WP:Defense Heats Up in 4th Quarter but Doesn't Melt

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44113-2003Dec7.html

Defense Heats Up in 4th Quarter but Doesn't Melt

Smith Breaks Record, and Giants Get Sacked

By Nunyo Demasio

Washington Post Staff Writer

Monday, December 8, 2003; Page D14

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 7 -- Two snowmen sitting side by side in section 302 were sculpted with such detail that the artist included snow boots. The pair stood out Sunday among swaths of empty red seats in the upper bowl of Giants Stadium.

How large the crowd really was is anyone's guess, with a few Frosties mingling in the upper bowl with the good-humored fans who decided to take things in stride and go with the snow.

The sparse crowd dispersed further when the Washington Redskins took a 17-7 lead over the New York Giants into the fourth quarter, apparently not realizing that the Redskins' defense had blown similar leads at similar points in its past three games -- all losses.

But the Redskins' defense shut out the Giants in the end, sealing a 20-7 victory and bucking its recent trend of fourth-quarter futility.

"When it counted, we made plays this time," cornerback Fred Smoot said. "And this time, we didn't put it on the coaches."

The Redskins turned up the heat with a season-high six sacks, including defensive end Bruce Smith's all-time record 199th sack. The Giants drove to the Washington 28-yard line for a third and 10 with less than nine minutes left when Smith took down backup quarterback Jesse Palmer to surpass Reggie White's mark of 198.

"Our defense was very solid," Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier said. "Like Bruce said, 'It was so nice to set it [the record] in a victory.' "

Smith faked outside against left tackle Ian Allen then jutted inside to grab Palmer's leg before slamming him to the ground. Smith raised both hands as he was swarmed by a sea of burgundy and gold, including several players from the sideline.

But Washington's most pivotal play in the period -- "a big, big play," Spurrier said -- occurred earlier in the drive, following a long reception. After John Hall's field goal gave Washington a 20-7 lead, New York got the ball with about 11 minutes left. Palmer threw a screen to tailback Tiki Barber, who found space down the right sideline. It looked like clear sailing into the end zone -- and the same old story -- when linebacker Jeremiah Trotter sprinted from behind to push Barber out of bounds at the Washington 39-yard line after a 36-yard gain. "I didn't know I was the last line of defense," Trotter said.

The Redskins remain theoretically and mathematically alive in the postseason race. However, the defense's real goal the rest of the way is to prove that the fourth-quarter letdowns were an anomaly, and that defensive coordinator George Edwards has done a solid job.

Washington's defense entered the game ranked 25th, a number that would improve substantially if measured by only the first three quarters. "Our defense has played well most of the games," Spurrier said, "but we haven't finished."

The unit's performance -- after being ranked fifth last season -- has led to speculation that Edwards will be reassigned or fired. Edwards has been hindered by management replacing Daryl Gardener and Dan Wilkinson with self-described "no-name" defensive tackles. But under a less restrictive approach than predecessor Marvin Lewis, Edwards's players -- particularly the linebackers -- have missed assignments at critical junctures.

"It's been hell for George," Smoot said. "I've been feeling sorry for him. Even my mom, she doesn't know him but she told me she was feeling sorry for him."

Over the previous three games, players took turns making critical gaffes leading to comebacks by opponents. During last week's 24-20 loss against the New Orleans Saints, cornerback Champ Bailey committed a critical pass-interference penalty in the fourth quarter. On Nov. 23, a smorgasbord of Redskins allowed the Miami Dolphins to achieve their greatest comeback since 1980 -- spanning the Dan Marino Era -- after being down by 13 points. (Miami won 24-23.) Against the Carolina Panthers, Trotter blew an assignment on tailback Stephen Davis, who converted a fourth-and-one play with a wide-open reception, leading to the game-winning touchdown in a 20-16 loss.

Sunday, the Redskins defenders seemed to follow the lead of linebacker LaVar Arrington, who played with ferocity and passion. Arrington was sprawled on his back late in the second quarter with a right knee sprain. But he returned to play hurt, finishing with two sacks and a forced fumble. In the jubilant Redskins locker room, Arrington limped into the trainer's room following a barely watched game that ended with even the snowmen in the bleachers suddenly gone.

"It was cold out there and the stands were empty," Trotter said. "But any time you play a division rival, we know the Skins fans back home are cheering for us."