Training camp battles between kickers are hardly the stuff legends are made of, but the last 20 years or so have not been kind to the Redskins at the position. In three seasons with the Redskins, Graham Gano has hit 59 of his 80 field goal attempts, missing more than his fair share of important kicks.

The Redskins decided to bring in the experienced Neil Rackers to compete for the kicking job.

Rackers has spent seasons with Cincinnati, Arizona and most recently Houston, earning a single Pro Bowl appearance in 2005. Where Gano has shown inconsistency from all distances, Rackers is only troubled by kicks of 50 yards or more.

Gano had five of his kicks blocked last season alone, which speaks more to the blocking than his ability, but Rackers has had just four of his kicks block in his entire career.

The pressure is on Gano to become the consistent, clutch kicker the Redskins need him to be, and Mike Shanahan believes he can be. If he was the long-term solution, the team would not have signed Rackers this offseason or experimented with Shayne Graham last offseason

Advantage: Neil Rackers

The Washington Redskins’ added one of the last missing pieces to their offense by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with veteran running back Tim Hightower.

That adds Hightower to a running back mix that features Roy Helu, Evan Royster and sixth-rounder Alfred Morris. Let the competition begin.

The team will hold its first round of organized team activities next week. They will run on May 21, 23 and 24th, May 29-31 and June 4-7. The team’s mandatory minicamp takes place June 11-14, and then comes a lull in the action until late July, when training camp kicks off.

Many starting jobs appear to be decided, but some remain up for grabs. Sure, it’s early and a lot could – and likely will – change between now and the start of the season. But let’s take a look at the projected starting lineups and possible position battles on offense and defense.

OFFENSE:

QB Robert Griffin III

RB Tim Hightower. Challengers: Roy Helu, Evan Royster

FB Darrel Young

TE Fred Davis. Challenger: Chris Cooley

WR: Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson. Challengers: Santana Moss, Anthony Armstrong, Brandon Banks, Aldrick Robinson, Terrence Austin

LT: Trent Williams

LG: Kory Lichtensteiger. Challengers: Josh LeRibeus, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt

C: Will Montgomery

RG: Chris Chester

RT: Jammal Brown. Challengers: Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus

Notes: Hightower is coming back from a torn ACL, but Redskins coaches consider him valuable. He’s the most well-rounded of the backs on the roster and a strong leader. Helu and Royster aim to overtake him with a year of playing time under their belts. … The Redskins don’t currently have a backup fullback on the roster, but Kyle Shanahan’s three-receiver and double-tight end sets often eliminate the need for a fullback. … It will be interesting to see how things play out at wide receiver, where Garcon and Morgan, or Hankerson, will likely start. Those three are likely to be on the field together often, with either Morgan or Hankerson lining up in the slot. How does that affect Santana Moss? Judging by Coach Mike Shanahan’s comments last week, it sounds as if the soon-to-be 33-year-old will be reduced to a reserve role. But he also has Banks and Robinson eying snaps at that slot receiver position. … Lichtensteiger continues to make progress in his return from torn knee ligaments, but LeRibeus (who also is being groomed as a backup center) or Gettis could contend for that starting left guard job. … Right tackle will be interesting. Shanahan says he feels much better about Jammal Brown and his hip after an offseason of rehab, but will the former Pro Bowl tackle be able to truly return to form? If not, does the team go with a promising second-year player in Smith with Polumbus and sixth-rounder Tom Compton as the backup tackles? … Another key competition is at kicker, where incumbent Graham Gano and free agent signing Neil Rackers face off.

DEFENSE

DE: Adam Carriker. Challenger: Jarvis Jenkins

NT: Barry Cofield

DE: Stephen Bowen

OLB: Ryan Kerrigan

ILB: London Fletcher

ILB: Perry Riley

OLB: Brian Orakpo

CB: DeAngelo Hall

CB Josh Wilson

SS: Brandon Meriweather. Challengers: Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes

FS: DeJon Gomes. Challengers: Tanard Jackson, Madieu Williams, Doughty

Notes: The front seven remains intact thanks to the re-signings of Fletcher and Carriker, but the team gets a valuable addition with the return of Jenkins, who missed all of his rookie season with a torn ACL. He figures to see significant snaps at both left and right defensive end. The team also brought back the reliable Kedric Golston, who can spell either end as well, and is counting on second-year pro Chris Neild for depth at nose tackle. … Hall and Wilson both return, but there will be competition at nickelback. Kevin Barnes remains under contract, but the team signed veteran Leigh Torrence and undrafted rookie Chase Minnifield, and also has second-year back, Brandyn Thompson. And where does Cedric Griffin fit? … The biggest question mark involves the two safety positions. Gone are LaRon Landry and Oshiomogho Atogwe, and there are some uncertainties about nearly every player in the mix. Can Meriweather return to the two-time Pro Bowl form he showed in New England in 2009 and 2010, or will he disappoint as he did in Chicago, where he lost his job after four games? Can Gomes flourish in his second season and hold down the free safety duties? Or will one of two free agent signings, Jackson or Williams, claim the job?

More on the Redskins:

Monk is lead plaintiff in concussion lawsuit

Throwback uniforms

Upgrades at Redskins Park

Read More: Kory Lichtensteiger (G – WAS), Graham Gano (K – WAS), Washington Redskins

As announced on the team’s Twitter account Friday evening, the Washington Redskins have tendered guard Kory Lichtensteiger and kicker Graham Gano for the 2012 season.

Lichtensteiger was tendered at his original draft round (fourth) and will have his base salary doubled to $1.2 million. He will then become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2012 season.

Gano was given an exclusive rights free agency deal, meaning he will be a member of the Redskins at the veteran minimum salary.

Lichtensteiger has been praised for his run blocking abilities, and will be a key part to the play of the line going forward.

Gano was a solid kicker for the Redskins in 2011, making 31-of-36 attempts with just one miss inside 49 yards.

For more on the Washington Redskins, make sure to check out Hogs Haven. For all things NFL, log on to the SB Nation NFL Hub Page.

