Redskins Public Relations: Redskins-Cowboys Postgame Notes and Quote

[Mark The Homer]

WASHINGTON REDSKINS VS. DALLAS

POSTGAME NOTES

Sunday, December 27, 2009 – FedExField

• Jason Campbell threw an interception on the Redskins’ first possession for the first time since Dec. 7, 2008 at Baltimore.
  
• Reed Doughty’s second-quarter interception of Tony Romo sits to pee was the first of his career.
  
• Coming into the game, the Redskins defense was the league’s best on fourth down, allowing opponents to convert just 3-of-14 (21.4%) opportunities. Indianapolis was next best at 33.3 percent (6-of-18). The Redskins stopped the Cowboys on both of their fourth-down attempts on Sunday night, bringing Washington’s season total to 3-of-16 (18.8%) conversions allowed.
  
• The Redskins defense has recorded 39 sacks on the season, 15 more than it had all of last year.
  
• The Redskins were shut out for the first time since Oct. 30, 2005, in a 36-0 loss at the New York Giants.
  
• London Fletcher played in his 191st straight contest, tied for the second-most in the NFL (excluding specialists) with Tampa Bay's Ronde Barber and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning. The trio trails only Minnesota's Brett Favre, who has played in 285 consecutive games.
  
• With his start against the Cowboys, Fletcher has now opened 150 straight contests. It is the fourth-longest streak among active players, behind Favre (283), Manning (191) and Barber (165).
  
• Redskins guard Derrick Dockery played in his 111th consecutive game and started his 108th in a row, both the third-longest streaks among NFL guards.
  

INJURIES

Guard Mike Williams injured his toe in the second quarter and did not return.

Safety Reed Doughty injured his ankle in the second quarter

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh injured his back in the third quarter.

Tackle Stephon Heyer injured his knee in the third quarter, but returned later in the quarter.

Head Coach Jim Zorn

On his feelings of the offense’s performance tonight:

“Tonight was very frustrating, offensively. We did not put a drive together. We didn’t even get in the red zone, the closest we got was the 23-yard line. The frustrating thing was that their front four beat us and we couldn’t amount any consistency with our offense. On defense, we played their hearts out. They really gave [the offense] opportunities with some of the fourth-down stands that they had. And barring one play, the 69-yard pass to [Jason] Whitten, we handled it pretty well. It’s frustrating.”

On his feelings on the game:

“The hardest thing for me is to watch our team lose to that team because of the division rivalry and seeing too many blue jerseys having a good time in our stadium. That’s hard for me.”

On his feelings of not winning any division games this season:

“It’s very hard. It’s devastating to be 0-6 and not win a division game. We have to look past this now and we’ve still got one game left. I want to get five wins. We’re going to prepare and come back and take this long trip and we’re going to try to win it in San Diego, that’s all we can do.”

On if there were any issues between him and Albert Haynesworth:

“He voiced his opinion. It was unfortunate and yet a frustration over what we feel today, not winning. I think we handled it. It was said, discussed and put to rest. We moved on. There were not incidents that happened on the field today. Everyone was working hard together to try and win that football game.”

On how he is not allowing job speculations with the team to distract him from coaching:

“I’m going to try to keep concentrating on this final game. We’ve had a lot of unfortunate things happen, but we’re 4-11, so there are a lot of difficult things to handle. I’m not going to concern myself at this particular time with speculation because those are tough questions to answer. I am going to try and push forward and try to help lead this football team in this final week of the season. That’s what I’m going to be concerned about.”

Redskins Player Quotes

Redskins Quarterback Jason Campbell

On how tough tonight’s shutout was for the offense:

“It’s very tough. We didn’t have time to get those developing plays that can hurt the defense. We just had to throw our short passing game tonight. It was tough to put a zero up there, especially against our archrivals.”

On the team going 0-6 within the division this year:

“It’s pretty bad. Some guys are fighting hard and doing what they can to try to flip things. At the same time it’s going to take a lot of different things that they have to do and they have to do here in order to improve.”

On how he will look back on this year:

“A long year, that started back in March. Physically, it’s the most I have been hit during a year. At the same time, it’s not about me. A lot of guys are going through a tough year this year. We fought the injury bug as hard as we could for a five and a half week period, but things catch up with you in the end. That’s why it’s so important to have a lot of depth in the NFL, because each and every week teams are going to study and they are going to bring it.”

On the offensive line struggling tonight:

“Sometimes it’s just miscommunication. Communication, making sure we are on the right guy. It’s not always the offensive line either. Sometimes our backs also have to communicate with the offensive line. If it gets loud sometimes, and they are a guy that have not been in there a lot or don’t have a lot of experience with the guys up front, one missed communication can throw off the whole protection. Everyone is involved in protection. We all just have to do what we do to fight through it.”

