WP:Finally, A Change In Season

[TK]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20405-2003Nov9.html

washingtonpost.com

Finally, A Change In Season

Boos Turn to Cheers As Redskins Triumph

By Nunyo Demasio

Washington Post Staff Writer

Monday, November 10, 2003; Page A01

Boos from a crowd of 80,728 spectators at FedEx Field serenaded the Washington Redskins at the first sign of trouble yesterday against the Seattle Seahawks. After a promising 3-1 beginning this season, the once-proud franchise had turned into a national punch line as it stumbled to four straight losses. Now its fans seemed to be turning as well.

But in the second half, the cheers grew louder each time the offense displayed punch while the defense showed sturdiness missing from previous games. The positive vibes overflowed by the end of the Redskins' hard-fought 27-20 victory.

"It's a lot more fun to win," said Coach Steve Spurrier, whose team improved to 4-5 after overcoming a 14-3 first-half deficit. "It was a good win for us. Maybe this will give us a little momentum, confidence, whatever to get a spark going for us.

"I hope it will. Who knows what can happen?"

Thousands of fans stood in their burgundy and gold and applauded as the jubilant Redskins players ran off the field after their first victory since Sept. 28. During the Redskins' inexplicable swoon, they were outscored 107-59, allowed promising second-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey to continually be treated like a punching bag, and their coach, as well as owner Daniel Snyder, were vilified by the media and fans alike. Yesterday, the Redskins tried some things differently: The club employed quick passes and rollouts, which helped Ramsey avoid being sacked for the first time this season. More significantly, Spurrier -- renowned for his play-calling at the University of Florida while compiling a 122-27-1 record -- handed the role to offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.

"I'll try anything," Spurrier explained, "even if I have to bench the play-caller."

But Spurrier took over for two crucial plays during a late fourth-quarter drive, and displayed his play-calling panache. The score was tied at 20 when the Redskins had the ball on fourth and inches on their 25-yard line.

Spurrier's gamble to go for it paid off when fullback Rock Cartwright bulled ahead for two yards before being flattened with about six minutes left. The crowd -- initially uncertain if Cartwright was successful -- celebrated after an official signaled a first down.

The Seahawks called a timeout after Washington got to the Seattle 10-yard line for a third-and-five play. The Redskins had another play in mind, but Spurrier changed it during the timeout. As the offense huddled, fans rhythmically chanted: "Red-skins, Red-skins, Red-skins."

After the snap, Ramsey immediately turned to his left and lateraled to wide receiver Rod Gardner. The wideout -- a star quarterback in high school -- zipped a pass to tailback Trung Canidate, who was wide open in the right side of the end zone. The crowd went into a tizzy at the chicanery-induced touchdown, which gave the Redskins a 27-20 lead with about two minutes left. "When you've lost four in a row," Spurrier said later, "you don't have to play too conservatively or too careful."

Spurrier punched his fist into the air a few times, unleashing one of his few public smiles this week. Canidate held the ball in his left hand, his arms spread, taking in the adoration, and Jackson hugged Spurrier.

"This win is huge -- by far the biggest one of the season," said Ian Zies, 15, of Chantilly. "I think it gives them momentum to get on a win streak. But if they don't and they lose next week, then beating Seattle was pointless."

While not making the playoffs since 1999, the Redskins have regularly suffered long skids, such as when they lost five straight to start the 2001 season. But this year's slump was the most embarrassing in recent memory:

Spurrier's vaunted Fun 'n' Gun displayed the spark of a wet napkin after being statistically atop the NFL following three games. And the defense -- one of the league's best last season -- was ranked 25th in the 32-team league.

Washington reached its nadir in last week's 21-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys as Fox network's NFL crew excoriated Spurrier and Snyder, who former NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw blamed for the franchise's demise.

"It's been tough over the years, especially at the start of 2001," said cornerback Champ Bailey, who joined the Redskins in 1999. "But I've never seen people jump on us like this, just keeping telling us how much with stunk."

The relentless criticism caused Jackson to address the team during their meeting Saturday night at a nearby hotel. Jackson told his players to stick together, ignore the negativity from outside, and play as if they were starting the season anew. "The losing streak brought us together," said linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.

Before the game, fans seemed solemn and befuddled about the losing streak.

"Maybe the Redskins have some sort of voodoo curse like they say about the teams in Boston and Chicago," said Toni McKay, 42, from La Plata. "Because ever since the Redskins moved into the new stadium [FedEx Field], they haven't been doing as well as they used to."

Fans applauded on the opening kickoff when Seahawks running back Maurice Morris flubbed the catch, allowing Redskins safety David Terrell to recover. The Redskins got the ball on the Seattle 18-yard line. But fans booed the first time Ramsey audibled, which has been a subject of debate because of the frequency used by Spurrier. Seattle's defense forced the Redskins to settle for John Hall's 20-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead. On Seattle's next drive, the Seahawks went 43 yards on five plays for a 7-3 lead that brought loud catcalls from the stands.

The slide looked like it would continue after Ramsey was intercepted by Damien Robinson in the second quarter at the Washington 28-yard line. Robinson sprinted toward the end zone toward a 21-3 lead. But wide receiver Laveranues Coles lunged from behind at the 2-yard line, poking the ball into the end zone, where guard Randy Thomas fell on the serendipitous bounce. And the momentum shifted to the Redskins, who scored on their next drive, cutting Seattle's lead to 14-10.

"In the beginning," Coles said, "everything seemed like it was going against us."

The outcome wasn't decided until cornerback Fred Smoot's interception with 39 seconds left, after Seattle had driven to the Washington 30-yard line. Many in the sellout crowd bounced in the aisles as Smoot was mobbed by teammates.

Spectators remained in their seats, savoring the victory to end the depressing skid.

"We stopped the bleeding," Spurrier said, "a little bit."

© 2003 The Washington Post Company

[NVskinsfan]

4-5 sounds a lot better than 3-6

Dodged a major bullet!