TK Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17159-2003Nov8.html In the NFL, Redskins' Soap Opera Adds Spark to a Dull First Half By Michael Wilbon Sunday, November 9, 2003; Page E15 What the Washington Redskins need right this minute is a chump, someone whose lunch money they could take with a good, cold stare. But there isn't one. Okay, the Chargers or the Lions might look a little tasty if either was coming to town Sunday, but there's no automatic victory to be had. And conversely, hardly anybody in the league has reason to flex, either. The story of the NFL season at the halfway point is that the standings are compressed. There's a team that looks like it could be great in Kansas City, but there's no real separation between first and last in most cases. A few players, notably Steve McNair and Peyton Manning and Stephen Davis, are having MVP-caliber seasons, but nobody is inspiring comparisons to John Elway or Walter Payton, either. Rare for the NFL, there's not a lot of sizzle. It's as if the league is still trying to recover from the preseason injuries to Michael Vick and Chad Pennington. Perhaps that's why a 3-5 Washington Redskins team has stayed in the national news the last couple of weeks, from the lead of "SportsCenter" to a New York tabloid gossip column. While folks still try to figure out if the Chiefs have a shot at greatness, most in and around football have opted for making sport of the Redskins, who are quite simply the best soap opera in pro football. Granted, there's nothing as colorful as what the Los Angeles Lakers are going through at the moment. But don't try to convince anybody the Redskins aren't compelling fodder, even if they have to make up some of the details as they go. Isn't that condition the proof positive of a good melodrama, the inability to figure out exactly where fact and fiction meet? As was the case last week, the Redskins need a victory today, and desperately. The last two losses came on the road, at Buffalo and Dallas. They return home today for a single game against Seattle before hitting the road again for games at Carolina and at Miami, two teams capable of playing defense and battering a vulnerable quarterback every bit as thoroughly as the Cowboys did last week. Yet, the game seems almost secondary around the league among former players and national media outlets. And with no obvious powerhouse or record-setting player out there to celebrate, the sinking Redskins will do just fine for most folks. The only thing football lovers love better than a quarterback controversy is an owner-coach controversy, or even the appearance of one. We should, at this point, get something straight. Dan Snyder and Steve Spurrier never had a six-hour "meeting." For the record, they had a meal on the Saturday of the bye week with their wives at Snyder's home while watching a seven-overtime game between Tennessee and Alabama. The game alone took more than four hours. This wasn't a "meeting" any more than me playing golf with Kornheiser for five hours amounts to a "meeting." So let's dispense with that nonsense. And the notion that Snyder demands to watch film? Please, the only film any billionaire should be interested in is in the spring at Cannes. Spurrier, to prove a coaching point to his owner about reputation versus performance, called Snyder in to see some evidence and the owner went. He probably still isn't clear on what he saw. That said, there are plenty of real problems plaguing this team right now. And you can start with doubt. Snyder can't be certain his big-splash hire will work and Spurrier certainly can't be sure his offensive system will work in the NFL, which is exactly what he said he planned to find out the first day he took the job. That kind of doubt creeps right into the locker room. Players sense it, assistant coaches sense it, whether we're talking about chalk talk regarding a blitz protection package or a pre-game motivational speech. In-house doubt can kill any team, even one as talented as the Redskins. Bringing in "consultants" to look over your coach's shoulder doesn't work, period. Throwing money at every problem, while I'll defend any owner's right to do that, works much less often in the NFL than in, say, major league baseball. The notion that you can throw the football all around while failing to first protect a relatively immobile passer is suicidal. The jury is already back with a verdict on that strategy. See, Snyder is easy enough for most folks to root against because he's not yet 40 and a billionaire and is quick to send employees packing. And Spurrier, for years, has been a coach his own peers have rooted against because of his swaggering style and arrogance and public tweaking of respected coaches like Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer (traits he hasn't once displayed since coming to the NFL). Now, if people can't wait to root against those two, how exciting is it to have the two of them on the same hook? It's the best thing since George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin! Funny thing is, while the Redskins are on the short list for Biggest Disappointment at the midway point, they're not No. 1 on the list. The Steelers are. Nobody with a brain picked the Redskins to reach the Super Bowl this year. A lot of people -- including me -- picked the Steelers, who are off to their worst start in Bill Cowher's 12 seasons as head coach. Tommy Maddox is playing like the insurance salesman he used to be. The Steelers, even more than the geriatric Raiders with Charles Woodson yapping at his coach, Bill Callahan, are confounding at the moment. It's not all bad news, though. Kansas City is as fun to watch now as the Rams were a few years ago . . . when Dick Vermeil was coaching them. The Chiefs won't go undefeated; the pressure down the stretch will be too intense, though I'd love to see it if for no other reason than instead of clinking their stupid glasses the '72 Dolphins will simply have to down a stiff drink. But games at Denver and Minnesota are going to be difficult for the Chiefs, even as the Broncos and Vikings struggle. And if the Chiefs go undefeated, Vermeil will be coach of the year over Bill Belichick, who gets the nod here at the halfway point. The Patriots will wind up with the NFL record for most starting players in one season, and the head coach is the man who deftly managed a situation that would have overwhelmed so many others. Offensive player of the year at the midpoint: Kansas City's Dante Hall, the biggest home run threat this side of Barry Bonds. He does it returning or receiving. Honorable mention to McNair, Manning, Stephen Davis and Marvin Harrison. Defensive player of the year: Baltimore's Ray Lewis, narrowly over the Colts' second-year havoc-wreaking Dwight Freeney, who has six sacks in his last three games. Top five teams: Chiefs, Colts, Titans, Seahawks, Patriots. The second half of the season, one would hope, will feature more compelling performances than the