And QB Michael Vick has mastered the Bill Walsh Offense
Upset-minded Falcons stun Panthers 20-6
NFL.com wire reports
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 11, 2006) -- Warrick Dunn figured Atlanta's dominating performance over Super Bowl favorite Carolina would come as a surprise.
"Most people didn't think we could that," said Dunn after he rushed for 132 yards in the Falcons' 20-6 win over the Panthers. "We've added some guys who have been to the Pro Bowl. There's an emphasis to get to the next level."
One of those newcomers, John Abraham, had two sacks and two forced fumbles, while Michael Vick threw two touchdown passes as the Falcons erased memories of their 44-11 loss to the Panthers.
The Falcons were accused of not giving a complete effort -- a theory Vick affirmed when he said in the offseason he didn't try his hardest in Atlanta's final regular-season game.
"You've barely heard about Atlanta all offseason and I think that's good for us," Abraham said. "We were 8-8 last year and a lot of guys had us in a slump."
In the offseason, the Falcons acquired Abraham from the New York Jets and signed Grady Jackson away from Green Bay. The revamped line dominated the Panthers, who were held to 215 yards as they played without all-Pro receiver Steve Smith, inactive with a right hamstring injury.
"We've got three Pro Bowl pass rushers on this team. If we didn't come here and hit the quarterback a lot, I would have been surprised," said Abraham, who limped off the field late in the game with a groin injury. He said the injury wasn't serious.
Atlanta also rolled on offense, finishing with 252 yards rushing.
Warrick Dunn had a game-high 132 yards rushing on 29 carries to pace the Falcons.
Carolina, which had the third-rated defense a year ago, fell flat to begin a season with high expectations after last season's loss in the NFC championship game.
"What did we give up in the running game? That was ridiculous," said defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, playing in his first game after knee surgery. "It wasn't the Super Bowl, but it was a division game and a conference game. They kicked our tails. I'm not proud of it, but I'm being honest."
Vick, trying to silence critics after throwing 13 interceptions last season, threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler late in the third quarter for a 20-6 lead. Crumpler out-muscled Panthers linebacker Chris Draft, who in training camp called Vick just an average passer who gets hit a lot.
Atlanta took a 13-3 halftime lead, getting the only touchdown of the half late when Vick did what he does best: improvise.
Vick rolled toward the left sideline, drawing the defense to him before dumping a short pass to Michael Jenkins. He broke Ken Lucas' tackle along the sideline and raced 34 yards for a touchdown with 28 seconds left.
"I'm just comfortable with everything that we are doing with our scheme," Vick said. "I spent a lot of time this offseason working with our offense and just trying to put myself in a position where I can be effective with every snap."
The Panthers generated 89 yards offense in the first half -- fitting because they were missing No. 89, quarterback Jake Delhomme 's primary target last season. Smith, inactive with a right hamstring injury, was the league's top receiver last season with 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns.
After missing most of training camp with a strained left hamstring and an ingrown toenail, the 2005 co-Comeback Player of the Year pulled up lame in practice with a right hamstring injury.
"He's a big part of our offense, but still, that's not an excuse for this performance," Delhomme said.
The Panthers went to their newest option, veteran Keyshawn Johnson, for an 8-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage. But Johnson had only four catches for 40 yards and Delhomme was 21 of 36 for 186 yards and an interception. The Panthers didn't convert a third down chance until early the fourth quarter.
The Panthers were further hampered when left tackle Travelle Wharton left in the second quarter with a left knee strain. It forced the Panthers to make several moves to the right combination to contain Abraham.
The Panthers also lost middle linebacker Dan Morgan with a concussion early in the second quarter. Adam Seward replaced Morgan, who has a history of concussions.
"We had a similar game plan as we had in the past, but we had some new people out there when Dan Morgan went down and we just didn't execute as well," coach John Fox said.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Reggie Bush Gets 141 All-Purpose Yards In Win
But I would not have him return punts. It's going to get him injured either directly or indirectly.
Bush, Carney help Saints beat the Browns
NFL.com wire reports
CLEVELAND (Sept. 10, 2006) -- Reggie Bush strolled down the hallway toward the team bus wearing a backpack, blue L.A. Dodgers baseball cap and smile. He looked like a college kid headed home from class.
