ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins aren't panicking just yet.

The team with the highest payroll in NFL history, touted as a Super Bowl contender, certainly hasn't lived up to the hype in its first three games, including a 27-21 loss to the undermanned Dallas Cowboys at home Monday night.

	George

	Johnson

"It has us scratching our heads looking for answers," fullback Larry Centers said Tuesday as he left the Redskins' practice facility.

Even so, coach Norv Turner said he doesn't plan big changes for the team. He dismissed any talk of using backup Jeff George instead of Brad Johnson, who has thrown costly interceptions in the fourth quarter of the team's two losses.

"Brad's our starting quarterback," Turner said, adding that Johnson was fine physically and barely missed some long throws to his receivers downfield.

"I think the guys we've added to the team will respond in a great manner."

They better. Daniel Snyder has a reputation as an impatient owner who wants quick results for his offseason spending spree. He increased the team's payroll to $100 million in a bid to put it into the Super Bowl.

Snyder brought in aging but talented free agents like 33-year-old cornerback Deion Sanders, 37-year-old defensive lineman Bruce Smith and 32-year-old George.

While the defense has generally played well, the old and new players haven't jelled. The offense hasn't made the big plays that were a hallmark of last season, when Washington lost to Tampa Bay in the playoffs.

To make matters worse, top receiver Michael Westbrook went down with a season-ending knee injury in the 15-10 loss in Detroit last week.

"It's very disappointing," said Turner, whose job security after seven years in Washington hinges on how the Redskins do this season. "We're in a real critical time."

That's because of all the mistakes the team is making.

The Redskins had two turnovers and were penalized six times for 82 yards against Dallas. A pass interference call against Darrell Green helped the Cowboys during one touchdown drive, and a personal foul call against offensive tackle Andy Heck ruined a potential scoring drive in the fourth quarter.

"We just keep making mistakes over and over. That's killing us," rookie offensive lineman Chris Samuels said. "We moved the ball down the field at times ... but we've got to stop making silly mistakes."

The Redskins' schedule doesn't get any easier. They play the New York Giants (3-0), the surprising division leaders, on Sunday, followed by Tampa Bay the following week. Baltimore, Jacksonville and Tennessee are on the schedule for October.

"We can't worry about the schedule. We have to fix ourselves," Turner said.

He said he wasn't bothered by boos from fans after the loss to the Cowboys.

"We've been through that before. You buy a ticket and that's your right," Turner said.

"But right now, we need Brad to play better, we need the offense to play better, we need the entire football team to play better."