themurf Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 (photo by Brian Murphy) If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the world of professional sports over the last two decades, it’s that the life of a Washington Redskins fan is never easy. Ever since the fateful day when Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs walked away from the storied franchise (the first time), there have been much more lows than highs for fans of the burgundy and gold. The last decade in particular has been especially brutal — with the Redskins winning far more often in the offseason than the post season. While the front office was always eager to gas up the jet and chase the stars, the results in the end were almost always disappointing. Now, Mike Shanahan’s inaugural season in Washington by all accounts was more of the same. The roster featured aging veterans who accomplished much more elsewhere than they ever did here and the Redskins ultimately ended the 2010 season at 6-10. And yet, all is not lost. It finally appears the front office has seen the error in their ways. No longer were the biggest names in free agency awarded bloated contracts to come to Washington. No longer were draft picks given away like free samples at a mall food court. No, the current administration finally appears to be embracing the kind of youth movement ‘Skins fans have dreamt of for years and years. Instead of trying to build the best fantasy football roster money can buy, the Redskins are quietly stockpiling lesser-known players to compete for playing time. The roster, almost overnight, is now full of younger and hungrier players dying for a chance to earn playing time. Washington is no longer the premiere destination for over-the-hill free agents to cash in. It’s a place where unheralded youngsters like Darrel Young are given a fair shot to unseat former Pro Bowlers, like Mike Sellers. Names don’t matter nearly as much as on-the-field production these days, and that sentence alone is enough to bring a tear of joy to my eyes. Sure, there are still going to be growing pains as Shanahan and friends look to overhaul a roster from the ground up, but it’ll be a lot more encouraging watching this team than anything we’ve seen in recent history. Even if they go 6-10 for a second-straight season, at least they’ll be doing it while developing the next wave of players who will hopefully carry the load. At least, that’s my take heading into the 2011 season. I’m not booking a flight to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl or anything, but I’m not blindly writing this season off either. Apparently not everyone feels the same way. I made the mistake of tuning in to ESPN’s Mike & Mike in the Morning yesterday on my way into work. In preparation for the upcoming NFL season, they’ve been spotlighting all 32 teams in a segment called “Two-a-days,” and I just so happened to catch their “expert” analysis on the Redskins. Look, there’s a reason why I try to avoid ESPN whenever possible. The self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader of Sports is filled with talking heads all trying to talk louder than the guy sitting next to them. And yet, while each of them is rambling at full volume, none of them every have anything of substance to say. Case in point, here’s what Mike Greenberg had to say about the Redskins heading into the segment: “The Redskins had a very bad year last year,” Greenberg said. “They lost a lot of big-name players who didn’t play well. Donovan McNabb, Clinton Portis and Albert Haynesworth among them.” He then named some of the newly-acquired players, such as Barry Cofield, Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth and pointed out that they’re not as big of names as those who were in town last year. Greenberg didn’t follow that up by saying something along the lines of, “The Redskins seem to finally be steering clear of big name players who fail to live up to their end of the bargain” or anything like that. He just wanted you to know that Cofield, Gaffney and Stallworth didn’t have the same star power as McNabb, Portis and Haynesworth. Okay, got it. From there, the Mikes then asked and answered five questions about the 2011 Redskins, which I’ve included below. And since they basically mailed in the entire segment, I figured I would actually try to put some thought into tackling the topics at hand. With out further adieu, here are the five questions guys named Mike have for this year’s Washington Redskins: 1. Do you have any confidence in the Redskins quarterback depth? “No, I don’t at all,” said Mike Golic. “Rex Grossman, I had issues with when he came out as an NFL quarterback out of Florida, so I don’t believe in him. John Beck? What do we know? John Beck hasn’t played since 2007, and if he’s not injured, he’s going to be your starter.” Thank you, Captain Obvious. While no one other than Mike and Kyle Shanahan is running off to purchase a John Beck jersey to wear on Sundays, I continue to have no problem with their approach to the current quarterback situation. The coaching staff knows what they have in Grossman. This is his third consecutive year in this offense and his strong showing against Pittsburgh in the preseason opener showed that Grossman is capable of being effective as the starter. So why not throw Beck into action and see if the guy is actually any good? What’s it going to harm? If he excels, then you’ve got yourself a diamond in the rough. If he fails, then you’ve got Grossman waiting in the wings. These two aren’t ever going to be confused for Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but they’re both players who this two-time Super Bowl winning coach has confidence in. If Shanahan would rather roll with a Beck-Grossman combo platter rather than signing Matt Hasselbeck or Vince Young, then who am I to argue? If he wasn’t sold on Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallett or any of the rookies available in this year’s draft, then why reach and risk setting the franchise back another five years or so? Clearly I’m not as confident in Beck as the coaching staff is, but I’m fine with him being given a fair shot. And if he can’t seize the opportunity, then I’m fine with Grossman holding down the fort. The Redskins are trying to get away from chasing the stars, so rolling the dice with guys who might not sell a ton of jerseys isn’t nearly as big of an issue with me as it appears to be with ESPN talk radio hosts. 