JoeDaSchmoe
09-07-2003, 12:00 AM
It wasn’t enough that the Redskins decided to sign Laveraneus Coles to a gargantuan offer sheet and drag him away from the Jets. It wasn’t enough that a season ticket-holding arbitrator awarded Chad Morton to Washington, either. It wasn’t even enough that two free agents leaving the Jets decided to don the burgundy and gold as well.
No, the ex-Jets had to rub salt in the wound by defeating their old team in the season’s opening game.
The so-called “Jetskins” weren’t just role players, either. Laveraneus Coles toasted New York’s defense for 106 yards in the first half, setting up three scores. Randy Thomas played a crucial part in blocking schemes that yielded more than 160 rushing yards. Chad Morton gave Washington the opportunity to start beyond its own 30 yard line for the first time since Brian Mitchell began his tour of the rest of the division. And John Hall not only kicked three field goals, but won the game in the final seconds.
Unfortunately, all the hoopla surrounding the free agent acquisitions managed to overshadow the rest of the team, which was instrumental in securing what is, temporarily, the best record in football. After all, not a single former Jet on the squad plays defense, and only one starts at a skill position on offense. In fact, according to most Redskins fans, the offensive and defensive MVPs of the night have worn burgundy and gold for their entire careers.
Facing off against grizzled veteran Vinny Testaverde, LaVar Arrington demonstrated exactly why he has become the heart and soul of the Washington defense. The star linebacker exploded out of his stance like a bat out of hell, or perhaps a free agent out of New York, making tackles on both sides of the field, including several for losses. His biggest play of the night came in the fourth quarter, when the Jets had the ball near midfield on second and one. Arrington fired around left side of the line and caught Curtis Martin before he could even make it back to the line of scrimmage, despite the fact that he was running away from the blitzing Pro Bowler. That play set up Jeremiah Trotter’s huge third down stop, giving the Redskins one more possession that would ultimately decide the contest.
On the other side of the ball, second-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey was nothing short of dynamic in his first game as the Redskins’ unquestioned starter. Ramsey had a sensational first half, completing 12 of 13 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers combined to give Washington’s young play caller a jaw-dropping passer rating of 143.2, far above and beyond anything that could have been expected from him at such an early stage. Ramsey cooled off a bit in the second half, with one throw tipped and intercepted by Jets DB Donnie Abraham, but ended the game an impressive 17 for 23, the kind of accuracy that Washington fans have been hoping last year’s first-round draft pick would develop.
Despite the young quarterback’s good-looking stats, Ramsey’s most important play of the night came not from his arm, but instead on an incredibly unlikely scramble. With Washington’s offense demonstrating Wile E. Coyote-type execution, cruising like it was powered by ACME rocket skates in the first half only to slam into the side of a cliff in the second, number 11 managed to don the suped-up blades one more time and streak (well, alright, more like plod) down the sideline for 24 yards and field goal position. He was a blur, at least to those Redskins fans with serious vision problems. To the rest, he was a savior, a burgundy-helmeted beacon of hope that hammered the final nail into New York’s coffin with less than a minute left in the game.
That completely un-Vick-like run set up what might eventually be remembered as the most important moment of the game. No, not the game-winning kick, although that does deserve many kudos. What defined the Redskins’ last possession was the fact that when the field goal unit trotted out, the fans at FedEx Field didn’t shield their eyes, cover their heads, or turn their backs to the players. Few can remember when Washingtonians had this much confidence in their special teams. Starting drives on the 35 yard line and going 3 for 3 on field goals is to ‘Skins fans what losing weight was to Subway’s Jared. It seemed impossible, it seemed completely unattainable, but then, wham, Jared discovered Sweet Onion Teriyaki and Dan Snyder discovered John Hall.
The Redskins have more than that to thank Snyder for after last night. He may have lived up to his reputation as a big spender with little fear of the salary cap, but it seems that this time, his offseason strategy has worked. Laveraneus Coles has demonstrated that he’s the top-flight wide receiver the Fun’n’Gun offense so desperately needed. Randy Thomas and Dave Fiore have shored up an offensive line that, last year, let more defensive lineman pass than an Ohio State oral exam. Trung Canidate, while lacking a home run play in Week One, played a solid game and made a good number of five- to ten-yard runs. Chad Morton has filled the shoes Brian Mitchell left quite nicely, giving Washington a leg up in the field position battle. Matt Bowen has finally ended the nauseating reign of David Terrell at free safety, and already earned a reputation as a speedster than can lay out opposing running backs. And John Hall has only played one game in a Redskins uniform, and already has a last-second winner to his credit.
It’s an impressive start, one to build on as the team develops much-needed chemistry and synchronization throughout the season. The new faces have brought with them determination and confidence, elements that have been lacking in Washington for the past few years. Now the task is to bring the team together, to work out the kinks and act as one. Can they do it? Can the melting pot of holdovers and imports form a seamless group ready to move to the next level? Only time will tell. But with no Jets uniforms confusing the new stars next week, there’s bound to be some improvement.
