In response to comments by Donovan McNabb that black NFL quarterbacks are held to a higher standard than their white colleagues, Jason Campbell said yesterday he hasn't found that to be the case. "Early in my career in college, I felt like people looked at me differently and expected a lot more," said Campbell, the Washington Redskins' starter since November. "I felt I had to do a little extra. At that point, I did feel that way. I don't feel that way now in the NFL." In an HBO interview first aired Tuesday, McNabb, the longtime Philadelphia Eagles franchise player, said black quarterbacks "have to do a little bit extra" because there are so few starting at the position, adding, "people didn't want us to play this position."

If Jason Campbell becomes a star in the NFL, he might pinpoint Monday night's win as the start of something great. Showing the poise of a veteran, the third-year quarterback in his ninth pro start converted several big plays and got plenty of help from Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley and an opportunistic defense in Washington's 20-12 victory over the Eagles. The Redskins, coming off a 5-11 season, are 2-0 and tied with Dallas atop the NFC East, which Philadelphia was expected to dominate.

The Cowboys wrested the title of the NFL's most valuable franchise from the rival Redskins, knocking Washington off the top of the list for the first time in eight years, according to Forbes magazine's annual survey. Thanks to a new $1 billion stadium set to open in 2009, the Cowboys' value increased by 28 percent -- by far the largest jump among NFL teams this year -- to $1.5 billion. They climbed from third to first in the rankings, leapfrogging the Redskins ($1.467 billion) and the Patriots ($1.199 billion).

Finally filling their need for a veteran No. 3 wide receiver, the Redskins signed free agent Reche Caldwell to a one-year contract on Tuesday, the financial details of which were not immediately available.

Jason Campbell's first pass was intercepted, his starting right tackle was gone by halftime, and he only completed 12 passes. Still, the Redskins quarterback had Antwaan Randle El helping him and the meager Dolphins as an opponent, and that was enough for a 16-13 overtime victory Sunday. The Redskins took a positive first step as they try to rebound from Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs' worst season. Shaun Suisham kicked a 39-yard field goal 5:36 into the extra period to spoil the NFL head coaching debut of Miami's Cam Cameron.

Chris Cooley, the Washington Redskins' biggest potential free agent after this season, was taken off the market yesterday when he signed a six-year contract extension worth a maximum of $30 million. Cooley, 25, who is entering his fourth season as the starting tight end, will make $14 million in guarantees. He will earn $850,000 this season ? the last year of his current deal. "It feels so good," he said. "I feel this is such a great place for me and it's a great fit to be with the Redskins. I'll be here seven more years and I can play my whole career here and that's an unbelievable thing, especially in today's football."