PHILADELPHIA – With the clock winding down in the first half, the Washington Redskins’ field-goal unit hurried onto the field only to watch time run out before attempting a short kick.

That about sums up the season for the Redskins.

Michael Vick threw three touchdown passes, including a 62-yarder to DeSean Jackson, and the Eagles beat Washington 34-10 Sunday for their fourth straight win.

While the Eagles (8-8) go home feeling positive about a strong finish, the Redskins (5-11) have fewer bright spots. They finished last in the NFC East for a franchise-worst fourth straight year. It was Mike Shanahan’s worst full season in 18 years as a coach.

“I think the last five, six games we’ve done some good things, run the football against some good teams, not as good as we need, though,” Shanahan said. “We talked about adding a few pieces on offense, we need a few pieces on defense, a good draft, but we made some strides. Our football team is a lot different than a year ago, and that’s a positive.”

The Redskins had one more win last year, but feel they made strides this season.

“Oh yeah, tremendously,” linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “Even though our record’s worse, I feel like our defense is tops in the league. Statistically, we kind of fell off toward the end, but I really feel like we got the core guys we can build off of and really look for a bright future for this team, especially with all the young guys you see this year.”

It’s the first time since 2007 that Philadelphia didn’t qualify for postseason play and just the fourth time in coach Andy Reid’s 13 seasons.

“We have to get better all the way around, starting with me,” Reid said. “This wasn’t good enough.”

One of four NFL games on the final day that had no playoff ramifications, this had the feel of a preseason game. There were thousands of empty seats at the always sold-out Linc, and there was far more interest in the Mummer’s Parade on Broad Street.

The Winter Classic alumni game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers across the street at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday generated more excitement.

Playing without NFC leading rusher LeSean McCoy, the Eagles relied mainly on their passing attack. Vick threw for 335 yards, becoming the second player to have consecutive seasons with 3,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing.

Rex Grossman had 256 yards passing, one TD and one interception, and Evan Royster had 113 yards rushing for Washington.

“I’m not sure what my opportunities are going to be,” said Grossman, who will be a free agent. “I hope this is the best opportunity. It’s a very good team. I’m proud of every single teammate that I played with. Everybody worked hard, nobody gave up. We have great character in that locker room. Even though we finished where we finished, I was proud to be a part of this team.”

The Redskins were 3-1 and leading the NFC East when the teams met on Oct. 16. A 20-13 loss to Philadelphia started their six-game losing streak and knocked them out of the playoff picture.

“I think it was encouraging to see how we played in the first half of games this season, but was disappointed that we did not finish some games,” linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said. “We did not always play up to par this season.”

Vick’s 7-yard TD pass to Chad Hall in the second quarter gave Philadelphia a 10-0 lead after Derek Landri blocked Graham Gano’s 36-yard field-goal attempt.

Vick connected with Jackson to make it 20-10 in the fourth quarter. It could’ve been Jackson’s last game with the Eagles. The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver played the final year of his rookie contract and never got the extension he wanted after holding out in training camp.

A 4-yard TD toss from Vick to Brent Celek made it 27-10.

Roy Helu turned a screen pass into a 47-yard TD to get Washington to 10-7 on the opening drive of the second half.

The Redskins turned the ball over on downs at the Eagles 35 in the final minute of the second quarter. They got the ball back when Brian Orakpo sacked Vick and forced a fumble. Perry Riley recovered at the 17, but the Redskins wasted the field position.

An unsportsmanlike penalty on Santana Moss for taking off his helmet and arguing a non-call for pass interference pushed the ball back, and the clock expired before Gano could attempt a field goal after Jabar Gaffney was tackled at the Eagles 7. Long snapper Nick Sundberg wasn’t on the field as players scurried to the line of scrimmage.

“A little mix-up there relative to communication, coupled with not getting the play,” Shanahan said, explaining that the headsets weren’t working at the time.

NOTES: Grossman finished with 20 interceptions despite not starting three games. … Shanahan’s previous worst season was 6-10 last year and with Denver in 1999. … Orakpo left with a left shoulder injury. He’ll have an MRI on Monday.

Michael Vick threw three touchdown passes, including a 62-yarder to DeSean Jackson, and the Eagles beat Washington 34-10 Sunday for their fourth straight win.

While the Eagles (8-8) go home feeling positive about a strong finish, the Redskins (5-11) have fewer bright spots. They finished last in the NFC East for a franchise-worst fourth straight year. It was Mike Shanahan’s worst full season in 18 years as a coach.

“I think the last five, six games we’ve done some good things, run the football against some good teams, not as good as we need, though,” Shanahan said. “We talked about adding a few pieces on offense, we need a few pieces on defense, a good draft, but we made some strides. Our football team is a lot different than a year ago, and that’s a positive.”

The Redskins had one more win last year, but feel they made strides this season.

“Oh yeah, tremendously,” linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “Even though our record’s worse, I feel like our defense is tops in the league. Statistically, we kind of fell off toward the end, but I really feel like we got the core guys we can build off of and really look for a bright future for this team, especially with all the young guys you see this year.”

It’s the first time since 2007 that Philadelphia didn’t qualify for postseason play and just the fourth time in coach Andy Reid’s 13 seasons.

“We have to get better all the way around, starting with me,” Reid said. “This wasn’t good enough.”

One of four NFL games on the final day that had no playoff ramifications, this had the feel of a preseason game. There were thousands of empty seats at the always sold-out Linc, and there was far more interest in the Mummer’s Parade on Broad Street.

The Winter Classic alumni game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers across the street at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday generated more excitement.

Playing without NFC leading rusher LeSean McCoy, the Eagles relied mainly on their passing attack. Vick threw for 335 yards, becoming the second player to have consecutive seasons with 3,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing.

Rex Grossman had 256 yards passing, one TD and one interception, and Evan Royster had 113 yards rushing for Washington.

