As a junior at UCLA in 2009, Forbath won the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the nation’s top kicker. But he went undrafted and struggled to find a home in the NFL. Clearly, he has one now.
Young at heart
In his 15th season, inside linebacker London Fletcher, 37, has started every game despite battling injuries that would have sidelined many younger players. He has played in 239 straight games — the NFL’s longest active mark — and also is building another impressive streak.
Fletcher has interceptions in the Redskins’ past three games. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, showing that it takes much more than speed to play well in pass coverage.
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett raves about Fletcher’s instincts in coverage. Fletcher is also still pretty good against the run, as shown by his ranking among the league leaders in tackles again.
Ray Lewis leads active linebackers with 31 career interceptions. No. 2 on the list? Fletcher, who has 23.
With Fletcher leading the way, Redskins linebackers have nine interceptions. That’s the most the team’s linebackers have produced since they totaled nine in 1991. It’s not surprising that Fletcher would be at the front of the line. It’s a position he has occupied for a long, long time.
Still effective
You know a quarterback is off-the-charts great when he finishes with a 102.4 passer rating in only a so-so performance. It’s just an indication of how spectacular Griffin has been since his smashing season debut against New Orleans.
Griffin completed 67 percent of his passes and teamed with Josh Morgan and Santana Moss on touchdowns. Obviously not fully recovered from the injury he suffered in Week 14 against Baltimore, Griffin ran only twice for four yards (but still leads all quarterbacks with 752 yards rushing).
Griffin’s running, and the threat of his running, are a big part of the Redskins’ attack. If he’s not right physically, it could hurt the Redskins against an opponent better than the hapless Eagles, who have lost 10 of 11.
The takeaway
It’s all there for the Redskins if they beat Dallas next week: A playoff berth, the NFC East title and the first playoff game at FedEx Field since the 1999 season. So this is what happens when the right guy finally arrives and teaches everyone else what it takes to actually win.
For columns by Jason Reid, visit washingtonpost.com/reid.
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