Donovan McNabb
- QB
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- 48
- 240 lbs
- 6' 2"
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This is beat writer Rich Campbell's review of the best offensive performances from the Redskins’ 23-3 loss to Baltimore on Saturday.
WR Anthony Armstrong: Armstrong did more than anyone to solidify his roster spot. He proved that he can adjust to throws in midair and make difficult catches. He would have scored a spectacular touchdown if QB Donovan McNabb hadn’t underthrown him deep down the middle in the first quarter. Still, Armstrong adjusted and made a terrific sliding catch. Later, Armstrong reached back to haul in a poorly thrown pass on a slant pattern. In the fourth quarter, he fully extended for a high throw from QB Rex Grossman and held on despite contact. Armstrong showed impressive speed, and his routes were so crisp that he was open all night. It’s probably too early to say he made the team with this performance, but consider how he outperformed his competition.
QB Donovan McNabb: I’m gonna cast aside McNabb’s passing inaccuracy, which certainly was problematic at times, and give him a game ball for how he held up under pressure. The difference between McNabb and what we saw from Jason Campbell last year was like night and day. McNabb sensed pressure several times and moved fluidly away from it without taking his eyes off his receivers. When the Ravens blitzed from the left in the first quarter, McNabb calmly rolled to the right sideline and threw on the run to hit TE Chris Cooley and convert third-and-14. Another difference: McNabb held onto the ball when LB Terrell Suggs got a clean shot on his blindside in the second quarter. Campbell often fumbled that type of play.
WR Santana Moss: Moss’ four catches for 79 yards should help Redskins coaches breathe at least a little bit easier about their offensive arsenal. Moss consistently got open and looked explosive in generating yards after the catch. Two of his receptions came after he lined up in the slot. The Redskins are going to take advantage of his quickness in there.
Nothing livens up a preseason game like a fake punt, especially if it works.
Baltimore Ravens third-year safety Haruki Nakamura took a direct snap on fourth-and-6 and juked his way 51 yards - all the way to the 1 - in the second quarter to set up the only touchdown scored by either first-team offense in Saturday night's 23-3 win over the Washington Redskins.
The bit of trickery added entertainment value to a typical August game that lacked polish and gave both coaches plenty to work on before the regular season starts in three weeks.
The Redskins had two starters leave the game with knee problems. Fullback Mike Sellers hurt his left knee while blocking on a running play, and free safety Kareem Moore sprained his right knee trying to catch up to Nakamura on the fake punt play.
Moore's injury appears to be the most severe, and he'll have an MRI on Sunday. Sellers also said his knee was sore, but that he would be "all right."
Meanwhile, Donovan McNabb emerged from the locker room after halftime with a large wrap around his lower left leg and ankle. By then, he was already finished for the night.
McNabb said he was "just a little sore" and that he expected to play next week against the New York Jets .
Left tackle Trent Williams, the No. 4 overall draft pick, left with a bruised elbow but said he was fine.
McNabb had an erratic night for the Redskins (1-1), completing 11 of 26 passes for 206 yards and a bad-decision interception thrown deep into double coverage. He frequently threw behind receivers and was often pressured and hit by a blitzing Ravens defense.
Larry Johnson got the start at running back and showed nothing to indicate he has any chance of overtaking Clinton Portis for the job. Johnson gained only 4 yards on eight carries, missed a blitz pickup that resulted in an intentional grounding call on McNabb, bobbled a pass at least a half-dozen times before dropping it, and lost the ball after tripping over his own man on a running play - it wasn't called a fumble because he was ruled down by contact.
The Ravens' first-team defense was solid for the most part, except when it allowed three big third-down conversions on the game's opening drive. Cornerback Fabian Washington, playing his first game since tearing a ligament in his left knee last season, ended the drive by breaking up a pass at the goal line, forcing the Redskins to settle for a field goal.
Joe Flacco went 9 for 16 passes for 72 yards for the Ravens (2-0).
Ray Rice ran for 17 yards, but dropped the ball on two of his three carries - one of the fumbles was technically credited to Flacco, and the Ravens recovered both.
Two other promising drives were stopped by mistakes: a false start on left tackle Michael Oher, and a fumble by Donte' Stallworth.
The Redskins have been through their first preseason game and got a good look at young running backs Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams. But Coach Mike Shanahan said after Sunday's practice that the club remains interested in veteran free agent Brian Westbrook.
"Like I told you, I'm not sure what direction he's going," Shanahan said. "But we've been entertaining that option. I'm not sure what direction he's going at this time."
Shanahan said there is no timetable for action. ESPN's John Clayton suggested late last week that Westbrook was likely headed to St. Louis by Monday, a claim the Rams denied. St. Louis, though, is one team that has remained interested in pursuing the former Philadelphia Eagle throughout his free agency. Denver, another potential suitor because of a backfield decimated by injuries, last week signed veteran Justin Fargas.
The Redskins rushed for 140 yards on 41 carries in Friday night's 42-17 preseason victory over Buffalo. Torain (17 carries, 62 yards) and Williams (11 carries, 51 yards, two touchdowns) got the bulk of the work. Veteran Larry Johnson is scheduled to get his chance this Saturday against Baltimore, with fellow veteran free agent signee Willie Parker playing more the following week against the New York Jets.
If you've got three backs on your roster that are past their prime, why not add a fourth? Westbrook could help Washington, especially due to his past connection with Donovan McNabb, but he's not going to be the fantasy star he used to be no matter where he goes.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones thinks the Philadelphia Eagles are better with Kevin Kolb at quarterback then they were with Donovan McNabb.
"McNabb helped create those big swings in our games over the last 10 years,’’ Jones said. "When he played well, it was like throwing the knockout punch. When he didn’t, you were able to throw the knockout punch."
"I don’t see that now (with Kolb). I think Kolb and the way they’re going about it now, you won’t have those big swings one way or the other. I think every game with them is going to be a battle. Because of Kolb and because the makeup of the rest of their team is solid. And their coach, there is not a better coach in the NFL than Andy (Reid).’’
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