Woody: Redskins define bad, but they could be worse

LANDOVER, Md. -- Things could have gone worse.

No, really, they could have.

The Washington Redskins were overmatched at times against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins were fooled at times, especially on plays to wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

Jackson had to leave the game late in the second quarter with a foot problem, probably from outrunning the Redskins on an end-around for a 67-yard touchdown run on the fourth play of the game, and on a 53-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter.

That play came on a third-and-22.

And there was the matter of three Redskins turnovers in the first half, which led to 13 points for the Eagles.

But no one can say the Red skins didn't try while falling 27-17 to the Eagles.

You can say the Redskins aren't very good, but -- and this is important -- as bad as the Redskins are, they are not the worst team in the NFL.

That's saying something, and it should concern NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The Redskins might yet work themselves into the competition for the first pick in the draft, but they have some stiff competition -- Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Cleveland, Kansas City and Oakland have the jump on them at the moment.

And while the Redskins are not the NFL's worst team on the field, off the field is a different matter.

In the front office, no one tops the Redskins in absurdity.

The Redskins win in free agency almost every spring, spending big bucks on big-name players.

Then, the fall arrives, and the Redskins' management trades their well-polished dress shoes for big clown shoes.

The offense is struggling? Let's hire a consultant, Sherm Lewis, who has been out of the league since after the 2004 season.

That doesn't solve the problem? Let's have the consultant call the plays. Lewis celebrates his third week with the team today. He barely knows the players' names, much less the whole playbook.

But maybe the Redskins' front office is crazy like a fox. Expectations were so low for the team last night against Philadelphia, that any hint of success could be seen as progress.

Yet, the Redskins were no better on offense than they were in the previous six games. The results were no different from when head coach Jim Zorn was calling plays.

There were some unexpected highlights, if you can call them that in a decisive loss.

Quarterback Jason Campbell completed 29 of 43 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns.

Wide receiver Devin Thomas, a second-round draft choice in 2008 headed for "bust" status -- and that does not mean a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- caught an 11 yard touchdown pass.

Fred Davis, another second-round choice in 2008 who has been so ineffective he all but has "Wasted Pick" on the back of his jersey instead of his name, caught eight passes for 78 yards and touchdown. Davis was pressed into duty at tight end when Chris Cooley left with an ankle injury.

Still, there are parts of the Redskins' offense that are dreadful. The line is subpar by NFL and perhaps major college standards. Left tackle Stephon Heyer was called twice for holding and threw several "look out" blocks that caused Campbell considerable pain.

And while Davis "broke out" as a receiver, he has much work to do in pass protection.

After one series in the fourth quarter, when the Redskins started on the Eagles' 32, moved to the 28 and wound up punting from the Eagles' 36, running back Clinton Portis came to the sideline and hurled his helmet toward the bench in disgust.

The helmet, of course, fell incomplete.

The Eagles weren't very good last night. Quarterback Donovan McNabb short-hopped almost as many passes to receivers as he completed. Running back Brian Westbrook suffered a concussion in the first quarter and did not return.

But the Eagles did what they were supposed to do. They outplayed an inferior team. They survived and advanced.

That's how teams stay alive in the playoff race. One day, perhaps the Redskins' front office will understand that winning in spring doesn't really matter if you lose so often in the fall and winter.