The Giants will host the Washington Redskins on Sunday night in a key early-season NFC East matchup. The Giants have opened the year with three consecutive victories, while the Redskins, the division's popular preseason favorites, have lost two in a row after an opening-week win. Last season, the Giants were swept by the division champion Redskins, dropping a 50-21 decision at home and losing a 23-13 rematch in Washington. It was the first time the Giants had been swept by the Redskins since 1996.
The Redskins have also become the answer to a trivia question by collecting more overall No. 1 draft picks than any team in history - and none were chosen by them. They are WR Irving Fryar (taken by New England in 1984), DE Bruce Smith (Buffalo, 1985), QB Jeff George (Indianapolis, 1990) and DT Dan Wilkinson (Cincinnati, 1994).
Offense
The Redskins have moved the ball reasonably well, but haven't scored as many points as expected. Their 353.4 yards a game is seventh in the NFL, but they've scored just 51 points, placing them 21st in the league.
The spotlight is on Brad Johnson, whose quarterback rating of 69.4 ranks him 12th in the conference. He has thrown five interceptions in the last two weeks, but coach Norv Turner is sticking with Johnson and leaving George, the strong-armed backup, on the bench. That could change during the game. Although Johnson's numbers aren't great, he does a good job of distributing the ball and getting everyone involved and his decisions are usually solid.
Washington misses its best receiver, Michael Westbrook, who is out for the season with a torn knee ligament suffered at Detroit. But the Redskins still have plenty of weapons on offense.
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RB Stephen Davis
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Stephen Davis is a bruising running back whose 283 rushing yards places him second in the NFC, trailing only Tiki Barber's NFL-leading 326 yards. Larry Centers, who is doubtful with an elbow injury, is the all-time leading NFL receiver out of the backfield. Adrian Murrell led Washington with eight receptions in Monday night's loss to Dallas. Stephen Alexander is a tight end capable of catching the ball on deep routes. He is also a good blocker.
Without Westbrook, the Redskins have lost some of their ability to stretch the field. But they still have a dangerous group of receivers. Fryar, who turns 38 next week, is sure-handed. Albert Connell and James Thrash can get behind defensive backs.
The offensive line is solid. Left tackle Chris Samuels, the third pick in this year's draft, is developing into an outstanding player. Keith Sims, Tre Johnson and Jon Jansen are all reliable blockers. Center Cory Raymer, who missed the first three games with a knee injury, will not make his debut against the Giants. Mark Fisher will continue to fill in for Raymer.
Defense
Smith and Wilkinson aren't the only first-round draft choices on this star-studded defense. End Kenard Lang, tackle Dana Stubblefield, end Marco Coleman (that's five first-round picks on the line), cornerbacks Deion Sanders, Champ Bailey and Darrell Green and safety Mark Carrier were all first-round picks. The unit is ranked sixth in the league, allowing 270.7 yards a game.
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DEs Bruce Smith and Marco Coleman
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The line is talented and active and Smith proved Monday night that he is still strong and fast at age 37. Coleman had a sack of Randall Cunningham and Wilkinson and Stubblefield can clog up the middle.
Middle linebacker Derek Smith has a reputation for toughness, while Shawn Barber on the weak side uses his speed to make plays. The intrigue is on the strong side, where fourth-year pro Greg Jones continues to start ahead of heralded Lavar Arrington, the second pick in the draft.
The Redskins are so well-stocked at cornerback that Green, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, is a backup, albeit one who sees plenty of action. He stepped aside for Sanders, who was signed in the off-season and starts on the right side. Bailey is an outstanding player at left cornerback. Safeties Sam Shade and Carrier are both big hitters.
Special Teams
Sanders can still electrify a crowd on punt returns, even when he doesn't run with the ball - witness his handoff to Bailey on a reverse Monday night. Thrash is averaging almost 25 yards on 12 kickoff returns.
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CB/PR Deion Sanders
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Tommy Barnhardt is a veteran punter whose gross average is just 39.1 yards. An injury to Brett Conway forced Washington to sign kicker Michael Husted, who booted three extra points against Dallas.
The coverage teams have a split personality: The punt team is second in the league, the kickoff team 30th.
Copyright New York Giants 2000
Redskins Scouting Report
