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Mark Brunell was walking better and feeling better on
Wednesday, but he wouldn't go as far as promising that he would be
Washington's quarterback when the Redskins attempt to clinch their first
playoff spot since 1999 on Sunday in Philadelphia.
"It's feeling a little better today than it did
yesterday," Brunell said of the sprained right knee that sidelined him in
the third quarter of a 35-20 victory over the New York Giants five days ago.
"Each day it's progressing, feeling better. It's day-to-day still. The
more time I can get rehabbing this thing, the better off I'll be. We'll see,
but I'm pleased with where I'm at right now."
And Brunell replied, "Absolutely," when asked
if the magnitude of the game would hasten his return to the lineup. If the
Redskins (9-6) lose to the Eagles (6-9), they'll need the reeling St. Louis Rams (5-10) to upset the Cowboys (9-6) in Dallas to make the playoffs.
"In talking to Mark, he gives me the impression that
he thinks he can go, and we'll work towards that," coach Joe Gibbs said.
If Brunell's knee doesn't recover in time, he is
confident that backup Patrick Ramsey, who played well in relief against the
Giants, would respond in a positive fashion.
"Patrick would do fine," Brunell said.
"For a guy to come off the bench, not having any reps all week, and lead
the team and score (14) points, is pretty impressive. (Backup quarterback) is
probably the toughest position on the team because you don't get to practice
and yet you're called upon to play ... many times when the game's on the line,
like it was against the Giants."
Good soldier Ramsey, suddenly benched for Brunell in the
season opener against Chicago, is rooting to return to his backup role.
"Mark has gotten us to this point, and you hope for
him that he's able to play," Ramsey said. "I hope we win and go to
the playoffs. If I do go in to play, I hope I play well and we win. It's that
simple, really."
The Redskins see their playoff fate in equally stark
terms. Gibbs has them convinced that if they fail to extend their winning
streak to five games, they're toast.
"Our season is riding on this game," Brunell
said. "To get to this place from where we were at 5-6 is pretty
remarkable. But as great as these last four games have been, if we don't get
this one, it'll be tough to end the season this way."
Said Gibbs, "If you win, you're in. You lose you're
out. We've been in that situation the last four weeks. Our players have really
kind of rallied behind (that). Now we're getting ready to go see if we can get
the last one."
SERIES HISTORY: 142nd meeting. The Redskins lead the
series 74-62-5, including a 20-6 victory in a first-round playoff game in
Philadelphia in 1990 that got blowhard Eagles coach Buddy Ryan fired. The most
memorable game in the series was the game that preceded that playoff game:
"The Body Bag Game" in which the fearsome Philadelphia defense
knocked Redskins quarterbacks Jeff Rutledge and Stan Humphries out of the
game. With starter Mark Rypien already sidelined, coach Joe Gibbs was forced
to play rookie running back Brian Mitchell, a college option quarterback,
against the Eagles, who taunted the Redskins about their players being carried
off in body bags. That lack of class in the Eagles' 28-14 victory fired up the
Redskins come playoff time.
Quotes
and Notes
--With 69 catches, H-back Chris Cooley has topped
Washington's tight end/H-back record that was set in 1967 by the late Jerry Smith, an unfairly forgotten player with great hands. Smith's record came in a
14-game season, but there's no arguing that Cooley, whom the Redskins traded
up to take in the third round in the 2004 draft, is a real find.
"It's awesome," Cooley said. "Thanks to
the coaches for calling the plays and to all my teammates."
Cooley has seven touchdown catches, the most by a
Washington tight end or H-back since Smith had nine in 1970.
--Linebacker LaVar Arrington enjoyed Christmas even if he
did not get the present he is anxiously awaiting.
"I was hoping my favorite gift would be my baby
girl, but she didn't come yet," he said. "I'm still waiting on
that."
Trishia Arrington's due date is Jan. 15, the Sunday of
the second round of the playoffs.
"If we win and we're going to the playoffs,
(inducing the birth of daughter Marlee) is obviously going to be an option we
have to explore because I don't want to miss the birth of my child," said
Arrington, who has a 5-year-old son, Keeno, from a previous relationship.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17 - Years since the Redskins swept the
Eagles. 5 - Current Redskins who have been to the playoffs with Washington.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Here's how dangerous they are: They
took the Giants to overtime at their place three weeks ago. That's all you've
got to say. We have to expect they're going to play that way against us."
- Redskins coach Joe Gibbs on not underestimating the Eagles, losers of seven
of nine, in Sunday's season finale at Philadelphia.
Player
Notes
--CB Shawn Springs didn't practice Wednesday because of
the strained back and groin with which he played the past two weeks. Springs
is expected to start Sunday in Philadelphia.
--CB Carlos Rogers didn't practice Wednesday because of
the left biceps injury he suffered on Dec. 11 at Arizona, which kept him out
the past two weeks. Rogers is questionable for Sunday.
--DE Renaldo Wynn didn't practice Wednesday because of a
sore arch but is expected to start against the Eagles.
--T Chris Samuels rested the sprained right knee and
ankle he suffered at Arizona, but Samuels rested the past two Wednesdays and
started both games. He'll start against the Eagles.
--S Matt Bowen, who has missed the past two games with a
badly bruised knee and thigh, practiced Wednesday and is expected to play
against Philadelphia.
--T Jon Jansen rested his sprained right thumb Wednesday
but will start against the Eagles.
GAME PLAN: The Redskins have been running wild during
their four-game winning streak, averaging 173 yards on 37 carries per game.
With QB Mark Brunell not 100 percent, there are no plans to change that
approach against the Eagles' 20th-ranked run defense.
Philadelphia's offense is minus its quarterback,
receivers, running back, center and left tackle. There's not much left to
scare a defense, but the Eagles did average 20 points the past three weeks
despite interception-happy QB Mike McMahon. The Redskins' biggest problem
could be not taking the battered Eagles seriously.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
--Redskins RT Jon Jansen vs. Eagles LDE Jevon Kearse.
Jansen, who has played all year with a cast or splint on his broken right
thumb, held the Giants' Michael Strahan without a sack last week. He needs a
repeat against fellow supreme pass rusher Kearse - who's questionable with an
ailing knee - since QB Mark Brunell won't be 100 percent with his own sprained
knee.
--Redskins RB Clinton Portis vs. Eagles MLB Jeremiah Trotter. Portis has been the engine of Washington's offensive resurgence.
Trotter is Philadelphia's lone Pro Bowl pick. Portis has gained just 184 yards
on 61 carries in three games against the Eagles as a Redskin, including 67
yards on 21 carries in Washington's 17-10 victory on Nov. 5.
--Redskins FS Sean Taylor vs. Eagles RB Ryan Moats.
Rookie Moats isn't the consistent producer that injured starter Brian Westbrook is, but he does have home run ability, having taken runs 40 and 59
yards to the house on Dec. 11 against the Giants and Dec. 18 at St. Louis.
Taylor, the fastest Redskins defender, has to keep Moats from breaking a long
one.
INJURY IMPACT
Even at 35, mobility is a big part of QB Mark Brunell's
game. But even a hobbled Brunell is as mobile as pocket passer Ramsey. The
Redskins hope to keep Brunell as protected as possible, which would dictate
plenty of handoffs and quick passes.
