Washington Redskins: Response Is Better Than Reaction by Diane Chesebrough

REACT: (intransitive verb) – to change in response to a stimulus, to move or tend in a reverse direction/to act in a reverse direction or manner, especially so as to return to a prior condition

RESPOND: (intransitive verb) – to exhibit some action or effect as if in answer / to react favorably / to say something in return, to make an answer / to make a return by some action as if in answer

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The Washington Redskins won a tough game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – a team that has plagued them for years. But this game was different from previous contests against the Bucs. While the secondary came out in better form than in the two recent games against the St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals, when it faltered after half-time and Tampa Bay grabbed the lead, the offense came back out and did something about it. Quarterback Robert Griffin, IIl was able to lead the team down the field and put them in position to kick the game-winning field goal.

Essentially, the victory was the result of the team responding to what was happening in the game rather than just reacting to it. On Sunday, the Redskins did what they needed to do to win.

There were many times during the game when long-time Redskins fans might have thought, “Here we go again.” The opportunity for things to have gone even more “south” than Raymond James Stadium itself was there but it just did not happen.

The “oh no!”’s began even before the coin toss. Safety Brandon Meriweather – having finally been activated after being out the first three weeks due to an injury – and wide out Aldrick Robinson collided violently during pre-game warm-ups. Meriweather reinjured the MCL and PCL in his left knee and Robinson was knocked out, resulting in both of them being inactive. Robinson will be subject to the NFL’s concussion protocol all of this week according to head coach Mike Shanahan.

Winning the coin toss, the Redskins deferred. The defense kept the Bucs from scoring on their first possession but when Washington got the ball, they promptly went three-and-out. The Redskins’ defense then held the Buccaneers to a field goal after which Washington responded with a seven–play series that resulted in a score. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling was inspired and Griffin spread the ball around to several of his weapons. Running back Alfred Morris, fullback Darrel Young, tight end Fred Davis and wide out Leonard Hankerson all had touches. With wide receiver Pierre Garçon back on the field (previously out with an injury) and a threat to the Bucs’ secondary, first downs were successful and RGIII found guys open.

The Redskins were stopped once on this drive; snagging a holding penalty care of receiver Josh Morgan. But eventually they scored a touchdown on a Griffin fumble at the goal line which was recovered by Garçon in the end zone.

After the adversity of the three-and-out series and subsequent score by the Bucs, the Redskins offense responded by moving the ball 75 yards and getting seven points.

Throughout the game, there were situations that Washington might not have been able to recover from in years past. Three missed field goals by new kicker Billy Cundiff had Redskin’s fans blowing up Twitter. After each missed kick, there were tweets like:

“ @cartsongiber Billy cundiff just pulled a billy Cundiff ”

 and;

“ @_Happy_Gilmore How is Billy Cundiff still a professional kicker? I think he should be working at the snack bar ”

None of the misses caused the sort of breakdown that the team has displayed in the past. After the first missed kick (3 minutes into the second quarter) the Redskins’ defense came up with a big play. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall intercepted Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman – under pressure from linebackers Ryan Kerrigan and Rob Jackson – on a short pass intended for 6′ 5″, 230 lbs. receiver Vincent Jackson. The Redskins offense got the ball back on the Tampa Bay 35-yard-line and, with a little help from the Bucs on a couple of penalties, put the interception to good use and scored. Griffin – working out of the shotgun – practically waltzed into the end zone for the touchdown.

Washington’s response to the missed field goal was a ramped up defense and a touchdown.

Things happened quickly during the rest of the second quarter. After Griffin’s touchdown the Redskins defense was inspired. Bucs’ running back Doug Martin got nowhere on the first handoff to him. Then Washington cornerback Josh Wilson was all over Jackson when Freeman’s short sideline pass was not high enough (Jackson is so tall that Freeman should have really put it up there) and finally the Buc’s QB was sacked by Kerrigan (with some finishing help from linebacker Chris Wilson) for a loss of 6 yards.

On the ensuing possession by the Redskins, two plays were an indication of what’s possible for this team. Griffin threw to Hankerson who fought for additional yards-after-the-catch for a first down. Then Morris showed his value again with a great effort on a 39-yard run from the line of scrimmage – making two Buccaneers miss to get to the open field – and scored again.

The real test came in the second half when, after a break-down of the Redskins’ secondary, Tampa Bay ended up with the lead (22-21). This final series is a testament to the way Washington responded to adversity in this game. The offense “took the bull by the horns” and did what was required to win. The final series has already been described countless ways so let it just be said that, in six plays, Griffin lead his offense down the field, overcame a false start penalty by guard Kory Lichtensteiger as well as headset malfunctions; and put the team in position to score the game-winning field goal. Obviously, Billy Cundiff redeemed himself by making it.

In years past, Washington might not have been able to come back and win that game after their kicker had missed three consecutive field goals… especially in light of Cundiff’s history. They might have tried to force the touchdown and, in the process, taken chances that might have caused a turnover, an injury or any number of undesirable results.

But this is the 2012 Washington Redskins. Robert Griffin has brought a “We-Will-Do-It” attitude to the team that his teammates have embraced. The perception of and outlook for the team has changed. Just as important as learning the playbook is the belief– and maybe now, the knowledge,  since the proof is out there – that “it” can be done. One has to look no farther than left tackle Trent Williams playing on Sunday despite his injury – which was clearly painful all week – to see the determination on this team.

The arrival of Griffin in Washington will have ramifications for this team that have not come close to being realized. Redskins fans can imagine and sports experts can predict just how far this team will go but, really, we won’t know for a while. For now, week-to-week, Washington players will practice, coaches will scheme and coordinators will call plays. Games will be won and lost. The most important thing is to know that whatever happens, this team will continue to respond in positive ways.

Hail.