THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 12, 1994 TAG: 9412120172
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: TEMPE, ARIZ. LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
The Redskins tried to derive some solace from their 17-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Buddy Ryan wouldn't let them.
After noting that the Redskins played as well as they have all season, Ryan said his team came in with a false sense of confidence that he helped build.
``We shouldn't have shown them (videotape of) the Tampa Bay game,'' Ryan said, referring to Washington's 26-21 loss to the Buccaneers last week. ``That was a mistake on my part. We didn't play very well.''
He also blamed a mental error by his beloved defense for Heath Shuler's 52-yard scoring pass to Henry Ellard. The veteran receiver caught Shuler's throw, then broke a tackle by Aeneas Williams at the Cardinals' 32. Safety Terry Hoage was out of position on the play and couldn't catch Ellard.
``But the main thing is to win,'' Ryan finally said.
Down the hall, Redskins coach Norv Turner quietly said he again found much to like about the performance of his team.
``I have a great feeling about this football team,'' he said. ``We came back from a horrible loss, one in which the score was close but we were dominated. I learned a lot (about the Redskins) after the Tampa game and this week in practice. They don't give up.''
BIRTH OF A FIELD GOAL: The Cardinals' Greg Davis, who was taught to kick field goals by his mother, let his feminine side show on his game-winning 27-yard kick.
``I was doing Lamaze breathing,'' Davis said. ``I remember when I was going to the class with my wife. I wasn't whistling and doing all of that, but I was trying to breathe and relax.''
During a timeout four plays before his game-winningt kick, Davis tried to talk Ryan into letting him try what would have been about a 53-yarder. Instead, Ryan went for it on fourth down, and got a 29-yard pass play from Jay Schroeder to Garrison Hearst.
``That was a hell of a coaching call,'' Davis said. ``I was telling him to kick it because I hit from 58 yards before the game going that way. I'm just thankful that Buddy didn't listen to me.''
REASON TO SCREAM: Turner said he didn't see the 5-yard pass from Schroeder to Larry Centers that hit the ground but nonetheless was ruled complete by the officials.
The call allowed the Cardinals to convert a crucial third-down play at the Redskins' 12 on what would become a third-quarter touchdown drive that gave them a 14-6 lead.
``You get to a point where the calls that go against you even out with the ones that go for you,'' Turner said. ``But you'd also like for them to call the play correctly. I didn't see it. If I had, I'd be even more hoarse than I am.''
THIS AND THAT: Ellard's eight catches for 191 yards gave him 65 receptions and 1,256 yards for the season. He is 181 yards shy of breaking the team record of 1,436 set by Bobby Mitchell in 1963. . . . Punter Reggie Roby was off his game Sunday, averaging just 33 yards on his six kicks. He dropped the snap on his first punt attempt and was lucky to get off a 17-yard kick. . . . Injuries: Offensive tackle Jim Lachey left the game in the first quarter with a lacerated left calf. He said he was spiked. Lachey, Washington's best offensive lineman, probably won't play Sunday in the rematch against Tampa Bay. His replacement, rookie Tre' Johnson, sprained his left foot. Defensive end Tony Woods sprained his right knee. . . . Brian Mitchell gained 13 yards on Washington's first run from scrimmage, more than the Redskins had all last week against the Bucs. by CNB