Brunell, Offense: Three and Out

First Unit Has Yet to Score in Preseason

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 26 -- Early on in training camp, associate head coach Al Saunders explained his offensive philosophy and how it related to his quarterbacks.

His point was intended to defend quarterback Mark Brunell and assuage whatever fears the quarterback might have about becoming comfortable with a new system, an extensive playbook and new personnel in a short period.

"The good news is that in our system, we're not asking Mark to win the game for us," Saunders said during the first week of training camp. "We're asking him to manage the game. We're asking him to follow his reads, not try to do too much and let the offense work for him."

Following Saturday night's 41-0 loss to the New England Patriots, however, the level of concern among the players is growing. Washington has scored 17 points in the preseason, and because starters traditionally play little, if any, of the final preseason game to avoid injury, they will have little chance to correct their mistakes.

"We don't have anything to feel good about," said wide receiver David Patten, who came back to New England after having played on three Super Bowl champions. "We aren't accomplishing anything that we want to accomplish."

Brunell has played sparingly through three preseason games and has not had an extended run of success in the new offense. He has thrown one interception and no touchdown passes, has barely moved the ball and said his grasp of the offense is an "ongoing process." His quarterback rating in the preseason is 48.1

By halftime on Saturday, the Redskins had totaled 20 net yards passing.

Brunell took his most snaps of the preseason against New England, and the Redskins continued to struggle. Brunell played the first half and the first series of the third quarter; he completed 7 of 16 passes for 51 yards and was sacked three times.

"They got a little bit of the blitz, particularly at the end," Brunell said. "But for the most part, it wasn't overly complicated. They're a good football team."

While it was unclear how much Brunell may have been bothered by the sore groin that kept him out of Thursday's practice, he and the offense clearly were not in sync. The Redskins' first team has not scored in the preseason.

After last week's 27-14 loss to the New York Jets, the players said they looked forward to this game because of all preseason games, the third game is the most crucial.

But the Redskins managed one lengthy drive and had nothing to show for it after a 13-play possession ended with John Hall's 43-yard field goal attempt being blocked by defensive end Richard Seymour. That drive included a 15-yard taunting penalty against Patriots middle linebacker Junior Seau. A bright spot was when Brunell completed a seven-yard pass to Antwaan Randle El on fourth and four from the Patriots 36.

The Redskins' formula may be for Brunell to manage the game, but the playmaking element is still essential, especially on third down. The Redskins had 59 total yards and were 2 for 8 on third down in the first half. If there were glimpses the Redskins were revealing more from their playbook, it was in Brunell looking for single-coverage matchups. He threw to wide receiver Brandon Lloyd more Saturday night than at any time in the preseason. He also seemed to look for his slot wide receiver in Randle-El.

But nothing looked crisp. Worse for the Redskins was the comparison to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who completed 14 of 24 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Brady finished 17 of 30 for 231 yards and a touchdown. Brady's rating was 92.5.