WP: It Was Just an Exhibition, But the Redskins Made It Count

[bubba9497]

It Was Just an Exhibition, But the Redskins Made It Count

By William Gildea

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/27/AR2005082700142.html?nav=rss_sports/redskins

With two minutes to play in the first half of last night's preseason game at FedEx Field, the Redskins didn't need Joe Montana or Johnny Unitas or Sonny Jurgensen to take them the length of the field. On second down and two, they had to move the ball only seven yards to reach the end zone. Still, little the Redskins have attempted in recent seasons or this preseason has been easy -- and here they were up against not just the clock but last year's top-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

You could almost see it coming, a two-minute drill that couldn't muster seven yards.

Then you could almost feel one collective exhale by Redskins fans.

First came the big sigh, then the cheers, after Patrick Ramsey lofted a ball, on first down from the 4, to a leaping Chris Cooley in the back right corner of the end zone for a touchdown that tied the halftime score at 10.

From the sound of the crowd, you might have thought the Redskins had struck from a distance, or that the game counted in the standings, or that the team was ready to compare itself with the Steelers, who went 15-1 in the regular season last year.

But, in a long season, it may just be a play that will be remembered, even though it covered only four yards in a 17-10 victory that counted for nothing in the standings.

The scoring play was the difference between the team being cheered off the field, many of the players pumping their helmets skyward, or being booed all the way to the locker room following just another fiasco.

The Redskins needed that: a bit of success, a lot of support.

It was the difference in the team being able to feel good that it had not wasted many fine individual efforts during the 30 minutes that mattered most: new and acrobatic wide receiver Santana Moss and running back Clinton Portis; 234 net yards, 48 by Portis on eight carries; four catches by David Patten; effective blocking by the offensive line; and a strong stand by the defense that kept the Steelers backed up late in the half on the series before the Redskins scored their tying touchdown.

Oh, yes, there were familiar mistakes. Penalties: too many men in the huddle, delay of game. Will the Redskins ever get past such things? And there was a whopping mistake: Ramsey, under pressure from Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans, overthrowing James Thrash in the flat, firing instead to strong safety Troy Polamalu, who followed Haggans's traffic-cop signals exactly and scooted into the end zone for the Steelers' only touchdown of the half.

But on this night, after two preseason losses, the Redskins were able to overcome their mistakes and do it against a team that fell one victory shy of the last Super Bowl. The Redskins simply played better than Pittsburgh, this once, anyway. But, more importantly, they played better than they have this preseason. And they picked a very good time to do it, in their third practice outing.

So it was just an exhibition. So Pittsburgh's ground attack was limited when Jerome Bettis went out early with a calf injury, and Duce Staley didn't play.

And Big Ben Roethlisberger played only a half, as did most of the first units on both sides. Still, he could not manufacture a touchdown against the Redskins, who were playing their best defense this summer. LaVar Arrington contributed on that side of the ball, looking solid in his first outing, which extended well into the second half.

Yes, the Redskins were looking better -- and feeling better, too, about themselves. Take away his one mistake, and Ramsey had a good night, one that secured his position as opening day starter and should give him not only a little more self-confidence but also should generate a few more pats on the back from the coaching staff. In a supporting role, Mark Brunell smartly directed an 85-yard drive to open the second half with the Redskins players and the crowd still charged up over the first half's conclusion.

All in all, this was the kind of effort on both sides of the ball that might calm the nerves, just a bit, of Coach Joe Gibbs. It certainly spoiled the evening for an excellent turnout of Steelers fans.

They arrived early and, before the bulk of the 73,987 showed up, had the place almost to themselves, cheering their Black and Gold during warmups. They either came directly from Pittsburgh or were dressed like it, wearing black Steelers jerseys with various names -- Roethlisberger was a big one -- printed in gold block letters on their backs. They waved gold towels, and they made plenty of noise.

Their numbers had dwindled by game's end, but they'll no doubt have their fun when the real season starts. But Redskins fans could take heart, too: They might have some fun, come the fall. And if that actually should come to pass, this game may well be remembered as the start of something good.

[jempet]

I was at the game, and there were way too many Steeler's jerseys. What's up skin's fans? And they need to tone down the sound on the speakers. My wife and I both had migraines by halftime.

[SkinsLover]

I was at the game, and there were way too many Steeler's jerseys. What's up skin's fans? And they need to tone down the sound on the speakers. My wife and I both had migraines by halftime.

dont know where you sit...but lets just say for once i could hear what was going on down on the field with penalties etc. Im up in the four hundred level almost behind endzone and it was just right for us....maybe you are right under the speakers?

And I totally agree about the Pitts fans. WOW. this is my fourth year of season tickets and I have NEVER seen that many opposing jerseys....even when the Beagles come to town or the Ravens...if Skins fans are selling or giving to friends, I wish they at least would make the effort to sell to Redskin fans. That was unbelievable...I had one lady next to me, didnt wear any Skins stuff because her two daughters and husband were all fancied up head to toe in Steelers gear....she had the last laugh...I was completely surrounded and it was that way all across the whole stadium you could actually see it....that was depressing....but we beat them, so its all good.

[kappaluvacee]

When Fed-ex turns into a hostile place for visitors, that's when the opposing fans will dwindle in numbers. Until then, you'll have to live with that scene.