For Redskins, the Bye is perfect timing

Funny how things work out. When the Washington Redskins schedule was released, it seemed that the week four Bye came too early. Better to have it mid-season when those small injuries build up and the players would appreciate a rest before the late-season playoff push.

The Redskins started the season with small injuries that won’t go away. They have already lost two starting O-linemen. Cornelius Griffin left the Giants game with a foot injury. Fred Smoot missed two games with a hamstring problem. The biggest worry is Skins ace wide receiver Santana Moss who never looked right to me.

Moss missed most of training camp recovering from a groin injury. In each of the first three games, he missed catches he surely would have caught in 2005. When Jason Campbell got the start last season, Moss was quoted as telling him to “just put the ball up there” and give Moss the chance to go get it. Campbell did that a number of times this season. The incompletions were charged to Campbell, but it looked to me that Moss didn’t close on the ball, even when he was open, in the thrilling way he’s wowed us before.

Moss suffered another groin injury in the Giants game. He would likely be doubtful for a game played this weekend. They need more time to rest now, not mid-year. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time.

John Keim at the Washington Examiner details the health status of key starters. See Nagging injuries a pain for Skins.  _________________________

In Plenty to ponder a week later, Ryan O’Halloran at the Washington Times lays out four issues for the Washington brain trust to think about. Jason Campbell’s development tops the list, as it always does. The future success of the franchise is seen as resting on his shoulders. Living under a microscope is part of the deal, I guess. Sooner or later, this has got to be annoying to Campbell.

O’Halloran gives his take on what Campbell has done well and some could-be-better things. O’Halloran also notes that opposing teams are targeting cornerback Carlos Rogers and that Brandon Lloyd has fallen to No. 4 on the wide receiver depth chart.

Like almost everyone else, O’Halloran takes shots at the Redskins two-minute offense.

Arrow to top