A No-Win Situation

"I'm relieved it's over," Gibbs said of the preseason. "We have to find a way in eight days here to play well. Just like everyone else we want to win ballgames."

Too many men on the field against the Redskins following a missed 49-yard field goal by Matt Stover sustained Baltimore's second possession. The second came three plays later, when on second and eight from the Redskins 22, starting cornerback Carlos Rogers was called for illegal contact. Two minutes later, Ravens quarterback Steve McNair hit Mark Clayton for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

As befitting the final preseason game, the Redskins exercised caution. In addition to the injured seven players, defensive linemen Renaldo Wynn, Cornelius Griffin and Phillip Daniels, cornerback Shawn Springs, running back Clinton Portis and linebacker Robert McCune, starting offensive linemen Randy Thomas and Chris Samuels were in uniform but were scratched from the lineup before the game.

Even important players who were not scratched weren't risked. Wide receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El donned full pads but were not on the field for any of the first team's 12 snaps.

Earlier in the week, quarterback Mark Brunell professed confidence in the Redskins' offensive scheme, and for the first time in the preseason, Brunell appeared comfortable for a sustained period. Unlike his blotchy performances in the previous three preseason games, Brunell appeared at ease with his place in Saunders's play-calling. Though he only attempted four passes, completing two for 12 yards, when he did pass Brunell dropped quickly, scanned and threw easily and accurately.

But the second-team offensive line struggled in pass protection. Throughout the week, both the offensive and defensive coaches took pains to defend their lack of tangible success as a team, instead focusing on the individual matchups. Last week against the New England Patriots, the Redskins' reserve offensive linemen yielded three sacks. Last night, with Jason Campbell playing the second quarter and part of the third, the line did not fare well in pass protection.

On second and nine from his 21, Campbell was sacked by linebacker Dennis Haley for a five-yard loss. On the next play, left tackle Jim Molinaro, playing for the first time this preseason after knee surgery, was called for a false start, placing the Redskins in third and 19.

On the Redskins' next possession, only Campbell's athleticism gave Washington a chance to complete a play. On first down, the left side of the line -- Molinaro and left guard Ikechuku Ndukwe -- were badly beaten, forcing Campbell to his right and hurrying an incomplete pass to James Thrash. Three plays later, on first and 10 from his 33, Campbell was dropped again behind the line.

In the final two games of the preseason, the second-team offensive line gave up eight sacks.

With final cuts looming, last night's finale lacked value only for players secure in their place on the roster. Players such as Brandon Lloyd and Moss stood animated on the sidelines waving a towel, exhorting teammates desperate for a spot on the roster.

One of those players was wide receiver Mike Espy, who signed as an undrafted free agent before rookie camp earlier this spring and impressed the coaching staff with his feel for the game and route running.

Espy enjoyed a big night. He made the block of the game when in the second quarter Collins hit Steven Harris with a short pass in the flat. Harris broke two tackles and raced down the sideline, aided by a ferocious block by Espy, who raced across the field to assist on the play. Later in the third quarter, Espy converted a first down on the Redskins' first possession of the half and caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Collins.

Espy is in a battle with wide receiver David Patten, who for the first time in the preseason received an extended look with Brunell at quarterback, and Jimmy Farris, to win one of the final wide receiver spots behind Moss, Lloyd and Randle El.