| R. Wilson Quaintance, IV. 21st November, 2008 - 2:18 pm
 On Sunday night the Washington Redskins played host to the Dallas Cowboys.
All week the media's focus was on Tony Romo's pinkie and Clinton Portis' sprained MCL. Up until game time, Portis was considered out-of-commission. Most fans and writers were speculating that much of the game's direction would be placed squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Jason Campbell. As well it should be.
Romo's pinkie was wrapped up in a splint, with just the tip exposed for gripping the football. It was reported that use of his throwing hand would further aggravate the injury. Spectators and television viewers alike may have been under the impression that this injury would serve as an Achilles problem. I've heard "go for the knees" before, but never "go for the pinkie".
This was the second meeting between the two rivals this season. In their last meeting, Washington emerged the victor.
The Redskins came out strong in the first quarter, scoring an early touchdown. Romo had some trouble getting into the groove of things, as the battle for momentum moved on through the half. At halftime the score favored the Skins: 10-7.
The third quarter saw no score from either team. The fourth quarter saw the collapse of the passing game by the Redskins, an increased amount of fortitude on the part Romo, and the absolute domination of the field by one Marion Barber.
It seems perfectly natural and OK when Clinton Portis runs the ball for seven yards on every down. It's nightmarish to watch the opposing team's man out-juke and out-run the defense, play after play. A swift touchdown pass to Bennett put Dallas up four points.
The subsequent possession by the Redskins saw a long pass touched, but not caught by Santana Moss, a failed conversion attempt on 4th-down, and several other missed catches. With 6-or-so minutes left in the game, the Redskins never got another chance to possess the football.
The game ended with about 1:00 to go, win a Cowboys victory of 14-10.
Newly-acquired cornerback DeAngelo Hall looked as good in Sunday's game as he does in his highlight footage on YouTube. He put up one interception, and showed a promising amount of hustle.
The postgame highlight-reel sometimes eludes the proficiency of players. Chris Horton, again, had some satisfying and insightful reads and tackles. Even as a rookie, he is showing serious tenacity and will.
Redskins games this season have been, by and large, nail-biters. Aside from the 23-6 pounding by the Steelers, the rest of the season's scores have been quite close.
Sunday's loss can be largely attributed to desperation on the part of the Cowboys. Even with this win, they are still hanging onto hopes for the remainder of this season.
The Redskins, too, have to approach their remaining two games at home, and four games away, with some urgency.
Part of being a fan of either the Washington Redskins or the Dallas Cowboys is harboring an undying hatred for the other.
It is easy being a Cowboy-hater.
Their quarterback plays the role of a cocky, pseudo-playboy. To what does he owe this distinction?
Their cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has been suspended and ordered to undergo alcohol treatment following a drunken scuffle with one of the team's bodyguards in Las Vegas this year.
Their boisterous wide receiver Terrell Owens has one of the most rotten attitudes in the league. The San Francisco 49ers drafted him, and then gladly got rid of him. The Philadelphia Eagles dismissed him following a four-game suspension over his attitude and complaining.
His end-zone celebrations have earned him numerous fines for himself and penalties for his team. In 2006, he was fined $35,000 for spitting in Hall's face during a game against the Falcons. Also, in 2006 he reportedly tried to kill himself via hydrocodone overdose.
The Cowboys have a tenuous history as well.
Hall-of-Famer Michael Irvin was caught in 1996 snorting cocaine off of a stripper's chest by police in a hotel room. He had to pay $10,000 and do community service.
In 2003 cornerback Dwayne Goodrich, with his car, killed two good-samaritans who were helping someone out of a burning car.
In 2001 offensive lineman Nate Newton was busted with 213 pounds of marijuana in his car. Then again, a few weeks later, he was nabbed with 175 pounds.
In 1996 defensive end Harvey Martin was arrested a third time for beating a woman after "smoking crack all evening".
In 1983 linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson was arrested for smoking crack with two underage girls.
In 1987 kicker Rafael Septien was indicted in Dallas County for having sex with a 10-year-old girl.
In 1987 defensive lineman Larry Bethea was convicted for stealing $64,000 from his mother.
In 1978 wide receiver Lance Rentzel was arrested for exposing himself to a 10-year-old girl.
The Cowboys position in the mind of any mindful NFL watcher is questionable. The whole "America's Team" thing was something that was construed by Tex Schramm.
There's nothing All-American about the team's history of transgressions.
Or is there?
Either way, the rotten pain of a Redskins loss to Dallas can be relieved slightly by typing "Dallas Cowboys arrest records" into Google. |
