LANDOVER, Md — If you were watching yesterday’s Giants-Redskins game on TV, you missed its biggest moment. You were away in commercial. It occurred right before the beginning of the fourth quarter … in the huddle.
“We were in the nickel defense and [safety] Sam Shade asked me to get a little hit on Tiki Barber,” defensive end Marco Coleman said of the play that started at the Redskins’ 49 on a third-and-five. “I think [Barber] was the primary receiver on the play.
“By hitting him and knocking him off his route, it slowed him down and made the quarterback [Kerry Collins] hold the ball. Ndukwe Kalu got real good pressure. And I was just Johnny on the spot.”
The ball hung up there for Coleman, the former Dolphin and Charger, to grab.
“I wanted it real bad,” Coleman said. “I’ve been wanting for that for eight years. It was a real exciting moment for me.”
The 42-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown capped the Redskins’ defensive effort, their best of the season.
Those of you who see the FedEx package half-empty might argue that the Giants’ offense is as much to blame as Washington’s defense. Those who see it half-full will give the Skins the credit.
Washington’s defense led the way in the Redskins’ 23-13 victory at the field formerly known as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium. They knocked Kent Graham out of the game. They only gave up 72 yards on the ground. The Giants did put up 257 yards in the air, but they also had three passes picked off.
“The defense responded every chance they had,” coach Norv Turner said.
Redskins’ defensive coordinator Mike Nolan almost has been let go on several occasions, according to many reports. His unit — with assistance from Skins advisor Bill Arnsparger — recorded four sacks. It came with pressure. It actually looked like it belonged in the NFL.
Previously, in the nine weeks before yesterday, the Skins had given up 34 points or more five times.
The Giants came in talking about sacks, but, while Stephen Davis set the tone on offense, it was defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield and Shade who did it defensively.
With the Giants on their own 22 early in the game facing a third-and-seven, Stubblefield sacked Graham. On the next drive from the Giants own 19, Shade took down Graham.
The Giants got up, but if you break it down honestly, they really were never close.
