October 20,
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
On Sunday afternoon, for the first time in over a month, the Washington Redskins walked off the field winners.
They did so with someone new under center; their third quarterback this year. Colt McCoy, Washington’s third string quarterback, took over at the start of the second half after Kirk Cousins’ turnover woes persisted. He had a sack fumble on their second possession of the game, which was recovered by Tennessee and converted into a game-tying field goal. He then had a pick-six late in the second quarter which gave the Titans a 10-6 halftime lead.
“After the interception, we decided to go with Colt,” coach Jay Gruden said. “I thought after the interception–turning the ball over–we talked about accountability, ball security. That was a standard pass play that we’ve run for a long, long time, and he threw it right to him, unfortunately, and I decided to go with Colt in the second half.”
The decision paid off: McCoy’s first pass was a 70-yard touchdown for Pierre Garcon; Washington’s sole TD of the game.
“I looked them in the eyes and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to do my job. You do yours, and we’re going to win this game,’ ” McCoy said.
The touchdown gave the Redskins a 13-10 lead which they carried into the fourth quarter. But after extending that lead to 16-10, Charlie Whitehurst led the Titans on a touchdown drive for a one point lead, proceeded by a three-and-out by the Skins. With the clock winding down it looked as if the Redskins were going home empty-handed once again.
But McCoy delivered. With just 3:14 left, he was able to lead his team down the field, all the way to Tennessee’s three-yard line. With just three seconds remaining Kai Forbath kicked the game winning field-goal to give the Redskins a 19-17 comeback win. It was their first victory since September 14th.
McCoy’s performance, which improved the Redskins’ record to 2-5, now has some wondering who will be the starter in the Oct. 27th match-up against the division-leading Dallas Cowboys. There have been rumors that Robert Griffin III is ready to return to the field earlier than expected, even eyeing a possible return next week.
But with McCoy’s strong outing and the uncertainty surrounding RGIII’s condition, some believe McCoy deserves to play instead. Former Redskins player and current team commentator Chris Cooley said on ESPN 980 Monday morning that “It’s definitely Colt McCoy.”
He went on to say, “I wouldn’t play him [Robert Griffin III] this week. I watched him on the sideline and I still don’t think he’s 100 percent. He’s not completely putting weight on that ankle, and that was exactly what he did last year in those little pre-game warm-ups with his knee. You wait until he’s ready to play.”
It seems as if Coach Gruden agrees. He has already named McCoy as his starter for Monday night.
“Moving forward for the Cowboys, we’re going to start with Colt,” Gruden said. “Kirk’s gonna get the reps that he gets and he’ll be ready to go in if need be. But Colt will be the starter, I’m planning on Monday night.”
But he won’t rule out Griffin if he’s ready to play–but not a second beforehand.
“We don’t want to put him out there at 85 percent,” Gruden said. “He has to be 100 percent.”