“I’m not sure what my opportunities are going to be,” said Grossman, who will be a free agent. “I hope this is the best opportunity. It’s a very good team. I’m proud of every single teammate that I played with. Everybody worked hard, nobody gave up. We have great character in that locker room. Even though we finished where we finished, I was proud to be a part of this team.”

The Redskins were 3-1 and leading the NFC East when the teams met on Oct. 16. A 20-13 loss to Philadelphia started their six-game losing streak and knocked them out of the playoff picture.

“I think it was encouraging to see how we played in the first half of games this season, but was disappointed that we did not finish some games,” linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said. “We did not always play up to par this season.”

Vick’s 7-yard TD pass to Chad Hall in the second quarter gave Philadelphia a 10-0 lead after Derek Landri blocked Graham Gano’s 36-yard field-goal attempt.

Vick connected with Jackson to make it 20-10 in the fourth quarter. It could’ve been Jackson’s last game with the Eagles. The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver played the final year of his rookie contract and never got the extension he wanted after holding out in training camp.

A 4-yard TD toss from Vick to Brent Celek made it 27-10.

Roy Helu turned a screen pass into a 47-yard TD to get Washington to 10-7 on the opening drive of the second half.

The Redskins turned the ball over on downs at the Eagles 35 in the final minute of the second quarter. They got the ball back when Brian Orakpo sacked Vick and forced a fumble. Perry Riley recovered at the 17, but the Redskins wasted the field position.

An unsportsmanlike penalty on Santana Moss for taking off his helmet and arguing a non-call for pass interference pushed the ball back, and the clock expired before Gano could attempt a field goal after Jabar Gaffney was tackled at the Eagles 7. Long snapper Nick Sundberg wasn’t on the field as players scurried to the line of scrimmage.

“A little mix-up there relative to communication, coupled with not getting the play,” Shanahan said, explaining that the headsets weren’t working at the time.

NOTES: Grossman finished with 20 interceptions despite not starting three games. … Shanahan’s previous worst season was 6-10 last year and with Denver in 1999. … Orakpo left with a left shoulder injury. He’ll have an MRI on Monday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan was asked about his team’s miscues Saturday.

“Which plays are you referring to?” Shanahan asked.

The inquiring reporter named a few plays, and Shanahan added a couple more.

It was that type of day for the Redskins, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 33-26. Washington committed eight penalties for 64 yards, lost a fumble and threw an interception – the mistakes often coming at the most inopportune times.

Washington (5-10) has lost six straight at home, its longest such skid since 1994.

Tied at 10 at halftime, the Redskins appeared to catch a break on the first two plays of the third quarter, when running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Christian Ponder suffered game-ending injuries for the Vikings (3-12).

Peterson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after taking a direct hit from Redskins safety DeJon Gomes on a 3-yard gain. An MRI showed the ACL tear after the team returned to Minnesota.

On the next play, Ponder was sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher. Ponder remained in the game for one more play – a third-down incomplete pass – before heading to the locker room.

The Redskins allowed Minnesota’s backup backfield of running back Toby Gerhart and quarterback Joe Webb to lead the Vikings to 23 second-half points.

Washington struggled to slow Webb, who completed 4 of 5 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 34 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

“When they bring in a weapon like that – not a secret weapon, we’d seen him on tape and we had a feeling – but it’s hard to prepare fully on a short week for two quarterbacks,” linebacker Perry Riley said.

Could the Redskins change their defense against the dual-threat quarterback?

“You can’t change it,” Riley said. “It’s hard to change it midstream like that.”

Gerhart had 109 yards on 11 carries, but his Redskins counterpart, Evan Royster, outran him. Royster had 132 yards on 19 carries after running for just 83 yards on 17 carries entering the game.

The sixth-round pick from Penn State joined injured Roy Helu to give the Redskins two rookies who have rushed for 100 yards in a game in a season – a first in franchise history.

Royster, who began the season on the practice squad, was asked whether he ever was discouraged.

“Absolutely,” Royster said. “I never thought that I’d start a game this year, to be honest. But that’s not to say I wasn’t prepared to.”

Rex Grossman completed 26 of 41 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, and the Redskins gained 397 yards offense. But either their drives stalled – Graham Gano made four field goals – or Grossman turned the ball over. Grossman, who entered the day tied with San Diego’s Philip Rivers with 22 turnovers, lost a fumble and threw an interception.

Grossman was asked to explain his interception, a fourth-quarter pass that sailed over Santana Moss’ head and into the hands of Vikings safety Mistral Raymond.

“It was high,” Grossman said. Then, he paused at the podium.

“I can elaborate, but it’s pretty simple.”

The Vikings kept alive their hopes to not finish with the worst record in team history. A win next week against Chicago would put them ahead of the dubious 1984 Minnesota team that went 3-13.

The Vikings hadn’t lost seven in a row in the same season since their expansion year of 1961.

Webb’s 8-yard pass to Percy Harvin broke a 23-23 tie early in the fourth quarter, and rookie Mistral Raymond’s first career interception set up Ryan Longwell’s 23-yard field goal. That gave the Vikings a 10-point lead with 4:05 to play. Minnesota had gone nine games without a pick before Raymond’s big play.

The Redskins pulled within a touchdown on Graham Gano’s 47-yard field goal with 1:25 remaining. They got the ball back after a punt, but Grossman’s final long fling to the end zone fell incomplete.

Grossman completed 26 of 41 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns. He also had two more giveaways – a lost fumble and the interception – to put his total at 24 for the season. He was already tied for the most in the NFL entering the game.

Peterson had 12 carries for 38 yards when he left. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Ponder was 8 for 13 for 68 yards.

The Vikings were also short-handed along the offensive line, with guard Steve Hutchinson inactive with a concussion, and guard Anthony Herrera sidelined in the first half with a lower back injury. Rookie Brandon Fusco, playing his second NFL game, entered at right guard and committed a personal foul with a late shove in the final minute of the first half.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

The inquiring reporter named a few plays, and Shanahan added a couple more.

It was that type of day for the Redskins, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 33-26. Washington committed eight penalties for 64 yards, lost a fumble and threw an interception — the mistakes often coming at the most inopportune times.

