Q&A with Mark Newgent

October 4, 9:28 PMPhiladelphia Eagles ExaminerGordie Jones

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Clinton Portis will be a challenge for the Eagles.

Here is my Q&A with Washington Redskins Examiner Mark Newgent, as we look ahead to Sunday's Eagles-'Skins game:

1. Why do you think Jason Campbell has embraced Jim Zorn's system, so readily and so quickly?

I think it was just a matter of time before Campbell got Zorn's system. He has a terrific work ethic. I guess that comes from having to learn so many systems in such a short time, four in four years, I believe. He has improved in two main areas:

A. Throwing the ball quicker. He has finally started to shed the habit of locking into one receiver and waiting them to come open. If you look at his second touchdown against Dallas, Randle-El was a second or third option on the play.

B. Researching the West Coast offense I found a Len Pasquarelli interview with Steve Young about the central tenets of the WCO. Young said that footwork (the three-step or five-step drop determines where the ball is thrown) is the key. I think Campbell has finally ascertained that fact and applied it. As in point A, he is learning to throw to areas not a man.

2. How great is the potential for a Redskins letdown after last week's victory in Dallas?

The potential is there. However, I think Jim Zorn is turning out to be a coach who will not let that happen to his team. They may lose the game, but it won't be from a lack of effort or resting on their laurels. The Redskins are all too familiar with the Eagles; they know what awaits them Sunday.

3. How will the defense be affected by the absence of Jason Taylor (and possibly Shawn Springs)?

Jason Taylor may not have brought a lot of sacks in the first three games, but he did bring pressure and batted balls, especially against New Orleans and Arizona. That pressure from the edge, which has been distinctly missing from Redskins defenses over recent years, will be needed against the Eagles. The Redskins will rotate second-year man Chris Wilson and rookie Rob Jackson. Wilson is a speed rusher and had a fine rookie season in 2007. Jackson is a promising rookie. However, they won't be able to bring the pressure Taylor can, which will also free up the Eagles to double Andre Carter. Shawn Springs is by far their best corner, and if he is out it will hurt. Springs is a very physical corner and he used that physicality against Terrell Owens. However DeSean Jackson's speed may be too much for Springs. Carlos Rogers will most likely cover Jackson. Rogers has the speed to cover him step-for-step. I'd also think Greg Blache would roll LaRon Landry over to help on Jackson as well.

4. Conventional wisdom says that the Redskins, who are not a blitzing team, will have to blitz in order to win. How wise is this?

That is a tough question. I think Blache is in a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation. Blache will need to call blitzes, but they will have to be in the right situation at the right time and come from the right area. I think if he blitzes too much he leaves open the one real weakness of this defense – the short/intermediate pass.

5. Jon Jansen, who lost his job in the preseason to Stephen Heyer, makes his second straight start at right tackle for an injured Heyer this week. How has Jansen looked?

Jansen played well against Dallas and has looked good in practice. However, Jim Johnson's blitz packages could remind us why he was demoted.

6. Two other 30-something guys are linebackers Marcus Washington and London Fletcher. How much do they have left in the tank?

Marcus Washington is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury. He plays the run well, but can't cover receivers, as Jason Witten showed last week. He also had hip surgery last year so that is definitely a factor in his decline. London Fletcher has a motor that won't quit. He may be old (in NFL years), but he can still cover receivers and fly to the ball. I think he has a few more good years left in him.

7. What are some other keys to a Redskins victory?

Running the ball. I know the Eagles give up only 2.9 yards per carry, but I think Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts need to have some success on the ground, if only to relieve some of the blitz pressure on Campbell.

Containing Brian Westbrook, if he plays. Westbrook is the ideal back to exploit the Redskins’ defensive weakness. He has done it so many times in the past. I cite his 57-yard touchdown run on an eight-yard pass from McNabb, which put the Eagles ahead for good in last year's game at Fed Ex Field.

Hit a big play, or two.

8. What weaknesses can the Eagles exploit?

Again, the short/intermediate passes. If Washington plays he can be beaten, as can Rocky McIntosh who is barely a year removed from reconstructive surgery on both knees. The Redskins usually play Landry deep and all Westbrook or Correll Buckhalter need to do is beat a linebacker on a screen or short pass and the could score. Rookie punter Durant Brooks has been erratic. Reggie Bush returned a line-drive punt for a score and DeSean Jackson could do the same.

9. Who might be an X-factor for Washington?

Chris Cooley. I know that a main offensive weapon does not sound like an X-factor, but he has been largely unused so far this season, 17 catches for 179 yards. I like the idea of using him on screens to counter the blitz. He can make a safety miss and stomp a corner on the way to the end zone.

10. Give me your predicted order of finish for the NFC East.

I told Giants Examiner Zac Wassink that my provisional prediction was: Dallas, Philadelphia, New York, Washington. That was before the season opener when the Redskins offense looked moribund. I'm going to stay with that pick right now, although things look to be shaping up differently. Let's revisit that for the rematch. I think we both may have to revise our picks.