MMQB: Another step backward for Redskins

The first game of the Sherm Lewis era came on the big stage of “Monday Night Football,” quite a change from calling B-7 during bingo games at a senior center in Novi, Mich., just three weeks earlier.

The switch, foisted on coach Jim Zorn by owner Dan Snyder and front office boss Vinny Cerrato a week earlier, hardly paid dividends. The 10-point first half matched Washington’s most prolific first half of the season.

And with the defense torched by Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson for a 67-yard end-around on the game’s fourth play of a 27-17 loss to the NFC East rival Eagles, the Redskins continued their descent to NFL irrelevance.

Q: So how did things go for Lewis in his playcalling debut?

A: The former Green Bay/Minnesota/Detroit play caller didn’t show any rust on his first play call in 6 1/2 years, an 18-yard pass from Jason Campbell to Chris Cooley. But the offense managed little else until the game was out of reach. Zzzz.

Q: How did Jason Campbell do in his return after being benched last week for Todd Collins?

A: Campbell’s numbers - 29-for-43, 284 yards, two touchdowns and a tipped interception - were respectable. However, after that first play, Campbell didn’t look that comfortable and seemed at times to be a little gimpy. Losing favorite target Chris Cooley to a broken tibia early in the second quarter didn’t help.

Q: What’s the scoop with Cooley?

A: Getting carted off is never a good sign, nor is not being able to return after being hurt early in the game. The two-time Pro Bowl tight end had played nearly 5 1/2 years without getting hurt enough to miss significant action, but the broken leg likely will keep him out for the season. Obviously dying his hair platinum blond wasn’t a lucky move.

Q: How much will it hurt that Cooley’s likely done?

A: Fred Davis will get the chance to show why he was drafted in the second round in 2008. But Davis, the nation’s top tight end as a senior at Southern Cal, hadn’t played much to this point because he has struggled to master the offense. Still, Davis wound up with the best night of his career: eight catches for 78 yards and a late touchdown.

Q: Who’s to blame on Jackson’s long touchdowns?

A: There was plenty of blame to go around. Defensive end Andre Carter got caught looking inside on the 67-yard run to his outside. Safety LaRon Landry and cornerback DeAngelo Hall couldn’t catch the speedy Jackson once he got moving. On the 57-yard touchdown catch, cornerback Carlos Rogers bit on an inside fake, and safety Chris Horton couldn’t cover Jackson deep.

Q: The Redskins knocked out longtime tormentor Brian Westbrook with a concussion in the first quarter and still couldn’t slow the Eagles. What happened to the Washington team that swept Philadelphia in 2008?

A: The offense is a shadow of the one that played so well last October in Philadelphia. The defense simply didn’t rise up Monday night the way it did last December with the once-promising season already down the tubes.

Story Continues →