Redskins seek something to build on

For five-plus years, anybody looking for optimistic analysis even in the hardest of times for the Washington Redskins could enter the locker room, take a hard left turn and stop at Phillip Daniels’ cubicle.

Regardless of the situation, Daniels could cite reasons for a potential turnaround and examples of what the Redskins were doing well.

But not last week. The veteran defensive end had nothing, which meant he had everything.

“When you’re 3-7, you really don’t take pride in anything you’re doing,” said Daniels, who is in line to play in his 182nd game Sunday when the Redskins visit Philadelphia. “When you’re 3-7, nothing’s good.”

When you’re 3-7, the things a team does well (pressure the quarterback, stop the pass and cover kickoffs) are covered up by the things it doesn’t do well (stop the run, score points and make big plays).

And when you’re 3-7, the impact of starting a sixth different offensive line, third running back and seeing both big-money defensive players (Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall) potentially out because of injury doesn’t produce much hope.

All is not completely lost, though. Daniels couldn’t help himself and turned positive.

“At the same time, we’ve got to keep chugging along and hopefully finish this thing off strong,” he said.

Said coach Jim Zorn: “There are still enough guys. We’ll try to utilize the guys we have.”

The Redskins have a few factors working in their favor.

First-half hope

The Redskins are still dreadful in the opening two quarters, having been outscored 59-17 in the first and 61-36 in the second. But since the embarrassment in Atlanta three weeks ago (a 24-3 deficit at halftime), the Redskins have given themselves a chance.

In the victory against Denver, the Redskins never trailed by more than one score and trailed 17-14 at halftime. Last week in Dallas, they led 3-0 entering the second half.

The lack of a deficit has allowed both sides to stick with their game plans.

“Honestly, it’s just execution,” offensive coordinator Sherman Smith said. “It always has been. We didn’t deliberately say, ‘Let’s do this and that.’ We know we have to try and establish the run game because, if we get behind, we can’t get into a throwing game because of protection issues.”

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