By Gene Wang
Washingtonpost.com Correspondent
Web Posted: Sunday, September 6, 1998; 7:10 p.m. EDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Washington Redskins had made so much of their upgraded defense during the preseason, saying that it was good enough to carry them to the playoffs for the first time since 1992.

That unit confirmed as much today in the season opener. That's why in the locker room after the Redskins' 31-24 loss to the New York Giants, many of the defensive players who had represented themselves so well were clearly irked at an offense that failed to do its part.

"We're human beings. In any business, people get frustrated," said Pro Bowl cornerback Darrell Green, a 16-year veteran and future Hall of Famer. "I've been frustrated in Super Bowl-winning seasons. It's going to happen in an instant, a moment, in a play."

The defense, which added high-priced tackles Dana Stubblefield and Dan Wilkinson in the offseason, surrendered 235 total yards of offense, including just 73 rushing. It yielded only one long, sustained touchdown drive. And the three touchdowns the Giants scored in the second half were the result of a series of offensive blunders.

The first came when Redskins quarterback Gus Frerotte threw an interception that gave the Giants the ball at the Washington 2; fullback Charles Way plowed into the end zone for the Giants.

On the ensuing possession, Frerotte threw his second interception, which defensive end Michael Strahan returned 24 yards for a touchdown.

New York's final points came courtesy of backup quarterback Trent Green, who fumbled after getting sacked, which gave the Giants the ball at the Redskins 22. One play later, Kanell threw to Amani Toomer, who had turned around cornerback Cris Dishman in the end zone, for a 31-17 lead.

"There's no question; it's never a great feeling for a defensive player," Wilkinson said of watching the offense sputter. "But like I said, we're going to be put up against tough odds like that all during the year. It's a team game. We just have to go out there and play hard and give the offense as many opportunities as we possibly can. ..."

The defense did just that, providing the Redskins multiple chances to tie or win the game. When Washington had cut the deficit to 31-24 with 6 minutes 16 seconds to play and needed a stop badly, the defense delivered.

On first down from the Giants 18, the Redskins held running back Gary Brown to a two-yard gain. Then fullback Charles Way managed just one yard up the middle. On third down, Wilkinson tossed aside guard Ron Stone and batted Kanell's pass incomplete, forcing the Giants to punt.

The Redskins offense, however, gained five yards on its ensuing possession before punting.

The Giants took over at their 38, and after they used four plays to move the ball to the Redskins 44, the defense faced third and two with less than two minutes left.

And as was the case most of the game, it rose up again, this time with strong safety Jesse Campbell and defensive end Jamal Duff corralling Brown for a one-yard gain.

"We fought," Stubblefield said. "We put up a good fight, and we didn't let down."

That defensive stand allowed the Redskins to gain possession on their 20 with 1:34 to go. But ultimately, it made little difference as the offense wilted for a final time.

"You hope [in key situations, the offense] can turn it around or get some points on the board so the momentum swing comes back to our side," Wilkinson said of the offense, then adding diplomatically, "and at times they did, at times they didn't."