On if he thinks any player quit during the game tonight:

“I don’t think anyone quite tonight. I thought the guys fought hard, and our defense really fought hard – stopping those guys on fourth down twice. That’s big. Offensively, we tried to do as much as we possibly could, but like I said, some things are longer developing plays. You have to have that time to hit those things or get to them. We weren’t really able to establish our run game as much as we wanted to. I thought they did a good job of stopping the run and trying to force you to be one-dimensional. If you can do that, that’s what [DeMarcus] Ware and [Anthony] Spencer are good at – pass rushing. I just take my hat off to the Cowboys – great game.”

Running Back Rock Cartwright

On if he felt like they wanted this game as much as the Cowboys:

“You have to realize what these guys are playing for. They were playing for a playoff berth and a chance to continue their season. They came out and played great football. We weren’t able to get anything done. We couldn’t protect Jason [Campbell], and when you don’t protect your quarterback, you can’t score points. We’ve got to find a way to protect him and do a better job. We need to move the chains and score points. That’s what it’s all about in this league – scoring points and winning football games. We’re not able to do that right now.”

On if this loss is representative of the season as a whole:

“It does if you look at it. With all the talent that we have and all the guys we brought in this offseason, I never thought we’d be 4-11 and playing our last game against San Diego. It’s tough, but things happen and things don’t always go the way you’ve planned. All we can do is go out and try to get a win against San Diego.”

On if players are conscious of the idea that this might be the last time they play for the Redskins at FedExField:

“That thought crosses my mind all the time because you know there are going to be changes in the offseason, but you don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m going to enjoy the guys for another week, have a great week of practice and try to go out to San Diego and get a win. We know it’s going to be tough. Those guys are hot right now. I think they’ve won 10 straight. We’re going to have our hands full, but we’ve just got to go out and play our game.”

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall

On if he can point to one problem:

“It’s been different times in the season when it has been the defense, it’s been times when it has been the offense, and it has been times where it’s been special teams. It’s just consistency. Consistency is probably the best word to sum up this season. We haven’t been that. Until we’re consistent in every phase of the game, even preparation, we’re going to come out with the same result.”

Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth

On if tonight’s game was frustrating:

“Yeah, it is, but we went out on defense and played hard. We just couldn't get it going on offense, couldn't get a boost out there. Jason was getting hit a lot, and he didn't have a whole lot of time.”

On the timing of his comments this week:

“Just frustration. Being, what are we, 4-11 now? Or 4-10 at that point. I was frustrated, and I'm a competitor, I want to win. No matter, whatever I do I want to win. This is my livelihood, I'm very competitive, and I definitely hate to lose no matter what.”

On being a leader:

“A contract doesn’t make you, as far as leadership. I've never been a guy that wants to talk, get in front of the team and say whatever. It's not me. I just like to go play the game. I'm not a guy that's going to try to hype up people and all that stuff. I don't even want to be a captain and go out there in the middle of the coin toss, because I consider the other team an enemy, and I don't want to shake hands until after the game.”

On the greeting from teammates he got on Saturday:

“The same as every other Saturday. There was nothing different. We hung out, we talked.”

On his relationship with Greg Blache:

“I talked to Blache and we're all great and everything's fine. I mean, we're grown men. You can disagree and that's fine. We don't hate each other, there's no hate or anything between us, and we're still the same.”

On if he had talked to Greg Blache prior to this past Friday:

“In different ways, a little bit, like in his office and stuff, but what I said Monday night, it's frustration. I’m sick of losing. I'm not a loser; this team's not losers. We're a good team, we've got a lot of talent, we just need to put it together.”

On what he would do if he were Bruce Allen:

“If he really watched the film and really watched some of the guys that played hard, we've got a great nucleus around here. We just got to get the key components to make it right. I don't think he's thinking that we have to just blow up this team and start from ground zero. I don't think he would be thinking that because we do have a lot of great players here.”

Wide Receiver Santana Moss

On being 0-6 in the NFC East this year:

“Losing is losing. Whether it’s in the division or not, I don’t even look at the record. When you lose, you lose. It’s just rough. It’s something we’ve got to deal with. Tomorrow isn’t going to be any different. The record is still going to be the same. What happened tonight, or what happened previously is still going to be the same. All we have to do is move on. It’s easier said than done, but you’ve got to move on.”

On if the possible changes in the offseason are affecting the team:

“When it comes to what is going to happen in the future, you don’t have any control over it. All you can do is control the things that are within your own power and that’s playing good football, or trying to give your best effort. As a player, that’s all you can really do. When it boils down to it, all you can really do is go out and give it your all every Sunday and hope for the best. If you do that, you’ll be able to sleep a little better.”

