HAIL TO THE REDSKINS

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Addressing headlines

Despite dropping one of the most bizarre gut-wrenching games I've witnessed in all my years as a Redskins fan just days ago, it seems the media and fans have moved on. Filling the void are several interesting headlines I felt the need to address.

#1: Let's start with the running backs.

Clinton saw specialists in Pittsburgh earlier in the week for the concussion he suffered nearly a month ago in the Falcons game. What'd they say? Exactly what you'd expect a Steelers doctor to say (hey, they cleared Roethlisberger a week earlier). So he's done for the year, his worst year as a professional. Now, whispers of CP's career in DC being over are beginning to circulate.

Here's my story: I'm not one to gamble with head injuries. Been there, done that. But Portis's story goes deeper. In no way am I calling him soft. Far from it. He's arguably one of the most punishing pass blockers at the RB position. Just ask Mathias Kiwanuka (MUTE FOR LANGUAGE):


The dude can bring it... on game day. But during the week, he rarely practices. Likewise, his work habits in the offseason are reportedly no different. Phillip Daniels, in comparison, came back stronger than ever after his leg injury and now he's merely playing for pride with torn biceps. Would I be sad to see CP go? Sure, he's still our best back and can still contribute in the running game... as long as it's by committee.

Since he went out, Betts stepped in nicely then stepped out swiftly after tearing major knee ligaments in Dallas. Now Rock, preseason all-star Marcus Mason, and 'dat dude' named Ganther are picking up the slack. But that's it, they're just picking up the slack, not significantly impacting games and the Post is now reporting the possibility of drafting RB in the first round.

My opinion? If Portis wants back, then OK, but if he can't play anymore or wants to play elsewhere, let him go. Start Betts and rotate Rock and Ganther because drafting any player besides an offensive lineman would put this franchise back another year. The house's foundation has to go down before you can start talking plasma screen TVs.

#2: Suisham? Dish 'em.

Only 3 misses on the year? Not bad. But each one having a direct effect on the outcome of 2 back to back games? Good riddance. He's a 72% career FG kicker. How'd this guy beat out the others in preseason? As always, Vinny was focused on the big names. Now, instead of 5-7, they're 3-9. Sure Campbell threw a late pick. Sure Sellers fumbled in OT. But it would have never come to that had Suisham put it out of reach earlier on.

His replacement? Graham Gano and his story is kinda promising. As a senior at Florida State last year, he won the Lou Groza awarded to the nation's best kicker. He was a first team All-American and won the Champ Sports Bowl MVP trophy in FSU's win over Wisconsin. After college, he was undrafted then beat out in Ravens camp by some dude named Hauschka (since been cut).

He signed with the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives who currently employ former NFLers J.P. Losman, Teddy Lehman, and Tony Parrish. Vegas recently won the UFL championship in October and guess who kicked the game-winner? Sounds like the dude's simply a winner.

#3: Lastly, someone finally got it right...

London Fletcher, football's most underrated and under-appreciated player, was finally recognized for his play. Earlier this week, the decade's leading tackler was named to Sports Illustrated writer Peter King's All-Decade Team and USA Football's All-Fundamentals Team.

It's about damn time.

Fletch played college ball at D-III John Carroll University. No surprise, he set the school record for tackles his senior season (202) and was named D-III national linebacker of the year. After college, he was undrafted but immediately joined the St. Louis Rams. Since then, he's never missed a game, he's led his team in tackles every year he's played, and owns the season records in tackles for every team he's played for. Yet, he's never been named to the Pro Bowl.

Pro Bowl ballot: http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot?icampaign=PB_topheader. If you haven't yet, do it. If you have, do it again. Keeping Fletch out of the Pro Bowl is like keeping Hef out of The Mansion.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Oh when the Saints, go marching out...

I've thought about it over the last 24 hours and I still can't figure it out: should I be content with Washington's admirable 3-point overtime loss knowing midway through the fourth quarter they'd predictably find a way to ruin arguably their best performance of the season? Or should I be heartbroken after watching a lost, injury-plagued, downward-spiraling team come so close to pulling off football's greatest upset since the 2008 Super Bowl?

The unbiased observer in me realizes the inferior team (eliminated from the playoffs seemingly decades ago) ultimately made the same mistakes that led to their dismal 3-9 record: 4 turnovers (however bizarre), over 450 yards allowed, and countless opportunities squandered.

But, the fanatic in me pities the Redskins... excluding Suisham and probably Landry too, the Redskins' best impression of All-World bust Kwame Brown.

For the last year, seemingly, Redskins fans have been calling for Campbell's head. Zorn's been on the hottest seat this side of Mars, the offensive line has been lampooned, and all of it has sadly overshadowed the defense's superhuman performance all year despite constantly fighting an uphill battle. But Sunday, the Redskins did something that no one could foresee. When the same team who ended the Lions' 19-game losing streak in week 3 went up 10-0 on the undefeated Saints, all was forgotten.

Campbell haters momentarily forgot about the possibility of drafting Jimmy Clausen (ugh, double ugh, triple UGH) in April's draft. The Fire Zorn Contingent commended his aggressive game management matching the fast-paced Saints blow for blow. And all those (myself included) who've nitpicked our bowling-pin-like offensive line all season were silenced as Campbell was kept vertical on 39 of 42 drop backs. ZERO SACKS.

As the FG team took the field with the opportunity to stretch the lead to 10, therefore putting the game all but out of reach in the final 2 minutes, my reaction was candid: "Damn, go get 'em Skins."

But then Dead Kicker Walking shanked the unshankable kick. 23 yards, at HOME. It was like peeing off a boat and missing the ocean. Landry gave up a big play over the top soon after, then the Saints closed the curtains minutes into overtime.

The 12-0 New Orleans Saints are arguably the best team in the NFC, if not the entire NFL. They absolutely embarrassed Tom Brady's Patriots the week before much like the 11 opponents they faced before them. But on Sunday, the Skins gave them their best test of the season to date. Maybe they weren't the better team but they were equal.

And maybe finger-pointing Redskin fans and those named Snyderrato should think twice before turning over the roster and coaching staff following the season's end. Sure, I have a short list of players I'd like to never see don the burgundy and gold after this season. But not anyone not named Suisham.

Over the last 4 games, these lesser known players are stepping into starting roles and challenging Vinny's commitment to invest in big names. Had a few balls bounced in the Skins favor, the Washington "replacements" could be 6-6 riding a 4-game winning streak against opponents with a combined 36-12 record (the last 3 losses have been decided by 7 points combined with Washington leading in the 4th quarter of each).

Campbell, Cartwright, Ganther (who?), even the forgotten 2008 second rounders and ragbag offensive line are laying the foundation. These disregarded stand-ins, however less talented, are revealing the difference between heart and hype. If I was Snyder, I'd go and get a GM and some young draft picks to build upon it.

Just ask the Saints. They were 3-13 just 4 years ago before Sean Payton was brought in. Then he went 25-23 in his first 3 years.

Zorn said it took 3 years in Seattle. I say give it to him.