Why is everyone so surprised and disappointed ?

[Mickalino]

If you're disappointed by the play of Banks, then you had unrealistically high expectations from him to begin with. Geez, we're talkin about Banks for criminys sake.

Number one, he wasnt brought here for the purpose of leading us to the Super Bowl, or even the playoffs. He was brought here to backup Jeff George. Could anyone, even Marty, have predicted that George would go into such a downward spiral so quickly in just 2 weeks ? Banks became starter by default

Secondly, remember we're talking about a guy who was rejected by a team like Dallas, not to mention 2 other teams, who had questionable quarterback situations at the time. At what point in Banks ENTIRE 6-year career did he EVER do anything to lead you to believe that he would play any better ?

Finally, didnt anyone think it was a bit ridiculous at midseason to STILL be using the excuse "Oh, he still needs time to learn the offense" BS !! Banks was brought in before the 1st preseason game, if he couldnt learn Jimmy Raye's vanilla offense by mid-season, then something's wrong. Banks isnt a confused quarterback due to "learning the system", he's just simply a "confused quarterback period". Graham had far less time to learn the offense, but did he look confused out there, let alone in the pouring Denver snow

[ by Mick on December 24, 2001.]

[NoDak]

Mick Amen to that brother. Our expectations are way to high

with just a journeman qb.#stern#

[Art]

Mick,

Banks was not brought in before the first preseason game. He was brought in before the second. The fact that he is so slow to take to the offense is a huge X mark against him. It's not like we are running a precision offense in the first place. Little of what we do requires much timing or understanding. And Banks is confused even when we are putting two bodies in a route.

I think the reason people are disappointed and upset is because there really isn't a very big talent difference between this Redskin team and any we've faced this year. That Bear team is not better than us. The Eagles aren't. As a team, we have the ability to win these games, but, when we don't, even when you can look at the QB position and say, "This is what we should expect" there is still a haunting aspect to it.

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Doom is in the box.

[indyskinsfan]

I agree and pretty much can understand the position taken when signing him. However, I disagree with the way he and others are used in the offense Marty agreed to take. Raye should be cut loose, no doubt and I don't think many are really "surprised" at Banks, just disappointed that their faith in the team was hurt and hoping just once Banks could prove to be a NFL calibre QB. That was noted by the whole world before the game, and he let us know - HE IS NOT!

Now for those that don't think the QB position can make or break a team. Remember when the offense has the ball, they CAN control the clock, scoring, and field position, all at the same time. Even the most inept play-calling can garner some menial points (Banks does this well), but that is all that has been showing up for the Skins on the scoreboard. Points of pride and nothing else.

Yes Joe Gibbs used to call them "points of pride" when a team scored on us late in the game when we had already shellacked that team. This time around we are in all of them, but the red zone might as be 100 million miles away.

No we know what this guy can't do, we just don't know why they insist on keeping him in so long, this time, 1 quarter and a half too long!

The sense of urgency was never with the coaches throughout, but it was in fact in the minds of the players.

[ by indyskinsfan on December 24, 2001.]

[bulldog]

it is not surprising that the Redskins are not world-beaters at 12-4 with Banks as the starting quarterback.

It IS a little unsettling that the team can't win a home game against a 4-8 team, being held to only 7 points through 3 quarters.

It is also somewhat surprising that with the law of averages being what they are, that in at least ONE of these games Banks WILL find the open receiver at the end of the game for the walkoff TD

At least one can hope.

[Guest fuji869]

This is where I criticize Marty for not going after a Veteran Back up for Jeff George before training camp. I don’t know why, maybe he wanted to give George a vote of confidence or maybe he thought Husak could do something, we might never know?

[NavyDave]

The probablem coach Marty faced was a very short honeymoon , heck the honeymoon was over after the first press conference.

Cap issues, J George was cheap and Husak was our young potential stud at QB who played in the WCO at Stanford. Jettisoning Husak before he had a chance to prove himself would ve irk Skinsfans myself included. And we did think Dilfer was on par with T Banks except not as athletic.

Now the question is do we pursue Dilfer,the Saints backup or go with Graham or see what we can do with Sage.

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Take A Sip of the Marty KoolAid and Believe.

[Darth Tater]

Talent wise, we should now be 9-5 or even 10-4 at this time.

[bulldog]

Trent Dilfer is a better quarterback than Tony Banks because he has proven he can win the NFL as a starting quarterback. Banks has not.

Whatever anyone wants to say about Trent's limited mobility and athleticism, the fact remains he produced 3 fourth quarter comebacks last year when the Ravens were behind and the OFFENSE of the Ravens had to come through and produce the winning points, including a key game against Tennessee late in the year.

Banks has never done that. He has never guided a team to the playoffs. He has never quarterbacked a team to a better than .500 record over the course of a season.

And worst of all, Banks has shown that while he may have a stronger arm than Dilfer it doesn't necessarily result in more completions or greater productivity, because Dilfer just seems to be a more heady ballplayer in terms of understanding the game.

And that is a quality that is often overlooked.

What sets guys like Aaron Brooks and Tom Brady apart from Banks is that while young these players seem to have a certain sense of HOW to play the position, beyond just the physical act of throwing the football.

They feel the rush and get rid of the ball instead of taking the drive-killing sack. They DON'T throw the game ending interception. They DO check off and hit the open receiver instead of forcing a ball into double coverage where the primary receiver is covered.

Now, they make mistakes. As does Culpepper, McNabb and all the younger quarterbacks.

But they do show you those flashes of something special, those games where they are 23-30 for 300 yards and 2 td's.

Banks has those kinds of games once every season and a half.

In between is the more typical 15-31 for 179 yards and 0 td's..........

That is the typical Banks performance.

The Redskins need better than that to contend, folks