Diehard Otis

@RedBeast Well...let me be the 1st to set it off. As always, I'm feeling good about The Skins this year. I confess that I haven't kept up on too much this Offseason (some of the cringeworthy stuff had me burying my head in other sporting leagues). But from what I've come to understand, the sky hasn't fallen. So as is the norm, I'm optimistic. When do Veterans report to Bon Secours again?

Honestly, I don't know about that. I ****ing HATE the gotdamn Giants (full disclosure) with a passion, so I could be biased here. But I really don't get why everybody's ridin' their jock. From my vantage point, they have a glaring hole at Left Tackle and Tailback. That translates into them throwing 30+ times a game. With no Left Tackle?? Not only is that a recipe for some serious mischief, but that jeopardizes the nerd's health over the course of the season. Why should they get the benefit of the doubt?

Great post jpage. I particularly enjoyed your insight into how you view The Program's competitiveness year-by-year under McCloughan. And I'm with ya for years 1 thru 3 (although a Winning Record in year 3 I would take). But by Year 4, what you describe is a serious Super Bowl Contender. And that's a tough nut to crack. It's not that I'm against it; my feeling is that most teams never reach serious Contender status. Yes that is the goal, but if it doesn't happen in 4 years precisely, I won't complain. I just want to get there. Now, as for the magnitude of the New York game, I'm right there with ya. Winning is paramount. Win, & it lays indisputable credibility to the Program successfully instituting a Winning Culture. I'm sure that we'd agree that such a culture will produce dividends for years to come. But we gotta beat the Giants 1st.

Here's my opinion. Rex Ryan - probably gets the ax. Especially after the way the Steelers whupped the Bills at home this past Sunday. Todd Bowles - doesn't look to survive that fiasco in New York (I think the Daily News called for his scalp for his mismanagement of their QB mess). Marvin Lewis - I will believe it when I see it; he's held on through much worse in Cincinnati. Hugh Jackson - the man should stay. I just don't know why he'd agree to the job if he didn't have assurances that he would get time to fix it. One year doesn't help anyone involved with that mess. Gus Bradley- what on earth happened there? League Observers were beginning to expect good things outta the Jags. I agree that his time is up. Mike McCoy - it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him get fired. Then again, maybe this campaign just officially puts him on the hot seat. John Fox - the Bears have become a laughing stock. I expect him to get the boot. Chip Kelly - **** him. He has earned the right to be the Coach of the worst team in The NFC. I hope the 9ers keep him. They deserve each other.

I don't love them either. But I've seen a few of their ballgames & I was struck by the lack of talent on their team. Particularly Offensively. And I have always considered Harbaugh an okay Coach that got handed a Talent-laden Veteran Team. I mean, you'd have to really try hard to **** that up. Which he didn't, but once those Players moved on, what you get is.....well, Harbaugh.

You know, I think a surprise name that may feel the axe swing is John Harbaugh. For a game with such serious stakes on the line (this past Monday Night in Foxborough), the Ravens fell flat on their face. Sure, they closed their deficit significantly in the 3rd Quarter of that contest...but that seemed more like uncharacteristic mistakes the Patriots made on Special Teams. Point is, the Ravens appear to be in a slow descent--like an aircraft landing at the airport. I have a funny feelin' that if they stumble badly into the finish, then Baltimore will relieve him of duty. I know a fair share of Ravens fans and they tell me that it's not far fetched at all. Look out.

I fully believe & expect that we go to The Playoffs this year. I just want to put that on The Record going into the home stretch. Gruden's gonna get us rolling. It'll be alright.

Say, did you know that The Washington Redskins are 8-3 against the spread?? (I was shocked by that personally) Even the handicappers in Vegas are having difficulty figuring us out. And For The Record, we currently sit as a 2.5pt dog to Arizona. Interesting.

Hahahahaaaa, sorry about that! I just wanted to point out to the "yeah, but.." crowd that this is tangible PROOF this thing is going pretty dang good. It hit me when I actually looked at the standings. I'm convinced that something's gotten started. (I better just stick to that)

