| Page 2 of 2 < |
With Moss, Fuel Injection
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Despite playing without injured Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels, Washington's top offensive lineman, the Redskins had 439 total yards on offense. Place kicker Shaun Suisham made four field goals, including three of at least 42 yards. His 42-yarder with 1 minute 56 seconds remaining in the game capped the scoring.
On defense, veteran cornerback Shawn Springs and rookie strong safety Chris Horton also missed the game because of injuries, but the Redskins limited the Lions to 274 total yards. With Springs sidelined, cornerback Carlos Rogers, who is having his best season, drew the difficult assignment of Calvin Johnson, the Lions' star second-year wide receiver. Johnson caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth and finished with four receptions for 57 yards.
It was Moss, however, whose performance had the biggest impact on the Redskins' ability to avoid the Week 6 letdown they experienced in a two-point loss to the then-winless St. Louis Rams. On Sunday, Washington had a significant statistical edge in the first two quarters, but Detroit had a 10-6 halftime lead. The Redskins more than doubled the Lions' yardage total, 250 to 95, but penalties and miscues took a toll.
And then there was the heated exchange between Zorn and Portis early in the second quarter. On Washington's final possession of the first quarter, Portis did not inform coaches he had gone to the sideline for a break and backup running back Shaun Alexander had replaced him for a play, Portis said.
"It was one play," Portis said. "I think it was just blown out of proportion. He was excited, and I was excited. When two grown men get excited, and two grown men eager to win, you have that miscommunication."
Moss's final big play lightened the mood for good. With primary punt returner Antwaan Randle El continuing to struggle against Detroit (he averaged 4.8 yards on four returns), the Redskins turned to Moss on special teams. The touchdown was Moss's third on a punt return in his career. He last accomplished the feat against the San Diego Chargers in the 2002 season while he was a member of the New York Jets.
"I'll be honest with you, and this is nothing against Randle El, but when I see Santana back to return a punt, I feel like there's a chance he's gone," Cooley said. "He's just a major threat, and you see what he meant to us today.
"This is my fifth year here, and I haven't [previously] been part of a 6-2 team. But now, we have to look at it like we're starting all over again."