School may be over for Bush. His pro education has just begun.
In Week 1, he passed his first test.
"I would probably give myself a 'B,'" he said. "I didn't get in the end zone."
Bush didn't dazzle but he certainly didn't disappoint in his pro debut. He and Drew Brees led the rebuilt New Orleans Saints to a season-opening 19-14 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Bush, whose arrival in New Orleans has given the city's football fans renewed optimism in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, finished with 141 total yards. The Heisman Trophy winner had 61 yards rushing on 14 attempts, caught eight passes for 58 yards and returned three punts for 22.
He never got loose on one of the trademark breakaways he made commonplace at Southern California, and a few times he would have been better off falling down than trying to escape tacklers.
Although he didn't score, Bush helped get the Saints off to a winning start in this season of rebirth.
"I just wanted us to get a win," Bush said. "I wasn't focused on anything else. This was a perfect first step."
John Carney kicked four field goals, the last one with 5:42 remaining, and Brees, who signed a six-year, $60 million free-agent contract in March, threw a 12-yard TD pass to rookie Marques Colston in the third quarter.
The Saints also got 90 yards on 22 carries from Deuce McAllister, making his return after missing the final 11 games last season following knee surgery.
New Orleans didn't clinch rookie coach Sean Payton's first win until the final two minutes, when safety Josh Bullocks intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of receiver Braylon Edwards in New Orleans territory.
Receiver Marques Colston dives in for the go-ahead touchdown in the third-quarter.
It was a painful and somewhat fitting ending for the Browns, celebrating their 60th anniversary. On their first offensive play, Edwards got behind the Saints defense for a 74-yard TD reception that got called back by a penalty.
"The first play described the whole game," Browns tight end Kellen Winslow said.
The Browns fell to 1-7 in season openers since returning to the league in 1999, and coach Romeo Crennel was short with the media during his postgame news conference.
"The other team played better than we did," snapped Crennel.
"Are you angry?" he was asked.
"I'm just peachy," he said.
Cleveland was held to 56 total yards and blanked in the first 30 minutes. But the Browns came back as Charlie Frye threw an 18-yard TD pass to Winslow, and the second-year quarterback scored on a 1-yard sneak to bring Cleveland within 16-14 with 11:20 to go.
Week 1's top games
Watch some of the best games from Week 1 all over again with NFL Replay on NFL Network. Airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET, the broadcasts will feature a 90-minute fast-paced format complete with original television announcers and cameras. Week 1's games to be replayed are:
· DAL at JAC, Sept. 12, 8 ET
· NO at CLE, Sept. 12, 10:30 ET
· BUF at NE Sept. 13, 8 ET
· IND at NYG, Sept. 13, 10:30 ET
Click here to find out more about NFL Replay.
The Saints, though, marched down for Carney's fourth kick and then held off Cleveland's rally.
Brees finished 17 of 31 for 176 yards with one interception. Frye, making his sixth career start, was 16 of 27 for 132 yards with the TD and two picks.
Winslow looked fully recovered after missing 30 games the past two seasons and had eight catches for 63 yards.
Bush made some rookie mistakes early. He misjudged Cleveland's first punt, retreating when it sailed over his head. Late in the first quarter, he slithered through traffic on an 18-yard run and several other carries where he nearly got free.
Bush also dropped a third-down pass near the 5 that he might have scored on, and the 21-year-old had other moments where he tried to do too much.
"I was close a couple of times," Bush said. "On some of those plays I should have gone North instead of cutting sideways."
As he has done since the moment the Saints drafted him second overall, Bush made another strong impression.
"He has something to prove to everybody in this league and he wants to be the best," wide receiver Joe Horn said. "I think he did very well for just starting out. A lot of people wanted to see No. 25 in a real fight, and they were able to see it."
The Browns scored on their first series in the third quarter as Frye connected with Winslow. Playing in just his third game after missing most of two seasons with serious leg injuries, Winslow stiff-armed rookie Roman Harper on his way to the end zone.
Winslow immediately ran to the Browns bench, spiked his helmet and hugged head trainer Marty Lauzon, who spent countless hours in rehab with the tight end.
