Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The 'Tana Man Can

In the span of 10 days after a humiliating season-opening loss to the Giants, the Washington Redskins re-learned the intricacies of football; namely, the orange first-down markers on the sidelines are not pre-Halloween decorations and throwing the ball beyond them from time to time is generally a good idea. Jason Campbell, who showed a presence in the pocket that was lacking in Week 1, delivered a beautiful deep ball to Santana Moss for the winning touchdown. A Redskins QB hasn't thrown a ball that far since Mark Brunell, who watched from the Saints' sideline Sunday, hooked up with Moss for two miraculous touchdowns to beat Dallas in '05. Clinton Portis complemented the Skins' aerial attack with a game that can only be described in true Gibbsian fashion as hard-fought.

The defense was stout, with Chris Horton finding himself in the right place at the right time for a pair of interceptions that even Carlos Rogers could have made. Cornelius Griffin came up with a huge sack, Jason Taylor played like the All-Pro that he is, and LaRon Landry continued to show why he will be the hard-hitting face of the defense for years to come.

Arizona comes to Landover next Sunday and could provide a stiffer test, believe it or not, than the Saints. While New Orleans was without star wide receiver Marques Colston and several starters on defense, Arizona's offense is rolling behind Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin. That trio figures to test Rogers, Springs and Co. all afternoon; Todd Yoder willing, they'll answer the challenge.

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