A Spark For The Redskins?

As I watched Sunday’s contest against the Atlanta Falcons I was convinced that the Washington Redskins had in fact achieved a new low in a season saturated with terrible tackling, unfulfilled potential, decimating injuries, and various displays of offensive ineptitude. 

Down 21-3 in the third quarter with Atlanta moving methodically down the field, Redskins safety LaRon Landry (nickname “Dirty Thirty”) saw an opportunity to lay a gigantic hit on Matt Ryan as Ryan was “sprinting” out of bounds.  I cannot be certain what was going through Landry’s head during the play.  Perhaps he just wanted to rid himself of the frustration of losing and being dominated by yet another opponent.  Maybe a big hit would help us forget the bulldozing he received at the hands of Brandon Jacobs.  Or maybe Matt Ryan was the only player on the field that he might be able to tackle.  Regardless the reason, what ensued was a called “late hit” out of bounds which resulted in a sideline scuffle that somehow involved DeAngello Hall and about 20 Falcons players and coaches.  Here we go, I was thinking.  It had finally happened. 

The Redskins had finally reached the boiling point where their frustration was now exploding over and would begin to overwhelm all rational thought.  I was ready for the mob mentality to ensue, where otherwise normal and hard working folk become enticed to perform violent acts far from their typical character.  Finally a worn down and defeated Redskins defense would take out their frustrations of inferiority through cheap shots, dirty play, and all that falls into the category of “unsportsmanlike conduct”. 

The effect however developed into a welcome surprise.  Now down 24-3 at halftime coach Jim Zorn delivered a spirited halftime speech.  Zorn’s little pick me up was described as “he went off” according to some veteran players.  Apparently Coach Zorn in atypical fashion reamed and ranted and ultimately got through.  And as it goes when a normally mild mannered and soft spoken man decides to uncharacteristically stand up and give their verdict, people listen.  Either from the surprise of witnessing something they are not used to experiencing, or by an understanding of the mere importance and value placed in his statements, ultimately something must have sunk in. 

The welcome Spark soon ignited in a second half largely dominated by Washington.  The offensive line performed admirably.  LaDell Betts ran hard and consistently and the Redskins began to move the ball as they did during the first half of last season. 

Suddenly it was just a 7 point game.  Unfortunately, as valiant as our heroes in burgundy and gold were, it still was not enough.  Old habits die hard as LaRon Landry and DeAngello Hall reverted back to displaying the tackling skills they must have learned at band camp.  A Win for the Redskins just wasn’t meant to be.  As a team however, the Redskins came out as a team of character, not giving into the jawing fans and a first half where they could do little if anything right.  Jason Campbell stood tall and continued to compete despite being beaten down.  Now the Redskins know that they can win when they play motivated and play smart.  It is unfortunate that it took a “late hit” and an unfamiliar blowup to convince them. 

Now with Chris Horton and Mike Williams injured and likely to miss the next home contest against Denver the Redskins must find a way to harness this spark and ride it for the rest of the season.  I am convinced that it will at least provide them with one victory against an NFC East foe preferably the New York Giants.  At least it will make due for some more entertaining games.  I just hope Washington is able to keep the chip on their shoulder and have fun.  Even amidst their two victories this season there was no sense of excitement or satisfaction in finishing out on top.  Only a sigh of relief.  I am looking forward to that one game this season resulting in a Redskins win and the pride and confidence that should accompany it.

At Long Last, A Bye Week for the Redskins

What a blessing it is for the Washington Redskins and their followers to be able to reflect and focus our attentions elsewhere during this bye week.  This truly has been a week of detox and relief.  It was a quiet week at Redskins Park. 

 Players are recouping after a terrible 2-5 start and are more than welcoming the fallout of criticism and anger being directed toward their owner and upper management rather than on themselves and their lack of accomplishments on the field.  The censorship that took place at FedEx Field during the Redskins Monday Night Contest against the Philadelphia Eagles is embarrassing to the Redskins organization as a whole.  Any signs brought into the stadium were confiscated.  A rule only enforced when the signs became increasingly critical of Dan Snyder.

