CHANGE IS HERE: A New Era in Washington (NFL Head Coach 09)

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DOWN TO THE WIRE
Washington is making it a habit of having thier games decided on the final play. Free safety, Laron Landry, knocked down Eli manning's final pass attempt as Washington escaped with a 26-21 win over the rival New York Giants. This win gives them a comfortable 2 game cushion in the division, but the win also exposed some problems.
A few days before the game, starting center, Casey Rabach, was placed on IR with a torn tricep, the same injury that took our Clinton Portis. The team signed backup PJ Alexander, moving Jessie Connor into the starting slot. That isn't the only good new Connor received though, as the team signed him to a 3 year deal, worth 770 k. Connor is a project, but has shown great potential.
The problem for Washington again came on the offensive side of the ball as the team struggled to play consistently. Jason Campbell had arguablly his worst game of the year, and the rushing game continues to be mediocre at best.
One bright spot for the Skins was rookie corner, Zack Bowman, who started the second half and made his first interception. After the game the coach announced his plans for the secondary for the remainder of the year. "Reeves will be our number one, and Zack will be the other starter. Fred is being moved to the nickel as we continue to overhaul the position."
That means that Coach Case's guys are now in place. At the start of the year the depth chart was Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, Fred Smoot. Since then Rogers was traded to Baltimore, Springs was placed on IR and released, and now Smoot has been demoted.
Washington gained the lead in the third and never looked back on a 95-yard kickoff return by Santana Moss, and Bowman's pick lead to a field goal that would put them ahead for good.

Passing:
J.Campbell 11-23-1-140

Rushing:
X.Omon 22-62 TD
Betts 10-40 TD
J.Campbell 2-15
Grigsby 1-0

Receiving:
Doucet 3-63
Moss 3-35
Cooley 2-20
Randle El 2-18
M.Peterson 1-4

Defense:
Fletcher-Baker7 tackles, 2 TFL, sack
McIntosh 6 tackles, 4 TFL, sack
Bake 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks
Z.Bowman 3 tackles, INT

NFC EAST Standings
WSH 10-2
NYG 8-4
PHI 8-4 w, 35-10 vs. ARZ
DAL 7-5 l, 21-28 vs. SEA

[Skarecrow]

Your skins are having a very strong first season as HC, probably better than any skins HC's 1st season in recent memory going back to at least George Allen, especially considering the injuries you've been sustaining. Only thing that worries me is what kind of expectations are you setting for the Washington Fans? They are known to be rabid AND fickle when it comes to any HC not named "Gibbs". You'll have to keep this up.

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GREAT EXPECTATIONS
REDSKINS REPORT with Jack "The Little" Horner

Hello sports fans and welcome to the new Redskins report, I am excited to finish up where my collegue left off in bringing you the best Redskins coverage. Before we get to the weeks topic, let me tell you a little something about myself, I LOVE PIE! Especially the type that you can pull plums out of, so if you like my work, please send some pie.
On to this weeks topic, the fans. Recently a writer indicated that the Washington fans are fickle, and that the coach should be careful since his last name is not Gibbs. I think this is a fair assessment, the fans have lofty expectations that might even extend higher then demigod owner, Peter Ambrose.
Here is the challenge, if Washington continues to win but loses in the playoffs how will the fans and owner respond to Coach Case? The teams early success has come much sooner than anyone anticipated, raising expectations, but where do you go when your team allready has unrealistic expectations?
Unless Coach Case can win the Super Bowl, not just this year, but in years to come, he will be looked at as another promising coach who failed to meet the expectations of the loyal, if not rabid fanbase.

INJURY REPORT
The team heads into this game with no injuries outside of the season ending ones to HB Clinton Portis, and C Casey Rabach.

MEDIA DAY
Carlos Rogers will play the Redskins for the first time since the team traded him in the preseason. "It makes me laugh that they have had so much trouble in defending the pass. If i was there, i would be shutting people down. Now I am going to shut them down," stated Rogers.
"If we felt like he was going to help us, he would have stayed, but he was #5 on our depth chart, so that leaves him in Baltimore, on a team yet to win a game," responded Coach Case.

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WASHINGTON CLIPS BALTIMORE'S WINGS

Before the season began Washington sent CB Carlos Rogers to the Ravens for a few draft picks. That move was the beginning of the revamp in D.C. and it left a sour taste in Rogers' mouth because he believed he was the best player in their secondary. Fast forward to this weeks game to the matchup between Rogers and draft pick and leading receiver, Early Doucet.
Rogers had 4 tackles, and a TFL for the game, but it wasn't enough to stop the Redskins who won 27-10. Early Doucet had good success against the former Skin to the tune of 4 receptions for 68 yards, but it was the running of Xavier Omon that controlled the game, and gave Washington the edge.
Kyle Boller was picked twice, as Baltimore continued its search for the season first victory. He passed for 245 yards and a touchdown, but found little to no success when he wasn't throwing to Mason (3 rec, 123 yards, TD). In fact outside of a long touchdown pass in the second quarter, Washington's defense held the Ravens at bay.

Passing:
J.Campbell 13-21-1-203 2 TD

Rushing:
X.Omon 21-101 TD
J.Campbell 3-30
Betts 16-22

Receiving:
Doucet 4-68
Randle El 3-53 TD
M.Peterson 2-31
K.Robinson 2-29 TD
Yoder 1-14
Betts 1-8

Defense:
Landry 10 tackles, TFL, INT
Bake 3 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks
Fletcher-Baker 2 tackles, 2 TFL, INT

NFC East Standings
WSH 11-2
PHI 9-4 w, 27-17 @ NYG
NYG 8-5 l, 17-27 vs. PHI
DAL 8-5 w, 45-21 @ PIT

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CAN WASHINGTON CLINCH?
REDSKINS REPORT with Jack "The Little" Horner

The Redskins head into this week with a very clear goal, to win the game, and by extension win a spot in the playoffs. If things go well, they may also be able to wrap up the NFC East title. Here are the scenarios:

Washington makes the playoffs with a win

Washington clinches the NFC East with a win, and a Philadelphia loss to Cleveland.