Center Casey Rabach

On being shutout:

“It’s really disappointing. It’s a team we thought we matched up well with, a team we know real well. It’s disheartening, the performance.”

On the past two games against the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys:

“It’s real hard to swallow. Divisional teams, in front of the home fans, it is a tough one.”

Cornerback Carlos Rogers

On if at this point of the season it is hard to find something to motivate the team:

“I never think like that. As many games as are on the schedule, I am ready to play until the end. There are only 16 this year, and we’ve got one more game to look forward to.”

On what happened in the first half:

“They just got a couple of drives and got a play on a scramble. [Tony] Romo sits to pee finds a way to make his legs move and just find open guys. When you get him down, you got to get him down. He keeps plays alive. I think that is what happened on the first touchdown.”

Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Wade Phillips

Opening Statement

“We knew it was going to be a tough game. I thought the Redskins really played hard against us and I knew they would. I thought our guys played well, overall. I am disappointed obviously in our short-yardage. Other than that, I thought our special teams played well and the offense played well and the defense played well. It’s a 16-game schedule and we’ve got an opportunity to finish it off with a division championship next week and that’s what we’ve been aiming for. There was a lot of elation in the locker room for getting in the playoffs, but not a lot of celebration. I think our guys know that they’ve got another big game next week. We’ve had a lot of pressure on us and I think in the last couple weeks there has been a lot of pressure on this team. I have to be pleased with the defense. I think this has been the first time we’ve held Washington without a touchdown in two games. I thought they did a good job against our running game. I thought Tony (Romo sits to pee) played well, Miles Austin continued to play well and (Jason) Witten had a great game. They played a lot of man-to-man and we really took advantage of that, I thought one-on-one with Witten. We’re happy where we are, we’ve earned the right to be in the playoffs, but we need to play forward.”

On the importance of getting ahead early

“The Redskins didn’t give up. We made a play early and scored early, but they kept fighting. I thought they did a good job with that, but it was important to get ahead early and being ahead 14-0 at the half was very important.”

On special teams coach Joe DeCamillis

“Joe D. had appendicitis and they took his appendix out and they said everything went well. I told the team that before they took the field, that he had an operation. Wes Phillips did a nice job with the special teams – he did. He was called on in the last minute and I thought he did a good job.”

On playing well under pressure recently

I think they’ve learned to play under pressure and I think that’s important. It will come in handy here when we get into the playoffs, but we’ve got another pressure game next week.”

Dallas Cowboys Player Quotes

Linebacker Keith Brooking

On the significance of this win:

“It’s a big win for us. Obviously getting into the playoffs, getting into the tournament is huge. It wasn’t a goal that we set at the beginning of the year. Our goals are much bigger than that, but to come in here and pitch a shutout, a big goose egg, to put that up on the road, I don’t care who plays, that is big for a defense. A big team win period. We set ourselves up at this point to do some really good things, to accomplish a lot of the goals that we have set forth at the beginning of the season next week. It’s a big game for us. We set ourselves up for a big game. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

On whether the Cowboys have reached their peak:

“I think we are a very talented team and I think we work extremely hard. I think it matters to everyone in this locker room. I think we are playing some of our best football right now, which is key, which is very important, obviously, going into the playoffs. We’ve just got to keep building off of that. We haven’t reached our peak. We can improve so much more than what we’ve shown. We’ve just got to stay at it, kind of eat our humble pie, keep working, and keep doing what has gotten us to this point.”

Wide Receiver Patrick Crayton

On tonight’s game:

“It’s just one of those happy to win, but not satisfied with it. We left too many points out there. The defense pitched a shutout, so it makes it look that much better. What happened is we’re in the tournament, now we just need to go and get a home playoff game next weekend.”

On the play of quarterback Tony Romo sits to pee this December compared to last December:

“We just haven’t had those turnovers like that (last year). I think that’s been the main reason why our offense has been on track.”

On tonight’s victory solidifying a spot in the playoffs:

“Real big. I think we showed that the December jinx is not here. We’re able to clinch a playoff (spot), while last year we were in the same situation and didn’t get it done – 2009 is a different year.”

Cowboys linebacker Bradie James

On how important this win was to the Cowboys:

“I mean it’s big. It’s huge. It just shows you the maturity of the team, the experience of the team, the leadership of the team. We have enough guys that know what’s at stake. Defensively, it’s so tough to just win games, let alone to shut a team out. This is the NFL, every team is really good. So, to come out here and do what we did, we’ve been playing pretty good ball, but we’ve got to keep it rolling. Nobody really cares who you beat, they just care if you win. So that’s what we need to do.”

