Midweek before any game is serious work time for all NFL teams. It is no different for the Washington Redskins as they march closer to their matchup with arguably the best team in the league right now, the New England Patriots. Despite the fact that the Patriots are 7-0, the players and coaches in Washington are working on their fundamentals and game plan, not the fact that they are 14-point underdogs. To a man, in the Redskins locker room, there was no “abject fear” in players’ eyes when asked about the Super Bowl champs. As a matter of fact, the determination evident in Ashburn is impressive.
Also impressive is the sheer numbers of injuries the Redskins have sustained. And yet the team has competed well against —and even beaten — some tough opponents. Fortunately, a bunch of injured guys could possibly be back out onto the field to help their team against New England. Cornerbacks Chris Culliver (knee) and DeAngelo Hall (toe); wide out DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and LB Ryan Kerrigan (hand) were all limited in practice today and will probably play Sunday, barring any setbacks.
Jackson for sure seems ready to go and said so Monday. Just as important as the wide out are those cornerbacks. With second-year rising star Bashaud Breeland (hamstring) not participating, and Washington going up against the best passer in the league, well… Hall and Culliver are imperative. Will they be ready?
“Oh yea,” latter said today, “I’m going to be ready.”
One should believe him when he says that. At least if one bases their belief on Culliver’s enthusiasm and competitiveness. He certainly appeared “ready” when he and practice squad receiver Corey Washington got into a pretty entertaining scuffle during the few early practice drills that the media is allowed to watch. The veteran cornerback was fired up, to say the least… perhaps because he was so glad to be back on the field. He has been out since just after the Philadelphia Eagles win due to a knee injury.
That’s “Cully” though. He plays with a lot of fire and the team is going to need that Sunday. His teammates certainly appreciate it.
“That’s just him in a nutshell,” defensive lineman Jason Hatcher said about the former San Francisco 49er after practice today. “Him, as a teammate… that’s what you need on the field. You know any battle you go into, he’s got your back.”
Head coach Jay Gruden was happy to have him back out there as well. He especially likes Culliver’s fire, praising his ‘competitive spirit.’
“I’m hopeful… I’m always hopeful,” Gruden said about the chances of Culliver playing this weekend. “So, we’ll see. He looked good out there, man. He wore his cool outfit and had a good day of practice for when he did practice. We’ll just have to see how he feels tomorrow when he practices a full day on it. He’ll do more tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”
The Vegas line for the Patriots/Redskins matchup is a big one. New England is favored by double digits and, were Washington to win the contest… well, it would be huge. It’s not even about the score, should they emerge victorious as much as it would be about the perception that the players, the fans and the league would have about the organization. There is so little faith outside of Ashburn that the team can even compete with the Pats that a win by the Redskins would boggle the collective minds of people everywhere. Not the Burgundy and Gold however.
“[It’s] another game… another must-win game,” defensive lineman Jason Hatcher said to a group of reporters today about the team’s mentality going into the game Sunday. “That’s all it is. We’re not getting caught up in what you guys write or what they’ve got in Vegas or whatever. It’s just another game we’ve got to go win. Every game is a ‘must-win.’ What do you want me to do, say we’re going to lose? Every game around here is a ‘must-win.’ We’re trying to win around here… every game you play is a must-win. The next game you play is the most important game of your career as a team so every game from now on is a must-win. The first game of the season was a must-win so; I don’t know what else you want me to say. It isn’t a must-lose.”
It has become more and more apparent as the season has gone on that this is a determined bunch of guys in the Washington locker room. They are close to each other and they want to win. They believe they can win. And they are determined to compete in this matchup on as high a level as any Patriot player and this is, of course, as it should be. As Hatcher indicated, no player in the NFL is going to think, ‘we can’t do this.’ In fact, the idea of such a notion is ludicrous to players.
“Absolutely,” the veteran continued when asked about the ‘Any Given Sunday’ phenomena. “I don’t care who you are. It’s hard to win in this [league]. Just think about [the recent game against the] Tampa [Bay Buccaneers]. They took us down to the wire. We beat them and [then] they went and beat [the] hot Atlanta [Falcons]. You’ve got to play. You guys get all caught up on records. It’s not about records. You have to play football on Sundays. It’s grown men out there. You’ve got to play football… I don’t care who you are. The Redskins are 14-point underdogs. You’ve [still] got to play football.”
As the week rolls on toward Sunday, the injury report will become more and more finalized. Having a bunch of the injured guys back will be important. Also important will be the week of practice itself. Then those practices must translate out on to the field.
“They had a good day today,” Gruden said about the players’ work today. “Great weather out there, No. 1. I think guys came in and paid attention in meetings, listened to things that we’re doing…our game plan. We’ll add more to it tomorrow obviously. I think they’ll be focused and ready to go.”
After listening to several players in the locker room today, one would have to think that he’s right.