The 2003 season was the Washington Redskins' 72nd season in the National Football League (NFL). The team failed to improve on their 7–9 record from 2002, dropping to 5–11 and missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.2003 Washington Redskins statistics This was their worst season since 1994.Washington Redskins Team Encyclopedia
This was the first season since 1982 that the Redskins did not have cornerback Darrell Green, who retired after the 2002 season. Owing to different formulas for intraconference scheduling used by the NFL before 2002, it was the first time since 1994 that the Redskins played the Atlanta FalconsWashington Redskins v Atlanta Falcons and the first time ever the Redskins had played at the Georgia Dome, which opened in 1992. During the season the Redskins wore a patch on their jerseys with the initials "GSS: Hail to the Redskins" to commemorate Gerald S. Snyder, the father of owner Daniel Snyder who had died during the 2003 offseason.
Following the season, defensive end Bruce Smith retired after 19 seasons in the NFL, Pro Bowl defensive back Champ Bailey would be traded to the Denver Broncos and head coach Steve Spurrier left after spending only two seasons coaching the Redskins.
Offseason The Redskins acquired former New York Jets players Randy Thomas, John Hall, Laveranues Coles, and Chad Morton in free agency.
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2003 undrafted free agents of note Player Position CollegeChris ClemonsDefensive endGeorgiaAde JimohCornerbackUtah StateSultan McCulloughRunning backUSCClifton SmithLinebackerSyracuseKevin WareTight endWashington
Roster
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Game site Record Network Kickoff (EST) Attendance 1 September 4 New York Jets W 16–13 FedExField 1–0 ABC 9:00pm 85,420 2 September 14 at Atlanta Falcons W 33–31 Georgia Dome 2–0 Fox 1:00pm 70,241 3 September 21 New York Giants L 21–24 FedExField 2–1 Fox 4:15pm 84,856 4 September 28 New England Patriots W 20–17 FedExField 3–1 CBS 1:00pm 83,632 5 October 5 at Philadelphia Eagles L 25–27 Lincoln Financial Field 3–2 Fox 4:15pm 67,792 6 October 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–35 FedExField 3–3 Fox 1:00pm 85,490 7 October 19 at Buffalo Bills L 7–24 Ralph Wilson Stadium 3–4 Fox 4:15pm 73,149 8 Bye 9 November 2 at Dallas Cowboys L 14–21 Texas Stadium 3–5 Fox 4:15pm 64,002 10 November 9 Seattle Seahawks W 27–20 FedExField 4–5 Fox 1:00pm 80,728 11 November 16 at Carolina Panthers L 17–20 Ericsson Stadium 4–6 Fox 1:00pm 73,263 12 November 23 at Miami Dolphins L 23–24 Pro Player Stadium 4–7 ESPN 8:30pm 73,578 13 November 30 New Orleans Saints L 20–24 FedExField 4–8 Fox 4:05pm 76,821 14 December 7 at New York Giants W 20–7 Giants Stadium 5–8 Fox 1:00pm 78,217 15 December 14 Dallas Cowboys L 0–27 FedExField 5–9 Fox 4:15pm 70,284 16 December 21 at Chicago Bears L 24–27 Soldier Field 5–10 Fox 1:00pm 61,719 17 Philadelphia Eagles L 7–31 FedExField 5–11 ESPN 8:30pm 76,766 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
References