Campbell, Redskins Show Progress

FACING A SITUATION that was eerily similar to the Redskins' opening loss to the New York Giants, Jason Campbell on Sunday finally stopped overthinking.

Instead, the Redskins' quarterback just reacted, making two snap decisions that proved critical in erasing another nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

First, Campbell adjusted a call on second-and-22 to hit the resurgent Chris Cooley for a key first down with less than 10 minutes to go. Then, the gunslinger who supposedly wasn't a good fit for the West Coast offense avoided a sack and hit Santana Moss on a touchdown pass almost identical to the receiver's long scores against the Cowboys in 2005.

"He knew exactly what to do with the ball," coach Jim Zorn said Monday, noting Campbell's decision to scramble in a similar moment against the Giants hurt the offense.

Welcome to life under the microscope week to week.

Campbell showed obvious of progress in leading Washington to Sunday's 29-24 win over the Saints.

Was it enough? Hardly. Zorn rightly bemoaned being relegated to field goals in the first half. And, Zorn said, Campbell missed a couple other shots at big gainers.

Yet when it mattered, the Redskin facing the most pressure stood tall and threw long.

Campbell, and Washington in general, might want to consider taking the lead before the fourth quarter. But for now, Campbell has brought renewed hope to a season that was slipping away.

Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post