Redskins Rehash: 5-11... not too good...

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.

Redskins Rehash... from Hero to Hill...

I was at WTOP (103.5 FM) Sunday as the Redskins were driving downfield with under a minute to play against Tampa Bay... and as they lined up for 4th and goal I couldn't resist youtubing "Holding out to a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler for my co-workers... and when Donovan McNabb found Santana Moss in the endzone there was excitement again in Redskins Nation. But then longsnapper Nick Sundberg's snap sailed high beyond the grasp of holder Hunter Smith... and thankfully I had cued up "Yaketty Sax" aka the Benny Hill Theme. Do me a favor... next time you're online--cue up "Yaketty Sax" and think about the Redskins. You'll smile, chortle and maybe even laugh at the tragic comedy the 2010 season has become.

Donovan and Distance-- Mr. McNabb (amidst swirling rumors that he'd be operating on a short leash against the Buccaneers) threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns... and was 8 of 12 for 79 yards on the 75-yard scoring drive that almost sent the game into overtime. This despite the Buccaneers taking away the team's vertical passing game.

Uniform Update-- I'm one of the seven people who wish the Buccaneers would go back to their creamsicle orange full-time. Red and pewter look sharp, but Bucco Bruce needs a regular gig! (When he's not doubling as UVa mascot Kippy Cavalier).

Running Aground-- Ryan Torrain in his first game back from injury began with a BANG--158 yards on 18 first half carries--but ended with a second half 14 yards on six carries whimper.

Dissecting the Division-- Philadelphia and the New York Giants remain tied atop the NFC East with wins... although the Eagles own the head-to-head tiebreaker (they visit the Giants Sunday). Philly would be seeded 3rd while the Giants would get the #6 seed... while the Redskins are 11th and Dallas is 14th (both officially eliminated by losses Sunday).

Second half slump-- the Skins issues after intermission continue: the team was outscored 14-6 in the third and fourth quarters. During the elimination-inducing three game losing streak the Skins have been outscored 34-13 after halftime. The last time they outscored their opponent in the second half? October 24th against Chicago.

The South rises again--in 2007 the AFC South posted a league-best 42 wins, and the next year the NFC South notched 40 victories to pace the eight divisions. Last year the AFC South combined for a league-high 38 wins... and this fall it's the NFC South's turn to dominate. Their 30 wins are tied with the AFC East-- and that's with worst team in the league Carolina at their disposal.

Not so Special Teams-- Graham Gano missed a pair of field goals in the first half... and a mishandled snap on an extra point attempt with nine seconds left wound up being the difference. The Skins also muffed the second half kickoff-- setting up a Buccaneer field goal. Hunter Smith Punter Hunter Smith took the fall--getting released Tuesday. It was more than just the extra point play-- Smith's ranked 30th in the league in punting. Sam Paulescu returns (he averaged 50 yards over three punts against Atlanta last year filling in for an injured Smith) to Ashburn after being on the sidelines this fall.

West the worst-- as good as the NFC South is... the NFC West remains the division of depression... 21-31 composite record with two teams sharing the lead with losing records... and not one team in the division has scored more points than they've allowed. Even 4-9 Arizona still has hope...and that is not a good thing.

What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man's reign went the way of "Tracking the Triumvirate" when placed on suspension without pay. His 2010 tally? Sixteen tackles and 2.5 sacks. Final Redskins numbers? 53 tackles and 6.5 sacks... which prorates to 42 tackles and 5 sacks for a 16 game season-- and a lesson for the future. Because if we've learned anything, it's that the Redskins learn from their mistakes.