DP:Redskins look in mirror, see Giants

[riggins44]

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-20553sy0dec04,0,4249119.story?coll=dp-sports-local

Redskins look in mirror, see Giants

Teams are 4-8, must resort to playing for 'pride'

By Warner Hessler

Daily Press

Published December 4, 2003

ASHBURN -- Washington Redskins receiver Darnerien McCants listened to the similarities in his team and the one it will play Sunday, the New York Giants, and then came up with his idea of the theme of the game.

"Call it the Toilet Bowl," he said on Wednesday.

Not a bad idea, considering both teams entered the 2003 season with high expectations but have 4-8 records and are reduced to playing for "pride" and for "next year."

Both defenses are among the worst in the league, both offenses have been hampered by an inability to protect the quarterback, both have lost seven of their past nine games and the futures of both coaches have been questioned by fans and media alike.

"When I look at the Giants, it's somewhat like looking in the mirror," said Redskins offensive tackle Jon Jansen. "We had high expectations that were made public by the additions we made before the season, and they had high expectations after making the playoffs last year. I'm surprised to see two good teams sitting at 4-8."

So is New York running back Tiki Barber, though he is less sure of how good his team really is after a 24-7 loss at home last Sunday to the Buffalo Bills. Quarterback Kerry Collins was sacked six times, the Giants managed just 52 yards in the second half and the stadium was nearly empty before the fourth quarter.

"We're not putting out a good product," Barber said. "I wouldn't want to watch us the way we're playing. Nothing we did would keep you in the stadium. It's pretty obvious we're not playing for the playoffs. We're playing for pride, to get better and seeing who is worth keeping next year. The Redskins seem to be in the same situation we're in."

You can tell a team is out of the playoffs when players start talking about playing for pride. Not by coincidence, that was the theme that ran through the Redskins' dressing room Wednesday.

"Our playoff hopes are over," said linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. "We're playing for pride and roster spots next year."

"Is that what it really means? Or is it just something you're supposed to say when the competitive portion of the season ends before the schedule does?

"What else are you going to say?" Jansen asked. "You want to say you are going out to try to secure home-field advantage for the playoffs. But we're not, so it becomes an issue of playing for pride.

"There's a lot to it," Barber said when asked about the pride angle. "You do want to be known as a player who, regardless of the situation, always gave his best. That's how you get respect in this league."

QUICK KICKS. Coach Steve Spurrier denied a report on an Omaha, Neb., television station that said he was in Lincoln on Tuesday night discussing the vacant head coaching position at the University of Nebraska. ... Quarterback Patrick Ramsey practiced Wednesday for the first time in two weeks but slipped late in the practice and apparently reinjured his foot. He was taken for X-rays and is still listed as doubtful (25 percent chance of playing) against New York. ... Offensive tackle Chris Samuels (knee) did not practice and is also listed as doubtful.

Warner Hessler can be reached at 247-4648 or by e-mail at whessler@dailypress.c

[Chief skin]

Both teams are a disgraceful joke, both teams are playing not to be in last place in the division. Just as long as we beat the cow$hits next week this sorry a$$ display of pro football we have watched will not be a total loss

[Skins24]

Redskins look in mirror, see Giants

Me too