INJURY REPORT
Earlier this week in practice, backup defensive end, Erasmus James, sustained a broken fibula. The teams trainer has listed him as out for 2-3 weeks while he recovers. The team is concerned with Portis' rehabilitation and has indicated that it is likely they will add another running back in the draft no matter how well the rehab goes.

MEDIA DAY REPORT
Coach Marvin Lewis, of the Bengals, sees alot of similarities in the two teams. "Before the year, neither of us were expected to make the playoffs, now we both look like we are headed there. We both have had solid seasons from our passing games, but are winning by establishing the ground game," he quoted. Coach Case agreed, with one minor point of contention, "we feel as if we are a little more balanced, we have the ability to win the game either through the air, or pounding it out. We feel like we can really dominate on the ground this week."

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RETURN TO GLORY
The Washington Redskins have locked up a playoff appearance in thier first year under coach, Justin Case, by defeating the Bengals 27-20. The team fed off the momentum they gained when Jacques Reeves returned an interception 43 yards for the touchdown. Up until that point Washington had been held scoreless and were down 14-0.
The score was 14-10 in favor of Cincinatti at the half, but the defense came out fired up in the second half, and grabbed two more interceptions, both by FS, Laron Landry. The team also got solid production out of Cornelius Griffen who had two sacks, and Rocky McIntosh who added 3 sacks, before leaving the game with what the trainer was calling a high ankle sprain. The team in unsure of when McIntosh will be able to retun, but will most likely be out versus Philadelphia.
Washington also got a career day from Xavier Omon who dominated on the ground, running over Bengal defenders on his way to 153 yards rushing. The only bad news that the team received is that they didn't lock op the NFC East as Philadelphia beat Cleveland 27-10. That sets up nxt weeks game as the battle for the division crown. Washington just needs to win one of its last to games to clinch, but would love to do it against Philadelphia.

Passing:
J. Campbell 13-23-2-192 TD

Rushing:
X.Omon 24-153 TD
Betts 11-27
J.Campbell 4-27

Receiving:
K.Robinson 3-58
Moss 3-50
M.Peterson 3-40
Randle El 2-32
Doucet 1-7 TD
McCardell 1-5

Defense:
Landry 7 tackles, TFL, 2 INT
McIntosh 7 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 Sacks
Griffen 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 Sacks

NFC East Standings
x-WSH 12-2
PHI 10-4 w, 27-10 vs. CLE
DAL 9-5 w, 36-33 vs. NYG
NYG 8-6 l, 33-36 @ DAL

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WASHINGTON INTERCEPTS PHILLY FOR DIVSION TITLE
The defensive secondary is beginning to become a team strength despite giving up 588 yards passing in a game that Philadelphia seemed to throw on every down. Defensive backs, Laron Landry and Zack Bowman, both returned interceptions for touchdowns in the third quarter to defeat Donovan McNabb, and the Eagles 45-28.
Philadelphia did not run the ball at all in the forth quarter, as Michael Westbrook was held to 2 yards rushing in 13 attempts. The Eagles managed to get 14 points in the final frame, and a trio of receiviers had big days. Reggie Brown (11-285, 2 TD) set an NFL record, Greg Lewis (5-124, 2 TD), was solid, and Eddie Royal (6-97), each had big days against a worn out defense. "They were tired in the 4th, they were making mass substitutions, and we exposed the strong safety alot," added McNabb.
Washington won however, doing what it has all year, controlling the clock, and taking advantage of turnovers. "We have some concerns with the yardage we gave up,' stated Coach Case, "but it was one of those days that was a bend but don't break type of scenario. We have some young guys in there that need to learn from this. I promise you that this better not happen again."
For now the team is happy just to have the victory, but improving the secondary continues to be a priority on a team filled with areas of concern. The truth is that Washington wasn't expected to make it this far with their concerns in the secondary, or at line backer, but the team seems to be filled with overachievers, atleast for this year.

Passing:
J.Campbell 12-22-1-257 2TD

Rushing:
X.Omon 19-55
J.Campbell 3-21
Betts 6-0

Receiving:
Moss 4-89 TD
Cooley 2-70 TD
Grigsby 2-42
Doucet 2-30
Randle El 1-8
Betts 1-8

Defense:
Reeves 10 tackles, INT
Z.Bowman 10 tackles, INT, TD
T.Bake 6 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks

NFC EAST Standings
y-WSH 13-2
PHI 10-5
DAL 10-5
NYG 9-6

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ELITE 8
The Pro Bowl team was announced today, and 8 members of the Washington Redskins have made the team, two of which are pencilied in as the starters.
The offense had only two members with QB Jason Campbell being listed as #2 two on the depth chart, and FB Boomer Grigsby will get the start. Grigsby is leading the team in pancake blocks.
The defense sends 6 different players including starter, FS Laron Landry. The defensive lineman on the squad are rookie DE Calais Campbell (#4), and DT Cornelius Griffen (#3). At linebacker OLB Rocky McIntosh (#3), the team sacks leader, and defensive captain MLB London Fletcher-Baker (#2), got the call. The final addition is SS Yeremiah Bell (#2) who will join Landry in the defensive backfield.