As Jerry Goes We Go, 2109 in review.

As the Playoffs get ready to begin we look back at the Redskins' season
By "Donald DeLine"

Playoffs 2109 (Washington DC) -  It's the beginning of a new era in Washington Redskins football with eight year veteran Jerry Wilkinson at the helm. Brought into the team in 2101 as a 4th round waiver wire selection its been a long road for the six foot quarterback out of the non traditional football school of Florida Atlantic. He fought with fellow 2101 waiver wire selection Kendall Mark to stay on the team, finally winning that battle and becoming the backup his first year.

After 2102 long time QB Roman Romberg was traded to Green Bay along with LB Garfield Stanton for a third round and pair of fourth round draft picks. Green Bay then let go 10 year veteran Tyrone Pitts who Washington picked up with their first selection of the waiver period. Of course Wilikinson was disappointed at not getting the opportunity to start but the coaching staff felt that he simply had not developed the physical skills to go along with the mental skills he was already known for from college. So he kept working on his game as the backup. In 2106 Wilkinson was overlooked once again as former Chicago Bears quarterback Christian O'Hara was brought in in a trade to serve as the backup in heir apparent to Tyrone Pitts who was let go the following season.

Then this preseason O'Hara lost not only his starting job but was demoted to the third team and recently announced his retirement. Wilkinson worked with the coaching staff over the offseason and developed a workout program that subsequently improved his arm strength to a point where he no longer floated the passes out there for lurking defenders.

Its been an up and down season for Wilkinson after a tough stretch in the first five games in which the Redskins were winless and he averaged a quarterback rating of a paltry 67.00. In those games he threw only three touchdowns as well as four interceptions. Finally he
broke out in week six against the winless Cowboys in a game which he threw for three touchdowns all to wide receiver Seymore Smith and ended the game 16 for 27 with 207 yards and a quarterback rating of 120.4.

Over the next 4 games Wilkinson was inconsistent but managed to average a 94.6 quarterback rating over weeks six through ten. The most important stat was that he led the team to a 4-1 record bringing their overall record back to 4-6. Over the last 4 games he began to even out with ratings of 103.3 66.7 79.7 81.1 leading the team to a 2-2 record and ending the season 6-8. He was the player of the game in week eight versus the Green Bay Packers in which he threw for 3 touchdowns and had a 110.3 quarterback rating. He won player of the game yet again in week 10 vs Detroit, a game in which he threw for 274 yards and had a 69 percent completion rating.

Wilkinson's biggest problem this year has been protecting the football, in addition to the eight interceptions he threw he also fumbled the ball nine times. The problem of ball security was not limited to Wilkinson but also afflicted starting running back Jeff Newman as well, he put the ball on the ground 9 times himself. These combined to give you the statistic of the year, -5. Thats the Redskins' total turnover differential, a number that was good enough to place them fourth worst in the league. Needless to say it will be a point of emphasis next season.

Overall this season can be seen as a growth period for the Redskins, as a relatively young team with only 7 veterans that have been around for at least 9 seasons they were not expected to compete but they did just that, after going 0-5 they finished the season 6-3 with five of their losses coming by one score or less, two of them by three points. Both of the three point losses were direct results of turnovers, thats the difference between 8-6 and 6-8. Lets go through the season game by game...

Week 1 vs New York Giants - 27-30 Loss

After the ball was put on the ground late in the second half franchise player Mason Stein ran the fumble back 23 yards for the touchdown. The Redskins came right back with a 9 play 69 yard drive resulting in a 6 yard touchdown by the fullback Cunningham. After forcing a New York three and out quarterback Jerry Wilkinson throws an interception to the Giants other franchise player John Farlow. The interception set up a game winning 38 yard field goal by Ingram.

Week 2 vs Carolina Panthers - 6-9 Loss

Once again the ball is put on the ground and it costs the Redskins the game. Carolina kicker Matt Johnson kicked a 47 yard FG with less than 2 minutes to go in the game to tie it at 6. The Redskins then fumbled the ball on the next possession and Carolina capitalized going 30 yards in just 2 plays to set up a game winning 37 yard field goal by Johnson.