Washington (5-10) has lost six straight at home, its longest such skid since 1994.

Tied at 10 at halftime, the Redskins appeared to catch a break on the first two plays of the third quarter, when running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Christian Ponder suffered game-ending injuries for the Vikings (3-12).

Peterson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after taking a direct hit from Redskins safety DeJon Gomes on a 3-yard gain. An MRI showed the ACL tear after the team returned to Minnesota.

On the next play, Ponder was sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher. Ponder remained in the game for one more play — a third-down incomplete pass — before heading to the locker room.

The Redskins allowed Minnesota’s backup backfield of running back Toby Gerhart and quarterback Joe Webb to lead the Vikings to 23 second-half points.

Washington struggled to slow Webb, who completed 4 of 5 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 34 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

“When they bring in a weapon like that — not a secret weapon, we’d seen him on tape and we had a feeling — but it’s hard to prepare fully on a short week for two quarterbacks,” linebacker Perry Riley said.

Could the Redskins change their defense against the dual-threat quarterback?

“You can’t change it,” Riley said. “It’s hard to change it midstream like that.”

Gerhart had 109 yards on 11 carries, but his Redskins counterpart, Evan Royster, outran him. Royster had 132 yards on 19 carries after running for just 83 yards on 17 carries entering the game.

The sixth-round pick from Penn State joined injured Roy Helu to give the Redskins two rookies who have rushed for 100 yards in a game in a season — a first in franchise history.

Royster, who began the season on the practice squad, was asked whether he ever was discouraged.

“Absolutely,” Royster said. “I never thought that I’d start a game this year, to be honest. But that’s not to say I wasn’t prepared to.”

Rex Grossman completed 26 of 41 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, and the Redskins gained 397 yards offense. But either their drives stalled — Graham Gano made four field goals — or Grossman turned the ball over. Grossman, who entered the day tied with San Diego’s Philip Rivers with 22 turnovers, lost a fumble and threw an interception.

Grossman was asked to explain his interception, a fourth-quarter pass that sailed over Santana Moss’ head and into the hands of Vikings safety Mistral Raymond.

“It was high,” Grossman said. Then, he paused at the podium.

“I can elaborate, but it’s pretty simple.”

The Vikings kept alive their hopes to not finish with the worst record in team history. A win next week against Chicago would put them ahead of the dubious 1984 Minnesota team that went 3-13.

The Vikings hadn’t lost seven in a row in the same season since their expansion year of 1961.

Webb’s 8-yard pass to Percy Harvin broke a 23-23 tie early in the fourth quarter, and rookie Mistral Raymond’s first career interception set up Ryan Longwell’s 23-yard field goal. That gave the Vikings a 10-point lead with 4:05 to play. Minnesota had gone nine games without a pick before Raymond’s big play.

The Redskins pulled within a touchdown on Graham Gano’s 47-yard field goal with 1:25 remaining. They got the ball back after a punt, but Grossman’s final long fling to the end zone fell incomplete.

Grossman completed 26 of 41 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns. He also had two more giveaways — a lost fumble and the interception — to put his total at 24 for the season. He was already tied for the most in the NFL entering the game.

Peterson had 12 carries for 38 yards when he left. He also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Ponder was 8 for 13 for 68 yards.

The Vikings were also short-handed along the offensive line, with guard Steve Hutchinson inactive with a concussion, and guard Anthony Herrera sidelined in the first half with a lower back injury. Rookie Brandon Fusco, playing his second NFL game, entered at right guard and committed a personal foul with a late shove in the final minute of the first half.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP)—Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan was asked about
his team’s miscues Saturday.

“Which plays are you referring to?” Shanahan asked.

The inquiring reporter named a few plays, and Shanahan added a couple more.

It was that type of day for the Redskins, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings,
33-26. Washington committed eight penalties for 64 yards, lost a fumble and
threw an interception—the mistakes often coming at the most inopportune times.

Washington (5-10) has lost six straight at home, its longest such skid since
1994.

Tied at 10 at halftime, the Redskins appeared to catch a break on the first
two plays of the third quarter, when running back Adrian Peterson and
quarterback Christian Ponder suffered game-ending injuries for the Vikings
(3-12).

Peterson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after taking a
direct hit from Redskins safety DeJon Gomes on a 3-yard gain. An MRI showed the
ACL tear after the team returned to Minnesota.

On the next play, Ponder was sacked by Adam Carriker and London Fletcher.
Ponder remained in the game for one more play—a third-down incomplete pass—
before heading to the locker room.

The Redskins allowed Minnesota’s backup backfield of running back Toby
Gerhart and quarterback Joe Webb to lead the Vikings to 23 second-half points.

Washington struggled to slow Webb, who completed 4 of 5 passes for 84 yards
and two touchdowns and ran for 34 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

“When they bring in a weapon like that—not a secret weapon, we’d seen him
on tape and we had a feeling—but it’s hard to prepare fully on a short week
for two quarterbacks,” linebacker Perry Riley said.

Could the Redskins change their defense against the dual-threat quarterback?

“You can’t change it,” Riley said. “It’s hard to change it midstream like
that.”

Gerhart had 109 yards on 11 carries, but his Redskins counterpart, Evan
Royster, outran him. Royster had 132 yards on 19 carries after running for just
83 yards on 17 carries entering the game.

The sixth-round pick from Penn State joined injured Roy Helu to give the
Redskins two rookies who have rushed for 100 yards in a game in a season—a
first in franchise history.

Royster, who began the season on the practice squad, was asked whether he
ever was discouraged.

“Absolutely,” Royster said. “I never thought that I’d start a game this
year, to be honest. But that’s not to say I wasn’t prepared to.”

Rex Grossman completed 26 of 41 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, and
the Redskins gained 397 yards offense. But either their drives stalled—Graham
Gano made four field goals—or Grossman turned the ball over. Grossman, who
entered the day tied with San Diego’s Philip Rivers with 22 turnovers, lost a
fumble and threw an interception.