"It's been hard for me, he's been there every step of the way," Winslow said.
Bush, Carney help Saints beat the Browns
NFL.com wire reports
CLEVELAND (Sept. 10, 2006) -- Reggie Bush strolled down the hallway toward the team bus wearing a backpack, blue L.A. Dodgers baseball cap and smile. He looked like a college kid headed home from class.
School may be over for Bush. His pro education has just begun.
In Week 1, he passed his first test.
"I would probably give myself a 'B,'" he said. "I didn't get in the end zone."
Bush didn't dazzle but he certainly didn't disappoint in his pro debut. He and Drew Brees led the rebuilt New Orleans Saints to a season-opening 19-14 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Bush, whose arrival in New Orleans has given the city's football fans renewed optimism in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, finished with 141 total yards. The Heisman Trophy winner had 61 yards rushing on 14 attempts, caught eight passes for 58 yards and returned three punts for 22.
He never got loose on one of the trademark breakaways he made commonplace at Southern California, and a few times he would have been better off falling down than trying to escape tacklers.
Although he didn't score, Bush helped get the Saints off to a winning start in this season of rebirth.
"I just wanted us to get a win," Bush said. "I wasn't focused on anything else. This was a perfect first step."
John Carney kicked four field goals, the last one with 5:42 remaining, and Brees, who signed a six-year, $60 million free-agent contract in March, threw a 12-yard TD pass to rookie Marques Colston in the third quarter.
The Saints also got 90 yards on 22 carries from Deuce McAllister, making his return after missing the final 11 games last season following knee surgery.
New Orleans didn't clinch rookie coach Sean Payton's first win until the final two minutes, when safety Josh Bullocks intercepted a pass that deflected off the hands of receiver Braylon Edwards in New Orleans territory.
Receiver Marques Colston dives in for the go-ahead touchdown in the third-quarter.
It was a painful and somewhat fitting ending for the Browns, celebrating their 60th anniversary. On their first offensive play, Edwards got behind the Saints defense for a 74-yard TD reception that got called back by a penalty.
"The first play described the whole game," Browns tight end Kellen Winslow said.
The Browns fell to 1-7 in season openers since returning to the league in 1999, and coach Romeo Crennel was short with the media during his postgame news conference.
"The other team played better than we did," snapped Crennel.
"Are you angry?" he was asked.
"I'm just peachy," he said.
Cleveland was held to 56 total yards and blanked in the first 30 minutes. But the Browns came back as Charlie Frye threw an 18-yard TD pass to Winslow, and the second-year quarterback scored on a 1-yard sneak to bring Cleveland within 16-14 with 11:20 to go.
Week 1's top games
Watch some of the best games from Week 1 all over again with NFL Replay on NFL Network. Airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET, the broadcasts will feature a 90-minute fast-paced format complete with original television announcers and cameras. Week 1's games to be replayed are:
· DAL at JAC, Sept. 12, 8 ET
· NO at CLE, Sept. 12, 10:30 ET
· BUF at NE Sept. 13, 8 ET
· IND at NYG, Sept. 13, 10:30 ET
Click here to find out more about NFL Replay.
The Saints, though, marched down for Carney's fourth kick and then held off Cleveland's rally.
Brees finished 17 of 31 for 176 yards with one interception. Frye, making his sixth career start, was 16 of 27 for 132 yards with the TD and two picks.
Winslow looked fully recovered after missing 30 games the past two seasons and had eight catches for 63 yards.
Bush made some rookie mistakes early. He misjudged Cleveland's first punt, retreating when it sailed over his head. Late in the first quarter, he slithered through traffic on an 18-yard run and several other carries where he nearly got free.
Bush also dropped a third-down pass near the 5 that he might have scored on, and the 21-year-old had other moments where he tried to do too much.
"I was close a couple of times," Bush said. "On some of those plays I should have gone North instead of cutting sideways."
As he has done since the moment the Saints drafted him second overall, Bush made another strong impression.
"He has something to prove to everybody in this league and he wants to be the best," wide receiver Joe Horn said. "I think he did very well for just starting out. A lot of people wanted to see No. 25 in a real fight, and they were able to see it."