Week 3 vs Philadelphia Eagles - 17-25 Loss

The blame for this game goes directly on the coaching staff, Philadelphia held the Redskins' rushing attack only 8 yards on 12 carries and Wilkinson threw the ball 60 times. Its not as if the Eagles went up early forcing the Redskins to pass as the game was only 12-3 at the half. An inexcusable game plan by the coaching staff.

Week 4 vs New England Patriots - 14-27 Loss

In a game in which GM Daniel Weimann faced his mentor GM Jean Lefebvre the Patriots simply spanked the Redskins. The Skins' just didn't have the offensive line to stand up to the Patriots resulting in a running game that produced only 60 yards on 24 carries, a 2.5 average.

Week 5 @ Detroit Lions - 7-14 Loss

Once again the running game sputtered to a paltry 68 yards on 21 carries. Wilkinson was only able to manage 16 completions out of 40 attempts as Detroit LB Gary Anderson ravaged the Redskins to the tune of 13 tackles and 3 sacks.

Week 6 @ Dallas Cowboys - 41-17 Win

Jerry Wilkinson broke out of his early season funk hooking up with Seymore Smith 8 times for 127 yards and 3 scores including a 78 yard pass. Running back Jeff Newman also enjoyed a stellar day running for 238 yards on 30 carries with a touchdown.

Week 7 @ New York Giants - 19-14 Win

The team struggled for most of the day but was able to stay in the game with a plus two turnover differential. Washington linebacker Robert Lachey was able to tackle Giants running back Ricardo Webster in the endzone for the safety. The resulting drive lasted 10 plays going 53 yards in 5 plus minutes to setup a 26 yard field goal.

Week 8 vs Green Bay Packers - 33-12 Win

The credit for this win goes straight to the quarterback Jerry Wilkinson. In a game in which Washington was out gained 55 yards and only converted 25 percent of their 3rd downs Wilkinson threw for 211 yards with a 59 percent completion percentage and 3 touchdowns, a 110.3 quarterback rating

Week 9 @ Philadelphia Eagles - 13-17 Loss

In what was a solid game by both teams it came down to Philadelphia being able to convert 50 percent of their 3rd downs as compared to Washington's 36 percent conversion rate. Philadelphia was also able to intercept Wilkinson which resulted in a FG

Week 10 vs Detroit Lions - 20-14 Win

Quarterback Jerry Wilkinson enjoyed a fine game going 22 of 32 for 274 and a 105.4 QB rating. But the team only went 2/12 on 3rd down somehow escaping with the win.

Week 11 vs Dallas Cowboys - 17-7 Win

Wilkinson made it two weeks in a row with a 100+ QB rating going 23 of 30 for 209 and 2 TDs and an pick, a rating of 103.3. Jeff Newman ground it out in the running game rushing for 135 on 25 carries, his longest only going for 16. The Redskins put it together in the second half with two long drives in the second half of 80 and 70 yards respectively.

Week 12 @ Cincinnati Bengals - 10-16 (OT) Loss

The Redskins were lucky to even drive this game into overtime. The allowed two 100 yard rushers in Home and Gash resulting in 40 plus minutes of possession for Cincinnati. Washington had a late Eastburn field goal to force overtime.

Week 13 @ Houston Texans - 17-30 Loss

The Texans shutdown the Washington run game only allowing 46 yards on 16 carries. The Redskins were unable to stop Houston as they allowed quarterback Lorne Carter to complete 77 percent of his passes and 2 touchdowns. Carter finished the game with a QB rating of 130.4

Week 14 @ Minnesota Vikings - 17-10 Win

The Washington defense showed up in Minnesota still angry about their dismantling in Houston. The allowed just 10 Viking first downs and only 1 on the ground. Minnesota was only able to muster 183 yards of offense as Newman put the game away in the second half with 2 touchdowns. He finished the game with 99 yards on 29 carries.

Outside of the turnovers you have to be happy with the progress of the team, it could of been a winning season very easily with a couple different bounces. With some more emphasis of good hands in the off season I would look to see the Redskins compete next year. Its looking exciting in Washington.

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