Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 25, 1995 TAG: 9509250125
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: TAMPA, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
In Sunday's 14-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Redskins uncharacteristically held the advantage in time of possession and total yards.
They threw for nearly twice as many yards as the Buccaneers. They earned eight more first downs. They committed half-as-many penalties.
But after quarterback Gus Frerotte's end-zone pass for tight end Coleman Bell was picked off by ex-Redskins cornerback Martin Mayhew with two seconds to play, blunting what would have been a pressurized 80-yard drive, they trudged off the field losers again.
"The frustrating thing is that we can play good offense, defense and special teams," safety James Washington said. "But you haven't seen it all together, and that's what we've got to learn."
At 1-3, the lessons don't figure to get easier. The Redskins face the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at RFK Stadium. They do so lacking any semblance of momentum and beset by questions about the consistency of their play.
For the second straight week, there also is a questionable official's call to ponder. This one came seven seconds into the fourth quarter, on a 7-yard pass to Alvin Harper, and gave the Buccaneers their final margin of victory.
One official ruled it incomplete because Harper had just one foot in bounds; he was overruled by another official who said Darrell Green's push prevented Harper from getting both feet down.
For 30 minutes at Tampa Stadium, the Redskins defense accomplished everything it wanted. Bucs running back Errict Rhett, who had gained 263 yards in two games against Washington last year, had been limited to 41 yards and had lost a fumble when tackled in the backfield by Dexter Nottage. Quarterback Trent Dilfer had thrown for just 25 yards and had been sacked twice.
But despite running twice as many plays, Washington held just a 6-0 halftime lead on Eddie Murray field goals of 37 and 28 yards.
"We had opportunities early, and we didn't do it," coach Norv Turner said. "We talked in [the locker room]; this season is awfully early. We have to do what it takes to make the next jump - to win. Whoever's involved has got to step up and make the play."
Dilfer, who threw for 125 second-half yards, took the Bucs 68 yards to the go-ahead touchdown on the first drive after the half. Rhett took it the last 10 yards, and finished with 104 yards on 27 carries.
Late in the game, Frerotte began a 16-play drive that consumed 79 yards and 4:14, but didn't produce a touchdown.
A pass-interference penalty against cornerback Tony Stargell gave Washington a first down at the 1-yard line with 13 seconds to play. Frerotte dropped and looked left, then quickly flipped a pass to fullback Cedric Smith, alone in the end zone.
He dropped it.
The next pass was intercepted by Mayhew to seal Washington's defeat.
"We're doing the big things well," Frerotte said. "It's the little things that are hurting us. We had our opportunities, just like the Raiders game. We just don't put it in the end zone when we have to."
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB