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http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=5D345609-90D5-6C63-7D1C61A4425969F2

Here Are The Redskins

By Cliff Cook

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

December 9, 2003, 5:15 p.m. (CDT)

What's Up

Just when the Cowboys offense seems to be hitting the low point of the season, they head northeast again this Sunday to face the Washington Redskins and their surging defense. That defense, which was ranked 25th coming into last Sunday, finished with a season-high six sacks against the Giants on Sunday, including Bruce Smith's NFL record 199th career sack. The team did receive some bad news a day after recording just their fifth win of the season: Quarterback Patrick Ramsey is officially out for the remainder of the season after doctors determined he needed surgery on his injured right foot. Backup quarterback Tim Hasselbeck will start his third-straight game. The Redskins could also be without running backs Trung Canidate and Ladell Betts for Sunday's game, both aggravating existing injuries Sunday against the Giants.

Statistical View

Former Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles is having a solid season for the Redskins, totaling 69 catches for 1,023 yards.

Despite their 5-8 record, the Redskins actually have a better scoring offense than the 8-5 Cowboys. Washington is eighth in the NFC averaging 19.7 points per game. The Cowboys average 18.2.

Washington is 2-4 against the Cowboys since moving into FedEx Field in 1997 - their only win coming in last year's regular season finale.

The Redskins still rank as one of the worst teams in the NFC in penalties, ranking third with 104 totaling 875 yards. Only the Giants (108) and Vikings (107) have more penalties than the Redskins.

The Cowboys and Redskins have nearly identical third-down conversion rates, with the Cowboys holding a slight edge 35.6 to 35.5 percent.

Chalk Talk

Offensively, the Redskins have struggled for much of the season because of injuries to Canidate, Betts and Ramsey. Washington has failed to reach 300 yards total offense in six of 13 games and its running game has been poor, failing to reach 100 yards in five games this season. Canidate did rush for 115 yards against the Giants on Sunday, giving the Redskins their first 100-yard rusher of the season. Now Betts is unavailable for Sunday's game and Canidate is questionable, so the pressure falls on Hasselbeck, who is credited with playing in just six games in his brief career and has started just two. Hasselbeck threw for a mere 138 yards against the Giants, marking the seventh time this season the Redskins failed to reach 200 yards passing. Should Canidate and Betts be unable to play Sunday, Chad Morton, who has been primarily a return specialist during his four-year career, will handle the load at running back with fullback Rock Cartwright having to become more involved in the Redskins offense. They also signed John Simon for additional help.

Defensively, the Redskins have improved of late, but they still rank 22nd, giving up 332.7 yards a game. Washington has been most susceptible to the run, yielding 132.4 yards per game and 16 rushing touchdowns. Linebacker Jessie Armstead continues to be the leader with 5.5 sacks, while LaVar Arrington and Smith have 4.0 sacks apiece. Washington has been decent in pass defense, ranking 16th and intercepting 16 passes. Six Redskins have at least two interceptions, and Ifeanyi Ohalete, Fred Smoot and Matt Bowen lead the team with three each. Former Dallas Desperados lineman Bernard Holsey has been an important member of the Redskins defensive line, earning praise and a game ball after his six tackle performance against the Giants.

Connections

Redskins defensive tackle Brandon Noble - Noble spent four seasons with the Cowboys amassing 100 tackles. Noble was placed on injured reserve by the Redskins after injuring his knee during preseason.

Redskins defensive end Peppi Zellner - Zellner was a fourth-round draft pick of the Cowboys in 1999, and spent four seasons in Dallas although his 2000 season was cut short by a torn ACL.

Redskins defensive tackle Bernard Holsey - Holsey was a member of the Dallas Desperados inaugural team, playing 3 games before signing with the Redskins.

Redskins defensive coordinator George Edwards - Edwards spent four seasons in Dallas as linebackers coach before joining the Redskins in 2002 in a similar capacity.

Cowboys tight ends coach Tony Sparano - Sparano spent 2001 as tight ends coach of the Redskins.

Miscellaneous

Left tackle Chris Samuels has missed the past two games with a sprained right knee but is expected to return to practice this week for the Redskins . . . Arrington made it through last Sunday's game playing on a sprained knee and ankle and should be ready to go Sunday against the Cowboys . . . The Redskins announced Monday that long-time head athletic trainer Bubba Tyer would become the 41st member of Washington's Ring of Fame. Tyer spent 32 seasons with the Redskins, 25 of them as head athletic trainer . . . With Ramsey on injured reserve, the Redskins made two roster moves Monday, re-signing offensive lineman Daryl Terrell to the active roster and adding quarterback Brandon Doman to the practice squad .

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