WASHINGTON -- Even Albert Haynesworth had a few upbeat things to say after the Redskins' first preseason game.
Then again, it's hard to be a sourpuss after a 42-17 victory. Although it was only a preseason match using simplified schemes against a banged-up team, Friday's win over the Buffalo Bills helps reinforce the feeling that new coach Mike Shanahan has the Redskins headed in the right direction after last year's 4-12 record under Jim Zorn.
"I know a lot of people will say it doesn't mean anything," center Casey Rabach said, "but it's amazing what it does to your confidence. We went out there and put 42 points on an NFL team. The points feel good. We all have confidence in this offense and defense. To do what we did just kind of solidifies that confidence and we can build on it."
Both offense and defense settled down after some first-series jitters. Donovan McNabb led a touchdown drive in his Redskins debut, and youngsters Brandon Banks, Anthony Armstrong and Ryan Torain were among those who made solid opening statements in the battles for roster spots.
Then there was Haynesworth, who took his spot with the second-stringers for two series to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense -- something he spent months desperately trying to avoid.
As it turns out, the big fellow doesn't seem to mind the 3-4 after all -- at least not the version being taught to him by defensive coordinator Jim Haslett.
"What I was told earlier was completely different than what we're doing now," Haynesworth said, ending his media silence on the subject. "But getting with Haslett these last few weeks has really cleared up a whole lot of stuff. And I really enjoy it. It's great to have him on my side to help me with the defense and stuff."
Haslett has essentially become Haynesworth's good cop, buffering the friction between the two-time All-Pro and Shanahan. The head coach wouldn't grant Haynesworth's request for a trade in the spring, forced the lineman to pass a conditioning test upon arrival at training camp. Shanahan then designated Haynesworth as Washington's backup nose tackle once the test was passed.
After the game, it was clear that Haynesworth and Shanahan won't be bowling buddies anytime soon. Shanahan was dispassionate when asked about Haynesworth's performance, saying he would need to review the video first, while the lineman summed up his relationship with the coach like this: "He's the head coach. I'm a player. That's what it is."
Haynesworth also said: "I know I'm a good player, and eventually I'll be with the first team."
The last time the Redskins had such as impressive start to the preseason was in 2002, when Steve Spurrier turned the franchise into an August juggernaut by scoring 38, 37, 35 and 40 points in his first four games. Those wins turned out to be the highlight of the Spurrier era: The Redskins never scored more than 33 points in a regular-season game in his two losing seasons as coach.
So any hyperbole needs to be taken with a grain of salt. DeAngelo Hall's celebration after his first-half interception looked way over the top considering the stakes, and his postgame thoughts were still in the stratosphere.
"This is a whole different coaching staff, different attitude, different group of guys," Hall said. "We've been saying that from the get-go: There's something special going on around here. The world just kind of witnessed a little bit of it tonight."
Hall then wisely added one more thought, one nobody can dispute.
"But," he said, "we've still got a long way to go."
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
