Redskins Rout Really Reeks

I’ve always been a Redskin fan, but last night, I WAS a “redskin”----out of sheer embarrassment.

The final score was 59-28, but it really wasn’t that close.

While the magnitude of the slaughter may have been smaller with anyone other than Washington as the opponent, I firmly believe that Michael Vick and the Eagles would have destroyed ANY team in the NFL last night. My bet is that other NFL players watching the spectacle from their La-Z-Boys are secretly glad that their team didn’t draw the Eagles this week.

They say there’s no defense for the perfectly thrown pass---and that’s exactly what Vick kept tossing all night long.

Darts.
Lasers.
Scud Missles.

The Washington defenders were so fearful of Vick’s arm that they forgot (constantly) about his ability to run. It was almost like gliding, not running. He was ten yards downfield before anyone even had a shot at him. Vick never broke a sweat. The only thing more annoying was listening to Gruden and Jaworski gush nonstop about how Vick had paid his debt to society and was a “new man”.

I get it, OK? Tell it to the ASPCA.

Of course, the true insult was the pre-game news that Donovan McNabb signed a contract extension for some $78 million bucks. If he didn’t actually SIGN it before the game, my guess is that his sprint to the contract table today with pen in hand might set a land speed record. Yeah, Donovan, sign that deal before Daniel Snyder changes his mind.

The Redskins were actually quick to set the record straight on the magnitude of the offer-namely, that “only” $3.5 million of the money was guaranteed as a signing bonus, in addition to his $5 million dollar salary and a $6.2 “roster bonus” (whatever the hell THAT is)—bringing his total for this year to $14.7 million. My heart goes out to his family, who may have to supplement their income by selling video compilations of McNabb’s interceptions in Philly and other NFC cities.

After being benched by Coach Mike Shanahan in the closing minutes of the Redskins LAST embarrassing loss, there were charges of racism and rumors of a deteriorating relationship between coach and player (see: Albert Haynesworth). The idea that McNabb’s “cardiovascular endurance” was the issue speaks volumes. If true, there is seriously something wrong with the Redskins conditioning program, McNabb’s work ethic or his age---or all of the above.

Don’t get me wrong. I am actually a Donovan McNabb fan. Enduring several years of the totally inept Jason Campbell at the helm will do that to you. Nevertheless, I believe in rewarding PERFORMANCE, not attendance. McNabb’s play has not justified a contract extension. I wonder what Shanahan thinks about the whole deal.

The Washington Redskins are clearly in a rebuilding year—and no one really looked to McNabb as the future of the organization. I think his role was simply to “steady the ship” and bring some sense of leadership and experience to the squad—and perhaps be used to groom the next Mark Sanchez, whomever he might be.

The road doesn’t get any tougher. After beating the Cowboys, Eagles, Bears and Packers—the ‘Skins have mixed in drubbings at the hands of the Eagles last night, another clinic of ineptitude against the Rams (of all teams), a solid loss against the Colts and an embarrassing collapse against the Lions. That, plus a loss that should have been a win against the Texans.

This team (as inconsistent as they’ve been) SHOULD be 6-3, not 4-5. Here are the remaining games:

At Titans
Vikings
At Giants
Buccaneers
At Cowboys
At Jaguars
Giants

Of these 7 opponents, they have the potential to win 4 of the 7—maybe more. If so, they would finish 8-8, which would likely NOT be good enough for a Wild Card spot.

The Redskins penchant for losing to bad teams means that no outcome is guaranteed. If they can win 5 of the 7, a record of 9-7 could get the job done—and trust me, a Wild Card berth is all they deserve this year. Once the Playoffs start, anything can happen.

There is no question that pipe-dreams of Super Bowl glory (which spring eternal in D.C. yearly) have largely gone up in smoke. This is one of the worst offensive teams in the league, dead last in third-down conversion percentage.
They were 0-10 last night.

With the Head Coach’s SON as the Offensive coordinator, you can be sure that things will be tense around the Shanahan Thanksgiving table next week (maybe Mom should carve the turkey this year)

I have no doubt that the Redskins will rise to glory again—and I think that Shanahan and GM Allen are the guys to get it done.

How they rebound from one of the worst drubbings in franchise history will go a long way in determining what the Redskins are made of.

Based on last night, the defense was swiss cheese and the offense was limburger.
Both stank.

If you’d like my blog in your box, let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com