Defense cracks vs. running game

  • Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Sunday, November 4, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

LANDOVER, Md. – Stephen Davis ventured to a place Sunday where no other running back has gone this year.

Davis, the Washington Redskins’ 27-year-old halfback, became the first opposing running back to surpass the 100-yard barrier on the Seattle Seahawks this season.

What made Davis’ 142 yards on 32 carries even more impressive is that he did it while running into the heart of the Seattle defensive line – an area considered a primary strength of the Seahawks.

While most Seattle opponents have avoided running up the middle this season, Davis had 24 carries inside the tackles for 117 yards and a touchdown.

“When a running back goes for 100 yards, I see it as the middle linebacker’s fault,” said Levon Kirkland, who mans that position for the Seahawks. “I take full responsibility.”

Actually, it was Davis and the Redskins’ offensive line that shouldered most of the responsibility. They overmatched Kirkland and defensive tackles Chad Eaton and John Randle for most of the afternoon, which hadn’t happened yet this season.

“Washington jammed it down our throats,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. “Give them credit.”

The game marked only the second 100-yard rushing day for Davis this season, but he has averaged 112 yards and 28 carries per game in his last four contests. During the first four games, Davis averaged just 55 yards rushing on 13 carries.

“I’m happy to see we’re giving everybody a heavy dose of Stephen Davis,” Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith said Sunday.

The Seahawks, who gave up 100 or more yards to an opposing runner on 10 occasions last season, had not allowed a running back more than 52 rushing yards this season until Sunday.

“(The Redskins) came out and made a commitment they were going to run the ball,” said Seahawks free safety Maurice Kelly, who had 11 tackles, “and they did today.”

Mixing it up: Redskins offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye gets the credit for keeping the Seahawks on their heels Sunday. His game-planning, especially on Washington’s opening drive, played a big part in the Redskins’ victory.

“They came in on the first drive, and they didn’t do the things we expected them to do,” Kelly said. “Once first drives are over, teams usually settle into what they do, and that’s what they did. The first drive was a little different. They were running play actions and screens. They’ve run screens before, but not that often.”

The Redskins were especially effective on two pass plays during the opening drive, due in part to the subtle actions of quarterback Tony Banks.

Banks got Seattle linebacker Anthony Simmons to bite on play action before connecting with fullback Bryan Johnson for a 29-yard completion. Later in the drive, a Banks pump fake froze Simmons again, allowing tight end Walter Rasby to waltz into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown.

“They ran a couple of those gadget plays and a couple screen plays that got us pretty good,” Simmons said. “But after that, it was just about watching Stephen run.”

Greased pig: The Seahawks’ starting wide receivers looked like they were playing a game of hot potato on Sunday.

Koren Robinson and Darrell Jackson combined for just one reception, while dropping five catchable balls. Robinson also fumbled a pitch from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck after lining up in the backfield.

“You drop that many passes, usually you can’t play receiver,” Holmgren said. “We’ve got good guys that dropped a lot of balls. They weren’t ready to play.”

Jackson’s most devastating drop came on a screen pass that resulted in an interception. Jackson bobbled the ball before it bounced into the arms of Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey.

“I was just trying to make a play before I caught the ball,” said Jackson, whose only catch was a 46-yard touchdown. “You have to make the catch first. That’s something I’ll have to go back and work on again.”

Seattle’s most effective wide receivers were veteran Bobby Engram (two receptions, 53 yards) and little-used reserve James Williams (two receptions, 69 yards). Williams established a career high in receiving yards.

Jones-ing for protection: No Seahawk, it seemed, was immune from struggling in Sunday’s loss.

Even rock-steady left tackle Walter Jones had his shaky moments.

Jones was beaten by future Hall of Famer Bruce Smith on back-to-back plays during the second quarter, although only one of them resulted in a sack.

“I think he paces himself more now,” said Jones, who did not give up a sack to Smith in their only previous meeting (1999). “He’s a veteran, he’s been in the league for a while, so he knows when to go and when not to go.”

Smith finished the game with two sacks, while Hasselbeck barely avoided a third.

Turnover prone: The key statistic to Sunday’s game was turnovers.

Seattle has been plus-4 in turnover differential during the past three weeks, while it was minus-3 against the Redskins.

The Seahawks’ only forced turnover was a Willie Williams interception, which is his third in the last two games.

Seattle had a season-high four fumbles Sunday, although only one was recovered by the Redskins.

Quick slants: Seahawks kick returner Charlie Rogers (toe) and free safety Marcus Robertson (hamstring) did not play. Kelly did a good job in Robertson’s place, as his 11 tackles tied for the team lead. But Kelly also made a mental error on one passing touchdown. … Seahawks defensive tackle John Randle sprained his left knee during the second half, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders is unknown. … Washington’s 230 rushing yards Sunday marked the most against a Seattle defense since Week 13 of last season (Denver, 301). … The Seahawks defense continues to struggle in third-down efficiency, as Washington converted 11 of 17 opportunities Sunday. Opponents have converted on 51 of 106 third downs this season (48.1 percent). Only once in team history (1981) have the Seahawks allowed opposing offenses to convert more than 47 percent.

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