TK Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/football/nfl/11/29/bc.fbn.saints.redskins.ap/ Saints, Redskins cling to faint playoff hopes LANDOVER, Md. (AP) Got a computer? Like to cut and paste? Then find anything said recently by a member of the New Orleans Saints and stick it on top of something from the Washington Redskins. There's a decent chance no one will notice the difference. "It's tough when you have a very, very long shot at the playoffs, but if you're playing for pride and playing for your job, you should have enough motivation to get it done," said Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey. "No game is hard to get up for," added New Orleans cornerback Fred Thomas. "We still have a shot at the playoffs, but we have no room for error. If you can't get up for that, you shouldn't be playing." The Saints (5-6) and Redskins (4-7) meet Sunday, which means one team will probably keep alive some tangible notion of a playoff run. Even so, they both are smarting from an autumn of disappointment, especially considering the loads of potential on each roster. "We felt like each organization has better talent that we've put on the field," Saints running back Deuce McAllister said. Both teams have been haunted by the type of mistakes that drive coaches and fans crazy. The Redskins can't protect the quarterback, have no running game, have been undisciplined on defense and have blown leads by giving up two long fourth-quarter drives in their last two games. They've lost six of seven, and the fact that eight of their 11 games have been nail-biters is no consolation. "I'm sort of a believer in you are whatever your record is, and our record's not very good. Statistically we're not real great -- offense, defense or special teams. We've not been a stellar team yet," said Washington coach Steve Spurrier, although it could easily be Saints coach Jim Haslett. The Saints lost three fumbles and had six presnap penalties last week in their latest failed effort to get above .500 for the first time this season. Their turnover differential is minus-7. Otherwise, they have a perfect record: 5-0 vs. teams with losing records, 0-6 against winning teams. "It comes down to execution, attention to detail and discipline," Haslett said. "And on the last two we weren't very good." It all makes for an unpredictable game. Players with nothing to lose can play loose, carefree and with some energy -- or they can just tank the season. Spurrier and Haslett have no such luxury, given that both are on the short list of possible coaching changes at the end of the season. "You get all kinds of distractions late in the season. Everyone's against you. If you don't pull together as a team, you can be easily divided," said Redskins defensive end Renaldo Wynn. Naturally, the Redskins and Saints aren't fully interchangeable. McAllister has eight straight 100-yard games; the Redskins haven't had a back reach 100 yards in a game all season. Washington defensive end Bruce Smith is grumbling his way to the all-time sacks record at an agonizing pace. He's now tied with Reggie White at 198 after getting a half-sack last week, but he's still complaining about playing time and probably won't start again this week. Neither quarterback is fully healthy, but New Orleans' Aaron Brooks is expected to shake off his sprained left knee and make his 49th consecutive regular-season start. No such stability for the Redskins. With Patrick Ramsey nursing an ailing foot, Tim Hasselbeck will become the 15th quarterback to start a game for the team in the last 11 seasons. Despite the adverse circumstances, neither side is ready to talk about playing better to give some hope for next season. The last word on the state of the teams comes from Washington cornerback Fred Smoot, but it's a script suitable for any talkative Saint. "I already felt we were better," Smoot said. "We're not playing to get better anymore. We're playing to win. The getting-better days are over with." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbol Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 I don't want to see any member of the Redskins having any amount of @$$ this Sunday. It should have all been chewed off already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 I guess it will come down to which teams wants to lose more in the 4th Qtr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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