Long snapper soap opera adds to unsettling week for Redskins

The Associated Press

ASHBURN, Va. -- Ethan Albright gave Steve Spurrier the benefit of the doubt. It was a generous gesture, given that Spurrier didn't do the same for Albright.

A mini-soap opera involving coach and long snapper has been a simmering lowlight in a week in which the Washington Redskins are showing signs of unraveling. A two-game losing streak and a fourth starting quarterback change have led to questions about where the franchise is and where it's heading.

As Albright knows, the setting is all too familiar.

"There was lot of the same kind of feeling last year," said Albright, citing coach Marty Schottenheimer's only season in Washington. "We started out 0-5. 'Marty's doing this wrong.' 'Marty's doing this wrong.'

"All of a sudden we won a few games, and Marty was great. I think it'll be the same effect if we win a couple of games -- everything'll be fine."

But right now the Redskins are losing, and the cryptic finger-pointing has begun. Defensive tackle Daryl Gardener said Wednesday that the defense might have to start shutting out teams to win, and not-so-veiled criticisms of Spurrier's lineup-shuffling and play-calling have come from the locker room in recent weeks.

Then there's Spurrier's curious handling of the Albright matter.

The coach gave the long snapper a tongue-lashing on the sidelines after the Redskins had a field goal blocked in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 19-17 loss to the New York Giants. The coach wanted to know why Albright had snapped a wet ball rather than request a dry one, implying that the oversight had cost Washington the game. He repeated his feelings in the opening remarks of his post-game news conference.

The problem: Neither the ball nor Albright's snap had anything to do with the block. Kicker James Tuthill slipped and fell on the wet Giants Stadium turf as he kicked the ball.

Still, Albright took the criticism hard. Players and special teams coach Mike Stock have come to his defense this week, and there were shouts of "Good snap, Ethan" in the film room when players and coaches reviewed the play this week.

"It makes me feel good that my teammates still have confidence in me," Albright said.

Spurrier has since conceded that Tuthill's slip caused the field goal to go awry. But he hasn't backed down from his comments about the wet ball, and he's seen no reason to make amends with Albright, publicly or privately.

"I'm not singling him out. I wasn't chewing him out," Spurrier said. "You're trying to read something into nothing."

This is not a good time for the Redskins (4-6) to be unsettled. They face the high-powered St. Louis Rams on Sunday, a game in which the defense can't be expected to bail out the 26th-ranked offense. Then there's a Thanksgiving trip to Dallas -- Spurrier guaranteed a victory over the Cowboys on the day he was hired.

To inspire his players for Sunday's game, Spurrier has prepared a highlight tape from the exhibition season, when his team went 4-1 and averaged 33 points per game. Many people aren't giving the Redskins much of a chance against the Rams, and Spurrier said the pessimism is justified.

"Yeah, when you look at them and look at us right now," Spurrier said. "That's why you've got to go play the game. We're going to try to play smart, and try to peck away at them a little bit, try to play solid defense, see what happens. It seems to be our best chance."

Looking ahead, there's concern that Spurrier's ways could run two of his three best offensive players out of town. Right tackle Jon Jansen and running back Stephen Davis, who would both rather play power-offense football than something pass-happy, might sign elsewhere as free agents next year.

But, as Albright said, any and all dissenters will quickly disappear if Spurrier can get a few wins. Just a strong finish from the much-maligned offense might be enough to end the season with some needed optimism.

"We need to score some points," receiver Chris Doering said, "just to go out there and prove that we'll all worthy of playing in this league."

Notes: With the rain falling steadily, punter Bryan Barker did not test his sprained left ankle during Thursday's practice. Craig Jarrett, signed to the practice Wednesday, will be promoted to the regular roster if Barker can't play Sunday. "We think Bryan will be able to punt," Spurrier said. ... Walter Rasby (abdominal strain) didn't practice, but Spurrier said the tight end's chances of playing have improved. ... Linebacker LaVar Arrington jammed his right wrist again, but he's expected to play.