to catch up to the 14 points Philly scored early, those critical field goals won us the game in the end.  And they were all LONG balls too, and therefore I will be giving special teams an A as well.

CONGRATS TO COOOOOOOOOOOOLEYYYYY for having your best game yet in your career and scoring the Die Hard Redskins Fan game ball!

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Man oh man…where on Earth do I start?!  I think first and foremost… the Redskins deserve a HUGE pat on the back. Number one, they are officially finished playing their division rivals on the road for the season with an NFC East record of 3-1.  Number two, I was watching Chris Bermman on ESPN’s The Blitz yesterday and he was literally tongue tied and pretty much speechless because he, like all NFL analysts at this point, are in disbelief in terms of the Redskins success.  This team is truly a force to be reckoned with.

I believe I speak for the majority of us when I say the opening of the game was a bit nerve wrecking.  Brian Westbrook scored running up the middle at the beginning of the game, followed by rookie DeSean Jackson’s kickoff return for a touchdown (that block in the back 100% should have been accepted by the way), leaving us at a 14 point defecit with 7:47 left to go in the first quarter!  The play by play guys started saying we looked like the Redskins who lost in our first game versus the Giants. Little did they know.

Second quarter was the Shaun Suisham show, where he kicked for  41, 48 and 50 yard field goals which took us into half time down by 5, score 14-9.  And this Redskins defense came out ready to fight in the third quarter, causing Donovan Mcnabb and his Eagles to go 3-and-out three times in a row, and going nearly 30 minutes without a first down.

Meanwhile on the other side of the ball, the Redskins were being productive as well.  College quarterback turned receiver, Anwaan Randle El threw TE Chris Cooley his first touchdown of the year, giving Washington the lead, 16-14.  At the start of the fourth quarter, RB Clinton Portis literally walked into the end zone, adding to the lead and the Redskins 23 unanswered points since Jackson’s kickoff returned TD halfway through the first quarter.

The Eagles marched down the field and made it to the 2 yard line, but then Brian Westbrook took a loss of 3 yards and Acker’s had to come in to kick a field goal.   Washington went on to get the W with the final score being 23-17.

So…how come this number one defense against the rush decided not to show up yesterday? Because Clinton Portis AND Ladell Betts got their man yesterday with 200+ yards!! Not to mention Jason Campbell and the Redskins converted on third down 11 of 19 attempts.  He adapted to reading the blitz effectively and our offensive line gave the Eagles a run for their money. And how about Brian Westbrook..? He had just 33 yards on the ground, granted he got the TD early, but where was he at after that?

As opposed to my initial thoughts at the beginning of the game, our Skins have really broken out of their shell. And as if the defeat of the Cowboys last week wasn’t reason enough, we are certainly the talk among the league right now. We’re the only team in the league who has yet to have an offensive turnover for goodness sake!! Sure, the Giants remain undefeated, but who the heck have they really played so far? And there are a couple of teams with only one loss…most of which I would say deserve to be 4-1 or 3-1. But I am a firm believer that we’ve had the toughest schedule.  But that being said, we are now going into the easiest part of the season, facing the Rams, Browns and Lions who are 1-11 respectively.  Our biggest challenge at the time, in my opinion, would be to NOT get cocky and prepare for these games the same we have thus far.

Oh yeah, and wait, how on EARTH are the Tennessee Titans really 5-0 right now? That’s the best record in the league!! What’s going on?!

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The Eagles started the game with very high energy. Donovan McNabb took his team the length of the field to score early. The Eagle defense held the Redskins offense to two three-and-out series to start the game. After a quick second touchdown on punt return by Desean Jackson, the Redskins settled down. By half-time, they cut the Eagles lead in half after a trio of field goals by Shaun Suisham. After finally taking the lead towards the middle of the third quarter, the Redskins never looked back as they continued to impress on both sides of the ball.

1st Quarter -

Redskins start off the game with an strong special teams effort, but it was immediately forgotten as Brian Westbrook popped off a 16 yard run after catch on a screen pass from Donovan McNabb. The Eagles proceeded to march down the field with short passes and the running of Westbrook. One play, a double reverse to Desean Jackson would have been a touchdown if not for the tackle by The Predator, Chris Horton. Three plays later, Westbrook fights through some arm tackles on the Redskins defense and get the first touchdown of the game.

