Redskins Notebook; Husted Survives A Trying Debut
Place kicker Michael Husted clearly had breathed a healthy sigh of relief when the gun sounded to signal the end of the Redskins' 16-6 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday night. He knew full well that missing an extra point and 30-yard field goal in the second half could have led to disaster for his new team, not to mention swift NFL unemployment.</br></br>For now, Husted has job security for at least another week, according to team sources, but the Redskins are planning to bring in free agent Jaret Holmes for a look this week, just in case Husted has further problems. Holmes, 24, has had practice-squad stints with the Bears and Giants, played in the NFL's European league this past season and was in Chicago's training camp last summer before being cut prior to the season.</br></br>Husted, an eight-year NFL veteran, was added to the Redskins' roster the same day as the team's Monday night loss to the Cowboys last week. He signed when regular kicker Brett Conway continued to have problems with a quadriceps injury in his kicking leg.</br></br>Husted said he did not want to make excuses for his two misses against the Giants and, that after looking at film, he said he had "come in too tight to the ball and kept my hips open. I don't think I was consciously worried about the footing, but I'm sure the footing had something to do with it."</br></br>New turf was installed last week at Giants Stadium, and a number of players reported having problems on the grass surface.