How would Redskins fans feel about an 8-8 season? It depends on when you ask.If you asked in January when the Redskins were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs, Skins fans wouldn't be too happy. If you asked in July when a rookie head coach was implementing a new offense, they'd be happy. If you asked in September after the Redskins horrible loss to the Giants in the regular season opener, they'd be ecstatic.
However, if you asked in late October when the Redskins were 6-2, they'd be ticked off.
That's how this Redskins fan feels right about now. Sure, if you told me when the season started that the Redskins would finish the season 8-8, I would have taken it. Washington had some talent but was ushering in a new system and a new way of doing things. The NFC East looked stacked and the schedule looked daunting.
However, the Redskins jumped out to that 6-2 start and expectations change.
While Redskins fans weren't sure if this was a Super Bowl caliber team, we did know that this team deserved a playoff berth. Washington had beaten New Orleans, Arizona, Dallas and Philadelphia and had several cupcakes left on the schedule as well as every tough game being held in FedEx Field.
Didn't matter. The Steelers came into Washington and pounded the Redskins on Election Day Eve. Two weeks later, the Dallas Cowboys gutted out a win there. Two weeks after that, the Giants ran over the Redskins for an impressive win. If not for a win over the lowly Seahawks, this season was slipping away.
It slipped completely with an ugly loss in Cincinnati. The same team that beat all those good teams has also lost to the Rams and Bengals and squeaking bye the Seahawks, Lions and Browns. Those wins over Arizona and New Orleans don't look as impressive anymore.
The problem with being 8-8 is that it is tough to know what direction the team is going. Which was the fluke: the first half that went 6-2 or the second half that went 2-6? The team that won three games against playoff teams or the one that lost to two of the worst teams in the NFL?
There is a lot to do in the offseason. They have to find out where Jason Campbell lost his confidence. They need to rebuild those creaky offensive and defensive lines. They will most likely be on the market for one of those big-time receivers that should be available. There may be pressure on Jim Zorn to find someone to take one or more of his coaching duties. While being a first time head coach, he was also the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
The NFL is a league where things can get away from you quickly. The Redskins, like several other teams, had that happen to them this year. The good thing is that this team was once 6-2 and showed us what they can be. Let's hope that they figure out what got us there and make it happen for the entire 2009 season.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
12-29-2008 @ 1:06AM
ted said...
As a redskin fan for 28 years, I am really kind of frustrated with this team. I think the defense is ok. We need a pass rusher and a corner or 2. We really need an Offensive line to give Campbell time. Also he holds the ball too long and takes sacks. A lot. I know he is more athletic than he shows. He needs to run more when he can. If not, lets see what Colt can do. I hope they let him compete for the job. Dont get me wrong. I like Campbell. But I think Colt could bring that spark. I really think we can win the division next year. I think Zorn is a good coach, we just need to give him a little time. It is a work in progress. At least we dont have a bunch of wasted talent like Dallas does.
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12-29-2008 @ 9:01AM
Kevin said...
I dont like jim's style of coaching for a east coast team. He should go on the other side of the map for that style of coaching. We are a running style football team and if that doesnt work fire the ball down field. I think jim's mind set for taking portis out in that one game was bad. Thats when it got ugly for them.Why are you going to sit someone who is the best player on the off.
12-29-2008 @ 1:13AM
Bobbie A. said...
How about trying Colt Brennan in the Q.B. slot? Benchwarning is not his strong suit!
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12-29-2008 @ 1:18AM
ted said...
That is what I said...
12-29-2008 @ 1:17AM
PIZZAJERKSTER said...
OVERALL NOT TO BAD OF A SEASON FOR A FIRST TIME COACH. I HAVE BEEN A FAN FOR 30 YEARS PLUS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE A FAN WIN OR LOSE. GIVE ZORN ANOTHER YEAR HE WILL GET THINGS TOGETHER.
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12-29-2008 @ 2:09AM
Art said...
I have been a Redskins fan for 42 years, and will continue to be, win or lose. I do think the coaches need to reconsider seriously their choice of Jason Campbell as the starting QB. Although he has shown much promise, he has not achieved consistently with that promise. Perhaps he will wake up one morning between now and the opening of the 2009 season and show Manning (Peyton or Eli) type talent, but I doubt it. The idea of starting off a new season with yet another new quarterback does not make my Redskin heart jump up, but it may be our only option to achieve success in both the short and long run.
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12-29-2008 @ 11:22AM
Robb said...
the problem is that Jason Campbell is not a Passer. he is a quarterback. he was not a passer in college where he went undefeated so there is no reason to expect him to magically turn into one now. think of it, he had two thousand yard rushers and was not asked to throw. now he has to throw the ball and cant. i think Jim Zorn was hired expressly to make Jason a passer. name all the passers in the NFL and honestly tell yourself Jason has the talent or the ability to be one of them. Some say it is the offense itself and Jason needs time to learn it. four years and he still can not hit the simplest of patterns. all of which are in the west coast offense. as far as the offense is concerned, the west coast offense is lazy and out moated. it was great when Montana an Young were using it, but how many super bowls have been won with it. throwing passes short of needed first down yardage will never work. i knew when the hired Zorn we would get the Seattle third and five four yard play and we did. the consistent winners in the NFL do not run the west coast offense anymore, why not?? why should we. so that makes just two mistakes Zorn has made. there are others like giving Sellers the ball twice on goal to go plays only to fumble and don't tell me he is a pro bowl player. but the problem is Jim Zorn was given a 9-7 team the was a playoff team and made it 8-8. that is not an passing grade in my mind. we did not move forward we went back. the offense is wrong and is useless, the defense let a 5-9 team run all over it the last game of the season. in light of all i have seen as a redskins since 1962 fan 8-8 is not bad. in 46 years there have many things to complain about. but they have been my team no matter where i have lived and always will be. there is something else i would like to have reconsidered. the uniform. it is time for a change. the helmet design was Vince Lombardi's. i would like to see the Redskins go back to the feather on the helmet. it was distinctive and unique and the magic is all gone from the Lombardi style. also the redskins color have been burgundy and gold. since when has it become burgundy and white. get back to burgundy and gold with the feathered helmet.