Grossman was asked to explain his interception, a fourth-quarter pass that
sailed over Santana Moss’ head and into the hands of Vikings safety Mistral
Raymond.

“It was high,” Grossman said. Then, he paused at the podium.

“I can elaborate, but it’s pretty simple.”

The Vikings kept alive their hopes to not finish with the worst record in
team history. A win next week against Chicago would put them ahead of the
dubious 1984 Minnesota team that went 3-13.

The Vikings hadn’t lost seven in a row in the same season since their
expansion year of 1961.

Webb’s 8-yard pass to Percy Harvin broke a 23-23 tie early in the fourth
quarter, and rookie Mistral Raymond’s first career interception set up Ryan
Longwell’s 23-yard field goal. That gave the Vikings a 10-point lead with 4:05
to play. Minnesota had gone nine games without a pick before Raymond’s big play.

The Redskins pulled within a touchdown on Graham Gano’s 47-yard field goal
with 1:25 remaining. They got the ball back after a punt, but Grossman’s final
long fling to the end zone fell incomplete.

Grossman completed 26 of 41 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns. He
also had two more giveaways—a lost fumble and the interception—to put his
total at 24 for the season. He was already tied for the most in the NFL entering
the game.

Peterson had 12 carries for 38 yards when he left. He also had a 1-yard
touchdown run in the second quarter. Ponder was 8 for 13 for 68 yards.

The Vikings were also short-handed along the offensive line, with guard
Steve Hutchinson inactive with a concussion, and guard Anthony Herrera sidelined
in the first half with a lower back injury. Rookie Brandon Fusco, playing his
second NFL game, entered at right guard and committed a personal foul with a
late shove in the final minute of the first half.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the New York Giants miss the playoffs once again, they have only themselves and the Washington Redskins to blame.

Rex Grossman threw a touchdown pass and the Redskins put a major hurt on the Giants and their playoff hopes with a dominating 23-10 victory Sunday in a game in which New York showed little desire with much on the line.

“I’m very disappointed in how we played today,” coach Tom Coughlin said after the Giants (7-7) fell a game behind Dallas (8-6) in the NFC East with two games left in the regular season.

“I accept responsibility for it. But I expected to see more – quality execution – and we didn’t get that.”

Surprisingly, Washington (5-9) looked very much like a playoff team in winning for only the second time in 10 games and embarrassing the Giants for the second time this season.

Grossman and the offense held the ball for 35 minutes, while the defense picked off Eli Manning three times and didn’t allow a touchdown until the final minute.

“They had a lot at stake and obviously we didn’t and I’m pleased the way we played,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said.

Coming off an emotional win over Dallas on Sunday night in a game that gave them control of their own destiny, the Giants showed nothing after a couple of early interceptions.

“I didn’t see the passion in us today,” running back Brandon Jacobs said. “We didn’t play well. We disappointed each other and our fans, and we’ve just got to play better. I can’t tell you why.”

The Giants still control their destiny. If they beat the Jets and the Cowboys in their final two games, they will win the division.

The Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles next weekend and could wrap up the division if the Giants fall in their rivalry game with the Jets.

“I still have confidence,” Giants defensive captain Justin Tuck said. “We laid an egg today, but I’ve seen us rebound from things like this a lot of times. There’s no quit in our guys. This was kind of an eye-opener. We have to keep the intensity going the whole game, and we didn’t maintain it today.

Washington never trailed in spoiling what the Giants hoped would be another step in their run to the playoffs. The Redskins took the crowd out of the game early, opening a 17-0 lead and they were never threatened.

Grossman threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Santana Moss , Darrel Young scored on a 6-yard run after one of the Redskins’ interceptions and Graham Gano kicked three field goals.

Former Giant and current Redskins defensive tackle Barry Cofield enjoyed spoiling the party hopes of his former teammates.

“A party broke out for us. I’m proud of how we came out and played,” Cofield said, adding Washington has played well in recent weeks.

This loss was the fifth in six games for the Giants, who are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year.

The scenario has been the same each season. New York starts the season quickly and then falters down the stretch, playing some unbelievably bad games with the postseason on the line.

This season it has been another collapse after a stunning win over New England left them at 6-2. They lost four in a row and then last week seemed to grab command again by rallying in the fourth quarter to beat the Cowboys in Dallas.

Again, with the playoffs in their grasp, they came out flat against the Redskins, who had already been eliminated from playoff contention.

Even a couple of gift interceptions by Grossman in the first quarter didn’t help.

Gano gave Washington the lead on its second series with a 36-yard field goal that was set up in part by a 19-yard pass from Donte’ Stallworth on a third-and-12 from the Giants 39.

Grossman, who finished 15 of 24 for 185 yards, pushed the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter with his TD pass to a wide-open Moss on third-and-8.

If the touchdown had the fans muttering, there was no hiding their feelings minutes later after Oshiomogho Atogwe intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of running back D.J. Ware and returned it 26 yards to the Giants 41. Nine plays later, Young scored and the fans let the team know it was sick of being let down.

Manning, who finished 23 of 40 for 257 yards, finally got the Giants on the board just before halftime, setting up Lawrence Tynes for a 40-yard field goal.

Instead of gaining momentum, the Giants gave the points right back. DeAngelo Hall made a one-handed interception on the second offensive play of the third quarter. His 26-yard return set up Gano’s 43-yard field goal for a 20-3 lead.

After Tynes missed a 44-yarder on the next series, Gano opened the fourth quarter with a 25-yarder to make it 23-3.

Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 3-yard run with 33 seconds to play for the Giants’ touchdown.

The Giants were their own worst enemy. Hakeem Nicks dropped what might have been a 54-yard scoring play on their second series on a play in which he got behind the defense and had the pass hit off his facemask as he looked back into the sun.

That’s the way the day was for the Giants, who had only a few faithful fans in the stadium when they scored their touchdown.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the
New York Giants
miss the playoffs once again, they have only themselves and the
Washington Redskins
to blame.

