By Rich Tandler
On Sunday, Anthony Armstrong did something that no Redskin had done since 2008. He caught a touchdown pass that brought his team from behind to ahead in the fourth quarter.
Against the Saints in Week 2 in 2008, Santana Moss caught that 67-yard pass from Jason Campbell with the Redskins trailing 24-22. Washington held on for a 29-22 win.
Moss had been a focal point of the offense that day. He finished up with 7 receptions for 164 yards.
Armstrong, on the other hand, had been largely forgotten. He had caught just one pass since September 18. Mike Shanahan suggested that Armstrong should consider getting into coaching if he couldn’t do a better job of beating press coverage. There was speculation that Armstrong had somehow landed in Shanahan’s doghouse, a place like the Eagles’ Hotel California, where you can check out but you can never leave.
Against the Seahawks, Armstrong did not start. In fact, he did not play a whole lot. But he was in there for the play of the game in the fourth quarter.
The Seahawks had taken a 17-7 lead earlier in the period on a touchdown pass from Tavaris Jackson to Golden Tate with 12:45 left to play. The Redskins got closer on Roy Helu’s spectacular, hurdling 28-yard touchdown run that made it 17-14. Washington’s defense did its part to sustain the rally, forcing a three and out capped by LaRon Landry’s sack of Jackson. After the punt, the Redskins had the ball at their own 44 with 7:55 left.
A swing pass to Mike Sellers (the backup fullback’s first reception of the year) gained 15 yards. But on second and seven the pressure got to Grossman and he was flagged for intentional grounding. That set up third and 19 at midfield.
Armstrong lined up wide left. Cornerback Brandon Browner had him one on one. Why would you waste safety help on a receiver who had one catch over the past two months?
Grossman took the shotgun snap and Armstrong ran a fly pattern. Pressure came from the outside and Grossman took a few steps up in the pocket and heaved the ball to the end zone.
With Browner pushing and grabbing Armstrong enough to draw a pass interference flag, the receiver turned, jumped, and caught the pass. One foot got down and then he landed on his back shoulder, earning “Seahawks Blue” smudge across part of the name on the back of his jersey. The score was reviewed briefly and the touchdown was upheld, putting the Redskis up 20-17.
The extra point was blocked but the Redskins second touchdown in three and a half minutes proved to be too much for Jackson and the Seahawks to overcome.
Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.
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