Pink and Prayer Power Redskins To A Win!

What started out feeling like Murphy's Law unfolding in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ended up being a much needed boost for the Skins psyche, and a 19-16 win at FedExField.

Murphy's Law
What could go wrong, did go wrong.

Again, we had a game that wasn't pretty.

In the first half, punter Hunter Smith suffered a groin injury and did not return to the game.

Quarterback, Jason Campbell threw for three interceptions (all of them to the Bucs' Agqib Talib), got sacked, and had the ball stripped from his hands. His efforts were so bad that he even questioned his own performance.

"Today in the first half, I didn’t even know if I was at FedExField. It was the first time in my career I had ever had three picks, even pee wee, high school, college or pros. The first thing I was thinking about was, ‘why me, why is this happening?’

Wondering, too, were the fans. Even those in talk radio were skeptical about Campbell, and some wanted coach Jim Zorn to make a substitute - real quick - after the Bucs were leading 10-0.

But Zorn, believing in, and sticking by his quarterback said, "I never thought about replacing Jason."

The Comeback.
What turned things around for the Skins?

An interception by DeAngelo Hall lit a spark in the team - a spark that fueled a third quarter fire that saw the QB finding his rythmn, garnering praise from the head coach.

"He kept standing strong. The thing that I kept telling Jason Campbell was, just get back in line. He's the General out there on the field."
Even Campbell's teammates were in full support, telling him, "We believe in you."

Believe. That word is prominently displayed on a plaque in the Redskins' lunch room, and is the word what helped the team and their 'General' find the rhythm that would eventually pay dividends.

Campbell credits taking chances.
"... the second half I came out and I said, I need to take some chances. In the first half I was timid, I didn’t run. I wanted to stay in the pocket and throw. In the second half I said that if I was there, I’m running unless they take it away."
Taking chances translated into Campbell throwing a TD pass to Chris Cooley at the start of the third quarter. (Cooley's 76th consecutive reception). Campbell later fired off a 59 yard TD pass to Santana Moss in the end zone for another Redskin touch down that would seal the win.

Moss' reception in Sunday's game was the 18th of his career to cover at least 50 yards. (Thirteen of those receptions converting to touchdowns).

Running back Clinton Portis had a stellar day, rushing for 98 yards off 25 carries. With a six-yard run in the second quarter, Portis moved past Hall of Famer Earl Campbell (9,385) for 26th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.

What Zorn Loves About His Team.
Despite the rocky first half start, Zorn points out the positives in the team's efforts.

"Everyone maintained their poise. Our game plan was sound. We came back and really starting moving the ball. We had some heroic efforts. [Shaun] Suisham came in after Hunter pulled his groin , and did a great job. It was really a tremendous day for defense. Our defense shut them down. We played with passion on defense. [I'm] proud of Greg Blatche, and our defensive players. I can't wait to watch it [the video] on film. It was a great game."
A game that ended with a win for a team who's season started out leaving a lot of people wondering about the future of the franchise, but showed, at least for today, a glimmer of hope and a ray of possibility.

Game Notes
Shaun Suisham’s first-quarter 31-yard punt in relief of the injured Hunter Smith, was the first of his career.

Redskins cornerback Justin Tryon’s second-quarter sack of Josh Johnson was the first of his NFL career.

In Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
GlaxoSmithKline and fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA),partnered to recognize October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. More than 45,000 pink breast cancer awareness ribbons were given out prior to the game. Players and coaches donned pink gear to include cleats, wristbands, gloves, sideline caps, helmet decals, captains’ patches, coaches caps, sideline and quarterback towels. Tanya Snyder, wife of Redskins owner Dan Synder is the national spokesperson for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Last week, Skins players Chris Cooley and Derrick Dockery, along with their wives and Tanya Snyder, hosted a luncheon at Redskins Park for several breast cancer survivors. The ladies were treated to makeup and wig consultations and were given a pair of Gap jeans, several free Redskins items to include jerseys, and tickets to Sunday's game.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I was pleasantly pleased with yesterday's win.
shane47 said…
It's a win. and we'll take it. go skins