Rex Grossman
threw a touchdown pass and the Redskins put a major hurt on the Giants and their playoff hopes with a dominating 23-10 victory
Sunday in a game in which New York showed little desire with much on the line.

“I’m very disappointed in how we played today,” coach Tom Coughlin said after the Giants (7-7) fell a game behind Dallas (8-6)
in the NFC East with two games left in the regular season.

“I accept responsibility for it. But I expected to see more – quality execution – and we didn’t get that.”

Surprisingly, Washington (5-9) looked very much like a playoff team in winning for only the second time in 10 games and embarrassing
the Giants for the second time this season.

Grossman and the offense held the ball for 35 minutes, while the defense picked off
Eli Manning
three times and didn’t allow a touchdown until the final minute.

“They had a lot at stake and obviously we didn’t and I’m pleased the way we played,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said.

Coming off an emotional win over Dallas on Sunday night in a game that gave them control of their own destiny, the Giants
showed nothing after a couple of early interceptions.

“I didn’t see the passion in us today,” running back
Brandon Jacobs
said. “We didn’t play well. We disappointed each other and our fans, and we’ve just got to play better. I can’t tell you why.”

The Giants still control their destiny. If they beat the Jets and the Cowboys in their final two games, they will win the
division.

The Cowboys play the
Philadelphia Eagles
next weekend and could wrap up the division if the Giants fall in their rivalry game with the Jets.

“I still have confidence,” Giants defensive captain
Justin Tuck
said. “We laid an egg today, but I’ve seen us rebound from things like this a lot of times. There’s no quit in our guys. This
was kind of an eye-opener. We have to keep the intensity going the whole game, and we didn’t maintain it today.

Washington never trailed in spoiling what the Giants hoped would be another step in their run to the playoffs. The Redskins
took the crowd out of the game early, opening a 17-0 lead and they were never threatened.

Grossman threw a 20-yard scoring pass to
Santana Moss
,
Darrel Young
scored on a 6-yard run after one of the Redskins’ interceptions and
Graham Gano
kicked three field goals.

Former Giant and current Redskins defensive tackle
Barry Cofield
enjoyed spoiling the party hopes of his former teammates.

“A party broke out for us. I’m proud of how we came out and played,” Cofield said, adding Washington has played well in recent
weeks.

This loss was the fifth in six games for the Giants, who are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year.

The scenario has been the same each season. New York starts the season quickly and then falters down the stretch, playing
some unbelievably bad games with the postseason on the line.

This season it has been another collapse after a stunning win over New England left them at 6-2. They lost four in a row and
then last week seemed to grab command again by rallying in the fourth quarter to beat the Cowboys in Dallas.

Again, with the playoffs in their grasp, they came out flat against the Redskins, who had already been eliminated from playoff
contention.

Even a couple of gift interceptions by Grossman in the first quarter didn’t help.

Gano gave Washington the lead on its second series with a 36-yard field goal that was set up in part by a 19-yard pass from
Donte’ Stallworth on a third-and-12 from the Giants 39.

Grossman, who finished 15 of 24 for 185 yards, pushed the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter with his TD pass to a wide-open
Moss on third-and-8.

If the touchdown had the fans muttering, there was no hiding their feelings minutes later after
Oshiomogho Atogwe
intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of running back D.J. Ware and returned it 26 yards to the Giants 41. Nine
plays later, Young scored and the fans let the team know it was sick of being let down.

Manning, who finished 23 of 40 for 257 yards, finally got the Giants on the board just before halftime, setting up
Lawrence Tynes
for a 40-yard field goal.

Instead of gaining momentum, the Giants gave the points right back.
DeAngelo Hall
made a one-handed interception on the second offensive play of the third quarter. His 26-yard return set up Gano’s 43-yard
field goal for a 20-3 lead.

After Tynes missed a 44-yarder on the next series, Gano opened the fourth quarter with a 25-yarder to make it 23-3.

Ahmad Bradshaw
scored on a 3-yard run with 33 seconds to play for the Giants’ touchdown.

The Giants were their own worst enemy.
Hakeem Nicks
dropped what might have been a 54-yard scoring play on their second series on a play in which he got behind the defense and
had the pass hit off his facemask as he looked back into the sun.

That’s the way the day was for the Giants, who had only a few faithful fans in the stadium when they scored their touchdown.

NOTES: Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul followed his NFC defensive player of the week award with a 16-tackle performance that included
a sack. …Giants DE
Osi Umenyiora
(knee) and C
David Baas
(neck) each missed their third straight game. …
London Fletcher
led the Skins with 12 tackles. …CB
Josh Wilson
had Washington’s other interception, picking off Manning in the end zone in the fourth quarter. …CB
Corey Webster
and S
Kenny Phillips
had the Giants interceptions.

© 2011 STATS LLC

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the
New York Giants
miss the playoffs once again, they have only themselves and the
Washington Redskins
to blame.

Rex Grossman
threw a touchdown pass and the Redskins put a major hurt on the Giants and their playoff hopes with a dominating 23-10 victory
Sunday in a game in which New York showed little desire with much on the line.

“I’m very disappointed in how we played today,” coach Tom Coughlin said after the Giants (7-7) fell a game behind Dallas (8-6)
in the NFC East with two games left in the regular season.

“I accept responsibility for it. But I expected to see more – quality execution – and we didn’t get that.”

Surprisingly, Washington (5-9) looked very much like a playoff team in winning for only the second time in 10 games and embarrassing
the Giants for the second time this season.

Grossman and the offense held the ball for 35 minutes, while the defense picked off
Eli Manning
three times and didn’t allow a touchdown until the final minute.

“They had a lot at stake and obviously we didn’t and I’m pleased the way we played,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said.

Coming off an emotional win over Dallas on Sunday night in a game that gave them control of their own destiny, the Giants
showed nothing after a couple of early interceptions.

“I didn’t see the passion in us today,” running back
Brandon Jacobs
said. “We didn’t play well. We disappointed each other and our fans, and we’ve just got to play better. I can’t tell you why.”

