September 5, 2004 in Sports

Skins take momentum into season

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In a way, the Washington Redskins didn’t fight fair in their final exhibition game. They blitzed both cornerbacks on the first play and showed other blitzes and formations usually reserved for the regular season.

But momentum and confidence are precious commodities, and the Redskins now have both after an easy shutout win over the Atlanta Falcons.

“I think we showed a little more than normal, but I think it was good for us,” safety Matt Bowen said Saturday. “We needed to have a start like that, and for the defense to have that confidence going into the regular season.”

A 28-3 loss to St. Louis the week before had coach Joe Gibbs concerned and raised a few doubts whether the returning Hall of Fame coach could pick up where he left off when he retired. Substitute Friday’s 27-0 win over the Falcons, and suddenly everyone’s feeling much better.

“I think this is the year for the whole shebang,” linebacker LaVar Arrington said.

Arrington, back after missing two games with a sprained knee, was a dominant force again. He went unblocked twice on blitzes and forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick took just five snaps in three series.

“They brought some blitzes we didn’t expect and we didn’t game plan for,” Vick said. “They blitzed, and who says you can’t blitz in football?”

Seahawks hope Davis isn’t out for long

Seattle Seahawks fullback Chris Davis, who missed last season with a torn ligament in his left knee, injured his right knee in the final game of the preseason.

Davis, drafted from Syracuse in 2003, got tangled up with a Vikings player while running to make a tackle in Thursday’s 23-21 victory over Minnesota.

He had to be helped off the field and was carted into the Seahawks’ locker room for X-rays.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said he’s holding out hope that Davis will be able to play this season.

“I am choosing to think positively that this is not as bad as it might be,” Holmgren told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “The doctors are not quite sure, and they’re going to scan this thing. It’s too bad. He has been very unlucky.”

Ogden hopeful for opener

Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden hopes to play in the season opener after spraining a knee ligament in Baltimore’s final exhibition game.

Ogden, 6-foot-9 and 345 pounds, has played in 58 straight games. The seven-time Pro bowl players hasn’t missed a game since sitting out a win over Jacksonville in 2000. Right tackle Ethan Brooks most likely would move to the left side if Ogden misses any time.

Ogden injured his left medial collateral ligament in a 27-17 victory against the New York Giants on Thursday night.

•The Ravens also cut eight players, including return-specialist and wide receiver Lamont Brightful, a former Eastern Washington standout.

Around the league

The Miami Dolphins have filed a grievance against Ricky Williams, asking an arbitrator to uphold their contractual right to recover $8.6 million paid to the retired running back between signing bonus and incentives, the Miami Herald reported on its Web site. … The Carolina Panthers traded for Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Todd Fordham to add some versatility to the unit. Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said the team gave up a late-round 2005 pick for Fordham, but declined to specify which round. … The New York Jets cut 12 players, including veteran tight end Mikhael Ricks. … Veteran safety Tyrone Carter was among the 12 players cut by the Minnesota Vikings.

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