On whether he feels this team is playing as good as they have all season:

“Well, confidence is up. We’ve had some signature games throughout the season. We haven’t talked about us playing against Washington and beating them 7-6. That was a big game. We always go back to the Kansas City game. That was big because the guys knew we could rely on each other. The Saints game, that took us over the top. Now we’re just rolling, we’re a good regular season team. Now we need to roll, steamroll to the playoffs.”

Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo sits to pee

On the win today

“I think our objective was to come out here and win, continue to get better and improve and I think we’ve accomplished that. The other stuff is good, obviously, but we felt strongly. We caught a break with the Giants today, but we control our own destiny and we will continue to do that, hopefully.”

On committing just one turnover this December after posting nine last season

“I think that is probably the number one determining factor of winning and losing sometimes, other than the score, holding onto the ball. Keeping the other team from gaining an advantage helps a lot; it helps the defense, it helps everybody.”

On the attitude of the team clinching a playoff spot

“We’re not achieving anything that’s going to stand the test of time here. It’s an important step in the process, but our real goals are still ahead of us. That’s why there’s no reason to jump up and down and holler.”

On if the defense playing well takes pressure off him

“Each game is different. You never know which way or shape the game is going to go. But, if they play that good, that obviously helps our chances.”

On playing Philadelphia for the NFC East Championship next week

“I think it will be fun. I think these are very enjoyable games. It will be a very fun week of preparation. It will be enjoyable being ready to put your best foot forward. You never know what the outcome is going to be. It’s a great challenge against a great opponent.”

Tight End Jason Witten

On getting into the playoffs with tonight’s victory:

“It was the first goal. It’s a big moment for our team. I think we had to overcome a lot here in the past couple weeks. Washington’s a good team. That game always goes down to the wire. They got a light going on with the record, and they play us hard every year. I’m just proud of our team. We’re not there yet though, we still got a lot of work to do, and I think we all know that.”

On their next game determining the division title:

“That’s what you play for, to get in those situations, and have a chance to have it all on the line and see where you’re at. Obviously, they’re a really good team. They know us, we know them, and it was going to be a great game. I think all of us have a lot of respect for that, but (we’re) enjoying this and I think we’re so focused right now and everybody’s mind is in the right place because this is just a small step to where we want to go.”

On his 69-yard reception:

“That was just a good call by (Offensive Coordinator) Jason [Garrett], and Tony [Romo sits to pee] put it right there for me. We just saw some opportunities; we knew they were playing man coverage and just took advantage of it. Tony’s playing great football right now. We still got a lot of areas where we can get better; short-yardage was terrible tonight. We can all do a better job, but I thought for the most part we executed well.”

On taking a sigh of relief after getting into the playoffs this year, after missing it last year:

“To get in the playoffs is always something, but our standard is really high for us in this locker room and I guess you can take a sigh of relief knowing that you’re in, but we still got a lot out there, and I think all of us know that. We reminded ourselves of that tonight, and will do whatever we have to do to play our best football. That’s what you play for, is these moments to get in there. If anybody’s looking at this like we’re just happy to be in, then they’ve got the wrong perspective. We all need to know that this feels good, and it’s going to feel good, but we need to take the next step.”

[Mark The Homer]

Just wanted to add: While last week vs the Giants was the worst point-difference loss at home since 1998, this shutout yesterday was the first home field shutout loss since Dec 14, 2003 against the - you guessed it - Dallas Cowboys.

More reasons to hate Dallas.

[HailGreen28]

Thanks for posting this.

[IHOPSkins]

Redskins Quarterback Jason Campbell

On how tough tonight’s shutout was for the offense:

We didn’t have time...... We just had to throw our short passing game tonight.

On the team going 0-6 within the division this year:

Some guys are fighting hard.....

On how he will look back on this year:

it’s the most I have been hit during a year. At the same time, it’s not about me. A lot of guys are going through a tough year this year.

On the offensive line struggling tonight:

It’s not always the offensive line either. Sometimes our backs also have to communicate with the offensive line. If it gets loud sometimes, and they are a guy that have not been in there a lot or don’t have a lot of experience with the guys up front, one missed communication can throw off the whole protection. Everyone is involved in protection. We

On if he thinks any player quit during the game tonight:

we tried to do as much as we possibly could, but like I said, some things are longer developing plays. You have to have that time to hit those things or get to them. We weren’t really able to establish our run game as much as we wanted to.

Does the guy EVER take personal responsability?

I cannot wait for a Real QB......one that has SOME leadership