freelancestar.com: Back in the running

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Back in the running

http://www.freelancestar.com/News/FLS/2003/122003/12022003/1185408

Redskins running back Trung Canidate fight for yardage against New Orleans defenders Tebucky Jones (34) and Jay Bellamy (20) near the goal line Sunday. Canidate rushed for a season-high 115 yards on 16 carries in the Redskins' 24-20 loss.

Canidate's effort a bright spot against Saints

By ADAM HIMMELSBACH

Date published: 12/2/2003

Canidate's effort a bright spot against Saints

LANDOVER, Md.--Trung Canidate says Sunday was the first time in weeks that he didn't have to swallow a handful of pain killers prior to a football game.

The Washington Redskins running back injured his ankle in early October and has been wincing with nearly every carry since returning to the field on Nov. 9.

In a season during which bright spots have been few and far between, Canidate rumbled for 115 yards on 16 carries in the Redskins' 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

"I think Trung is finally healthy," Redskins offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. "He's over the ankle injury. He's been getting better every week and I thought he ran better than he had all year."

Canidate became the first Redskin to reach the 100-yard plateau all season.

To put the team's running deficiencies in perspective, Saints all-pro tailback Deuce McAllister notched his ninth consecutive 100-yard game on Sunday.

In the three contests leading up to the New Orleans game, Canidate had totaled 45 carries for just 121 yards

But at FedEx Field two days ago, he was more ready and able than he had been since the season-opener.

"I was feeling better, feeling good," Canidate said. "The more carries a back gets the better a feel you get for the game and for what you want to do."

After the game, Redskins coach Steve Spurrier scanned the stat sheet and admitted that the Redskins probably should have run the ball more often.

"Trung had one long run and that really helped his average," Spurrier said. "He ran well. I didn't realize Ladell [betts] only had a couple of carries. I thought he was going to be more involved tonight, but that's the way it worked out."

The Redskins running backs have gone through a revolving door of injuries, struggles and mishaps this season.

While the playoffs are no longer a reality, Canidate and the other backs can use the final four games of the year to try an earn their slots for next season.

If no one comes to the fore, team owner Daniel Snyder may decide to test the free agent waters.

"I haven't been able to make the kind of cuts that I've wanted to make," Canidate said. "But getting the opportunity, I still believe I can get some things done."

Canidate had a promising 2001 season as Marshall Faulk's backup with the St. Louis Rams, rumbling for 441 yards and six touchdowns on just 78 carries--a 5.7 yard average.

Last year, however, he had a limited role with the Rams, gaining 48 yards on 17 tries.

The Redskins signed the former University of Arizona star and hoped he'd revert to his 2001 form.

In the first two games of the year, Canidate and Betts looked like they'd form a potent two-headed backfield. They combined to average 123 yards per contest, and--not coincidentally--the Redskins started the year 2-0.

But Betts missed four games with a broken arm and Canidate was sidelined for a pair of games with his ankle injury and hadn't been the same since his return.

Fullback Rock Cartwright and kick return specialist Chad Morton have looked like capable fill-ins at times, but they haven't looked like every-down backs.

On Sunday, Canidate showed bursts of potential in the first half, breaking runs of 12, 14 and 38 yards.

In the end, though, the result was the same as the Redskins have seen in seven of their last eight games. It was a loss.

It was the third straight game the loss came after the Redskins had held a fourth-quarter cushion.

"Ultimately you have to look at film and see what we have to do to get better to finish down the stretch," Canidate said. "We controlled the whole game and it's terrible we weren't able to finish it out."