A blast from the past

While I've spent the last two days covering debates around affordable housing and health care, I've missed out on important things, like going over and over how the Redskins lost on Sunday.

Well, the clock just hit Wednesday so I guess I have to look ahead to Arizona. Washington opened as a 6-point favorite and the line has already moved to 8 or 9 along the strip.

Guess thirds-string QB Tim Rattay isn't striking fear in the hearts of America's football gamblers. And hey 'skins fans? Guess who will back in town to back-up Rattay? It appears the Cards are clearing a roster spot to sign Tim Hasselbeck.

You may remember him from such Steve Spurrier-era disasters as a 27-0 loss to Dallas in which he finished with a passer rating of 0.0 and a 31-7 home loss to the Eagles.

Speaking of 2003, like this year, the Redskins started 3-1. Then they lost a close road game (at Philly 27-25 after they failed to convert a two-point conversion) before the season unraveled and they finished 5-11.

Not that I expect them follow that pattern this year, but I'm a little worried about the state of the offensive line, and in turn, what that does to the rest of the offense. They are not running the ball like they did last year, particularly in the second half of games.

Team officials expect the line to be in dire straits again this weekend, Jason La Canforna writes in Tuesday's Post. Expect updates later this week.

--Nate Sandstrom