After a three and out series by the Redskins offiense, and a questionable non-call, Desean Jackson out runs the Redskins special teams for a touchdown.

Towards the end of the first quarter, the Redskins find a way to stop the Eagles, mostly by the inaccuracy of McNabb and the wide right field goal attempt by David Akers.

2nd Quarter -

To start the second quarter, the Redskins get a first down, the first of the game. They followed that up with their first points of the game; a field goal by Shaun Suisham.

Westbrook had left the game midway through the first quarter, but made his return in time for the Eagles first possession of the second quarter. Carlos Rogers dropped an interception, which may have turned the momentum. Still, the Eagles are forced to punt one play later. Antwaan Randle-El allowed the punt to bounce, expecting it to touchback in the endzone. Instead, the Eagles cover the ball and give the Redskins terrible field position on the two yard line.

After running the ball out from deep in their own territory, the Eagles dial up the blitz and sack Jason Campbell for a loss of 16 yards on the missed pickup by Ladell Betts. Still, they find a way to keep the drive alive on a nice strike to the rookie Devin Thomas. Later, on the same drive, on third and six, Campbell attempts a quick pass only to have it batted down at the line of scrimmage. Suisham makes the field goal from 48 yards.

After forcing the Eagles to a three and out series, Washington takes the ball with under two minutes to convert another field goal by Suisham.

Halftime Score: Eagles, 9-14

3rd Quarter -

Both defenses of the teams came out strong to open the third quarter. The wake up call came on a violent run up the middle by Clinton Portis; a tremendous run for 10+ yards. Devin Thomas had a nice pickup on a WR screen to bring the ball inside the Eagles 20 yard line. On the next play, Randle-El took the reverse, faked the run and threw down the field to Chris Cooley for a touchdown. Redskins take the lead.

On the Eagles next possession, they go three and out and give the ball back to Redskins. After a third dropped pass for the game by Randle-El, he leaves the game with an apparent hand injury. The Redskins rookie WR, Devin Thomas commits his third offensive pass interference to negate the first pass reception of Santana Moss. Because of that penalty, the drive stalls.

The Redskins defense stops the Eagles again for three and out. On the resulting punt return by Randle-El, a penalty against the Eagles gives the Redskins the ball at midfield. A monster run by Portis takes the ball all the way inside the Eagles 10-yard line. While Portis is resting on the sideline, Betts takes the ball down inside the five yard line for 2nd and goal.

4th Quarter -

After an incompletion, on third and goal, Portis walks into the endzone for a touchdown.

The next series by the Eagles featured Westbrook and a catch and run by Reggie Brown. After marching deep into Redskins territory, the Redskins make a goal line stand to force the Eagles to kick the field goal.

On the next series by the Redskins, they pick up two consecutive, critical third downs to run the clock down to under three minutes. On yet another critical third down, the offense wastes a down on a broken play, which set up a fourth and one at the Eagles 39-yard line. Clinton Portis takes the hand off up the middle, pushes the pile ahead for the first down!

The Eagles without a time out remaining, run out the clock to win the game.

Score: Redskins, 23-17

Wrap Up -

• Jason Campbell was 16 of 29 for 176 yards.
• Clinton Portis rushed 29 times for 145 yards and a TD.
• Chris Cooley had 8 receptions for 109 yards and a TD.
• Six different Redskins caught passes today, except for Santana Moss.
• Redskins defense held the Eagles, the sixth ranked offense in the league, to only 196 yards passing and 58 yards rushing. 

