So ends an incredible journey from lockout to fadeout. For the second straight year the Redskins stood atop the division after week one and in the cellar after week seventeen. Another double digit losing season -- the sixth in nine years. Four straight last place finishes in the NFC East -- first time that's ever happened for any team in the division's storied history. How did the Burgundy and Gold get here? And how do they get back to respectability? If only the season ending 34-10 loss to Philadelphia was the topic.
Turnoverasaurus Rex-- the beast was quiet through the first quarter... but Mr. Grossman responded on the team's first possession in the second quarter with an interception-- giving him 20 for the season to go with 5 fumbles. One can only wonder what sort of numbers he would have put up had he not been benched for John Beck midway through the season.
Eternal Optimism-- before the season began, Grossman said he thought this team could win the NFC East. Given the sad state of the division-- maybe that wasn't too much of a stretch. But during the freefall from contender to pretender Grossman and even coach Mike Shanahan's comments have been rather interesting-- both brimming with confidence that this team is almost there despite the fact that they were closer to the #1 draft pick than the #6 seed. I'm all for feeling good about being on the road to greatness... but when you're last for the fourth straight year-- just say you'll try to get better.
Cue the Benny Hill Theme-- if one listens to "Yaketty Sax" while watching the games... the Burgundy and Gold are that much more easy to deal with. The last four drives of the first half involved Rex's INT, a blocked Field Goal attempt, turning the ball over on downs, and a keystone coplike special teams dash on the field to try a field goal attempt as the clock ran out.
Running with the Royster-- the rookie from Penn State notched his second straight 100 yard game on the ground while leading the team with 5 catches... giving the Skins two intriguing options heading into next year with Roy Helu posting three century efforts plus a 14 catch day. And he scored the lone touchdown for the Burgundy and Gold on a 47 yard pass play. On this front... even with a banged up offensive line-- maybe this is what coach and Rex are focusing on when they're ridiculously over-optimistic.
Fourth Quarter Flameout-- no, this wasn't the Jets game all over again. Or maybe it was. Trailing 13-10 early in the fourth quarter the Skins defense allowed three touchdowns in four drives... tallying 185 of their 390 total yards in the final stanza. We've seen this happen all season -- where the defense will play well for stretches and then put together four or five drives where they just can't stop anybody.
Offensive Offense-- of course when you can't get first downs, the defense always suffers. After drawing to within 3 points early in the fourth quarter, the Skins gained 5 yards on 11 plays before getting the ball back down 24 after the two-minute warning.
Past is present-- the year began as if the Skins were partying like it was 1999... the last year they won the NFC East. Instead, we were treated to a 2003 replay: where a big name coach was in his second year... the team started 3-1 before losing to a hurting Philadelphia team... the Skins imploded with a losing streak that included falling to 3-5 at the hands of the Buffalo Bills... and a 5-11 campaign that ended with a loss to the same Eagles that started the slide. Still no word if we'll have a resignation via fax from the golf course.
Dissecting the Division-- the Giants win over Dallas gave them the NFC East at 9-7... the worst record for a division winner in NFC East history. In a division known for dominant defenses, this year's champion allowed 400 points during the season. Ouch. The Cowboys fall to third at 8-8 because they were swept by Philadelphia. And the Redskins bring up the rear again.
Conference Contests... and North Stars-- the NFC won the intra-conference contest, 33-31. This is the first time since the 90's that this has happened. With three of the last four Super Bowl winners hailing from the old guard, does this represent a pendulum swing? As for best division, the AFC North posted the best record (37-27) and brings three playoff teams to the fold. But remember, last year the NFC South had the best regular season mark only to go 0-2 in the playoffs. Division of depression? The AFC South won just 26 games ... the only division to fail to reach 30 victories.
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