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Campbell Learns His Lesson

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 15, 2008

LANDOVER, Md. - In his attempt to redesign the Washington Redskins offense, rookie coach Jim Zorn has constantly peppered Jason Campbell with all sorts of phrases. One of them: "Avoid, reset and throw."

After a miserable first game, Campbell last week responded with a phrase of his own: "Coach, just trust me."

On Sunday, both got the point. Campbell went from uncomfortable to prolific with a 321-yard passing day, and he mastered the "avoid, reset and throw" move with aplomb on a 67-yard touchdown to Santana Moss as the Redskins came from behind to beat the Saints 29-24.

"We talked a lot during the week," Campbell said. "I said 'Coach, just trust me.' And he said, 'I've got to trust you more.' We do it together."

Campbell appeared out of sorts with Zorn's West Coast attack in a 16-7 loss to the Giants, but he went 24-for-36 with no interceptions against New Orleans. He completed his last eight passes as the Redskins (1-1) overcame a nine-point deficit with two TDs in the final 6 1/2 minutes.

"I don't really know how to act, but I am very excited," Zorn said of his first NFL win. "I wish I could enjoy it as much as I had to endure last week for four or five days, but I won't be able to."

The big play came with 3:29 left and the Redskins trailing 24-22. Campbell avoided the rush, stepped forward and hit Moss in stride, the receiver one step ahead of rookie cornerback Tracy Porter. Zorn had chided Campbell for failing to make a similar play against the Giants, costing the team a potential touchdown.

This time, Moss, the secondary target on the play, didn't slow down as he did against the Giants.

The Saints (1-1) failed to give Coach Sean Payton a victory on the day the team extended his contract through the 2012 season.
Reggie Bush returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown that gave the Saints a 24-15 lead at the end of the third quarter. But New Orleans remained in the game principally because all five of the Redskins' first-half drives ended in field-goal attempts.

The Saints committed three turnovers, and all landed in the hands of seventh-round draft pick Chris Horton. Horton said he "just started sweating" with nerves when he woke up Sunday morning and learned he would be making his first start because Reed Doughty was sick. Horton recovered a fumble and caught two tipped interceptions, the last one ending the Saints' final drive with 2:59 to play.

Was-FG Suisham 22, 1:27.

Second Quarter

Was-FG Suisham 36, 13:24.

NO-Thomas 1 run (Gramatica kick), 8:34.

Was-FG Suisham 35, 1:04.

NO-FG Gramatica 49, :00.

Third Quarter

NO-Meachem 19 pass from Brees (Gramatica kick), 9:47.

Was-Portis 9 run (pass failed), 5:01.

NO-Bush 55 punt return (Gramatica kick), :02.

Fourth Quarter

Was-Portis 8 run (Suisham kick), 5:59.

Was-Moss 67 pass from J.Campbell (Suisham kick), 3:29.

A-88,246

RUSHING-New Orleans, Bush 10-28, McAllister 2-10, Brees 1-9, Thomas 6-8. Washington, Portis 21-96, Moss 1-27, Betts 6-25, J.Campbell 3-1.

PASSING-New Orleans, Brees 22-33-2-216. Washington, J.Campbell 24-36-0-321.

RECEIVING-New Orleans, Bush 7-63, Patten 5-55, Thomas 2-29, Shockey 2-22, Henderson 2-6, Meachem 1-19, Campbell 1-12, Moore 1-7, Karney 1-3. Wash., Moss 7-164, Cooley 5-72, Randle El 4-53, Betts 2-8, Portis 2-3, Thrash 1-8, Davis 1-6, Kelly 1-6, Sellers 1-1.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-Washington, Suisham 49 (WL), 30 (WL).

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