Chase v. Colt? Keep the Question Mark

Jacksonville keeps starters on field longer in 24-17 win

Updated 9:33 AM EDT, Fri, Sep 4, 2009

Print Email Share TWITTER FACEBOOK

Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Quarterback questions remain after the Washington Redskins' 24-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday night.

Colt Brennan looked better than he has all preseason, while Chase Daniel fumbled away the ball, setting up Jacksonville for an easy score. But when Brennan left with a hamstring injury, Daniel rallied for a late touchdown pass.

The good news, though, is that starter Jason Campbell looked great in one series. But that's all we got to see him do.

Quarterback David Garrard led the Jaguars to a touchdown and two field goals in four possessions, receiver Mike Sims-Walker looked sharp in his first action in almost a month and Jacksonville took advantage of two early turnovers to win with their starters seeing much more time than Washington's.

The Jaguars (1-3) wanted to avoid a winless preseason, and playing starters longer than most teams do in the finale helped secure a victory for a young team trying to rebound from a losing season.

"We certainly don't want to go winless," Garrard said.

Garrard completed 10 of 13 passes for 95 yards and a score. He hooked up with Sims-Walker for a 10-yard TD late in the second quarter, then found rookie Jarett Dillard for the 2-point conversion, making it 21-0. It could have been worse, too, but Jacksonville failed to score from the 3-yard line as time expired in the half.

The Redskins (1-3) played without running back Clinton Portis and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, and several starters stayed in just one series.

Washington even skipped right over backup quarterback Todd Collins and turned things over to rookie Daniel on the second drive. Daniel completed 8 of 16 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He fumbled on Quentin Groves' sack, and Jacksonville scored three plays later.

Washington's first turnover was just as costly. After Josh Scobee's 23-yard field goal on the opening drive, Anthony Alridge fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Tiquan Underwood scooped it up at the 3-yard line, fell down and then crawled across the goal line for a 10-0 lead.

With most starters on the sideline and quarterbacks switching just about every drive, the Redskins couldn't find a rhythm. Dropped passes didn't help. Marko Mitchell dropped one, and Antwaan Randle El let a perfectly thrown deep ball from Campbell slip through his fingers.

Campbell completed 4 of 6 passes for 33 yards.

"He was excellent," coach Jim Zorn said. "He made big plays. He made a great throw to Antwaan Randle El that we couldn't connect on. We saw what we wanted to see tonight."

Brennan was 10 of 14 for 83 yards before leaving the game with a hamstring injury.

Washington scored on Shaun Suisham's 48-yard field goal in the third quarter, Dominique Dorsey's short TD run in the fourth and Daniel's 4-yard TD pass Mitchell with 48 seconds left.

The Jaguars, who rested some starters in their last game because it was their third in 11 days, were 10 of 16 on third down. The offensive line -- with rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton starting, and veteran Tony Pashos moving to right guard -- controlled up front. And Torry Holt, Sims-Walker and Troy Williamson gave Garrard plenty of pass-catching options.

Holt had a 31-yard reception, Sims-Walker caught four passes for 64 yards, and Williamson continued his strong preseason with four receptions for 35 yards. Scobee kicked three field goals, including a 52-yarder, and finished 10 for 10 in the preseason.

"We definitely wanted to execute what we showed tonight, moving the ball and putting up points whether it's three or seven, showing that the offense is maturing and moving in the right direction," Garrard said. "That is what we were able to show tonight."

The only negative for Jacksonville was on the injury front.

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew injured his leg on the opening series when cornerback Fred Smoot tackled him following a short reception. Jones-Drew headed to the locker room and, although the injury didn't appear serious, the Jaguars can't afford to lose their top playmaker.

The Jaguars also played without running back Greg Jones, safety Marlon McCree, fullback Montell Owens, defensive tackle Rob Meier, tight end Zach Miller and linebackers Clint Ingram, Justin Durant and Thomas Williams.