A Rhetorical Question

[Om]

What if Washington goes to Dallas on Monday Night, plays strong ... and wins comfortably?

What then?

{ ...pause for effect ... }

For the record ... no, I don't think that’s likely to happen. If they do win Monday, it’s far more likely to be in the usual, tight divisional dogfight of a game, decided in the final minute by 3 points or less. That’s how about 95% of ALL NFCE games go. Even when a team is generally dominating the division, like Philly has been for a few seasons, they rarely walk all over someone in the East in any particular game.

When the Skins were dominant in the 80's and early 90's, I never “expected” them to win these division games on the road, nor have I since—at least not since the Cardinals flew West. Teams may own one another for periods of time in terms of wins and losses, but the games are almost without fail nail-biters that come down to a play or two late in the game.

But all that established ... given the tenor (sorry, Kevin B., yet another gratuitous $10 word) around here this last week, I just have to at least throw this out there:

What if the defense actually continues to play like it has since Gregg Williams took over?

What if the special teams simply continue to play steady, and maybe even provide a big play?

And what if the offense actually turns in the kind of smashmouth, ball-control performance, with 2 or 3 big plays thrown in, that looks like something off an NFL Films reel from the 80's?

What if the Skins—not just the QB, but the team—really have made the kind of progress some of us blind faith types have had the nerve to suggest they have, and it shows up in Week Two of Year Two?

I’m not talking a 56-10 blowout here, with Brunell throwing for 450 yards and 4 TD’s, and CP running for 150 and couple more; I’m talking about something along the lines of a solid 24-13 victory on the road over a tough division rival that, despite the unremarkable score, leaves little doubt in the eyes of anyone who watched which was the better team, at least for that day?

Are the most disenchanted citizens of Redskins Nation ready to handle it?

Are you?

Monday Night is one of those “opportunity games” that comes along every few seasons for a franchise—a chance for an organization that believes it's on rise to make a statement in front of the world. I think it’s fair to say that very few outside of the most loyal of Redskins fans really expect them to win Monday night at all, and that if they do, it’s going to be in a classic squeaker that leaves the cynics and skeptics plenty of room (not that they need it) to maintain that it’s all still just smoke and mirrors, that Dallas must have played lousy, that had Patrick Ramsey played it would have been 56-10, and that “dude, things are still a complete mess in DC and we’re going to lose by 30 to the Bye this week.”

Perhaps.

But what if they're wrong ... what if this IS the week history looks back on in five years, and marks as The Night The Lights Came On In DC?

Could happen, you know.

You ready for some Redskins football?

:helmet:

[G-Prime]

Dang Om.. that was almost Rah Rah... No way, Rah Rah from Om?!!

It's an Omen..

Either we're going to the Superbowl or The first time Brunell gets hit, he' just going to turn to dust..

I hope it's the first.

[TNSkinsFan]

beautiful Om, just beautiful. If it happens, I believe I may spontaneously combust, i'll be so happy. Will it happen? Anything is possible.

[The Sisko]

Are the most disenchanted citizens of Redskins Nation ready to handle it?

Trust me, I've been ready for "the lights to come on in D.C." for years now. All I can say is I'm reeeeeeeaaally hoping to be proved wrong.

At this point it doesn't have to be a solid 24-13 win like you described - any kind of win would work. I'll even take a 1 point (so-called) fluke win. Anything, just d@mn win....for a change.

[iheartskins]

Frankly, I'm not sure how I'd respond. I find, as we get closer to Monday and as is usual in Dallas Week, I get more agitated and prepare myself for the worst. Our record and performance precedent in Dallas leaves little more than a glimmer of hope that we emerge victorious, much (much!) less that we perform remarkably and leave Dallas with an additional W after a dominant performance. If we are so fortunate as to do that, I'm sure I (and the rest of the NY-area 'Skins fans gathering at the Falls [had to get the plug in there ]) will be on Cloud Nine.

I really just want one helping of victory pie in Dallas. Is that too much to ask?

[Cool Hand Loki]

Wait, we should let AJSkins weigh in....

Nice Om - I'm hoping for the same, and think it very possible.

[Riggo-toni]

If we win by even a point, I'LL BE FREAKIN' ECSTATIC!!!!!!!!!!!

My biggest fear is getting blown out, which I'm afraid might be a possibility, though not as likely as some naysayers or prognosticators of gloom might anticipate. The damage from that coupled with the sudden QB change could be almost insurmountable.

But beating them 24-13, no words could express how suh-weeeeet that would be.

Hey, I can dream, can't I.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

I thought the 31-7 thumping of the Giants last season was the "turning point" for the Skins, to be honest...while it wasn't on a national stage, it still held significance. The dormant, non-existant offence suddenly was not only scoring over 20 points, it was scoring over 20 points before halftime...and it was putting together two scoring drives of over 90 yards. It was an efficient, effective and ball-controlling/time-consuming performance...even the game commentators said at the time "this is classic Joe Gibbs football".

The Skins have been 4-2 since...and very realistically could have been 6-0. It hasn't seemed to shut up anybody, though...and the man who was behind center for almost all of that success is now described as unfit to wear a Skins uniform by approximately half of the people on this board. Truthfully, I'm not sure even a dominating win over Dallas will result in anything positive that lasts very long...my guess is that it's going to have to be sustained for quite awhile.

[Skinsfan1311]

What if Washington goes to Dallas on Monday Night, plays strong ... and wins comfortably?

What then?

{ ...pause for effect ... }

What then?? We move on, and act like we've been there before! :2cents:

[Om]

Is that too much to ask?

Now THERE'S a rhetorical question.

Don't get me wrong ... I'd settle for a 5-3 victory in a second. We're due, and then some. I'm just marking a moment where we might just happen get a whole lot more than that---enough to make it very hard indeed for the Very Angry Crowd to get much steam going without seriously s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g to vent a good rant.

5-3 will make the "just win baby" crowd happy, no doubt. But a 24-13 pop in the chops would have the big picture folks grinnin' and toasting with the good stuff.

Me, I've got the good stuff on ice. Just in case.

[renegademrnate23]

Then i would be happy and have nothing to complain about for a week.

[Om]

I thought the 31-7 thumping of the Giants last season was the "turning point" for the Skins, to be honest...while it wasn't on a national stage, it still held significance. The dormant, non-existant offence suddenly was not only scoring over 20 points, it was scoring over 20 points before halftime...and it was putting together two scoring drives of over 90 yards. It was an efficient, effective and ball-controlling/time-consuming performance...even the game commentators said at the time "this is classic Joe Gibbs football".

The Skins have been 4-2 since...and very realistically could have been 6-0. It hasn't seemed to shut up anybody.

That game was huge, Califan. As I recall, one crazy person even predicted it.

But that was a so-so New York team that few held in very high regard. Monday Night is the COWBOYS---the team that's won 14 of 15 from us in some of the most heartbreaking, borderline freakish "can you believe this **** happened AGAIN?!" kind of games we've ever seen. In their house---a house of horros for this team for years. On Monday Night Football against Bill Parcells and a team suddenly a sexy pick for dark horse NFC contender.

And during a week of some of the most incredible gnashing of teeth among Washington fans I've ever seen.

The time is just SO right.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

That game was huge, Califan. As I recall, one crazy person even predicted it.

But that was a so-so New York team that few held in very high regard. Monday Night is the COWBOYS---the team that's won 14 of 15 from us in some of the most heartbreaking, borderline freakish "can you believe this **** happened AGAIN?!" kind of games we've ever seen. In their house---a house of horros for this team for years. On Monday Night Football against Bill Parcells and a team suddenly a sexy pick for dark horse NFC contender.

And during a week of some of the most incredible gnashing of teeth among Washington fans I've ever seen.

The time is just SO right.

I don't think too many on this site hold the Cowboys in very high regard, either...lol

But you do bring up one thing indirectly...the media will be MUCH more positive about Gibbs and the Skins, at least for this week...which could intensify how many fans end up enjoying the afterglow of the victory. We get to read the gushing articles, see the Skins actually improve on "power rankings" all over the net, and (gasp) actually see highlights of a Skins game on ESPN.

[Destino]

If that happened one thing it would mean is that Brunell will EARN the respect of fans. Isn't that an interesting concept? Rather then just having blind faith in a guy that has failed to produce, having that guy actually do something BEFORE you buy into the idea that he's a viable answer?