The Giants still control their destiny. If they beat the Jets and the Cowboys in their final two games, they will win the
division.

The Cowboys play the
Philadelphia Eagles
next weekend and could wrap up the division if the Giants fall in their rivalry game with the Jets.

“I still have confidence,” Giants defensive captain
Justin Tuck
said. “We laid an egg today, but I’ve seen us rebound from things like this a lot of times. There’s no quit in our guys. This
was kind of an eye-opener. We have to keep the intensity going the whole game, and we didn’t maintain it today.

Washington never trailed in spoiling what the Giants hoped would be another step in their run to the playoffs. The Redskins
took the crowd out of the game early, opening a 17-0 lead and they were never threatened.

Grossman threw a 20-yard scoring pass to
Santana Moss
,
Darrel Young
scored on a 6-yard run after one of the Redskins’ interceptions and
Graham Gano
kicked three field goals.

Former Giant and current Redskins defensive tackle
Barry Cofield
enjoyed spoiling the party hopes of his former teammates.

“A party broke out for us. I’m proud of how we came out and played,” Cofield said, adding Washington has played well in recent
weeks.

This loss was the fifth in six games for the Giants, who are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year.

The scenario has been the same each season. New York starts the season quickly and then falters down the stretch, playing
some unbelievably bad games with the postseason on the line.

This season it has been another collapse after a stunning win over New England left them at 6-2. They lost four in a row and
then last week seemed to grab command again by rallying in the fourth quarter to beat the Cowboys in Dallas.

Again, with the playoffs in their grasp, they came out flat against the Redskins, who had already been eliminated from playoff
contention.

Even a couple of gift interceptions by Grossman in the first quarter didn’t help.

Gano gave Washington the lead on its second series with a 36-yard field goal that was set up in part by a 19-yard pass from
Donte’ Stallworth on a third-and-12 from the Giants 39.

Grossman, who finished 15 of 24 for 185 yards, pushed the lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter with his TD pass to a wide-open
Moss on third-and-8.

If the touchdown had the fans muttering, there was no hiding their feelings minutes later after
Oshiomogho Atogwe
intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of running back D.J. Ware and returned it 26 yards to the Giants 41. Nine
plays later, Young scored and the fans let the team know it was sick of being let down.

Manning, who finished 23 of 40 for 257 yards, finally got the Giants on the board just before halftime, setting up
Lawrence Tynes
for a 40-yard field goal.

Instead of gaining momentum, the Giants gave the points right back.
DeAngelo Hall
made a one-handed interception on the second offensive play of the third quarter. His 26-yard return set up Gano’s 43-yard
field goal for a 20-3 lead.

After Tynes missed a 44-yarder on the next series, Gano opened the fourth quarter with a 25-yarder to make it 23-3.

Ahmad Bradshaw
scored on a 3-yard run with 33 seconds to play for the Giants’ touchdown.

The Giants were their own worst enemy.
Hakeem Nicks
dropped what might have been a 54-yard scoring play on their second series on a play in which he got behind the defense and
had the pass hit off his facemask as he looked back into the sun.

That’s the way the day was for the Giants, who had only a few faithful fans in the stadium when they scored their touchdown.

NOTES: Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul followed his NFC defensive player of the week award with a 16-tackle performance that included
a sack. …Giants DE
Osi Umenyiora
(knee) and C
David Baas
(neck) each missed their third straight game. …
London Fletcher
led the Skins with 12 tackles. …CB
Josh Wilson
had Washington’s other interception, picking off Manning in the end zone in the fourth quarter. …CB
Corey Webster
and S
Kenny Phillips
had the Giants interceptions.

© 2011 STATS LLC

Octagon Football clients and Washington Redskins players Oshiomogho Atogwe and Ryan Torain, with the help of some of their teammates, will host a toy drive at the Dulles Town Center’s upper level Nordstrom wing from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight.

Atogwe and Torain are collecting toys and financial donations to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center. They will be aided by Redskins London Fletcher, Ryan Kerrigan, Lorenzo Alexander, Erik Cook, Graham Gano, Nick Sundberg and Logan Paulsen and former Redskins Ladell Betts, Darryl Grant and Chris Samuels.

The players, who are teaming with PSGamegear, will sign autographs in exchange for the donation of new, unwrapped toys worth $15 or more.

For more information, go to www.psgamegear.com.

ANALYSIS/OPINION

If the Washington Redskins played every game with the emotion they displayed Sunday against the New England Patriots, their season might have turned out differently. Not differently enough to put them in the playoffs, perhaps, but differently enough to cut down on the cries of despair from their fans as one defeat was piled atop another.

Jabar Gaffney was so excited to catch a touchdown pass against his former club that he did the FedEx Leap into the stands behind the end zone. Granted, he got a little too much lift and landed in the seats instead of on the ledge, but these things can happen when you’re going toe to toe with one of the NFL’s elite.

As the day went on, other Redskins released their Inner Child — showed, as Rex Grossman put it, that “it’s fun to go out there and play football.” Whether it was hurling themselves into the crowd after scores, twirling the ball on the ground after first downs or otherwise celebrating big plays, the Redskins didn’t hold anything back.

“We were pumped up,” Gaffney said. “Had a good team coming in here, a chance to show we could play with the best.”

For 60 minutes, the last-place Redskins did play with the best, too. Indeed, with 1:09 left, they thought they had tied New England 34-34 on a 5-yard TD throw from Grossman to Santana Moss. Alas, Moss was called for pushing off, and Grossman’s next pass went off Moss‘ hands and into those of Jerod Mayo, the Patriots‘ Pro Bowl linebacker. Thus did one of the most entertaining Sundays in many moons at FedEx Field end in a 34-27 loss.

But back to our original “if.” Where has this fight, this feistiness been all season? The Redskins, after all, had no business being in this game in the fourth quarter. They were already without Fred Davis and Trent Williams because of suspensions and assorted others (e.g. LaRon Landry) because of injuries; then Jammal Brown, one of their few semihealthy offensive linemen, further complicated matters when he tweaked his groin in warm-ups and couldn’t play.

