DP: Springs endures ups, downs in return

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http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-39886sy0dec27,0,2536005.story?coll=dp-sports-local

Springs endures ups, downs in return

IRVING, TEXAS -- Washington Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs returned from a one-game absence to play perhaps his best game of the season, recording two sacks and an interception Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

But Springs was beaten on the game-winning play in the Redskins' 13-10 loss when Patrick Crayton got behind him for a 39-yard touchdown.

Springs missed the San Francisco game because of a concussion sustained when Philadelphia fullback Josh Parry leveled him with a crushing block on Dec. 12.

"It felt like it was the first day starting all over again," Springs said.

Springs' two sacks came on corner blitzes, and his interception - his team-high fifth - came in the end zone, keeping the Redskins behind only 6-3.

"A lot of the things I had to recall were hard for me at first," he said. "It took some time to get my reaction time back, and it was tough for me to remember some of the calls. That was a challenge."

OFFENSE STRUGGLES

After moving in the right direction against the Giants and San Francisco and, to a lesser extent, against Philadelphia, the Redskins' offense was flummoxed by Dallas' defense.

The Redskins moved 64 yards on their first drive, but Lynn Scott intercepted Patrick Ramsey at the 5-yard line.

Washington's next four drives measured 16 (ending in a field goal), 5, 9, 4, 11 and 4 yards.

The Redskins' lone touchdown drive was 13 plays and 80 yards.

"We needed to finish the game on offense," right tackle Ray Brown said. "We weren't really good on first down and that cost us. We didn't possess the ball enough, so the opportunities we did have were important. We have to score some points or at least take it down deep."

Ramsey was 7-of-7 before throwing an interception on the first drive and was 7-of-7 on the touchdown drive.

"It was frustrating because they did a good job on a few of the plays we had planned," said Ramsey, who is 2-4 as a starter this year. "Toward the end, we got a feel for what they were doing and we were able to move the ball a little bit."

PORTIS, SMOOT INJURED

The Redskins played most of the second half without cornerback Fred Smoot and running back Clinton Portis.

Smoot was injured trying to tackle receiver Keyshawn Johnson late in the third quarter, when he was called for a face-mask penalty. Smoot sustained a lower-back strain and the team also reported he was ill on the sidelines. He was taken to a local hospital after the game for tests. The Redskins did not provide further information.

Portis had one second-half carry before departing with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder.

A GOOD CHALLENGE

Early in the fourth quarter, the Redskins successfully challenged a ruling on the field for the first time since Week 3 against Dallas. This time, officials first ruled that Vinny Testaverde's pass to Quincy Morgan was an 8-yard gain to the 50. Gibbs challenged that forward progress was the Cowboys 49.

Washington had lost five straight challenges and is 2-for-7 this season.

QUICK KICKS

The Redskins have lost 10 straight games when turning the ball over two or more times. They had three turnovers on Sunday: two Ramsey interceptions and a fumbled punt by Antonio Brown.

Sunday's game was the first meeting of Joe Gibbs and Bill Parcells - besides those occurring in Week 2 of a season - when both coaches' teams had losing records.

In last week's issue of The Sporting News, Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington and left tackle Chris Samuels were both voted to the league's all-overrated team.

Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher was tagged the NFL's most overrated player.

The Redskins are without an offensive Pro Bowl player for only the third time in Gibbs' career (1981, 1992).