The Browns scored on their first series in the third quarter as Frye connected with Winslow. Playing in just his third game after missing most of two seasons with serious leg injuries, Winslow stiff-armed rookie Roman Harper on his way to the end zone.
Winslow immediately ran to the Browns bench, spiked his helmet and hugged head trainer Marty Lauzon, who spent countless hours in rehab with the tight end.
"It's been hard for me, he's been there every step of the way," Winslow said.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Apple iTV and Online Videos - Zennie's Take
In this video, talk with online video producers -- my target's the small folks -- about growing opportunities in video distribution and online advertising. I also explain what a wondeful opportunity Apple iTV presents for online video producers.
Freedom Tower Rises - Design Announced Sept 10th - Video
Rising from the ashes of the World Trade Center is "Freedom Tower," a `1776 foot (get it, 1776?) giant of a skyscraper that when complete will restore New York City to the level of hosting the tallest building in America.
According to this WIREd magazine online article, the new tower will be able to withstand being hit by a Boeing 767 airplane.
This video contains images of Freedom Tower and from various vantage points in New York City.
According to this WIREd magazine online article, the new tower will be able to withstand being hit by a Boeing 767 airplane.
This video contains images of Freedom Tower and from various vantage points in New York City.
9-11 Video Of Planes Crashing Into World Trade Center
I know this is hard to see, but how the World Trade Center came to end is now a part of our history -- a large part.
Seattle Tuffs Out A Win Over The Lions
The Lions have some of the same pass blocking problems faced by the Oakland Raiders. But they have a stout defense and a more creative passing system.
Brown's FGs carry Seahawks over Lions
NFL.com wire reports
DETROIT (Sept. 10, 2006) -- The Seattle Seahawks got to celebrate at Ford Field -- seven months too late.
On the turf where Seattle lost the Super Bowl to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Josh Brown kicked a 42-yard field goal on the last play of the game to lift the Seahawks to a 9-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.
When the game ended, the Seahawks jumped around, hugged and shouted.
"I'm ready to pass out. That's fun," Brown said on the field after a teammate jubilantly lifted him off the ground. "This is exactly the way I would like to start the season."
Perhaps only a kicker could enjoy a game with five field goals and no touchdowns.
The defending NFC champions, who led the NFL in scoring last season, put together a key drive when they needed it after a sluggish day behind a shaky offensive line.
Seattle started the game-winning drive at their 20 with 3:13 left after Lions' new coach Rod Marinelli decided against a long field-goal attempt.
Maurice Morris set up the game-winning kick with a 17-yard run, one of his three carries, spelling last year's league MVP Shaun Alexander.
Seattle defensive end Bryce Fisher said it was not an ugly win.
"I've never seen one," Fisher said. "It's like an ugly baby -- you never see one."
The Lions blocked two field-goal attempts in the first 17½ minutes of the lackluster game to give them a chance to pick up a surprising victory in the season opener.
Despite two blocked FGs, Josh Brown celebrates the game-winner as time expired.
Marinelli, a head coach for the first time at any level, said he didn't regret his late-game decision that many will second guess.
The Lions drove to Seattle's 37, but Marinelli chose to punt instead of allowing Jason Hanson to attempt a 54-yard field goal. Nick Harris then sailed the punt beyond the end zone.
"We were playing dominating defense at that point and I was hoping to back them up again and get another shot," Marinelli said.
Hanson acknowledged that it's a tough call for a coach to make.
"I'd like to think I can step out there and make a 55-yarder, and if I do, we have a good chance to win," Hanson said. "But if I don't, they only need one first down to get into field-goal range."
On Detroit's previous two possessions, Hanson made it 6-all with a 37-yard field goal with 7:05 left after being short on a 52-yard kick that he said was tipped at the line.
Marinelli spent the previous 10 seasons coaching Tampa Bay's defensive line and coached the unit in place of Joe Cullen, who was arrested twice recently on suspicion of drunken driving and because police say he was driving nude. Cullen will be back to coach in the next game at Chicago, Marinelli said.
Detroit's defensive front gave the Seattle's offensive line problems, perhaps because it missed Steve Hutchinson, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent.
The Lions sacked Matt Hasselbeck five times, hurried him a few more times and knocked him around on several other attempts. Detroit also limited Alexander to 51 yards on 19 carries. Hasselbeck was 25 of 30 for 210 yards.
