BY RICH CAMPBELL
ASHBURN--
Several of the Washington Redskins' team leaders have emphasized the need for players and coaches to stick together during a season of adversity. So heads turned a bit on Sunday when secondary coach Jerry Gray spoke in the immediate aftermath of Washington's 7-6 loss to Dallas."If we hold Dallas to seven points and they walk out with a win, something's wrong," Gray said, according to The Washington Post.
It resurrected the notion of a possible rift between Washington's defense and its injury-riddled, struggling offense. Washington's offense ranks 29th in the NFL in points scored; its defense ranks sixth in points allowed.
Players yesterday dismissed the idea of dissension.
"No one side of the ball should be upset with the other side of the ball," defensive end Andre Carter said. "I feel that this is a team sport.
"The offense, we're very proud of them. I'm sure they've been getting a lot of heat, but they're moving the ball consistently. They're kind of hurting a little bit, just injuries week in and week out, but they continue to be successful because they believe in one another."
Linebacker London Fletcher went so far as to blame the defense for Sunday's loss. Dallas scored its only points with less than three minutes to play.
"The offense did enough for us to win the game," Fletcher said. "We just needed to not allow them to get that touchdown at the end. I think at the end of the day, if we keep them out of the end zone and make them kick a field goal, then we win the ball game."
Conversely, offensive players regretted not scoring more.
"We're very grateful for what our defense has been doing for us," center Casey Rabach said. "It has kept us in a lot of games this year. Offensively, we've been struggling, no doubt. Yeah, it's a 53-man team, but everybody wants to hold up their end of the bargain."
Head coach Jim Zorn also isn't worried about any rift.
"I know it's not happening," he said. "There's never complaining on the field, even in a sudden change. When we've had a turnover and our defense has gone back on the field, nobody is dropping their heads and slapping guys as they come off.
"I know what [Jerry] is saying. I can see that. However, we have to win the game. We have to score one more point than they do."
PUTTING ON THE HITS
Free safety LaRon Landry believes he made Dallas receiver Roy Williams tentative when it came to running downfield on Sunday.
"Scared," Landry said. "Yeah, I know he was. Y'all can quote it, too. Y'all can tell him right now, tell him I'm saying it. I told him he was scared."
How could Landry tell?
"Certain pass concepts they had and routes he ran, you could tell he didn't want any part of it," Landry said.
Landry delivered hard hits on receivers Miles Austin and Williams on consecutive plays in the second quarter.
Landry and Williams are scheduled to meet again on Dec. 27 at FedEx Field.
"I don't care," Landry said. "What's that gonna do?"
MONTGOMERY DISPLEASED
Defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery played Sunday for the first time this season, and he was displeased with his performance.
"I could have been more physical against the run," he said. "I think I had, maybe, 10 or 11 snaps, and I can remember two plays where they double-teamed me where they got some movement. If I give up movement on one play, that's too many for me."
Montgomery was activated because All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth missed the game with a sprained left ankle. Haynesworth's status for Sunday's game against Philadelphia is uncertain, so Montgomery could have a chance to build on his first game action in 2 months.
WILLIAMS DÉBUTS
Right guard Edwin Williams made his NFL debut on Sunday after Chad Rinehart broke his right fibula early in the second half. Williams, a training camp long shot who made the team as an undrafted rookie from Maryland, savored the moment.
"The story has just begun," he said. "I got a lot more hard work to do. I just played a half of football. There are guys that have been in this league for many years. I just want to keep playing and keep working hard and hopefully things will come out positive."
Williams didn't expect to replace Rinehart because Will Montgomery, not Williams, had been battling Rinehart for playing time. But coach Jim Zorn chose Williams because he could better combat Dallas' big defensive line with his size (6-3, 315 pounds).
"I'm usually Mr. Anxiety," William said, "but I wasn't nervous at all until I got to the huddle and everybody was like, 'You got to go out there and punch people in the face,' all this, 'play hard, keep your head back!' Then I was like, 'Okay, I'm nervous now.'"
EXTRA POINTS
The Redskins re-signed running back Marcus Mason yesterday after putting back Ladell Betts on injured reserve. This is Mason's third stint with the team He was on the roster for the first six games this season. He rushed for 19 yards on six carries in three games.
The Redskins also signed guard Paul Fanaika from Philadelphia's practice squad. He was a seventh-round pick last April. Washington has one vacant roster spot.
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com