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Redskins wide receiver James Thrash (83) gets pulled down by the face mask by Jets cornerback Justin Miller during the second quarter of last night's game at FedEx Field.
The Redskins' Rock Cartwright (31) dives for extra yards after having his legs knocked out from under him by the Jets' New York's Leon Washington (29) returns a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter last night. The Jets' special teams had their way with the Redskins in the first half. |
LANDOVER, Md.--Clinton Portis was the last player to come onto the field prior to the Redskins' preseason game against the New York Jets last night.
The star running back was wearing shorts, a T-shirt and a Redskins baseball cap as he walked slowly through the big, inflatable helmet at the corner of one end zone. And, most importantly, his left shoulder was in a sling. Portis partially dislocated that shoulder last Sunday during the first quarter of Washington's preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last night the Redskins had a chance to forget about Portis' worrisome injury, at least for a few hours. Instead, they provided a few more concerns.
The Jets won the game, 27-14, and each Redskins unit had frustrating moments.
For the second straight week the first-team offense was stifled, as it was held scoreless and notched just three first downs in the opening quarter. The first-team defense allowed a 61-yard touchdown run on a reverse by Jets wideout Brad Smith, and the special-teams unit was smoked for an 87-yard kickoff return by Leon Washington.
Redskins second-year quarterback Jason Campbell, who is competing for the backup job, completed just 6 of 13 passes for 83 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
But the biggest scare came with 9:27 left in the first quarter, when stalwart defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin sprained his knee. Griffin lay on the turf for a minute or two before standing up and jogging to the sidelines.
Griffin did not return to the game, but the Redskins coaches had to be glad to see the 300-pounder jogging, especially considering the way their team has been bruised and battered in the past week.
Cornerback Shawn Springs is expected to miss four to six weeks after having abdominal surgery last Tuesday. Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd missed last night's game with a hamstring injury. And, of course, Portis' status for the season-opener is in doubt.
Last night's game marked quarterback Patrick Ramsey's first appearance at FedEx Field since the Redskins traded him to the Jets this past offseason in exchange for a draft pick.
With probable Jets starter Chad Pennington absent because of a family illness, Ramsey started last night.
There was a smattering of boos when Ramsey's name was announced over the public address system, but the crowd of 65,538 seemed largely indifferent to his presence. Ramsey played a little more than one quarter and his play was similar to that which he displayed during his four years in Washington. The quarterback showed an able arm, completing 6 of 9 passes for 33 yards, but he was also sacked twice--the first being an 8-yard loss on the game's opening play--and he failed to lead the Jets on a scoring drive.
Neither team scored in the opening quarter, as Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell (3-for-6, 45 yards) guided the Redskins to just three first downs.
The Jets started their opening drive of the second quarter at their own 39-yard line. On first down, Smith took a handoff from Leon Washington on a reverse, and scampered down the right sideline for the 61-yard touchdown.
Campbell replaced Brunell, and his first pass was behind the intended receiver, Rock Cartwright. Two plays later Campbell left the ball behind wideout James Thrash, and Jets cornerback David Barrett swooped in and intercepted the pass.
Campbell was more poised on his next drive, however. Starting at his team's 48-yard line, he completed passes of 7 and 15 yards. On first down from the 21, Campbell found Thrash on the left side, and the veteran wideout used a stiff-arm to plow to the 1.
On first down, Cartwright pushed across the goal line, tying the score at 7.
But the Redskins' momentum was quickly snuffed, as Leon Washington took the ensuing kickoff at the 13 and rocketed down the left sideline. Redskins kicker Derrick Frost was the only player with a chance to tackle the ball carrier, and his dive was several feet short, as Washington notched the 87-yard touchdown.
With three seconds left before halftime the Jets added a 32-yard Mike Nugent field goal to take a 20-7 lead to the break.
After the Redskins punted on their opening drive of the second half, the Jets chewed up 11 minutes, 58 seconds with a 23-play march that was capped by a 22-yard Nugent field goal, making it 20-7.
New York took a 27-7 lead when quarterback Kellen Clemens connected with Reggie Newhouse for a five-yard score. Todd Collins took over at quarterback for the Redskins early in the fourth quarter, and he found rookie Buck Ortega for a 30-yard touchdown with 8:52 left.
Notes
Former Essex High School and University of Richmond standout Stacey Tutt, who is a fourth-string fullback for the Jets, played on special teams in the fourth quarter of last night's game.
Redskins backup tight end Robert Johnson left the game in the third quarter with a left ankle injury. X-rays were negative.
To reach ADAM HIMMELSBACH:
Email: ahimmelsbach@freelancestar.com
NFL preseason Jets 27, Redskins 14 |
