MTK
10-14-2004, 03:58 PM
The Washington Redskins' offensive struggles (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=59eed244f176489e660898ded02e652e&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A2E30875E17F3F7F81D70 ');) have not altered the way backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey is preparing or practicing. There is a belief by some that the Redskins should change starters given Mark Brunell's problems, but Ramsey said he is taking the same amount of snaps as he would any other week and doing the same things he would if Washington was 4-1 instead of 1-4.
"I don't do anything differently," Ramsey said. "Mark's out there battling and all I'm trying to do is do anything I can to help let the receivers know something or Mark know maybe something they're doing or maybe something that would work, or talk to the coaches about something I saw. But you don't do anything differently. ... Mark's the starter here, and he's going to see all the looks (in practice) so he can play well on Sunday."
Bowen's Injury Leaves a Hole
When strong safety Matt Bowen left Sunday's game with a knee injury (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=b5ba69a724a5907913c7a14fd97f13ab&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A3E20875E17F3F7F81D70 ');), forcing reserve Ryan Clark into that challenging position, the Baltimore Ravens were largely unable to exploit his absence. Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller, who has struggled mightily in his second season in the NFL, threw at Clark as soon as he entered the game and picked up a completion, but overall Baltimore's inept passing game kept life relatively easy for Clark and rookie free safety Sean Taylor.
That is likely to change in the weeks to come. Bowen is out for the season with a torn ligament and, given Washington's strong defense against the run, it seem obvious that teams will come after the safeties more in the passing game. This week the Redskins play the Chicago Bears (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=f796d531860f0e776c2d17f7a572e83d&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A1ED0875E17F3F7F81D70 ');), another opponent with a weak passing game and a limited quarterback -- backup Jonathan Quinn -- so that may provide a reprieve for Washington's inexperienced safeties. None of the group has started even five NFL games and should Andre Lott recover from his hamstring injury as expected, he would likely shift back to the strong side beside Taylor. Clark would be used in clear passing situations, but there is no guarantee that Lott's hamstring will hold up through an entire game, so his role could increase as well.
After Bye, Favre Comes to Washington
Washington faces future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre in its following contest, when Green Bay (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=32cbfabec4f351242c18d1ca587184c3&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A2EC0875E17F3F7F81D70 ');) comes to FedEx Field after the bye week, and that is when the secondary could face its toughest chore of the season. Five of the next six games are against teams with strong playoff aspirations, and the Redskins will see Philadelphia (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=43a7332319cd31d11a8f290d476d306b&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A9EF0875E17F3F7F81D70 ');)'s dynamic passing attack twice in that span. That stretch of the schedule should serve as a teaching tool for the young safeties.
Taylor has the best physical gifts of the bunch but has yet to demonstrate his ball-hawking and play-making skills in a regular-season game. Lott advanced past the rest of the bunch and into an opening-day starting role as a free safety because of his football intellect, knowledge of assistant head coach Gregg Williams's defense and overall steady play. Clark was considered a long shot to make the team, particularly after nearly passing out the first day of training camp, but has performed well when called upon
"I really felt like a long shot," Clark said," especially after the first day [of training camp]. I was under the tent getting ready to lose it and I was preparing my resignation speech for the coaches. ... I was a long shot, man, and it was just a blessing. I felt like I was here for a reason."
Todd Franz, the other safety to make the team out of training camp, was considered primarily a special teams player, but injuries have increased his playing time on defense, and he registered his first NFL interception against the Ravens.
Other News & Notes
• Coach Joe Gibbs said that rookie Mark Wilson has progressed well, and he could get some time at the right tackle spot to relieve Brown and Jones if need be.
• The Redskins signed four-year NFL veteran defensive back Pat Dennis (5-foot-11, 207 pounds) to the active roster. Dennis spent the past three seasons with Houston and was released by the Texans in April. He has one interception, 85 tackles and 15 passes defended in his NFL career. Dennis was a fifth-round selection by Kansas City in 2000. He started 13 games as a cornerback for the Chiefs in his rookie season.
-- Jason La Canfora
"I don't do anything differently," Ramsey said. "Mark's out there battling and all I'm trying to do is do anything I can to help let the receivers know something or Mark know maybe something they're doing or maybe something that would work, or talk to the coaches about something I saw. But you don't do anything differently. ... Mark's the starter here, and he's going to see all the looks (in practice) so he can play well on Sunday."
Bowen's Injury Leaves a Hole
When strong safety Matt Bowen left Sunday's game with a knee injury (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=b5ba69a724a5907913c7a14fd97f13ab&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A3E20875E17F3F7F81D70 ');), forcing reserve Ryan Clark into that challenging position, the Baltimore Ravens were largely unable to exploit his absence. Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller, who has struggled mightily in his second season in the NFL, threw at Clark as soon as he entered the game and picked up a completion, but overall Baltimore's inept passing game kept life relatively easy for Clark and rookie free safety Sean Taylor.
That is likely to change in the weeks to come. Bowen is out for the season with a torn ligament and, given Washington's strong defense against the run, it seem obvious that teams will come after the safeties more in the passing game. This week the Redskins play the Chicago Bears (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=f796d531860f0e776c2d17f7a572e83d&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A1ED0875E17F3F7F81D70 ');), another opponent with a weak passing game and a limited quarterback -- backup Jonathan Quinn -- so that may provide a reprieve for Washington's inexperienced safeties. None of the group has started even five NFL games and should Andre Lott recover from his hamstring injury as expected, he would likely shift back to the strong side beside Taylor. Clark would be used in clear passing situations, but there is no guarantee that Lott's hamstring will hold up through an entire game, so his role could increase as well.
After Bye, Favre Comes to Washington
Washington faces future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre in its following contest, when Green Bay (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=32cbfabec4f351242c18d1ca587184c3&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A2EC0875E17F3F7F81D70 ');) comes to FedEx Field after the bye week, and that is when the secondary could face its toughest chore of the season. Five of the next six games are against teams with strong playoff aspirations, and the Redskins will see Philadelphia (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=43a7332319cd31d11a8f290d476d306b&lat=1097780253&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fW9RH04792A9EF0875E17F3F7F81D70 ');)'s dynamic passing attack twice in that span. That stretch of the schedule should serve as a teaching tool for the young safeties.
Taylor has the best physical gifts of the bunch but has yet to demonstrate his ball-hawking and play-making skills in a regular-season game. Lott advanced past the rest of the bunch and into an opening-day starting role as a free safety because of his football intellect, knowledge of assistant head coach Gregg Williams's defense and overall steady play. Clark was considered a long shot to make the team, particularly after nearly passing out the first day of training camp, but has performed well when called upon
"I really felt like a long shot," Clark said," especially after the first day [of training camp]. I was under the tent getting ready to lose it and I was preparing my resignation speech for the coaches. ... I was a long shot, man, and it was just a blessing. I felt like I was here for a reason."
Todd Franz, the other safety to make the team out of training camp, was considered primarily a special teams player, but injuries have increased his playing time on defense, and he registered his first NFL interception against the Ravens.
Other News & Notes
• Coach Joe Gibbs said that rookie Mark Wilson has progressed well, and he could get some time at the right tackle spot to relieve Brown and Jones if need be.
• The Redskins signed four-year NFL veteran defensive back Pat Dennis (5-foot-11, 207 pounds) to the active roster. Dennis spent the past three seasons with Houston and was released by the Texans in April. He has one interception, 85 tackles and 15 passes defended in his NFL career. Dennis was a fifth-round selection by Kansas City in 2000. He started 13 games as a cornerback for the Chiefs in his rookie season.
-- Jason La Canfora