Brad Johnson threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns but had three three interceptions and fumbled twice. (AFP)

By Gene Wang
Washingtonpost.com Correspondent
Web Posted: Sunday, November 15, 1999; 7:08 p.m. EST

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 14 – For the better part of the season, the offensive line of the Washington Redskins had reason to trumpet its worth. Maligned entering the season as a group that was too old (veteran left tackle Andy Heck), too injury prone (right guard Tre Johnson) and too inexperienced (rookie right tackle Jon Jansen), the line instead opened gaping holes for running back Stephen Davis and kept quarterback Brad Johnson upright.

Today, that chemistry all but vanished, and what had been a bedrock in the offense crumbled into bits against the Philadelphia Eagles during a 35-28 loss before 66,591 at Veterans Stadium.

"We played sloppy. There's a whole list of things," Tre Johnson said. "We were sloppy in every phase, and you saw what happened. We were fighting in a game we should have done a lot better."

Although statistics had the Redskins outgaining the Eagles, 425 to 236, they belied an offense that, while coverting the big strike at times, could not move the ball when it mattered.

And much of the blame fell on an offensive line that yielded four sacks and had Brad Johnson under fire.

"I did think at times I was pressured," said Brad Johnson, who completed 18 of 33 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns but threw three interceptions and fumbled twice. "I had a couple fumbles. Guys were in my face and hit a couple of throws. Overall that's just kind of the way the game goes."

The offensive line's play during Washington's final series proved a microcosm of what had ailed the Redskins for much of the second half. With the drive beginning at their 36, the Redskins marched into Eagles territory and were at the Philadelphia 45 at the two-minute warning.

Johnson threw incomplete on first down and connected with Michael Westbrook for six yards on second before disaster struck. On third and four from the 28, defensive tackle Steve Martin got deep penetration to bat down Johnson's pass. Then on fourth down and the game in the balance, the offensive line did not pick up the Eagles' all-out blitz.

Moments later, Johnson lay prone on the hard artificial turf of Veterans Stadium, the victim of a sack by linebacker Mike Caldwell.

"The guys up front, they were getting a push all day," Caldwell said of the pass rush that in crucial situations made the Redskins offense line look flat-footed. "I was just free to come and make the play."

In addition to Caldwell, the Eagles got sacks from defensive end Mike Mamula and a half sack each from defensive tackle Brandon Whiting and defensive end Greg Jefferson.

And though Caldwell's sack ended the Redskins' hopes of forcing overtime, it was Mamula's big play that gave the Eagles some life in the third quarter, when he got to Brad Johnson and forced a fumble the Eagles recovered.

Four plays later, place kicker Norm Johnson made a 20-yard field goal, and the Eagles were on the their way to the stirring victory.

"They're a gambling, blitzing, overload defense," Redskins Coach Norv Turner said of the Eagles. "You can run a play, and you hit it right, and it can be a big play, and you can hit it wrong, and it can be a no-gainer. ...

"They hit us with a couple good things. They had good pressure. It's amazing. A couple of their sacks came when they were in coverage. They did a good job in coverage, and we ended up having to hold the ball too long."