It would have a similar meaning for the team in terms of media coverage. Instead of having homers lashing out at everyone that puts us at the bottom because OMG we are so much better why can't they see that!!!!....we'll have done something on the field that demands attention and some more respect.

[Dead Money]

:ha: I guess your talking about what I wrote to Art.. That wasn't about you! :paranoid: :paranoid: :paranoid:

You my friend actually know how to use a $10 word! :laugh: Hell even a couple of $20 words work in your stuff too!

All we can do is hope that you are right... I love the defense and the 30 yard line+ starting field position on kickreturns. I just hope we don't get many opportunities to return kicks!

[Ricky Ervins]

I hope that Gibbs opens up his bag of tricks and perhaps throws a couple "jap" plays at parcells.

[PleaseBlitz]

A solid win over the Cowboys IN Dallas and a 2-0 start? I would have to decide whether i want to explode or implode.

[redskin56]

All things considered, is it possible? Without question. Is it likely? Doubtful.

The Skins are due for a win vs. the Cowboys; however, with all the turmoil at Redskin park this week, I just don't know how focused the offense will be. I have no doubt the defense will be on fire and GW will make Bledsoe's night a living hell.

If we win this one, the defense will have to put us in shape to do so. Turnovers leading directly to scores and the ability to grind out the clock on the ground with a two score lead.

Oh, and lest we forget, a different officiating crew than last Sunday (which is probably more important that a defensive score at this point).

[Om]

Destino, one of the most interesting aspects of today's MB culture for me is trying to anticipate exactly what the relentless, "Hey, I'm 'objective' because the team has been losing and when I say they and everything about them sucks I can always just point to that to back it up," crowd turn to when this team suddenly starts winning.

Not a shot at you personally, just something that's new since we won anything around here. When we DO starting winning again---which, as a few have already noticed has perhaps already started to happen---there are going to be thousands of apparently always-angry and critical people scrambling to find something new to complain about.

And it's going to be fascinating to watch.

[Underwater Ally]

It will be what I have been anticipating all offseason. I desperately want the media and the watching sports world to be proved wrong. I do think it would create some shockwaves around the league, much like Miami's victory over the Broncos did last week. I wouldn't predict it, but it would be a most welcom turn of events.

:logo:

[Epistopheles]

You ready for some Redskins football?

Yes, I am ready for some Redskins football. What does 'rhetorical' mean?

[codeorama]

If we win, peroid, I'll be very excited.

[Om]

:ha: I guess your talking about what I wrote to Art.. That wasn't about you! :paranoid: :paranoid: :paranoid:

You my friend actually know how to use a $10 word! :laugh: Hell even a couple of $20 words work in your stuff too!

All we can do is hope that you are right... I love the defense and the 30 yard line+ starting field position on kickreturns. I just hope we don't get many opportunities to return kicks!

My bad then, brother. Apologies.

Guess I have a guilty conscience.

[miguelskins]

"What then?" What do you mean "What then?"

I could care less what anyone else does. For me I will lead a Redskins parade in the streets of downtown Dallas.

This is not just another game. This would not be just another win. I suspect you will be doing something completely unpredictable and out of character for yourself if we win....under any circumstances.

The "What Then?" question only comes into play if we lose. For obvious reasons.

I happen to think losing to Dallas (again) will send us (the team not the fans) into a tail spin on the way to crashing and burning.

What then?

[Om]

Miguel, you ask me what I mean by the rhetorical "what then," then end with a "what then" of your own? How ironical.

My thread has apparently struck a chord with you, my unhappy friend. One of thousands of Skins fan who, because of all the dark things behind, seemingly sees only dark things ahead. And the kind of fan I'm rhetorically asking, I suppose, that if the team actually DOES something big Monday Night, what will you be thinking and saying next week?

*

Actually, the thread wasn't aimed at any one group. Just floating this idea of maybe the Skins laying a whomping on their archrivals, which seems to have been universally discounted, and what it could mean to this franchise.

And heck, if my some chance it were to happen, think how much fun we'd have with the idea behind this thread for the next couple of weeks.