National Football League

Redskins defense wearing down at season's end

Published Dec. 24, 2009 11:19 p.m. ET

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The Washington Redskins haven't had much to hang their helmets on during what has been a dysfunctional season at best.

The defense was one of the few bright spots.

Now, not so much.

The Redskins are allowing 29.5 points and 364 total net yards per game over the last four weeks. That performance has the Redskins' unit just trying to remain ranked in the league's top 10 rather than being the No. 1 squad in the league - which was the goal when the season started.

``That was one of our main goals,'' strong safety LaRon Landry said of being the NFL's No. 1 defense. ``That is something our defensive coordinator (talked about) and told us what he wants. As a team and as a defense, that is what we wanted also.''

The Redskins defense has been ranked in the top 10 seven times this decade and the players want be there again this year. They are currently ninth in the NFL.

Injuries and recent games against some of the league's powerhouse offenses that are gearing up for the postseason have taken their toll.

Still, the defense has given up big plays and long drives, the latest coming during the team's 45-12 thumping at home Monday night against the New York Giants.

``That was our bad game for the year, no doubt,'' said defensive end Philip Daniels. ``Staying focused the whole year is the key, whether you are the No. 1 defense or far down. I think we just are losing our focus a little bit.''

Buoyed by the signing of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the drafting of defensive end/linebacker Brian Orakpo in the first round and the return of most players from a defense that finished the 2008 campaign ranked fourth in total defense, had the Redskins thinking best in the league. But instead of projecting finishing at the top of this year's defensive ranks, Washington is now allowing 21.1 points per game.

Early on the defense, as a whole, was statistically living up to the hype, allowing only 16 points and 287 net yards per game through the first six weeks. However, only one of those initial opponents remains in the playoff mix and there were some cracks showing - particularly in terms of stopping the run. The Redskins gave up more than 100 yards in their first four games and 10 of their first 11. Combine that with an offense struggling to generate consistent production and subsequent injuries to players like Haynesworth and cornerback DeAngelo Hall, the margin for error became slim - partially accounting for their 0-8 record when the opposition scored 18 or more points.

``It's not the last few weeks, but the whole year,'' defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin said about a run defense that ranks 23rd in the league. ``It hasn't just started ... you have to stop the run to win our division. You have to stop the run, period, in the NFL. We have been pretty good against the pass, but part of the reason we have lost some games is because we couldn't stop the run, couldn't get the ball back to our offense when we needed too or gave up too many big plays.

``There are several reasons we are where we are.''

With closing games against two red-hot offenses, home this week against Dallas followed by a road trip to San Diego, the Redskins will need to summon up their early season form to remain in the top 10 defensively.

``We know we can play better and we have to, especially going up against a Dallas offense ranked No. 3 in the NFL,'' said secondary coach Jerry Gray. ``They got a lot of weapons so we can't come out and get on our heels like we did early in the game on Monday night.''

Notes: WR Devin Thomas (sprained ankle) did not practice for the second straight day. Coach Jim Zorn is hopeful the second-year player will return for Friday's practice, but said Thomas was the player at the greatest risk for missing the Cowboys game. ... Zorn was more positive about the outlook for Griffin (shoulder), Hall (knee) and DE Andre Carter (torn biceps) this week, though all three were limited in Thursday's practice, as was Haynesworth (leg).

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