WP:Play? Ramsey Yet to Decide

[TK]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43979-2003Dec7.html

Redskins Notebook

Play? Ramsey Yet to Decide

By Mark Maske

Washington Post Staff Writer

Monday, December 8, 2003; Page D15

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 7 -- Patrick Ramsey and Washington Redskins officials likely will decide within the next few days whether the quarterback should make another attempt to continue his season or cut it short because of the injury to his right foot.

Ramsey sat out his second straight game Sunday as the Redskins beat the New York Giants, 20-7. He is scheduled to consult with his doctors early this week, then make an evaluation.

Tim Hasselbeck led the Redskins to Sunday's win in his second NFL start, and has played well enough in place of Ramsey to convince many club officials that he should enter next season as Ramsey's backup. But Coach Steve Spurrier said that Hasselbeck's solid play would not affect Ramsey's decision.

"If there's a chance [Ramsey] can get back and be able to play, I think he's going to try to do that," Spurrier said. "But right now obviously Tim is a very solid player that can get the job done. We feel comfortable with both of those young men at quarterback."

Ramsey is suffering from a bone bruise and the aggravation of an old fracture and is facing surgery as soon as his season is over. He has said repeatedly that he would like to play again this season. But he acknowledged that his foot was sore after his reinjured it last week and said he was concerned about the possibility of hurting his arm because of adjustments he has had to make in his throwing motion to compensate for his foot injury.

More Recent Injuries

Tailback Trung Canidate suffered a sprained left foot early in the third quarter. X-rays showed no fracture, according to Redskins officials, but Canidate did not return to the game. He rushed for 69 yards on 19 carries before giving way to Chad Morton, who ran for 56 yards on 13 carries. Reserve tailback Ladell Betts aggravated his fractured forearm on his only carry, and Spurrier said that running back John Simon could be forced into significant playing time next Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. . . .

Linebacker LaVar Arrington sprained his right knee and eventually was forced to the sideline.

Arrington hurt himself in the second quarter and walked gingerly to the sideline, but returned to the lineup after missing one play. He limped off the field again after his fourth-quarter sack of the Giants' Jesse Palmer, which forced a fumble that set up the Redskins' final field goal. Arrington was back on the field to open the next defensive series, but was obviously hindered and was replaced by Lemar Marshall. He had an active game, with two of the Redskins' six sacks.

Dead Play, Injured Player

The Giants were upset that the officials didn't do a better job halting the action on the third-quarter non-play on which quarterback Kerry Collins suffered a high ankle sprain. The Giants were called for a delay-of-game penalty, which should have resulted in the play being whistled dead. But play continued and Collins released a pass, then was hurt when he was bent over backward on a hit by defensive end Bruce Smith.

"I didn't hear any whistle," said Collins, who indicated that he hopes to play again this season. "I didn't know the play was being blown dead. . . . If you are going to blow it dead, blow it dead. Be forceful about it. Step in there. . . . Those guys [the officials] make mistakes. But we can avoid things like this if we're just more forceful about it and stop it when it needs to be stopped." . . .

The Redskins' Bryan Barker reached a milestone with his 1,000th career punt but had a difficult day in the tough conditions, with punts of 16 and nine yards. Overall, he punted four times and averaged 23 yards per kick. Giants punter Jeff Feagles punted four times and averaged 51.5 yards.