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Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel (right) pulls down Redskins' Jason Campbell during the first half yesterday.
Interference from Jabari Greer (33) prevents Redskins' Reche Caldwell from catching a Campbell pass.
Buffalo kicker Rian Lindell drills the game-winning field goal with four seconds remaining in yesterday's contest.
ABOVE: Buffalo's Fred Jackson (22) drags Redskins' - |
BY ADAM HIMMELSBACH
LANDOVER, Md.--The Redskins' defense took the field, and Sean Taylor was everywhere.
His face was on hand-made signs. His number was on thousands of white towels that were waved by thousands of fans. His name was on a makeshift memorial that sprouted outside FedEx Field.
And then the Redskins honored their former teammate silently.
The players ran to their positions, and as the Buffalo Bills' offense took its first snap, Taylor's free safety spot remained empty. It was a moment almost lost amid all the others.
"I think it was important for us to know that Sean was with us one last time," said Taylor's replacement, Reed Doughty, who stood on the sideline for the opening play. "He'll always be with us."
For the rest of that drive, cornerback Fred Smoot stole glances toward Taylor's old position. Then he started crying, the tears hidden behind his facemask.
During timeouts, defensive end Phillip Daniels looked into the crowd to read signs held by fans wearing No. 21 jerseys. He choked back tears.
Taylor, 24, died last Tuesday, one day after he was shot during an attempted burglary at his Miami-area home.
On Wednesday, Taylor's father, Pedro, went to Redskins Park and told the players to win their next five games for his son.
And for a time yesterday, it looked like Washington would take the first step. But the Bills would not allow a storybook ending.
Buffalo trailed by two points when kicker Ryan Lindell lined up for a 51-yard field goal with eight seconds left. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs called a timeout to ice the kicker. Then he called another, which is against the rules.
The resulting 15-yard penalty gave Lindell a 36-yard try, and with a cold and steady rain falling, he popped it through the uprights, giving Buffalo a 17-16 victory.
"It was like your heart dropped all the way to your feet," quarterback Jason Campbell said.
The fans rolled up their signs and posters and shuffled quietly toward the exits and into the cold night. Some of the players gathered near midfield for a prayer.
For the Redskins (5-7), there was a sense that while the loss hurt, it was nothing compared to the last six days.
"I think everyone was kind of drained, to be truthful," Gibbs said. "I kind of felt like it was hard to get the emotion up to play."
Throughout the week, the Redskins recalled fond memories of Taylor. They spoke of his love for his 18-month-old daughter, Jackie. They spoke of his love for football.
They tried to focus on the Bills, but several players said it was more difficult than they had ever imagined.
"To be honest," Smoot said, "my mind's not even on football."
In the locker room after the game, the players spoke softly and sullenly. Eyes welled with tears.
Cornerback Shawn Springs dressed at his locker, which is next to Taylor's. Like always, there was medical tape and sweaty football gear on the floor. But this time, Taylor was not there.
His locker was encased with glass. Inside, it looked much like it did before games. His jersey and shoulder pads sat on the top shelf. His helmet rested on a hook. His socks were on the floor.
Some players took quick looks at the locker as they walked by. After they showered and dressed and left the emotional afternoon behind them, they boarded a flight to Miami, where they will attend Taylor's funeral this morning at Florida International University.
On Thursday, the Redskins will play host to the Chicago Bears. They're not sure how everything will feel by then.
"It's not gonna be easy and it's not gonna get easier," Daniels said. "No one's been through this, and no one wants to go through this."
Prior to yesterday's game, Taylor was honored with a video tribute that was followed by a moment of silence. The Redskins wore Taylor's number on their helmets and their jerseys.
After Daniels recovered a second-quarter fumble, he pointed toward the sky. After running back Clinton Portis scored a third-quarter touchdown, he lifted his jersey to show a white shirt that read: "In memory of Sean Taylor."
That touchdown gave the Redskins a 16-5 lead with 5 minutes, 39 seconds left in the third quarter.
But Washington's next two drives ended with a fumble and an interception.
Buffalo converted both miscues into field goals, making it 16-11 with 11:14 left.
After a Redskins punt, the Bills marched 65 yards and got a 33-yard field goal from Lindell. Still, with less than two minutes left, the Redskins had the ball and a two-point lead.
Portis was stopped on third-and-8 from the Washington 46, and after a punt, Buffalo took over at its own 22 with 56 seconds left.
After rookie quarterback Trent Edwards completed passes of 5 and 11 yards, he hit Josh Reed over the middle for 30 yards, giving Buffalo a first down at the Redskins' 33.
Gibbs called the first timeout to ice Lindell. He said he then asked an official if he could call another timeout, and said he was told that he could. He called the timeout, and the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was whistled before Lindell drilled the 36-yard game-winner.
It was painful for the Redskins, but it was nothing compared to the past week.
"Not having Sean," cornerback Leigh Torrence said, "is, I guess, something we're going to have to get used to."
BILLS 17, REDSKINS 16
Buffalo | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 | -- | 17 |
Washington | 3 | 6 | 7 | 0 | -- | 16 |
First Quarter
Was--FG Suisham 27, 7:12.
Second Quarter
Was--FG Suisham 28, 14:37.
Buf--Safety, Campbell sacked by Crowell in end zone, 8:19.
Was--FG Suisham 33, :25.
Third Quarter
Buf--FG Lindell 38, 11:21.
Was--Portis 3 run (Suisham kick), 5:42.
Buf--FG Lindell 43, 1:09.
Fourth Quarter
Buf--FG Lindell 24, 11:14.
Buf--FG Lindell 33, 6:33.
Buf--FG Lindell 36, :04.
A--85,831.
TEAM STATISTICS
Buf | Was |
First downs | 15 | 22 |
Total Net Yards | 357 | 282 |
Rushes-yards | 20-100 | 30-80 |
Passing | 257 | 202 |
Punt Returns | 2-37 | 0-0 |
Kickoff Returns | 6-53 | 6-134 |
Interceptions | 1-0 | 0-0 |
Cp-Att-Int | 22-36-0 | 21-37-1 |
Sacked-Yards Lost | 0-0 | 3-14 |
Punts | 4-35.0 | 3-44.3 |
Fumbles-Lost | 2-1 | 1-1 |
Penalties-Yards | 8-101 | 4-34 |
Time of Possession | 27:04 | 32:56
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INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING--Buffalo, Jackson 16-82, Wright 2-14, Edwards 2-4. Washington, Portis 25-50, J.Campbell 4-19, Moss 1-11.
PASSING--Buffalo, Edwards 22-36-0-257. Washington, J.Campbell 21-37-1-216.
RECEIVING--Buffalo, Reed 5-67, Jackson 4-69, Evans 4-51, Parrish 4-36, Royal 4-21, Gaines 1-13. Washington, Cooley 7-89, Moss 5-63, Caldwell 3-26, Betts 2-14, McCardell 2-14, Portis 2-10.
MISSED FIELD GOALS--None.
Adam Himmelsbach: 540/374-5442
