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The frustration of a second-consecutive loss shows in the body language of Redskins defenders (from left) Sean Taylor, Andre Carter and Kedric Golston as the fourth quarter winds down Sunday.
Washington's defenders like Kenny Wright hit the FedEx turf more than they hit Tennessee's Travis Henry, who rushed for 178 yards.
Troy Vincent
Tennessee's Adam 'Pacman' Jones leaves Washington safety Adam Archuleta in the dust during a punt return Sunday. |
By ADAM HIMMELSBACH
LANDOVER, Md.--It was not quite an evening at the movies, but on Saturday night, Redskins coach Joe Gibbs showed his team a film.
It was a videotape that showed the Tennessee Titans' first possession during their Oct. 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
That drive was like a good day at the office: efficient, productive and full of purpose.
The Titans marched 88 yards on eight plays against a solid Indianapolis defense. And it wasn't as if they benefited from one long and lucky gain, as none of the plays went for more than 19 yards.
Gibbs showed this tape to his players to be sure they realized that though the Titans were winless, they were dangerous.
"I think our guys understood what they were up against," Gibbs said.
Then on Sunday at FedEx Field, the Titans piled up 344 yards against the Redskins' depleted, unimpressive defense, and the visitors took a 25-22 win.
With rookie quarterback Vince Young at the helm, Tennessee maintained possession for 35 minutes, 40 seconds, far surpassing the 24:20 that the Redskins held the ball.
Over the past three seasons, the Redskins' defense has been strong and extremely consistent. The players flourished in the all-for-one scheme of assistant head coach Gregg Williams, and the unit incessantly kept Washington close in low-scoring games.
"It's not about year-to-year," cornerback Shawn Springs said after Sunday's loss. "It's not about what you've done in the past, it's what you've done today. We ain't had no success. People are running through us. We haven't done anything to make people fear us."
This season, the Redskins are allowing 333.2 yards per game, which is the 21st-worst mark in the league. Washington's pass defense is ranked 23rd in the league, though there are signs of hope for the secondary.
Yesterday the Redskins signed five-time Pro Bowl defensive back Troy Vincent, who was released by the Buffalo Bills last week after spending the beginning of the season on injured reserve because of a hamstring ailment.
Vincent, 35, had 102 tackles and four interceptions for the Bills last season, though his finest moments came as a cornerback with the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he spent eight seasons.
"I think what he gives us is somebody who's a veteran guy, a high-class, high-quality person that has played all across the board in the secondary," Gibbs said yesterday. "We'll just go to work and see how fast and how well he'll fit in."
Also, Springs is expected to reclaim his starting cornerback spot, perhaps as early as Sunday, when the Redskins visit the unbeaten Colts.
Springs underwent abdominal surgery in mid-August and then tried to return last month, but injured his groin in his first practice.
He returned last Sunday, seeing about 15 snaps as the team's nickelback.
"Each week I'll get better and better," Springs said.
The Redskins hope that when Springs returns to the starting lineup, it is not in place of cornerback Carlos Rogers.
Rogers broke his thumb on Sunday, and though Rogers was expected to have minor surgery yesterday, Gibbs said he expects Rogers to play against the Colts.
The other defensive concern is at tackle.
Cornelius Griffin (hip) and Joe Salave'a (calf) missed Sunday's game after being listed on the injury report as questionable last week.
They were replaced by the rookie tackles Anthony Montgomery and Kedric Golston, who watched Titans running back Travis Henry run for a career-high 178 yards.
"We didn't play good defense as a team," Golston said, "and I'll be the first to admit I didn't play my best game."
Gibbs: QB change not answerGibbs said yesterday that despite the team's struggles, he is not considering benching quarterback Mark Brunell in favor of Jason Campbell.
"I'm not afraid to change anything, and I don't think I would hesitate to change anything; whatever's best for our football team," Gibbs said. "But certainly right now, changing Mark, I don't think that's the answer."
This season Brunell has completed 105 of 169 passes for 1,239 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Campbell, the No. 25 overall pick of the 2005 draft, has yet to take a snap in a regular-season game.
To reach ADAM HIMMELSBACH:
Email: ahimmelsbach@freelancestar.com
