PAUL WOODY: REDSKINS REPORT CARDWashington's 27-20 win over Seattle

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REDSKINS REPORT CARD

Staff writer Paul Woody grades Washington's 27-20 win over Seattle

Richmond Times-Dispatch Nov 11, 2003

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PASSING Patrick Ramsey remained upright, his uniform clean for almost the entire game. The running backs did a much better job of picking up the rare blitzing linebacker, and the line was much more solid. Wide receiver Laveranues Coles was exceptional, and wide receiver Rod Gardner helped keep the chains moving. Gardner also throws a pretty nice spiral.

RUNNING Rock Cartwright took advantage of every opening the line gave him. Trung Canidate was less effective, but he held onto the ball and did not get injured again (he was coming back from a sprained ankle). Cartwright was successful on every short-yardage run, and none was bigger than the fourth-and-inches from the Redskins' 25 late in the game. That kept alive the game-winning drive. The blocking was well above that of recent weeks.

DEFENSE The defense made some plays, and the Seahawks' offense botched some plays. When you win, that's not such a bad combination. The Redskins had some excellent pressure on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Bruce Smith's sack puts him one away from taking possession of the top spot on the NFL's all-time sack list. Tackle Bernard Holsey and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter shot through the Seahawks' line on several occasions. Cornerback Fred Smoot looked like a receiver when he came up with his interception on Seattle's last drive to seal the victory. Smoot kept his concentration to catch the deflected pass and had the presence of mind to get both feet down inbounds.

SPECIAL TEAMS Nothing outstanding occurred, and nothing catastrophic occurred. Bryan Barker averaged 40 yards per punt, and the coverage was good enough to give him a net of 36.3. Kickoff coverage was not quite as good, although the fumble recovery by David Terrell on the game's opening kickoff is not something you see every day. That was negated, though, by the field position the Seahawks enjoyed on the four other kickoffs: Redskins' 43, Redskins' 45, and twice at their 35. Kicker John Hall made two short field goals.