Well, I got to see the game this week (most of it, anyway- see below), but this
would've been a good one to miss.  The Saints were embarrassed by a mediocre
Redskins team.  At least last year's blowouts (don't let the 14 point margin
fool you, it *was* a blowout) were to quality opponents (Steelers & 49ers).
If we lose next week (to the Buccaneers), the season is probably over.

I missed the first 10 minutes of the first quarter because the early games
ran over 3 hours (so the Saints game got switched on late).  During the time
I missed, we apparently kicked a FG before giving up a 14 yard Friesz to
Ellard TD pass.

The first offensive series I saw was ugly.  Two incompletions, two 5-yard
penalties, and a 1 yard Derek Brown run.  Brian Mitchell returned the ensuing
punt 74 yards right up the middle for a fairly easy TD.

A 25 yard Jim Everett to Torrance Small pass helped the Saints get to the
Washington 47 on the next possession, but the drive stalled.  Four runs by
Brooks for 22 yards and a 20 yard catch by Ellard moved the 'Skins to the
NO 39, and from there they were able to nickel & dime their way to the one
yard line.  After a receiver dropped a potential TD pass, the Saints kept
Brooks out of the endzone on 4th & goal (probably the highlight of the game).

A 19 yard catch by Wesley Walls and a couple of runs by Mario Bates got the
Saints out of the hole, but heavy pressure during three consecutive passing
plays caused two incompletions and a sack, and it was time for another punt.
On the next two possessions, neither team was able to reach the far side of
midfield, and two more punts flew.  The 'Skins then tried to drive for a FG at
the end of the half, but the Saints recovered an Ervins fumble at the
Washington 47.  Two Wade Wilson (in for a banged-up Everett) to Brown passes
moved the ball to the 36, but Morten Andersen's FG attempt on the last play of
the first half didn't even reach the endzone.  Halftime score: 3-14.

The second half got off to a rotten start as Mitchell again burned the Saints'
kick coverage and reached the NO 15 before being dragged down by Tyrone Hughes.
A few plays later Smith caught a 1 yard TD pass.  The offense got in gear
(finally) and moved quickly down the field with passes up the middle to Irv
Smith, Quinn Early, and Smith again (amidst some unsuccessful running plays).
Under pressure from a blitzer, Everett underthrew Michael Haynes, but the WR
came back for the ball and caught it as he crossed the goal line for a 17 yard
score.  A try for 2 was attempted, by the pass was batted at the line.

The coverage team managed to stop Mitchell at the 'Skins 20, but three runs
by Brooks and two catches by Horton moved Washington into Saints territory
once again.  A wide-open Ellard streaked down the sideline for a 41 yard TD
pass, beating Jimmy Spencer badly.  An out-of-bounds kickoff gave the Saints
the ball at the 40, but the opportunity was wasted as Everett threw a weak
pass to the sideline that was intercepted and returned to the NO 39.

The 'Skins kept the ball on the ground and moved to the 14 before settling
for a FG with 12:48 remaining in the game.  Hughes returned the kickoff to
the NO 48, and consecutive receptions by Haynes, Early, and Small moved the
Saints inside the Washington 30.  However, the team's last chance to mount a
comeback was blown when Everett stripped Brown of the ball.  No, that wasn't
a typo.  After an inside handoff, Brown ran to the outside during what appeared
to be a broken play.  Everett was running along side of him, presumably to
throw a block.  It appeared that Everett's hand knocked the ball out of Brown's
grasp.  The 'Skins returned it to midfield, and soon scored on a 31 yard TD
reception by Howard (this time Carl Lee got beat).

Washington went into the prevent and allowed the Saints to score in 5 plays-
passes to Walls, Small, Early, Brad Muster, and Small again for a 4 yard TD.
We recovered an onside kick and used four more catches (by Smith, Muster,
Small, Muster, Haynes) before Small dropped a pass to break the streak.  On the
next play Muster ran 3 yards for a TD, but it was too little too late.  The 
'Skins recovered the next onside kick, and gave the ball to Brooks seven times
in a row to pretty much run out the clock.


Summary: The kick coverage killed us, the 'Skins were able to run up the gut,
         and the secondary got burned on sideline routes twice for TDs.  We
         ran for only 28 yards.  Even William Roaf looked bad.  We'd better
         improve in a hurry, or it'll be a very long year.


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Frank Serpas III    serpas@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu