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Commanders' Offense Sputters In the End
By Gary Fitzgerald
Commanders.com
November 11, 2007
This was a tough one for Jason Campbell.
The Commanders' third-year quarterback, starting his 16th NFL game, had guided the offense up and down the field all game.
When the Commanders lost the lead in the fourth quarter, Campbell and the offense sputtered.
On the Commanders' last two possessions, Campbell was 2-for-7 for 17 yards, with two fumbles and a sack. His last-gasp pass, a throw to Brandon Lloyd running a deep sideline route, was broken up.
A 22-13 fourth quarter lead had turned into a disappointing 33-25 defeat.
The rest of the game? Campbell was a remarkable 21-of-27 for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
"It was definitely a game we should have won," Campbell said. "We need to figure out a way to punch the ball in the end zone. We need to learn how to finish. We were doing so well.
"That just goes to show you that the game isn't over. When you are in the NFL, every possession counts."
The Commanders moved the ball into the red zone five times on Sunday. Three times the offense converted touchdowns. Two more times, the offense moved the ball to the Eagles' 1-yard line, only to settle for chip-shot field goals by Shaun Suisham.
That turned out to be the difference in the game, Campbell said.
"We get to the 1-yard line and we couldn't get it in," he said. "That has happened to us twice this year. It's a tough pill to swallow, but whatever the reason we need to find a way get in there."
Even though Washington remains in the thick of the playoff hunt in the NFC, the loss was a critical one as it dropped the Commanders' record to 5-4.
"It's gut-check time for us as a team," Campbell said.
Early in the game, Campbell and the offense proved to be remarkably efficient against the Eagles.
Coaches employed a no-huddle offense, allowing Campbell to periodically call plays and make more adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
He said it helped him get into an offensive rhythm quicker.
It also allowed Campbell to take another step in his development as a leader.
"I think Jason took right to the no-huddle," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "He is one the guys that has a lot of talent with that. Some quarterbacks have a real feel for it, and we think he is one of those quarterbacks. He played well."
Said Campbell: "Coach gave my the opportunity to call plays by using the no-huddle. Whatever you see, you need to make the call and make the play. You need to make sure everybody gets lined up right.
"I thought the guys in the huddle did an outstanding job of being on point and being in the area they needed to be in. We moved the ball very well."
Until the final minutes.
By Gary Fitzgerald
Commanders.com
November 11, 2007
This was a tough one for Jason Campbell.
The Commanders' third-year quarterback, starting his 16th NFL game, had guided the offense up and down the field all game.
When the Commanders lost the lead in the fourth quarter, Campbell and the offense sputtered.
On the Commanders' last two possessions, Campbell was 2-for-7 for 17 yards, with two fumbles and a sack. His last-gasp pass, a throw to Brandon Lloyd running a deep sideline route, was broken up.
A 22-13 fourth quarter lead had turned into a disappointing 33-25 defeat.
The rest of the game? Campbell was a remarkable 21-of-27 for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
"It was definitely a game we should have won," Campbell said. "We need to figure out a way to punch the ball in the end zone. We need to learn how to finish. We were doing so well.
"That just goes to show you that the game isn't over. When you are in the NFL, every possession counts."
The Commanders moved the ball into the red zone five times on Sunday. Three times the offense converted touchdowns. Two more times, the offense moved the ball to the Eagles' 1-yard line, only to settle for chip-shot field goals by Shaun Suisham.
That turned out to be the difference in the game, Campbell said.
"We get to the 1-yard line and we couldn't get it in," he said. "That has happened to us twice this year. It's a tough pill to swallow, but whatever the reason we need to find a way get in there."
Even though Washington remains in the thick of the playoff hunt in the NFC, the loss was a critical one as it dropped the Commanders' record to 5-4.
"It's gut-check time for us as a team," Campbell said.
Early in the game, Campbell and the offense proved to be remarkably efficient against the Eagles.
Coaches employed a no-huddle offense, allowing Campbell to periodically call plays and make more adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
He said it helped him get into an offensive rhythm quicker.
It also allowed Campbell to take another step in his development as a leader.
"I think Jason took right to the no-huddle," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "He is one the guys that has a lot of talent with that. Some quarterbacks have a real feel for it, and we think he is one of those quarterbacks. He played well."
Said Campbell: "Coach gave my the opportunity to call plays by using the no-huddle. Whatever you see, you need to make the call and make the play. You need to make sure everybody gets lined up right.
"I thought the guys in the huddle did an outstanding job of being on point and being in the area they needed to be in. We moved the ball very well."
Until the final minutes.