  In case that wasn’t enough, paper bags were taken away as well.  Apparently it is illegal to wear one over one’s head to express disappointment with a team that you gave one hundred dollars to go see.  What makes this worse is that the embarrassment is now encompassing fans who continue to support a team that seeks to silence their voice in a triumphant arrogance many are comparing to various brutal political regimes of the past.  I question this loyalty myself.  Is this well deserved loyalty or am I just as guilty as the establishment is for turning a once proud and admired franchise into the laughing stock of the NFC.  This is the question and turmoil at the heart of Washington’s fan base.

  As a result, there is a large sucking sound heard all around in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area.  The sound comes from the vacuum up north in Baltimore that pulls harder and harder gathering once proud Redskins fans into M&T Bank Stadium growing the Baltimore Ravens fan base.  Somewhat ironic.  Peter Angelos must be quietly enjoying this fulfillment of revenge as the Karma from the Expos move to Washington reaches critical fallout.  Mr. Snyder must be counting on the fickleness of human nature and our desire to be a part of a winner.  The Redskins fans who have abandoned the team for another are most likely to return once again when the tide turns.  Those of us who continue to stick with the team are just dumb enough to continue supporting by forking out $250 for two tickets to their Monday Night game against the Giants in late December.  At least I might get on TV. 

Though hated and despised by many the fact remains that Dan Snyder strongly desires to bring home a Super Bowl Trophy and is willing to spend a lot of money to obtain one.  His egocentric nature is not his fault.  He is merely a victim of his upbringing and his life experience.  A man who has accomplished much despite limited resources.  Redskin’s football will return to prominence one day.  Hopefully Mr. Snyder will understand exactly how irrelevant his actions at Fed Ex Monday Night were.  Hopefully…and I have yet to meet a loyal Redskins fan without hope.

Distractions Abound as Redskins Prepare for Kansas City

 The Redskins will play their sixth consecutive winless opponent of 2009 when they square off against the Kansas City Chiefs at Fed Ex Field on Sunday.  Expect to see plenty of empty seats in Dan Snyder’s Coliseum, a result caused by a match up lacking in its ability to stimulate ones football libido leaving Redskins fans yearning for that special someone to help our inferiority complex go away.  With weather reports calling for a 50% chance of rain and temperatures only reaching the low 40′s, it’s safe to say that Kansas City won’t need to spend much time practicing a silent snap count to prepare for the deafening crowd noise.  The fact is unfortunately that season ticket holders are having trouble even giving these tickets away.  Feel free to go to Craigslist and see for yourself.  And despite the approaching opportunity for Washington to reach the .500 mark against the Chiefs, all the news out of Redskins Park has become a whirlwind of jabbering speculation on Jim Zorn’s job security.  Zorn among others have been under increasing scrutiny this week as Redskins Legends including Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff, Joe Theismann, LaVar Arrington and John Riggins have come out of the woodwork to criticize the team.  Riggins went as so far to post his rant on youtube available here:

So what has the result of all this been?  Redskins Players have publicly supported Zorn wholeheartedly and are now sending Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato the message that they are not appreciative of the lack of leadership in the front office.  Neither Snyder nor Cerrato have voiced confirmation of Zorn’s job security on any level.  Ultimately this is a vote of no confidence meaning they have not ruled out replacing Jim Zorn before the season is over.  Seeing this as a constant distraction, players are expressing their frustration.  Frustration that we hope to see translate into intensity on the field developing into the potential for the Redskins to become a team. 

For Kansas City, the Redskins will be their fourth consecutive NFC East opponent.  After getting good ol’ fashion beat downs from Philadelphia and New York and suffering a devastating Overtime defeat at home to Dallas, the Chiefs are looking forward to putting this part of their schedule behind them.  Offensively the Redskins will be going up against a defensive unit ranked dead last in the NFL and a Kansas City offense not much better.  The Redskins will try and counter the Chiefs ineptness with a depleted offensive line and a young unproductive receiving corps of their own.  Enough with the sarcasm though.  In reality I expect this to be a pleasant surprise.  I see the Skins coming together in support of their coach and general dislike of management.  In a fine display of camaraderie the Redskins prevail on an otherwise cold and dreary day beating the spread and bringing home a 23-10 Victory.