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When he was benched two weeks ago in favor of Josh Wilson, cornerback Fabian Washington knew it was deserved.
He had allowed Bills wide receiver Lee Evans to beat him for three touchdown receptions, and called the performance the worst of his career.
The coaches stuck with Washington, giving him the start in yesterday's 26-10 win over the Dolphins, but at halftime, the six-year veteran was benched for the second straight game.
This time, he didn't think he had played poorly enough to warrant a switch from himself to Wilson.
"No. No, not at all," Washington said. "But, we already knew Josh was going to get a shot. When they decided to put Josh in, one thing about it, I support it. I supported the decision, [and] Josh went out there and made plays, as he should.
"I missed a tackle, I can say that. I did miss an open-field tackle, and I think the dude had like 30 yards, so that could have been the reasoning behind it."
Despite making the change at corner, head coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in Washington after the game.
"First of all, Fabian was playing okay," Harbaugh said. "And, Fabian's going to be fine. Fabian's a big part of what we're doing here."
Washington, who has started 18 games in his two seasons with the Ravens, said that he still views himself as a starter despite the back-to-back benchings.
"It bothers me, but at the end of the day, it don't bother me, because I'm still competing, and I'll get my shot to get back on the field," he said. "When I do, you've got to take advantage of it, like Josh did today."
Wilson absolutely took advantage of the opportunity, posting a tackle, three passes defensed, and grabbing the game-clinching interception with under a minute left in the fourth quarter.
The Maryland product, acquired in a trade with the Seahawks before the start of the regular season, has seen limited action so far this season, but he made a bit of a statement yesterday.
"Anytime you go out there and play good, you love that," Wilson said. "As a player, to be able to show your abilities and show what you can do to help this team, that's a great feeling. I'm just glad I had the opportunity to do that today."
"He's here for a reason. He's a guy that's had a lot of success," Harbaugh said. "I figure as we go forward, we want to play those corners as much as we can. And for Josh to come through the way he did, he made the great play with the interception at the end, which was gigantic. I think he played well."
It sure looks like Wilson has taken a leg up on Washington on the depth chart at this point, but Wilson said he's leaving the personnel decisions up to the coaches and the members of the Ravens' front office.
"I'm just sitting here and whenever the opportunity comes, wherever it comes, any position to help this team, that's what I want to do," Wilson said. "If it's on special teams, on defense, whatever I can do, that's what I want to do."