"It's not good enough," Marinelli said. "I'm not interested in just playing hard and well."
Detroit's Jon Kitna, who replaced Joey Harrington, was 21 of 37 for 229 yards and was booed at times for making poor throws.
"We will be fine on offense," Kitna said. "We'll score and hold up our end."
Harrington, the third pick overall in 2002, was traded in the offseason to Miami.
The Seahawks got off to a rough start with two blocked field goals and a fumble on their first three drives. Shaun Rogers knocked down Seattle's field goal on the opening drive, the eighth blocked field goal of his career, and James Hall blocked the other attempt
Hanson put the Lions ahead 3-0 on their first possession with a 44-yard kick.
The Seahawks tied the game midway through the second quarter on Brown's 20-yarder and his 51-yard field goal at the end of the half put them ahead 6-3.
Brown's FGs carry Seahawks over Lions
NFL.com wire reports
DETROIT (Sept. 10, 2006) -- The Seattle Seahawks got to celebrate at Ford Field -- seven months too late.
On the turf where Seattle lost the Super Bowl to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Josh Brown kicked a 42-yard field goal on the last play of the game to lift the Seahawks to a 9-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.
When the game ended, the Seahawks jumped around, hugged and shouted.
"I'm ready to pass out. That's fun," Brown said on the field after a teammate jubilantly lifted him off the ground. "This is exactly the way I would like to start the season."
Perhaps only a kicker could enjoy a game with five field goals and no touchdowns.
The defending NFC champions, who led the NFL in scoring last season, put together a key drive when they needed it after a sluggish day behind a shaky offensive line.
Seattle started the game-winning drive at their 20 with 3:13 left after Lions' new coach Rod Marinelli decided against a long field-goal attempt.
Maurice Morris set up the game-winning kick with a 17-yard run, one of his three carries, spelling last year's league MVP Shaun Alexander.
Seattle defensive end Bryce Fisher said it was not an ugly win.
"I've never seen one," Fisher said. "It's like an ugly baby -- you never see one."
The Lions blocked two field-goal attempts in the first 17½ minutes of the lackluster game to give them a chance to pick up a surprising victory in the season opener.
Despite two blocked FGs, Josh Brown celebrates the game-winner as time expired.
Marinelli, a head coach for the first time at any level, said he didn't regret his late-game decision that many will second guess.
The Lions drove to Seattle's 37, but Marinelli chose to punt instead of allowing Jason Hanson to attempt a 54-yard field goal. Nick Harris then sailed the punt beyond the end zone.
"We were playing dominating defense at that point and I was hoping to back them up again and get another shot," Marinelli said.
Hanson acknowledged that it's a tough call for a coach to make.
"I'd like to think I can step out there and make a 55-yarder, and if I do, we have a good chance to win," Hanson said. "But if I don't, they only need one first down to get into field-goal range."
On Detroit's previous two possessions, Hanson made it 6-all with a 37-yard field goal with 7:05 left after being short on a 52-yard kick that he said was tipped at the line.
Marinelli spent the previous 10 seasons coaching Tampa Bay's defensive line and coached the unit in place of Joe Cullen, who was arrested twice recently on suspicion of drunken driving and because police say he was driving nude. Cullen will be back to coach in the next game at Chicago, Marinelli said.
Detroit's defensive front gave the Seattle's offensive line problems, perhaps because it missed Steve Hutchinson, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent.
The Lions sacked Matt Hasselbeck five times, hurried him a few more times and knocked him around on several other attempts. Detroit also limited Alexander to 51 yards on 19 carries. Hasselbeck was 25 of 30 for 210 yards.
"It's not good enough," Marinelli said. "I'm not interested in just playing hard and well."
Detroit's Jon Kitna, who replaced Joey Harrington, was 21 of 37 for 229 yards and was booed at times for making poor throws.
"We will be fine on offense," Kitna said. "We'll score and hold up our end."
Harrington, the third pick overall in 2002, was traded in the offseason to Miami.
