Redskins Rehash--- looking at your future?

This summer in the movie "Star Trek--younger cast in classic roles" Old Spock visited Young Spock...and made one wonder-- what would you do if you saw an older version of yourself? And did Redskins Nation see an older version of itself across the field Sunday?

Detroit wasn't always a sad-sack punchline...but as greatness in the NFL isn't permanent and competitiveness isn't an entitlement--the Lions under years of mismanagement bottomed out with an 0-16 on the field and TV blackouts off it. What could they possibly have in common with Redskins Nation?

Both enjoyed glory years...the Lions were a dominant team in the 1950's, winning three NFL titles in four championship game appearances with multiple quarterbacks (Bobby Layne and Tobin Rote). The Redskins were a dominant team with three Super Bowl titles (and four appearances) from 1982 to '91.

Both have storied traditions as "old-school pre-expansion" teams...the Lions with their Thanksgiving game, the Redskins with their song and rivalry with Dallas.

Each moved out of its downtown stadium for a suburban venue that nobody really liked...although the Pontiac Silverdome probably was easier to reach.

While it feels like an eternity since the Lions were good-- they did have some success over the years...they were a perennial runnerup to Green Bay during the pre-wildcard days of the 1960's... were competitive for a stretch in the 1980's (30-27 between 1980 and '83 with Billy Sims as their runningback) and made the playoffs six times in a nine year span in the 1990's--(three more times than the Redskins in that era if you are counting).

Question is... are the Skins on the same franchise path as the once-proud Lions? Three playoff appearances since Camelot ended with Joe Gibbs' retirement in 1993 (his comeback is more of a Spamalot--sounded right at first...but didn't go down well) is fewer than the laughingstock Lions over that span. Tampa Bay (6 playoff appearances since 1997) drops by Fed Ex Field looking for its first win of the season.

Other Weak Three Thoughts...

Fourth and Forever-- things began well on the Redskins opening drive until Clinton Portis couldn't get the necessary one yard on fourth and goal. Portis seemed to be spinning wheels all afternoon (12 carries for 42 yards) behind a patchwork offensive line. At least they didn't break out the halfback pass.


What's a Haynesworth? the Skins 100 million dollar man left in the second quarter with an injured hip after his first sack of the season...he did return in the second half to help a defense that allowed 101 yards to Kevin Smith...forced no turnovers from an offense directed by a rookie QB...and allowed a 99 yard touchdown drive that set the tone in the first quarter.

Third down meltdown-- in fact the Redskins defense that was supposed to be even better than last year's fourth ranked unit allowed the Lions to convert on 10 of 18 third down attempts-- be concerned. Be very concerned.

Rolling Moss gathers quite a bit-- Sunday represented a breakout for Santana Moss...the wide receiver posted 10 catches for 178 yards--over half of Jason Campbell's yards for the afternoon.

Campbell heats up late-- once again the offense tallied a prevent defense score...JC throwing 12 of 15 passes for 123 yards after the Lions took their 12 point fourth quarter lead.

Tracking the Triumvirate-- the firm of Thomas, Kelly & Davis posted three catches for 38 yards...each contributing a reception to keep the power trio on a pace of 48 for the season...and 442 yards.

Boys in the Booth-- Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick are a thinking man's booth-- BB should stand four bountifully brilliant... while I've never been into Brennaman-- he does a fine job caddying for Billick. I've always found it interesting since FOX came on the scene their analysts are the stars, while CBS since they got the AFC package have been driven by the play-by-play announcers.