No, the ex-Jets had to rub salt in the wound by defeating their old team in the season’s opening game.
The so-called “Jetskins” weren’t just role players, either. Laveraneus Coles toasted New York’s defense for 106 yards in the first half, setting up three scores. Randy Thomas played a crucial part in blocking schemes that yielded more than 160 rushing yards. Chad Morton gave Washington the opportunity to start beyond its own 30 yard line for the first time since Brian Mitchell began his tour of the rest of the division. And John Hall not only kicked three field goals, but won the game in the final seconds.
Unfortunately, all the hoopla surrounding the free agent acquisitions managed to overshadow the rest of the team, which was instrumental in securing what is, temporarily, the best record in football. After all, not a single former Jet on the squad plays defense, and only one starts at a skill position on offense. In fact, according to most Redskins fans, the offensive and defensive MVPs of the night have worn burgundy and gold for their entire careers.
Facing off against grizzled veteran Vinny Testaverde, LaVar Arrington demonstrated exactly why he has become the heart and soul of the Washington defense. The star linebacker exploded out of his stance like a bat out of hell, or perhaps a free agent out of New York, making tackles on both sides of the field, including several for losses. His biggest play of the night came in the fourth quarter, when the Jets had the ball near midfield on second and one. Arrington fired around left side of the line and caught Curtis Martin before he could even make it back to the line of scrimmage, despite the fact that he was running away from the blitzing Pro Bowler. That play set up Jeremiah Trotter’s huge third down stop, giving the Redskins one more possession that would ultimately decide the contest.
On the other side of the ball, second-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey was nothing short of dynamic in his first game as the Redskins’ unquestioned starter. Ramsey had a sensational first half, completing 12 of 13 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers combined to give Washington’s young play caller a jaw-dropping passer rating of 143.2, far above and beyond anything that could have been expected from him at such an early stage. Ramsey cooled off a bit in the second half, with one throw tipped and intercepted by Jets DB Donnie Abraham, but ended the game an impressive 17 for 23, the kind of accuracy that Washington fans have been hoping last year’s first-round draft pick would develop.
Despite the young quarterback’s good-looking stats, Ramsey’s most important play of the night came not from his arm, but instead on an incredibly unlikely scramble. With Washington’s offense demonstrating Wile E. Coyote-type execution, cruising like it was powered by ACME rocket skates in the first half only to slam into the side of a cliff in the second, number 11 managed to don the suped-up blades one more time and streak (well, alright, more like plod) down the sideline for 24 yards and field goal position. He was a blur, at least to those Redskins fans with serious vision problems. To the rest, he was a savior, a burgundy-helmeted beacon of hope that hammered the final nail into New York’s coffin with less than a minute left in the game.
That completely un-Vick-like run set up what might eventually be remembered as the most important moment of the game. No, not the game-winning kick, although that does deserve many kudos. What defined the Redskins’ last possession was the fact that when the field goal unit trotted out, the fans at FedEx Field didn’t shield their eyes, cover their heads, or turn their backs to the players. Few can remember when Washingtonians had this much confidence in their special teams. Starting drives on the 35 yard line and going 3 for 3 on field goals is to ‘Skins fans what losing weight was to Subway’s Jared. It seemed impossible, it seemed completely unattainable, but then, wham, Jared discovered Sweet Onion Teriyaki and Dan Snyder discovered John Hall.
The Redskins have more than that to thank Snyder for after last night. He may have lived up to his reputation as a big spender with little fear of the salary cap, but it seems that this time, his offseason strategy has worked. Laveraneus Coles has demonstrated that he’s the top-flight wide receiver the Fun’n’Gun offense so desperately needed. Randy Thomas and Dave Fiore have shored up an offensive line that, last year, let more defensive lineman pass than an Ohio State oral exam. Trung Canidate, while lacking a home run play in Week One, played a solid game and made a good number of five- to ten-yard runs. Chad Morton has filled the shoes Brian Mitchell left quite nicely, giving Washington a leg up in the field position battle. Matt Bowen has finally ended the nauseating reign of David Terrell at free safety, and already earned a reputation as a speedster than can lay out opposing running backs. And John Hall has only played one game in a Redskins uniform, and already has a last-second winner to his credit.
It’s an impressive start, one to build on as the team develops much-needed chemistry and synchronization throughout the season. The new faces have brought with them determination and confidence, elements that have been lacking in Washington for the past few years. Now the task is to bring the team together, to work out the kinks and act as one. Can they do it? Can the melting pot of holdovers and imports form a seamless group ready to move to the next level? Only time will tell. But with no Jets uniforms confusing the new stars next week, there’s bound to be some improvement.