T.O. Wasn't a Factor, But Neither Were the Redskins

Well, T.O. wasn't a factor, but neither was Mark Brunell, the offensive line, the defensive line, the secondary, the play calling on offense and defense...

Other than Rock Cartwright's 100-yard kickoff return, the Redskins couldn't get anything going until late when Dallas was playing prevent defense. The Cowboys sent the Redskins to 0-2 with a 27-10 victory. The offensive line had a hard time giving Brunell time to find a receiver, giving up six sacks and forcing Brunell to throw several balls out of bounds and an interception. The running game scared no one without Clinton Portis even dressed to play.

The defense fared no better. Drew Bledsoe had all day to throw the ball and Julius Jones ran threw the middle of the line all night. Gregg Williams called a conservative game, blitzing lightly and finding no ways to get pressure on Bledsoe. The Cowboys averaged 5.2 yards per play, 4.5 yards per rush and converted 22 first downs.

The cameras were all on T.O. going into the game, but he had very little impact on the game. He dropped passes like a rookie (including in the end zone), only catching three passes for a mere 19 yards. Terry Glenn, on the other hand, pulled in six catches for just under 100 yards including a 40-yard TD.

Brunell completed 18 passes, but 11 were to non-WRs. Moss was quiet all game until the end of the game when he pulled in a couple of meaningless catches. Ladell Betts caught seven balls, most of the productive ones late in the game, but only rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries. Take away his 17-yard gain and he only averaged 2.7 yards per carry.

Other than the ineffective play on offense and defense, the Redskins committed 11 penalties surrendering 117 yards. Penalties allowed the Cowboys to drive the field 99 yards for the TD that essentially sealed the game.

It's not obvious why the Redskins can't execute Al Saunders' vaunted offensive playbook, but it is obvious that Mark Brunell doesn't look comfortable in the pocket, is having a hard time finding open receivers and that there isn't much to hang our hats on.