Hold on to your hat folks, 'cause this is about to get CRAZY! There is an argument to be made that The Washington Redskins are Super Bowl Contenders right now. (I will give you a moment to resume your normal breathing) * * * Now...here's how this conclusion can be reached. The teams we have played hold a .505 Winning Percentage, which would put us a little above the middle of the pack (in terms of Schedule Difficulty). Now Cleveland was one of those teams. Admittedly, a layup. Now, if they are removed, that Opponents Win %age jumps to .561 - right at the top of The League! Let's look at whom we've beaten: New York 7-3 Cleveland 0-11 Baltimore 5-5 Philadelphia 5-5 Minnesota 6-4 Green Bay 4-6 (each team underlined had a Winning Record going into their matchup vs The Redskins) Here are our defeats: Pittsburgh 5-5 The Hated Rival 9-1 Detroit 6-4 (each team underlined had a Winning Record going into their matchup vs The Redskins) So - our Record against teams with a Winning Record is 4-1. Our Home Record is 4-2. Our Road Record is 2-1-1. Our Division Record is 2-1. Our Conference Record is 4-2. Not only does Washington have a Winning Record, they have beaten - Teams with Winning Records (New York, Minnesota) - Division Leaders (Baltimore, Minnesota) - Teams at Home (Philly, Green Bay) - Teams on the Road (Baltimore, New York) - Conference Teams (Philly, Green Bay) - 2 of the 3 Division Rivals Here's what's really interesting. Currently, there are 8 Teams in The NFL that are more than 2 games over .500 (4 in each Conference). The Redskins are 1 of those 4! (See for yourself) ------------------------------- Personally, I believe that we will be Super Bowl Contenders with a Win in Texas on Thanksgiving. But an argument can be made that The Redskins are at the table RIGHT NOW. Whats your view?

I've got us squarely in The Playoffs. With that whuppin' laid on the Packers, I see us building a head of steam down the stretch & possibly going on a serious roll. New York is an inferior team, plus they still have a game against everyone in The Division and travel to Pittsburgh and host Detroit. That's no cakewalk - and they're not running the table through all of that.

But where else would you rather be, right? -------------------------- Philadelphia looks like they're gonna lose this one. I think the doctor just ordered up a pregame nap. At least I'll be fresh for Kickoff.

It's very early, but our Division Rivals are behaving by losing at home (in the 1st Half). Today could end up being outstanding after all.

The Baltimorons are gonna get somebody in The East. My Ravens fan friends tell me (as a point of pride) that they have never lost to The Rivals in their team's history. If that's the case, then make it so today!

I really want Baltimore to do us a solid today by pulling that upset. Me gets the feeling that if that happens, not only will that hot streak break up The Hated Rival's momentum, it will simultaneously energize our boys for Kickoff tonight. Let's not forget, we play our best ball coming down the stretch!

I'm getting that funny feeling that this is gonna be one 'o them years that we meet our Arch Rival 3 times! Regardless, that Thanksgiving Day ballgame is gonna be enormous! And that's been a long time coming (I just hope we're in 2nd Place by Kickoff)

Don't look now, but Kirk Cousins is playing with confidence & making good decisions with the Football. It may get lost in the wash after 2 terribly frustrating weeks, but he has stepped his game up. BIG TIME.

I will say this. Phil Luckett's crew has nothing on those fools that "worked" the London game. They are now officially the worst referee crew in the NFL. They truly cost us the ballgame. I expect Gruden to lodge a complaint with The League. It was embarrassing how biased those calls were. (sorry if this post is in the wrong thread)

But Stafford doesn't WIN - but Kirk does. I'm not quibbling with anything you say Mary. In fact, I can acknowledge that Stafford is more talented. But Kirk has that Winning Intangible. And that's the difference (good for us!).

Well - I hate the Giants as much as anyone else around here (I mean, I really don't like them!), but I think they put the Rams in their place today. Although I have not seen Los Angeles play a down this year, I perceive New York as a better ballclub. But I wouldn't bet on them.

WoW. Maryland's got a plucky, hard playing, well coached team. They are not backing down to Michigan State one bit. Although it's clear that the Spartans have more talent, the Terrapins look like the better team. Durkin may prove to be the best hire for the Program since The Fridge.

Hahaha...that's actually the 2nd time I've seen them run it this season!

Well, the Terps got a helluva opportunity tonight verses Michigan State. Even with them having a down year, this would be a huge Win. I'm ready for some magic!

****. First off, thanks a TON SpacePenguin for your answer! I truly appreciate it. When I first woke up, I was enraged. As what I knew eventually donned on the ole lady, I was pissed. But now, after searching online, I found out that the answer to this quagmire is to buy an antenna (I didn't even know that you could still use those things!) for local tv coverage. It sucks for today because I'll have to stream - I know a few sites, so I'll see the game. But I'll be straight for the rest of the season going forward. Thanks again for your help.

The Hated Rival goes down in flames today! Hail To The Redskins!!!