Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Washington beat the Eagles 20-12 Monday night.
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins are 2-0, having beaten a pair of unimpressive teams led by quarterbacks who have seen better days.
Still, considering where they were a year ago — and the injuries they’ve already suffered in the first two weeks of the season — the undefeated record feels very, very good.
“With this team, it’s just so much better than last year,” receiver Antwaan Randle El said Tuesday, “in terms of just being together and understanding what it’s all about.”
The Redskins have been simultaneously lucky and unlucky, good and not-so-good. A generous early schedule would seem to give them a legitimate shot at starting 6-0, but they’ve lost the right side of their offensive line. Right guard Randy Thomas is out for most — if not all — of the rest of the season after tearing his left triceps in Monday night’s 20-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Injuries mounting
Thomas can spend his rehabilitation time with his playing partner on the field, right tackle Jon Jansen, who arrived at Redskins Park on Tuesday with a funky little scooter to support the surgically repaired ankle that was hurt in the season opener. Instead of Jansen and Thomas, recycled veterans Todd Wade and Jason Fabini will now have to anchor the right side.
“That’s a big blow when you lose Jon and Randy,” Fabini said. “Randy is the heart and soul of the team, an emotional guy. We’ve got big shoes to fill.”
The Redskins have narrow wins over the Dolphins and Eagles, but neither opponent put up much of a quality fight. Miami’s Trent Green looked his age, and Donovan McNabb was inaccurate and limited by the aftereffects of knee surgery. Still, a victory over the Eagles on the road in prime time is worth a feather in the cap, and it’s worth noting that Washington has allowed only one touchdown in the first two games — something the franchise last accomplished when George Allen was coach in 1975.
The last time before that? Go back to 1943.
Ranked 31st last year
“The whole defense has a different attitude,” said linebacker Marcus Washington, stating the obvious after the defense ranked No. 31st in last year’s 5-11 season. “And that’s just playing for each other. Nobody’s trying to do too much.”
The linebackers are all over the place, and first-round draft pick LaRon Landry has literally been an instant impact player. The rookie safety jarred the ball from receiver Kevin Curtis’ hands on fourth down when the Eagles were threatening to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Opponents have converted only eight of 29 third downs.