Redskins at Eagles: Learning To Fly, But I Ain't Got Wings

Washington Redskins (3-7) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (6-4)
1:00 p.m. Lincoln Financial Field
In case you are keeping track, the Redskins are down to their 3rd string running back, their 3rd string right guard, their 3rd string left tackle, their 3rd string cornerback, their 2nd string tight end, their 2nd string right tackle and their 2nd string defensive tackle. Considering how much everyone loves Dallas and thinks they actually have a chance to win the Super Bowl (let alone get there), it’s pretty remarkable that the Redskins backups could go to Dallas and outplay the Cowboys until the final four minutes of the game. Some say that’s an example of the Redskins not giving up and continuing to fight. I like to say it’s example of the Cowboys not being very good, but let’s go with the first opinion for the sake of argument.

You can’t disagree with the notion that the Redskins are still trying. In fact, you could say that the current group of players on the field are trying harder than the starters that they replaced. But it’s still painful to watch. Last Sunday was just the latest kick in the groin. Watching the game, you knew the Redskins can’t move the ball offensively. You just knew it. Sure they aren’t going to go 3-and-out (it may surprise many that the Redskins are among the league leaders in fewest possessions that end in 3-and-outs). You knew the Redskins will pick up a first down or two. You’ll get that brief hope that this will be the drive they punch it into the endzone. But in the back of your mind you know that one of these backups is going to screw up somewhere. A penalty here, a missed block there. All of a sudden the drive stalls and despite putting up decent numbers, outplaying the opponent, and giving fans a reason to hope, the Redskins find themselves clinging to a six-point lead with a tired defense on the field.

The 3-7 Redskins, with basically an entire team of reserves, were better last Sunday than the 8-3 Cowboys. That tells me that there is talent on this team. There are decent coaches on this team. It tells me that despite the rough season, and despite the issues this organization has, this team does not need to be blown up and built from scratch. There are problems that need to be addressed in the offseason. As I pointed out a few weeks ago, it isn’t bleak for this team. At least not as bleak as all ESPN says it is. Depending on what happens with the NFL’s CBA, the Redskins can fix the majority of their problems in the next two offseasons (assuming that Vinny Cerrato is thrown into a deep lake with cement shoes). By 2011, the Redskins could potentially be right back near the top of the conference…and 2010 doesn’t need to be a “rebuilding year”. There are ways to EASILY accomplish that, and I will lay them out over the next few game previews.

As I said in my last post, I’m on vacation so I’m trying to keep it short. The Redskins meet the Eagles for the second time this season. Hopefully it goes much better than the first. The first Eagles game, combined with the Chiefs game, were easily the low points of this season. After losing to Kansas City, the Redskins were simply trying to drag themselves to the bye week. Unfortunately, they had to play Philadelphia first, and the Eagles took advantage. Despite the 10-point difference at the end of the contest, those who watched the first game know it wasn’t really that close. The Redskins were down 27-10 at halftime, and only a very late touchdown made the game respectable on the scoreboard. It was the ugliest loss for the Skins under Jim Zorn.

The Eagles no longer have the services of Brian Westbrook, who the Redskins knocked out in the first game. For most teams, losing a player the caliber of Westbrook would be a problem. But the Eagles don’t run the ball enough for Westbrook to much of a factor anyway. I used the joke earlier in the month, and I’ll use it again: LeSean McCoy can be as non-existent in the Eagles offense as Westbrook was. This is still a team that will pass the majority of the time. In other words, the Redskins know exactly what they are going to get from Philly. They’ve only been running the same offense for the entire decade.

I expect the effort will be there for the Redskins. I’m not sure they can fare any better than the first game. The offensive line has been playing better, so I would be surprised if the Eagles get to Jason Campbell six times. However, Carlos Rogers will probably have to start, which means DeSean Jackson should have a field day again. Without a healthy Albert Haynesworth, Donovan McNabb should have all day to throw the ball. If he doesn’t burn the Skins with Jackson, he can still throw to Jermey Maclin, Jason Avant or effective tight end Brent Celek. The Redskins offense probably won’t be able to score more than 14 points, and I don’t see the defense holding the Eagles to less than 20. So it may be closer than the first game, but the overall result probably won’t be.