Cooley shines

By Barker Davis (Contact) and David Elfin (Contact) and Ryan O'Halloran | Monday, October 6, 2008

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PHILADELPHIA | Walking out of the Washington Redskins' locker room after Sunday's 23-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Cooley clutched the football he caught for his first touchdown of the season, part of a career day for the tight end.

But the game ball wasn't for him.

Cooley intended to sign the football and award it to receiver Antwaan Randle El, who threw the pass Cooley caught for an 18-yard score.

The play came in the third quarter and capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive. Earlier in the possession, Randle El caught a 16-yard pass from Jason Campbell on third-and-9. Three plays later came his turn to throw.

Randle El rolled right with the football. Cooley was working in the flat around the 5-yard line.

"They told me all week to look like I was blocking and then come out late," Cooley said. "El saw me twice, and they thought it was going to be a reverse the whole way."

The Eagles challenged the play, saying Randle El had crossed the line of scrimmage. But the touchdown was upheld.

When the Redskins quickly discovered that Philadelphia's pressure would make going deep to Santana Moss virtually impossible, Campbell began working the intermediate routes to Cooley.

Cooley's eight catches were one short of his career high, and his 109 yards eclipsed the 105 he amassed last year at Green Bay.

Moss went without a catch for only the second time with the Redskins. He was the intended receiver just once.

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