For Redskins, no defense

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This finally was the year: After two seasons of relying on defense, the Redskins no longer would have to win every game on that side of the ball.

The Redskins added famed strategist Al Saunders and gifted receivers Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El to the offensive mix -- enough new talent, it was thought, to relieve the pressure on the defense of assistant head coach Gregg Williams to get it done.

But, last night, it was the same old story: The score was tied in the fourth quarter and with the game on the line, the supposedly upgraded offense managed just 21 yards and two first downs on its two first possessions.

That left the defense to salvage things, and it had problems of its own.

The defense, with four first-round draft choices on the line and in the secondary and a Pro Bowl linebacker, struggled in preseason. Things began badly last night in the opener: The Redskins surrendered an 80-yard touchdown drive to the Vikings on the opening possession.

The unit steadied the rest of the first half, but even that is misleading.

Cornerback Carlos Rogers nearly gave up what should have been a long touchdown pass in the first half to Vikings receiver Troy Williamson, who let a perfect pass from Brad Johnson sail through his hands.

The Redskins needed Rogers to step up in the absence of injured Shawn Springs, but he instead showed why he isn't ready to be a No. 1 corner. Rogers was toasted by the nondescript Marcus Robinson for a 20-yard touchdown that gave the Vikings a 16-13 lead in the third quarter.

The Redskins' offense later drove for a score-tying field goal, and the defense could have kept that momentum going by holding the Vikings offense to a three-and-out.

Instead, the Vikings churned out two decent drives that crossed into Redskins territory, though one ended in a long missed field goal and the other on a third-down incompletion.