Redskins.com: Brunell Helps Lead Dramatic Comeback

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Brunell Helps Lead Dramatic Comeback

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=10437

September 19, 2005

In his first game back as the Redskins' starting quarterback, Mark Brunell struggled early but then helped engineer a dramatic 14-13 come-from-behind win over the Dallas Cowboys.

For the game, Brunell was 20 of 34 for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He connected on a pair of TD passes to Santana Moss, one a 39-yarder and the other a stunning 70-yarder that gave the Redskins the lead.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (89) pulls in a touchdown pass in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Aaaron Glenn (26) in the fourth quarter in Irving, Texas, Monday, Sept. 19, 2005. Moss caught two touchdown passes in the final four minutes as the Redskins beat Dallas 14-13.(AP Photo/L.M. Otero)

Brunell, who was also sacked five times in the game, also used his legs to his advantage. On a third-down play in the fourth quarter, Brunell had a key 25-yard scramble to help move the Redskins' offense downfield.

On his first drive as the Redskins' newly anointed starter, Brunell put together a nice drive into Dallas territory. He completed 2-of-3 passes for 26 yards, including an 18-yard pass to James Thrash that converted a third down. But on third down at the Cowboys' 27-yard line, Brunell was sacked for a 12-yard loss, pushing the Redskins out of field goal range.

On the Redskins' next drive, Brunell floated a pass along the right sideline to Thrash. It appeared Brunell did not see cornerback Terence Newman playing zone coverage. Newman stepped in front of the pass for the interception and returned it to the Redskins' 31-yard line. The turnover led to the only points of the first half, a 31-yard field goal by Jose Cortez.

It was Brunell's first start since Nov. 14, 2004, when he opened at quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals at FedExField and struggled through a quarter and a half. He was replaced by Ramsey for the remainder of the season.

Upon naming Brunell as his starter on Monday night, Gibbs made the point that Brunell was hampered by a hamstring injury last year. Brunell suffered the injury in the Week 2 game against the New York Giants and it eventually hindered his ability to plant his feet soundly when throwing the ball.

Said Brunell: "This year, I am a different guy and I have been in the system for a year. I think we have more talent this year. We have guys that want to be here and have great attitudes. There has been a lot of change for the better as far as personnel on this team, and so now we can go try and win some games."

Given the focus on the quarterback position in the last week, Brunell was asked if he thought he could bring some stability to the Redskins offense.

"You bring stability by playing the position the way you are supposed to and by winning games," he replied. "That's our job. Every guy who has played the quarterback position the last five or six years here has tried to do that. That is really my focus.

"I want to be successful just for this team. There is a lot of weight on the quarterback position, as there always has been. Every game I'm going to go out and give it everything I've got."

On Monday night, his everything was more than enough to lead the Redskins to a dramatic victory.