Seahawks End Redskins Run
KNOCKOUT PUNCH
Matt Hasselbeck scores six for Seattle on a crucial third-down play
Sorry it took so long to get this post up. It’s not like I was avoiding the website or anything. I just wasn’t near my computer for the past 24 hours. After the Redskins game, I went to College Park for the night and stayed there for a while. Then I snuck into the Maryland-Wake Forest game with some friends (take that, Maryland Athletic Department!). That is the reason that I didn’t write a postgame wrap-up or a preview for the Terps-Wake game. So for someone to suggest that I was shying away from making a post because the Redskins lost is completely wrong.
Ok, now to the Redskins game. I’m disappointed they lost obviously. I really didn’t expect them to win. But when Shaun Alexander went out in the first quarter, and the Redskins defense was knocking Seahawks out left and right, it looked promising and I got my hopes up. The Redskins certainly had their chances to win (when Matt Hasselbeck leads the team in rushing for three quarters, that usually doesn’t bode well for Seattle). But the Redskins offense couldn’t make the plays when it counted and the Seahawks offense did just enough. Seattle was simply the better team. The Redskins, with all their injuries were completely spent. They were running on fumes. And the Seahawks are too good of team to play in that situation. So congrats to the Seahawks and their fans. They’ve waited long enough for a playoff win. I hope Seattle goes on and wins the Super Bowl this season. I don’t feel awful losing to a classy organization like Seattle. Better than losing to scum like Philly or Dallas or the Giants. And it wasn’t a heartbreaking loss either. It wasn't one of those games that comes down to one play or one mistake or one bad call. Like the Jeffery Maier game. Or the game when Gus Frerotte decided to bang his head against a wall. Those stick with you as a fan for years to come. This game didn't fall under that category.
For the overall season, I’m extremely proud of what the Redskins accomplished (I will have a more complete wrap-up of the Redskins season after the Super Bowl). If you told the average Redskins fan at the beginning of the season that the team would make the second round of the playoffs, they would have been happy with it. No one outside the Washington area expected this team to win more than six games (By the way, ESPN said they would win five and Sports Illustrated said they would win four). So I’m thrilled with the results of this year. The second round of the playoffs is quite an accomplishment for a team with one NFL caliber receiver, a 35-year old quarterback and a defensive line made up of castoffs. So for the few fans that are upset with the way the season turned out, please don’t be. Just imagine what it would be like to be a Colts fan this year. Or an Eagles fan. That’s real disappointment. This season will be used as a stepping-stone.
The entire nucleus of the team will be back next season. The coaching staff will all be back as well. The only major player that is a free agent is Ryan Clark. And despite ESPN saying that Redskins are 20 million over the salary cap, that number has been proven wrong by all capable media outlets (FOX, CBS and even the NFL itself). The Redskins will probably be a couple of million dollars over, which shouldn’t be too hard to maneuver around. Especially when they don’t have to sign a first round pick in a weak draft (unless you can pick Reggie Bush). This team will have another year of experience and another year of continuity under its belt. This is one of the tightest knit Redskins teams I can remember. The players all love each other and work so well together. And they are dedicated to Joe Gibbs. After the game, the Washington Post reported that almost every player was already making plans to start their offseason conditioning programs with one another. I love the sound of that. This team is happy with what they accomplished, but they are hungry for more. The Redskins will be better next season. Write it down. I’m guaranteeing it. I wish we could start the next season in March, but alas, we must wait until September.
Clearly, there are some issues the Redskins need to address. The quarterback situation is one. Personally, I think Mark Brunell has one more good season left in him if he’s healthy. So stick it out one more year with him. The Skins obviously need to add another receiver. Hopefully a big possession receiver that can go after jump balls once the team gets inside the redzone. Don’t blame Brunell for all the struggles the last few weeks. The reason he couldn’t throw well is because no one was getting open. And would you really want him to throw to scrub Taylor Jacobs (who will be cut as soon as possible). The reason Brunell was running backwards half the time in the Seattle game was because no one was open. He was trying to buy time. Moss was double or tripled covered, and the rest of the receivers are horrible. So that will need to be addressed. Finally, the Redskins are going to have to figure out what to do with Lavar Arrington. I’ll be cool with it if they keep him or cut him. Whatever is better for the team.
So mark my words. The Redskins will be an improved team next season. Dallas is going to be worse. The Giants won’t get much better. And who knows what’s going on in Philadelphia. The Skins have easy games (at least they look easy at the moment) against Houston, New Orleans, Tennessee and St. Louis. They get tougher games against Jacksonville, Minnesota, Atlanta and Carolina at home. They’ll have two tough road tests against Indianapolis and Tampa Bay, so don’t expect the Redskins to run the table. Optimism is one thing, but let’s not get crazy here. But their schedule appears favorable. It is setting up to be an exciting 2006-2007 season here in the D.C. area. I just wish we could get started now.
Ok, now to the Redskins game. I’m disappointed they lost obviously. I really didn’t expect them to win. But when Shaun Alexander went out in the first quarter, and the Redskins defense was knocking Seahawks out left and right, it looked promising and I got my hopes up. The Redskins certainly had their chances to win (when Matt Hasselbeck leads the team in rushing for three quarters, that usually doesn’t bode well for Seattle). But the Redskins offense couldn’t make the plays when it counted and the Seahawks offense did just enough. Seattle was simply the better team. The Redskins, with all their injuries were completely spent. They were running on fumes. And the Seahawks are too good of team to play in that situation. So congrats to the Seahawks and their fans. They’ve waited long enough for a playoff win. I hope Seattle goes on and wins the Super Bowl this season. I don’t feel awful losing to a classy organization like Seattle. Better than losing to scum like Philly or Dallas or the Giants. And it wasn’t a heartbreaking loss either. It wasn't one of those games that comes down to one play or one mistake or one bad call. Like the Jeffery Maier game. Or the game when Gus Frerotte decided to bang his head against a wall. Those stick with you as a fan for years to come. This game didn't fall under that category.
For the overall season, I’m extremely proud of what the Redskins accomplished (I will have a more complete wrap-up of the Redskins season after the Super Bowl). If you told the average Redskins fan at the beginning of the season that the team would make the second round of the playoffs, they would have been happy with it. No one outside the Washington area expected this team to win more than six games (By the way, ESPN said they would win five and Sports Illustrated said they would win four). So I’m thrilled with the results of this year. The second round of the playoffs is quite an accomplishment for a team with one NFL caliber receiver, a 35-year old quarterback and a defensive line made up of castoffs. So for the few fans that are upset with the way the season turned out, please don’t be. Just imagine what it would be like to be a Colts fan this year. Or an Eagles fan. That’s real disappointment. This season will be used as a stepping-stone.
The entire nucleus of the team will be back next season. The coaching staff will all be back as well. The only major player that is a free agent is Ryan Clark. And despite ESPN saying that Redskins are 20 million over the salary cap, that number has been proven wrong by all capable media outlets (FOX, CBS and even the NFL itself). The Redskins will probably be a couple of million dollars over, which shouldn’t be too hard to maneuver around. Especially when they don’t have to sign a first round pick in a weak draft (unless you can pick Reggie Bush). This team will have another year of experience and another year of continuity under its belt. This is one of the tightest knit Redskins teams I can remember. The players all love each other and work so well together. And they are dedicated to Joe Gibbs. After the game, the Washington Post reported that almost every player was already making plans to start their offseason conditioning programs with one another. I love the sound of that. This team is happy with what they accomplished, but they are hungry for more. The Redskins will be better next season. Write it down. I’m guaranteeing it. I wish we could start the next season in March, but alas, we must wait until September.
Clearly, there are some issues the Redskins need to address. The quarterback situation is one. Personally, I think Mark Brunell has one more good season left in him if he’s healthy. So stick it out one more year with him. The Skins obviously need to add another receiver. Hopefully a big possession receiver that can go after jump balls once the team gets inside the redzone. Don’t blame Brunell for all the struggles the last few weeks. The reason he couldn’t throw well is because no one was getting open. And would you really want him to throw to scrub Taylor Jacobs (who will be cut as soon as possible). The reason Brunell was running backwards half the time in the Seattle game was because no one was open. He was trying to buy time. Moss was double or tripled covered, and the rest of the receivers are horrible. So that will need to be addressed. Finally, the Redskins are going to have to figure out what to do with Lavar Arrington. I’ll be cool with it if they keep him or cut him. Whatever is better for the team.
So mark my words. The Redskins will be an improved team next season. Dallas is going to be worse. The Giants won’t get much better. And who knows what’s going on in Philadelphia. The Skins have easy games (at least they look easy at the moment) against Houston, New Orleans, Tennessee and St. Louis. They get tougher games against Jacksonville, Minnesota, Atlanta and Carolina at home. They’ll have two tough road tests against Indianapolis and Tampa Bay, so don’t expect the Redskins to run the table. Optimism is one thing, but let’s not get crazy here. But their schedule appears favorable. It is setting up to be an exciting 2006-2007 season here in the D.C. area. I just wish we could get started now.
posted by Mark @ 11:32 PM
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