12-29-2008 @ 2:30AM
Ted said...
Just saw the schedule for the Skins...looks bad. Why do we always get such a tough schedule? Is it because we play 6 games with the NFC East? We have such a badass division!! If we can beat our own division we can beat anybody. Thats the way I see it. Except for Dallas. They will suck next year if they dont change things. LOL!!!
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12-29-2008 @ 2:33AM
Ted said...
Redskins in 2009: I predict they will be 13-3!!! Who thinks different?
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12-29-2008 @ 11:42AM
Redneck Redskin said...
Redskins 2009.No better than 7-9
12-29-2008 @ 2:37AM
Jim said...
Ted, what are you talking about? You just saw what schedule?? As for the NFC East, I am a Cincinnati Bengals fan. I would LOVE to see the Bengals play nothing BUT NFC East teams. Maybe we'd get back to the playoffs.
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12-29-2008 @ 3:40AM
dc brave said...
Dan Snyder: Get your act together you turd! Let's establish a championship caliber team during the off-season.
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12-29-2008 @ 4:15AM
Richard P said...
The problem with the Skins is they try to run the ball too much with a light ass-ed running back as Clinton, he is too light, they need to use Sellers more then Clinton......I hope the owner get rid of Zorn!
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12-29-2008 @ 5:11AM
Redskin4Life73 said...
I am a do or die Redskin fan myself. I think the season showed us several things. First and foremost that our O-line is horribly old and needs to be retooled immediately. We need to draft the best young offensive linemen possible. I hear everyone talking about Jason Campbell, but if he doesn't have time to throw the ball we will never really see what he is capable of. The O-Line is the foundation on which everything else will be built.
Secondly, the defensive line is getting long in the tooth and could do with a true pass rushers on the ends. Andre Carter and Jason Taylor are not getting it done. AC needs to get some defensive end moves all season I watched tackles just block him up field. He has speed but no technique. He needs both. JT, is past his prime and I don't think he will be back next year.
Finally, I have two other problems I see, neither of which I think will be changed but something for all Redskin fans to think about. First what was the last team that won the Super Bowl running the West Coast offense? Next, its time to get a new director of player personnel.
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12-29-2008 @ 6:16AM
Steve said...
How true your words are dude,i live in Dublin Ireland and have been a skins fan for the past 20 odd years but in my opinion we dop have a good defence and at the heart of that defence is an old man doing a young mans job and doing it as good as anybody in the league and that person is LF,"FLETCH" he should have been in the probowl this year..Best Regards ...HAILSKINS
12-29-2008 @ 6:18AM
Steve said...
LOL the "dop" word should be "DO" ....Regards
12-29-2008 @ 11:36PM
Bay Area Skins said...
I believe your right, the last 4 games prove that this year draft will be vital for any "SUPERBOWL" run! We need YOUTH and SPEED in our O and D line.
I'm impress with our new coach, it shows that the Skins have it. On the flip side.... our division is the best in the NFL, coaches in our division review tapes and picked out our flaws, and got us. The raven game... ring a bell!
12-29-2008 @ 4:59AM
IlikeSonny said...
Must say, I am finally in favor of taking out Jason. He is a class act, but can not get the ball to the reciever. I do think it is time to give Colt a try. Good record for a new coach who walked in on a so-so team. Hope Jim has a say so in the player pics next year.
Jim... The Giants beat Cin. twice, Cowboys once, tied Philly, and won ONE agianst the skins... HUH???
Richard... Pull the third leading rusher in the NFL, and fire the first year head coach, uh...yeah
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12-29-2008 @ 6:30AM
Jabman-N.Carolina Skins Fan said...
Wow, I don't know where to start...First of all, Joe Gibbs, everoyone talked about the game passing him by...Maybe to some effect. But in his 4 seasons of return he took them to the playoffs twice! Last year being one of them So we had some talent there. Portis is a tough of basck as you can find! He's not a bruiser but he pounds it as hard as anyone. And we did mix it with him. He still finished 3rd. Campbell...I think Colt should be our future. As a football historian, with exception of Sonny and Sammy who did we ever have as a long term quarteback? I think Ramsey had potential but that idiot Spurrier got him beat up too much. I like Campbell but his passes aren't sharp when he DOES have time to throw! He misses way to many open targets. Yes our O line needs youth, D line needs youth and strength. We also need more speedy recievers. I wish we still had Champ in the D back! Since Seans death I really liked him we are not as solid there. I pay BIG money every year to go to 2 games... This year the Lambs/Rams beat us, and Pittsburg owned us! We need pass rushers, we need turnovers. I think Zorn may be good but hmmmmm,,,,Where is Bill Cower now? Everyone talks about how the Giants beat us the first game..They didn't score another point in the second half...But we couldn't do much either. Then to let Dallas beat us, Sticny, Rams, 49s, Give us them 4 wins we are back to the playoffs! The AFC east has an 11-5 team NOT going to the playoffs! We are seeing 9-7 teams make it! Come on NFC! And Danny Snyder, I think he will spend the money, just spend the time to build it! Marty built a great team in SD, and Norv broke it down! Two of our fired coaches! But Marty just don't know how to win playoff games!
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12-29-2008 @ 6:20AM
Steve said...
Ya i love for that to happen and maybe with a ring at the end of it all....HAILSKINS
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