The Seahawks got off to a rough start with two blocked field goals and a fumble on their first three drives. Shaun Rogers knocked down Seattle's field goal on the opening drive, the eighth blocked field goal of his career, and James Hall blocked the other attempt
Hanson put the Lions ahead 3-0 on their first possession with a 44-yard kick.
The Seahawks tied the game midway through the second quarter on Brown's 20-yarder and his 51-yard field goal at the end of the half put them ahead 6-3.
Vikings Beat Redskins As Tom Cruise Watches
Tom Cruise was the guest of Redskins owner Dan Synder
Vikings outkick Redskins late 19-16
NFL.com wire reports
LANDOVER, Md. (Sept. 11, 2006) -- Two days before his 38th birthday, Brad Johnson was the one handing out a very nice present. In the locker room, the quarterback gave the game ball to new head coach Brad Childress, whose mission to transform the Minnesota Vikings is off to a winning start.
Ryan Longwell's 31-yard field goal with one minute remaining gave the Vikings a 19-16 victory against the Washington Redskins. For now, Childress has at least some temporary bragging rights over Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.
"I am tremendously humble and was a little emotional after the game," Childress said. "I'm just happy for those guys in the locker room. ... They faced a lot of adversity tonight. It was an away game, a Monday night, Hall of Fame coach -- I'm just pleased with what they accomplished."
Johnson deserved much of the credit himself for doing what he has been doing throughout his NFL life: win, win and win some more.
He has won an impressive 61 percent (66 of 109) of his starts with four teams in his 15-year career -- including two years with the Redskins. He completed 16 of 30 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, and kept bailing out his team, completing 10 of 15 passes on third down.
"That's Brad," center Matt Birk said. "He's just so smart, and he's obviously crafty to have played in the league this long."
The loss subdued a Washington crowd that turned the stadium into a sea of fluttering red, white and blue as they waved American flags to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Big things are expected of the Redskins this year, a confidence reflected in an attendance of 90,608 that set a new record for the largest stadium in the NFL. Even Hollywood made an appearance: Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were guests of owner Dan Snyder, who has recently entered into a partnership with Cruise's production company.
Nothing in the sideshow helped the Redskins win. They did have a chance to send the game to overtime after Longwell's kick, but John Hall -- who has struggled with leg injuries for the past two years -- was wide left with a poorly hit 48-yard field goal attempt with 12 seconds remaining.
"There were some plays, yards and even some touchdowns that we left on the field," said Mark Brunell, who was 17-for-28 for 163 yards. "How far off we are I'm not quite sure yet, but I do know that we're a throw away, a block away and a run away from really doing some good things tonight."
Childress has vowed to change the culture of a Vikings team that was belittled last year following the infamous "Love Boat" party involving several players. He made a statement before the game by deactivating safety Dwight Smith, who was cited for indecent conduct two weeks ago.
Marcus Robinson beats Carlos Rogers for a 20-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.
"A win is always good," receiver Troy Williamson said. "It's going to be even greater for Coach Childress."
Chester Taylor, the Vikings' free-agent signing from Baltimore, rushed 31 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, upstaging Clinton Portis' surprise return for Washington. Portis, who spent the week downplaying his chances for the game because of a shoulder injury, entered the game late during the Redskins' first drive and finished with 39 yards on 10 carries and scored his team's only touchdown.
A game that had no turnovers was decided with a winning Vikings drive that began at Minnesota's 33 with 5:34 remaining. A 13-yard pass to Williamson converted a key third down, and 15 yards were added to the play when Redskins safety Sean Taylor grabbed Williamson's face mask.
From there, Taylor carried five consecutive times to the Washington 13, forcing the Redskins to use all their timeouts before Longwell's winning kick.
The Vikings become the 10th road team to win in the NFL's opening weekend, the most in Week 1 since 1983, when there were 12 road winners.
"That just shows how battle-tested we are," said Minnesota safety Darren Sharper, who saved a touchdown by knocking the ball out of Santana Moss' hands in the end zone late in the first half. "That's what coach has expressed to us all camp -- he wants a hardened unit."
The Redskins sputtered as they unveiled a new offense designed by assistant coach Al Saunders. Saunders' arrival meant Gibbs wasn't calling plays for the first time in his head-coaching career, and the attack relied heavily on laterals and screens, making for some odd stats. At halftime, a receiver, Moss, led the team in rushing, while a running back, Ladell Betts, led the team in receptions.