first half. And if the Redskins continue to struggle on the field but titillate with off-field drama, well, at the very least, that's entertainment. © 2003 The Washington Post Company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 of course it all doesn't matter to Wilbon as he is a Chicago Bears fan and we all know where that franchise is right now :laugh: I guess his Cubs will finally win a World Series about the same time that we find a T-Rex walking around Pennsylvania Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCS:BraveCaringSoul Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Spurrier, to prove a coaching point to his owner about reputation versus performance, called Snyder in to see some evidence and the owner went. "Reputation vs performance", hmmm....intriguing. Who might the player with the great reputation, but presumably poor performance be? LaVar? Bruce Smith? Champ? Samuels? Jansen? Gardener? Or someone else? My oh my that gives one pause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 I always liked Wilbon:notworthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Skins Fan Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Originally posted by Hot Reads Hoolihan "Reputation vs performance", hmmm....intriguing. Who might the player with the great reputation, but presumably poor performance be? That line caught my eye, too, BCS. The film they were reviewing was pass protection. So it's Samuels or Jansen. The film they should have been reviewing was of Helton with his head up his a$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 I think Samuels has gotten far too much credit and too much of a free ride the past 2 seasons. He was a fine rookie in 2000 and was one of the best OL in the NFL in 2001 under Marty. 2002 and 2003 have been steps backward for #60. again, though 8 games, as with the DL, I would have to say that Tra Thomas, Luke Petitgout and Flozell Adams have all been more consistent at LT for their teams within the division. and this one hurts because Samuels is a player we have a lot of money invested in and LT was one spot most of us thought we would have a clear edge on most clubs most weekends out of the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OaktonSkins/BushFan Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 So all of this begs the questions: Can we get rid of Samuels? If so, what, if any, are the cap ramifications? What trade value/potential does he have at this point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 "even if they have to make up some of the details as they go". No way. That never happens. ....Just out of curiosity, just exactly where did it say that was a pass protection film they were watching? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Skins Fan Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Originally posted by OaktonSkinsFan So all of this begs the questions: Can we get rid of Samuels? If so, what, if any, are the cap ramifications? What trade value/potential does he have at this point? Oakton, the problem is Samuels and Jansen underperforming under Helton. Also Dockery and Moore aren't very good. Since Samuels and Jansen have each performed admirably under two different OL coaches not named Helton, they are likely to return to form under a different OL coach. The personnel problems are Dockery and Moore. Samuels and Jansen just require a change in coaching and perhaps a change in scheme. Let's not toss the baby out with the bathwater and jetison all the talent from this team. Our problems stem primarily from poor coaching on the offensive side of the ball, poor talent at LG and center, and poor talent at the DL. If you try to replace our LT, that requires a #1 pick and some luck, and the other talent holes on the team (especially DL) don't get fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Skins Fan Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Originally posted by Park City Skins Just out of curiosity, just exactly where did it say that was a pass protection film they were watching? Earlier articles mentioned in passing that Snyder and Spurrier watched film together. Those articles made clear it was pass protection they were watching. The emphasis in those articles was on demonstrating that the scheme was sound and individual breakdowns were the problem. Here, the emphasis seems to be on a particular player. That's not a contradiction of the earlier article, but this one has more of an edge to the tone: focusing on one player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OaktonSkins/BushFan Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Originally posted by Atlanta Skins Fan Oakton, the problem is Samuels and Jansen underperforming under Helton. Also Dockery and Moore aren't very good. Since Samuels and Jansen have each performed admirably under two different OL coaches not named Helton, they are likely to return to form under a different OL coach. The personnel problems are Dockery and Moore. Samuels and Jansen just require a change in coaching and perhaps a change in scheme. Let's not toss the baby out with the bathwater and jetison all the talent from this team. Our problems stem primarily from poor coaching on the offensive side of the ball, poor talent at LG and center, and poor talent at the DL. If you try to replace our LT, that requires a #1 pick and some luck, and the other talent holes on the team (especially DL) don't get fixed. Both Samuels and Jansen have demonstrated very little to me with respect to their ability to play at a high level in a pass first offense. As I've stated previously, they would both be far more content to be run blocking for one Stephen Davis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OaktonSkins/BushFan Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Originally posted by KC'Dave Which begs the question: Other than Ramsey who's claim to fame is that he can get the crap beat out of himself without serious injury better than anyone else, who IS achieving or over-achieving on this football team. Which player has just dazzled us with outstanding play? Other than the grave marker 4 steps deep in the pocket, I can't think of one. Let's stay on topic and keep the discussion germane. We are debating/discussing the merits of keeping Samuels and Jansen as OT's in a pass first (and often) offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Originally posted by KC'Dave Which begs the question: Other than Ramsey who's claim to fame is that he can get the crap beat out of himself without serious injury better than anyone else, who IS achieving or over-achieving on this football team. Which player has just dazzled us with outstanding play? Other than the grave marker 4 steps deep in the pocket, I can't think of one. Hall. Coles. Damn. That is one short list. We now continue your previously scheduled thread topic..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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