It figured to be a long day, especially after New England took a quick 7-0 lead on a defensive touchdown (set up by old friend Andre Carter’s sack/forced fumble). There just didn’t seem to be any way the offense-challenged Redskins could keep up with the high-scoring Pats, who put up 30 points against just about everybody.

But no one likes to be embarrassed, and surely that was in the back of the Redskins‘ minds as they geared up for New England. The Patriots, during their near-perfect 2007 season, had whomped them 52-7, and they were quite capable of whomping them just as badly this season. Tom Brady, last I checked, is still Tom Brady, Wes Welker is still Wes Welker … and Rob Gronkowski is like no tight end you’ve ever seen.

So the Redskins brought their A game — or what’s left of their A game, after all these casualties — and, miraculously, matched New England score for score. The biggest shock was seeing Grossman and Co. gain chunks of yardage, something they haven’t done all year. In their second series, Grossman lobbed a 51-yard bomb to Donte Stallworth to set up a Graham Gano field goal. Not long afterward, Brandon Banks connected with Moss on an end-around pass for a 49-yard TD that put the home team ahead 17-14.

A trick play. Imagine that. It was the first pass, in fact, since Mike Shanahan took over as coach that wasn’t thrown by a quarterback. Yup, the Redskins came at the Patriots with everything they had, spiritually and strategically. And lo and behold, it enabled them to hang with a club that’s in the running for the first seed in the AFC.

It helped, of course, that they caught Brady on one of those rare afternoons when he actually looks mortal — at times. Brady’s numbers were still terrific (22 of 37 for 357 yards and three touchdowns), but he was off target more than usual and was intercepted in the end zone by Josh Wilson in the late going when he had a chance to put the game away. (Though, in his defense, the pass was well within the reach of receiver Tiquan Underwood, who was outbattled for the ball).

Then there’s the New England secondary — nothing special to begin with — which, because of injuries, has been forced to use wideouts (Matthew Slater and Julian Edelman) to cover opposing receivers. Gaffney, Stallworth and Moss were running free all day, as Washington (293) just missed becoming the ninth team this season to throw for 300 yards against the Patriots.

Incredibly, it was there for the taking for the Redskins. Shanahan said he was even considering going for the two-point conversion — and the win — if Moss‘ touchdown hadn’t been called back. The coach and his players were leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory.

Hallelujah. But why couldn’t the first 12 games have been like that? Why did it take utter desperation — and a visit from Bill Belichick’s wrecking crew — for the Redskins to play the way they should have been playing all along?

© Copyright 2011 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

The New England Patriots condemned the Washington Redskins to a fourth straight losing season as the visitors walked away with a 34-27 victory at FedEx Field Sunday afternoon.

The Redskins (4-9) thought they had tied the game with 1:15 remaining in regulation, but Rex Grossman’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss was wiped out by an offensive pass interference call against Moss. Two plays later, another Grossman pass deflected off the hands of Moss and was intercepted by Jerod Mayo to seal Washington’s defeat.

It was a wild end to a wild game that featured 894 total yards of offense and 47 first down, as well as six combined passing touchdowns from Tom Brady, Grossman, and Brandon Banks.

The winning score came with four-and-a-half minutes left to play in the third quarter as Brady found Wes Welker with a 24-yard pass to break a 27-27 tie. Brady had a chance to seal the win long before Mayo’s interception as the Patriots drove to the Washington 4-yard line in the fourth quarter, but his pass was intercepted in the back of the end zone by Josh Wilson with 6:30 to play.

The scoring started on Washington’s second possession, as quarterback Rex Grossman was sacked and fumbled the ball in the end zone after Zoltan Mesko’s punt had pinned Washington back at its own 4-yard line. Vince Wilfork recovered the ball in the end zone to give New England (10-3) a 7-0 lead.

Washington cut their deficit to 7-3 with a 24-yard Graham Gano field goal on the ensuing possession, but Tom Brady needed only two plays to move the Patriots 60 yards in response.

First, Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for a 49-yard catch-and-run that brought the ball to the Washington 11. Then, Brady found Gronkowski again from 11 yards out to make the score 14-3.

However, the Redskins were quick to respond. First, Grossman found Jabar Gaffney with a 9-yard touchdown pass to cap an eight-play, 84-yard drive that was kept alive by a defensive pass interference penalty called on Devin McCourty on a third-down-and-18 play. 

After the Patriots went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, the Redskins took a 17-14 lead on the first play of the second quarter with the help of some trickery. After Grossman handed the ball off to Roy Helu on a run to the right, the running back gave the ball to Brandon Banks, who ran back to the left sideline before rearing back and throwing a 49-yard touchdown strike to Moss.

The rest of the half saw an exchange of field goals, as Stephen Gostkowski tied the game at 17-17 from 23 yards away. The Redskins answered with a 25-yard Graham Gano field goal to re-take the lead before Gostkowski tied the game at the first-half gun with a 24-yard three-pointer.

The Redskins’ last field goal drive was kept alive by a controversial roughing-the-passer call that wiped out a potential McCourty interception. Brady was the beneficiary of a similarly marginal call against London Fletcher on New England’s last scoring drive of the half.

New England took the second-half kickoff and drove 80 yards in seven plays. Brady hooked up with Gronkowski for the second time on the day, this time from 37 yards away to make the score 27-20.

But once again, the Redskins came storming back as Grossman led them 72 yards in 10 plays. The drive was boosted by another unnecessary roughness penalty, this time against Wilfork, and Grossman found David Anderson in the flat for a six-yard touchdown pass to tie the game once again at 27-27.

Brady was not quite at his metronomic best, but still completed 22 of his 37 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns as well as the interception. Grossman also have a very good account of himself, completing 19 of his 32 passes for 252 yards and two scores in addition to the game-ending pick.

Both offenses boasted 100-yard performers as well, as Helu gained 126 yards on 27 carries, while Gronkowski finished the afternoon with 160 yards on just six receptions.