"I think, obviously, we'd like to have more points," Gibbs said. "I don't think anybody in there from an offensive standpoint is satisfied."
Vikings outkick Redskins late 19-16
NFL.com wire reports
LANDOVER, Md. (Sept. 11, 2006) -- Two days before his 38th birthday, Brad Johnson was the one handing out a very nice present. In the locker room, the quarterback gave the game ball to new head coach Brad Childress, whose mission to transform the Minnesota Vikings is off to a winning start.
Ryan Longwell's 31-yard field goal with one minute remaining gave the Vikings a 19-16 victory against the Washington Redskins. For now, Childress has at least some temporary bragging rights over Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.
"I am tremendously humble and was a little emotional after the game," Childress said. "I'm just happy for those guys in the locker room. ... They faced a lot of adversity tonight. It was an away game, a Monday night, Hall of Fame coach -- I'm just pleased with what they accomplished."
Johnson deserved much of the credit himself for doing what he has been doing throughout his NFL life: win, win and win some more.
He has won an impressive 61 percent (66 of 109) of his starts with four teams in his 15-year career -- including two years with the Redskins. He completed 16 of 30 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, and kept bailing out his team, completing 10 of 15 passes on third down.
"That's Brad," center Matt Birk said. "He's just so smart, and he's obviously crafty to have played in the league this long."
The loss subdued a Washington crowd that turned the stadium into a sea of fluttering red, white and blue as they waved American flags to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Big things are expected of the Redskins this year, a confidence reflected in an attendance of 90,608 that set a new record for the largest stadium in the NFL. Even Hollywood made an appearance: Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were guests of owner Dan Snyder, who has recently entered into a partnership with Cruise's production company.
Nothing in the sideshow helped the Redskins win. They did have a chance to send the game to overtime after Longwell's kick, but John Hall -- who has struggled with leg injuries for the past two years -- was wide left with a poorly hit 48-yard field goal attempt with 12 seconds remaining.
"There were some plays, yards and even some touchdowns that we left on the field," said Mark Brunell, who was 17-for-28 for 163 yards. "How far off we are I'm not quite sure yet, but I do know that we're a throw away, a block away and a run away from really doing some good things tonight."
Childress has vowed to change the culture of a Vikings team that was belittled last year following the infamous "Love Boat" party involving several players. He made a statement before the game by deactivating safety Dwight Smith, who was cited for indecent conduct two weeks ago.
Marcus Robinson beats Carlos Rogers for a 20-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.
"A win is always good," receiver Troy Williamson said. "It's going to be even greater for Coach Childress."
Chester Taylor, the Vikings' free-agent signing from Baltimore, rushed 31 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, upstaging Clinton Portis' surprise return for Washington. Portis, who spent the week downplaying his chances for the game because of a shoulder injury, entered the game late during the Redskins' first drive and finished with 39 yards on 10 carries and scored his team's only touchdown.
A game that had no turnovers was decided with a winning Vikings drive that began at Minnesota's 33 with 5:34 remaining. A 13-yard pass to Williamson converted a key third down, and 15 yards were added to the play when Redskins safety Sean Taylor grabbed Williamson's face mask.
From there, Taylor carried five consecutive times to the Washington 13, forcing the Redskins to use all their timeouts before Longwell's winning kick.
The Vikings become the 10th road team to win in the NFL's opening weekend, the most in Week 1 since 1983, when there were 12 road winners.
"That just shows how battle-tested we are," said Minnesota safety Darren Sharper, who saved a touchdown by knocking the ball out of Santana Moss' hands in the end zone late in the first half. "That's what coach has expressed to us all camp -- he wants a hardened unit."
The Redskins sputtered as they unveiled a new offense designed by assistant coach Al Saunders. Saunders' arrival meant Gibbs wasn't calling plays for the first time in his head-coaching career, and the attack relied heavily on laterals and screens, making for some odd stats. At halftime, a receiver, Moss, led the team in rushing, while a running back, Ladell Betts, led the team in receptions.
"I think, obviously, we'd like to have more points," Gibbs said. "I don't think anybody in there from an offensive standpoint is satisfied."
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