2. The Redskins rushing defense gave up almost five yards per carry last year. Can Jim Haslett’s defense stop the bleeding in 2011? Click here for the full article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Champskins Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Good write up Murf - Those two ass bags are never right. They have a set list of BS replies to each other, never up to date, when it comes to the 'Skins. I do enjoy this under the radar though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.T.real,lights,out Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 That was great. You should send that to ESPN and say this is what a real article looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Always A Commander Never A Captain Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Good write up Murf - Those two ass bags are never right. They have a set list of BS replies to each other, never up to date, when it comes to the 'Skins. I do enjoy this under the radar though They're kind of like ESPN or SI magazine. All the info is old, and it's addressed to someone who knows nothing of the situation. So it's a quick generic gloss over that was only relevant a few months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan1523 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 It's funny the media praises a guy like Sanchez and says he is a winner, when in reality his career is similiar to grossman so far. A qb who has won most games because of the dominant defense, but turns over the ball a lot. Yet we are the ones who have qb issues. How bout the bengals who have gadkowski and Dalton, panthers who have clausen and cam, 49ers with smith and the rooks, or titans with hasselbeck (who was horrible last season except the one playoff game) and locker. We do not have the worst Qb situation ever like people are making it out to be, and we have upgraded our talent all around, we are not the dregs of the NFL that everyone is making us out to be. I just hope the teams we play take us as lightly as the media. I don't expect us to set the world on fire, but I do expect to look like a solid PROFESSIONAL team that I have not seen in a long time, maybe ever in my years as a fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcdiscokid Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 They base all their opinions on other national media, none of which have been to a practice or have any idea what to really expect. Our own beat reporters are not even sure what to expect out of this team, much less someone who is not following the team on a day-to-day basis. Their analysis is useless, like most of the rest of their show. HTTR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo#44 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 It's funny the media praises a guy like Sanchez and says he is a winner, when in reality his career is similiar to grossman so far. A qb who has won most games because of the dominant defense, but turns over the ball a lot. Yet we are the ones who have qb issues. How bout the bengals who have gadkowski and Dalton, panthers who have clausen and cam, 49ers with smith and the rooks, or titans with hasselbeck (who was horrible last season except the one playoff game) and locker. We do not have the worst Qb situation ever like people are making it out to be, and we have upgraded our talent all around, we are not the dregs of the NFL that everyone is making us out to be. I just hope the teams we play take us as lightly as the media. I don't expect us to set the world on fire, but I do expect to look like a solid PROFESSIONAL team that I have not seen in a long time, maybe ever in my years as a fan. The one that is atrocious that never gets mentioned: Seattle. Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. While we know nothing about Beck. We know something substantial about those two: they both suck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addicted Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Good write up Those two sorry ass losers don't like the fact we lost "star power", call me surprised. Media idiots who pretend to know more then they actually do would make an issue about this Comments like that shows there ass, do some homework M&M and stop sucking up to other teams if your going to talk about us They don't trust our QB situation I don't either. Rex is a turnover machine. Really hate when I see someone say "Rex can't take his team to a superbowl" Jackass comments like that repeated by jack asses like Mike Golic are just ignorant to me since ummm well he already has done that Don't gimmie that crap about "The Bears Defense" that year...Rex started and won those games...he has taken a team to the Superbowl As for the other guy.... Beck is completely unknown. After next game he will be more known but its 50-50 that he's any good And it's possible that he looks great but really sucks since it's preseason And it's possible that he looks like ass but really isn't his fault either I'm not sure what to think about Beck and his upcoming start yet. They don't believe in Tim Hightower I don't either. Dude fumbles too much and was replaced not by one but two guys for the sorry ass Cardnials. Not what you want to see Hoping for the best prepared for the worst And I do agree with them that I am expecting another last place finish this season, anyone thinking otherwise at this point I believe is drinking or smoking some good-good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoRUSupposed2Be Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 The one that is atrocious that never gets mentioned: Seattle. Tavaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. While we know nothing about Beck. We know something substantial about those two: they both suck! Oh and don't forget that Seattle was finnagled out of two 2nd rounders for Mr. Disperse (I mean Whitehurst) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annonymous Source Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Great read as always. It always amazes me how national media make these sorts of predictions without any knowledge of the team, or any actual research, and people expect them to come true. I can safely say that half of the people on this board could have done a better job of assessing where the Redskins stand then the average national media. On the flip side they at least are giving us the respect of 5-11. I have seen some 3-13 predictions out there in the national media which just make me wonder how I can get paid to have a job like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss_Hogg Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 You know what's funny or sad? Bob Golic from Saved By the Bell is more popular than Mike Golic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad89 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Good article Murf. Can't say I care too much about media bias, but your writing has improved significantly (not that it was bad) since the last time I visited this place. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbo Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Mike & Mike are to sports coverage as Justin Bieber and Robert Pattinson are to MMA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woofer Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Good write up Murf - Those two ass bags are never right. They have a set list of BS replies to each other, never up to date, when it comes to the 'Skins. I do enjoy this under the radar though I seriously doubt they do much more research on the other teams they don't like. I'd be willing to bet they research their fav teams, but that's all. Seriously, do you really think the skins are the only team they don't research? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer_FFX Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Great read as always. It always amazes me how national media make these sorts of predictions without any knowledge of the team, or any actual research, and people expect them to come true. I can safely say that half of the people on this board could have done a better job of assessing where the Redskins stand then the average national media. On the flip side they at least are giving us the respect of 5-11. I have seen some 3-13 predictions out there in the national media which just make me wonder how I can get paid to have a job like that. Amen. The national media enjoys taking the EASY way out. Take the time, to, I dunno - do some research and evaluate. But noooo! That takes work. Just say they are horrible, w/ no bright spots and move along! Jeeeez... As always - that's another good write-up, Murph! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSkin30 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I heard that segment too and had one brief moment of anger before I started laughing. I couldn't care less about what those two windbags have to say about the team. Golic is lazy in his research and Greenberg's head is way too far up Mark Sanchez to be able to see his own feet, much less improvement along the defensive line of a team that isn't in Dallas or New England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskin4ever Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 It's always funny to listen to predictions from ESPN talking heads. They only know big names and think big names are what make you good. Seems like that has been tried and has not worked. Yet they just look at a roster and see what names are on it and if they recognize them, they must have a good team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dallsux Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Good read, Murf. I don't really care for what "experts" have to say about the Redskins anymore. It seems the only way we can get coverage that isn't telling the world how much we suck is Redskins Nation with Larry Michael. Not any more an expert then Mike & Mike. That's fine tho. Let them hate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinshog Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 These are the same guys that, last year, said the 49ers were going to go 12-4 and the Patriots 8-8. You never know, and in their case, yeah... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chanhillbilly Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 This has been beat to death but, they lost what 6 games by 3 points or less? So what would happen if the D could get off the field once or twice? Add a win? How about we have a QB that can make that 3rd and short pass and stay on the field a bit longer keeping their offense off the field? One, maybe two more wins? That puts us at 8-8 or 9-7. Another year in the scheme, a few fresh faces that want to play ball. I buy 8-8, maybe 9-7 but not 6-10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedlamVR Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 "And I would say that Orakpo isn’t actually defensive end. He’s a linebacker. But never let the facts get in the way of a good story, right?" Thanks Murf you cheered up an otherwise miserable day . I particularity like the Orakpo quip ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmchairRedskin Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Yeah, that segment covered only the most superficial ground. Really, they could have just boiled it down to "we think their QB situation is worse this year so they'll only go 5-11". It seems like that was the only thing that they really even factored in to the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 That was great. You should send that to ESPN and say this is what a real article looks like. They would throw it away because they would fail to recognize real journalism when reading it, if they read at all. Seems all they do is blabber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Janky Spanky Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Great post. I listened to this as well and it was absolutely laughable that they called it "analysis." I also heard the part where they discussed the Cowboys last season, saying it wasn't very good once Romo sits to pee got hurt, forgetting that they weren't any better with Romo sits to pee. Then when they got to the Redskins' record, 6-10 the same as the Cowboys, it was referred to as a disastrous season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Mike and Mike are not experts. They don't know much about the 2011 Redskins. The roster has changed over quite a bit and all they are going off of are the comments about Rex Grossman and John Beck. But in terms of the backs, receivers, lines, and secondary neither guy really knows what this team is capable of doing. Their look at the Redskins is a synthesis of a few ESPN headlines, most of which have been negative about the qbs and Haynesworth's departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.