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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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The Redskins overcame a big play and some mental errors to win the game against the Cardinals. 1st Quarter The Redskins drove the length of the field going six for six for 37 yards. Clinton Portis finished the drive with a nifty short yardage run that required him to keep his head up and see the lanes. The Cardinals opened up the game with their first series ending in a punt, mostly due to a delay of game penalty on an intended fourth down and inches attempt. After the penalty, they decided to punt instead. Ladell Betts missed a blitz pickup and the resulting sack stalled the Redskins second drive. Thus, Durant Brooks started off the game with his first punt going for only 35 yards. 2nd Quarter Redskins open up the quarter with the ball after recovering a fumble by Edgerrin James. Shaun Suisham connected on a 46 yard field goal after the drive stalled, again. The Cardinals put together a long, 84 yard drive, assisted by a pass interference penalty on Carlos Rogers that resulted in a touchdown pass from Kurt Warner to Anquan Boldin against Fred Smoot. After another stalled drive by the Redskins, Durant Brooks unleashed a 56 yard punt and pinned the Cardinals deep in their own territory. On the ensuing possession by the Cardinals, with just a 1:11 minutes left in the half, the drive stalled for no points. Score: Redskins lead, 7-10. 3rd Quarter Cardinals open the 2nd half and drive 80+ yards with the help of a personal foul penalty on Fred Smoot, and an offsides penalty. Redskins defense saves against a touchdown however on the play of LaRon Landry and Jason Taylor; both of them breaking up key plays of the drive. On the next series, the Redskins get their first 1st down since the 1st quarter with a short pass to Chris Cooley. Devin Thomas got into the game for a 16 yard misdirection play. Antwaan Randle-El, on a trick play, passed to Chris Cooley to bring the Skins to the Red Zone. Cooley caught a screen and ran all the way to the two yard line. Todd Yoder completed the touchdown drive with a 2 yard reception from Jason Campbell from a formation that looked like a short yardage package. Cardinals come right back with a 62 yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald against Reed Doughty and LaRon Landry. On the next drive, Jason Campbell keeps the drive going early with a scramble out of the backfield. After another short pass to Randle-El, the quarter ends. Score: Tie, 17-17 4th Quarter Redskins open the quarter needing 7 yards for a 1st down, but only pick up 4. Durant Brooks hits a good punt to place the Cardinals inside their 20 yard line. On 2nd and eight, Kurt Warner attempted to go long again only to have the ball interecepted by Carlos Rogers. He returned the interception into the Red Zone. The Redskins quickly convert the turnover to a touchdown pass on a WR screen pass from Jason Campbell to Santana Moss. Cardinals next possession was harrassed by the Redskins blitz package and a sack by Rocky McIntosh. For a moment it appeared that Devin Thomas had his first career TD. But, it was nullified by a personal foul penalty by Stephon Heyer. Nevertheless, the Redskins put a number of first downs together in methodical fashion; for a while. The drive stalls at the Arizona 32 yard line. Shaun Suisham hooks the ensuing field goal attempt wide left to get the ball back to the Cardinals. Cardinals go three and out and punt the ball to Randle-El and the Skins. Redskins get the ball back deep in their territory and effectively run out the clock. Score: Redskins, 17-24 Wrap Up Jason Campbell finished the day with a 112 QB rating, passing for 193 yards on 22 completions from 30 attempts, and two touchdowns. Surprisingly, Campbell was also the Redskins second leading rusher of the game with 26 yards from scrimmage. Clinton Portis finished the day with only 68 yards rushing. But, he scored the opening drive touchdown of the game. Santana Moss and Chris Cooley each had seven receptions for 70+ yards. Moss scored a touchdown on a WR screen catch and run. It is the first time a Redskins receiver has caught a touchdown pass in six consecutive games since Bobby Mitchell did it in 1961. The defense was prepared for the Cardinals. For the most part, with the exception of a long pass for a touchdown, the Cardinals were held in check. Specifically, the Redskins defense held Kurt Warner to under 200 yards passing, and only 116 yards rushing. Shaun Suisham went 1 for 2 in FGs, missing one long attempt wide left. He was perfect on extra points. Durant Brooks, the rookie, punted four times for an average of nearly 43 yards. His longest of the day was a 56 yard boomer. What should be noted here is that Brooks was able to get enough air under the ball which essentially limited the Cardinals from effective punt returns. In fact, the Cardinals had two punt returns. One was stopped for no yardage. The second was for only 3 yards. Download a detailed Game Summary.

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