Randle El Says He's Ready if Needed at Quarterback

Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El prepared for his new role as the emergency quarterback, working at the position after practice yesterday at Redskins Park.

Randle El was with the first-team offense while the Washington Redskins prepared to face the New York Giants on Sunday at Giants Stadium, then remained behind to take snaps and review plays after most of the coaches and players had left the practice field.

With Jason Campbell expected to be sidelined the last three regular season games because of knee problems and Todd Collins and Mark Brunell the only healthy quarterbacks on the active roster, Randle El said he would be ready if needed.

"Just in terms of certain reads, of course, I had to refresh my memory," Randle El said. "I run the routes [as a wide receiver], so I know where you're supposed to be taking it over to the quarterback spot.

"But in terms of the read part, knowing the coverage and where to throw it to everything, that's what I had to get down."

The Redskins signed Jason Fife, 26, to the practice squad this week, but Fife cannot enter a game unless he is on the active roster. Randle El played quarterback in college at Indiana and has completed 17 of 21 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in five-plus seasons in the NFL, but would only enter the game if Collins and Brunell were injured and couldn't return.

"It's pretty rare that you see two quarterbacks getting hurt in a game," tight end Chris Cooley said. "Obviously, we don't expect it. It's fun for him, but if it happens our game plan changes drastically."

Randle El said he would get up to speed quickly at quarterback.

"In the game, I'd run what we run. Would I be able to do it? Yes indeed," he said. "I've been working on getting a lot of the run stuff down, getting a lot of the quick stuff down, the intermediate routes, a couple of deep throws. I'm working on it just in case.

"I don't want anybody to get hurt, but I'll be ready. No question."

Giant Road Obstacle Looms

The Redskins are 1-5 in their past six games against the Giants at Giants Stadium, and have lost three in a row.

"It's been a tough place to win since I've been here," running back Clinton Portis said. "Hopefully, this is the week it'll change. This is the way we've got to finish up our season. This game is a big part of our finish. If we win it, we keep our playoff hopes alive. If we don't, we'll be going home with everybody else." . . .

Despite having an ankle injury for most of the season, New York wide receiver Plaxico Burress has played in every game and leads the Giants with 62 receptions for 900 yards (a 14.5-yard average) and 10 touchdowns. "Maybe he all of a sudden takes a Superman pill on game day," Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, said jokingly. "All of 'em like playing on game day, and we've had a couple of guys, just through the adrenaline and the excitement of playing, get healthy. He's been doing it every week this year and he's been impressive. You can't knock the production." . . .

Defensive end Phillip Daniels (knee) sat out practice for the second day in a row but "did some work on the treadmill with a brace on and it felt pretty good," he said. "More than likely, I'll probably try some stuff [today] and see how I feel. They probably won't let me do a whole lot, but I think I'll be ready for Sunday." . . . Wide receiver James Thrash was excused from practice for personal reasons.