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Free Service Play For Sunday September 28, 2003
(195) New England Patriots at (196) Washington Redskins 1:00 pm EST
Washington -3 (3 Units)
The Redskins look to rebound from their overtime loss to the Giants last weekend. They were down big and came back to send the game into the extra period so even though they lost, they have a lot to build on. Patrick Ramsey is developing into a gutsy performer, and Steve Spurrier's passing game has loads of potential. The Redskins have plenty going for them in this game. They'll be facing the hobbled Patriots at home. Aside from linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (fractured hip) and guard Mike Compton (broken foot), both out for the season, there are 11 Patriots on the weekly injury report. Linebacker Ted Johnson (broken foot) and nose tackle Ted Washington (broken leg) are out. Linebacker Mike Vrabel (broken arm) is doubtful. Special teams performer Je'Rod Cherry (leg), tackle Adrian Klemm (ankle), cornerback Ty Law (ankle), fullback Fred McCrary (knee), wide receiver David Patten (knee), tight end Fred Baxter (leg) and center Damien Woody (knee) are questionable. Quarterback Tom Brady (elbow), who was injured two weeks ago against the Eagles but was not listed on last week's injury report, is probable. The Pats didn’t practice in pads this week for fear of yet another injury. Regulars who double on special teams like Tedy Bruschi will see little if any service in the kicking game for the same reason. Above all, as many as 10 Pats will be required to step into unfamiliar roles. Reserves will start, starters will move to new positions, reserves will start at new positions. The potential for on-field chaos is limitless. While the loss of Washington will hurt the Patriots' run defense, their pass defense could cause them more problems against the Redskins this week. When Washington went down in last week's game with a broken leg, it was a devastating loss to an already beat up Patriots defense. His replacement, Jarvis Green, is quicker, but has nowhere near Washington's strength. The Patriots will get a quick realization of how bad a situation they are in when Redskins center Larry Moore handles Green single handedly. That allows both guards to move forward on running plays and reestablish a new line of scrimmage two yards further downfield. Expect the Redskins to have good success running the ball right up the gut this week. Tom Brady has looked brilliant at times this season, making great decisions, hitting tight spots in coverage and excelling with the play-action passing game. But at other times, more specifically in the opener vs. the Bills and for a good majority of the Jets' game, Brady has looked like he is in a fog. He has had the ball slip out of his hands on several occasions and is taking too long to get rid of the ball. The injuries might be too much for New England to overcome here. Even if some of the questionable players do play, they are not 100% and that will come back to bite them. The Redskins get it done before their big game at Philadelphia next week.
(195) New England Patriots at (196) Washington Redskins 1:00 pm EST
Washington -3 (3 Units)
The Redskins look to rebound from their overtime loss to the Giants last weekend. They were down big and came back to send the game into the extra period so even though they lost, they have a lot to build on. Patrick Ramsey is developing into a gutsy performer, and Steve Spurrier's passing game has loads of potential. The Redskins have plenty going for them in this game. They'll be facing the hobbled Patriots at home. Aside from linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (fractured hip) and guard Mike Compton (broken foot), both out for the season, there are 11 Patriots on the weekly injury report. Linebacker Ted Johnson (broken foot) and nose tackle Ted Washington (broken leg) are out. Linebacker Mike Vrabel (broken arm) is doubtful. Special teams performer Je'Rod Cherry (leg), tackle Adrian Klemm (ankle), cornerback Ty Law (ankle), fullback Fred McCrary (knee), wide receiver David Patten (knee), tight end Fred Baxter (leg) and center Damien Woody (knee) are questionable. Quarterback Tom Brady (elbow), who was injured two weeks ago against the Eagles but was not listed on last week's injury report, is probable. The Pats didn’t practice in pads this week for fear of yet another injury. Regulars who double on special teams like Tedy Bruschi will see little if any service in the kicking game for the same reason. Above all, as many as 10 Pats will be required to step into unfamiliar roles. Reserves will start, starters will move to new positions, reserves will start at new positions. The potential for on-field chaos is limitless. While the loss of Washington will hurt the Patriots' run defense, their pass defense could cause them more problems against the Redskins this week. When Washington went down in last week's game with a broken leg, it was a devastating loss to an already beat up Patriots defense. His replacement, Jarvis Green, is quicker, but has nowhere near Washington's strength. The Patriots will get a quick realization of how bad a situation they are in when Redskins center Larry Moore handles Green single handedly. That allows both guards to move forward on running plays and reestablish a new line of scrimmage two yards further downfield. Expect the Redskins to have good success running the ball right up the gut this week. Tom Brady has looked brilliant at times this season, making great decisions, hitting tight spots in coverage and excelling with the play-action passing game. But at other times, more specifically in the opener vs. the Bills and for a good majority of the Jets' game, Brady has looked like he is in a fog. He has had the ball slip out of his hands on several occasions and is taking too long to get rid of the ball. The injuries might be too much for New England to overcome here. Even if some of the questionable players do play, they are not 100% and that will come back to bite them. The Redskins get it done before their big game at Philadelphia next week.
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