THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 21, 1996 TAG: 9610210110
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 80 lines
The good: Everything the Redskins tried in the first half,
especially Henry Ellard's five catches for 119 yards and Terry
Allen's 3 touchdowns.
The bad: Everything the Redskins tried in the second half, when
they gained just 78 total yards.
The ugly: Redskins CB Darrell Green getting completely turned
around by Thomas Lewis on a 31-yard touchdown pass to open the third
quarter. Green had no idea where the ball was. Lewis, either, for
that matter. Green had his back turned to the play when Lewis caught
the ball.
Turning point: The Giants trailed by just seven when Redskins TE
Jamie Asher's diving 14-yard catch on third-and-6 from the
Washington 29 gave Washington a critical first down with under five
minutes to play.
Unsung heroes: Offensive lineman Joe Patton was enjoying a
productive day at left tackle before LG Tre' Johnson went down late
in the third quarter. Patton then moved guard and Shar Pourdanesh
did a nice job at LT in his first action since opening day.
And don't forget: LB Marvcus Patton's fingertip deflection of
Dave Brown's pass for wide-open TE Howard Cross caused Cross to drop
an easy touchdown that would have brought New York within 3 with
just under two minutes to play.
Numbers crunching: Darrell Green's interception was the 43rd of
his career, the seventh he has returned for a touchdown. Green has
intercepted passes thrown by 33 different quarterbacks in 13-plus
seasons. ... RB Terry Allen's three touchdowns marked the first time
in his seven-plus seasons he has three scores in one game. ...
Allen's touchdown run in the first quarter was the first touchdown
the Giants' defense has surrendered since the two teams played on
Sept. 15. ... Washington had the ball just 9:42 of the second half.
Injuries: G Tre' Johnson (sprained right knee). He'll be examined
again today before it's determined how long he'll be out. CB Darrell
Green (bruised calf). Initial damage was minimal. Others: DE Tony
Woods (sprained elbow), RT Ed Simmons (bruised knee), DT William
Gaines (pulled groin), RG Bob Dahl (bruised shin) and DE Rich Owens
(bruised kneecap).
Next opponent: Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m., RFK Stadium.
The Colts lost at home to New England 27-9 Sunday. They have a 5-2
record, first place in the AFC East.
- JIM DUCIBELLA
SKINS REPORT CARD
Offensive line: ``B''. The Redskins rushed for 123 yards, Gus
Frerotte wasn't sacked and they drove it down New York's throats
when it mattered most.
Receivers: ``B''. Another 100-yard day for Henry Ellard, another
touchdown run for Leslie Shepherd, a big catch for TE Jamie Asher.
Business as usual.
Running backs: ``B''. Terry Allen was steady early and the key
component in Washington's game-sealing drive to a field goal in the
fourth quarter.
Quarterback: ``C+''. Missed a couple of easy throws in the third
quarter that would have prevented the Giants from dominating the
second half. His interception was his worst pass in weeks.
Defensive line: ``C''. Injuries to starting DE Sterling Palmer
and DT Marc Boutte took their toll on the rest of the unit in the
second half. Pass rush evaporated, so did their tackling.
Linebackers: ``C-''. Ken Harvey had pressure on the quarterback
early, but overall there were too many missed tackles and bad pass
drops.
Secondary: ``C''. Darrell Green had the game-winning score but
was beaten for a TD. Giants wideouts found huge gaps in center of
secondary.
Special teams: ``B''. Scott Blanton's 45-yard field goal was the
first long-range pressure kick of his career. Brian Mitchell became
non-existent after misjudging an early Giants punt. William Bell was
admirable returning kickoffs Giants made sure Mitchell couldn't
field.
Coaching: ``C''. The double-reverse call was, again, brilliant.
But even Norv Turner admitted he started day-dreaming once
Washington went up 28-0. by CNB