Braves on the Warpath

As I watched the Washington Redskins put up another stinker last night, I couldn't help but think this has to be the lowest point for the team and the organization since I started following them as a youngster almost 40 years ago.

With a 4-11 record and back-to-back losses against NFC East opponents by a combined score of 62-16 (and a season where Washington went 0-6 in the division), the Skins appear to have mailed it in for the season.

Washington has recorded only 2 winning seasons and 1 playoff win since 1999 when they last earned an NFC East title (coincidentally, the 1st season of the Dan Snyder era). Since that time, it has been season after season full of disappointments.

But I never remember the Redskins quitting on a season. I couldn't help but think of the Indianapolis Colts yesterday, who had a great chance to make history by beating the Jets and moving one game closer to a perfect season.

However, their head coach had a different objective, one which he felt could better be achieved by pulling his starters in the 2nd half (a decision I disagree with 100 percent btw). His objective yesterday was not to win their game, but to do what he felt was in the best interest of the team's ultimate goal, to win the super bowl this season.

Wow. At one end of the spectrum you have possibly the best team in the league, making a conscious and sober decision to put winning a game on the back burner. On the other end of the spectrum, you have another team, that couldn't win a game if they tried.

I had a funny conversation with my mother yesterday. She said that my 18 year-old brother (a Skins fan of course) was tired of rooting for a team that never won. He has heard all the stories of the “Glory Days” of the Redskins, but was finding it hard to believe those days ever took place.

It took a 1992 Redskins DVD for Christmas to prove to him that the Redskins actually won a Super Bowl “back in the day.” Now I haven't spoken with him, but I'm sure watching the Joe Gibbs' led '92 Redskins beat up on the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI only made him want to see the Skins return to glory even more.

Well Mark, that day may soon be upon us. One more game, and the Jim Zorn era will most likely be over (great guy, not-so-great coach). Vinny Cerrato is gone and Bruce Allen has arrived. And hopefully, after next week's final game, Mike Shanahan will step before a podium as the 28th head coach of the Washington Redskins.

So with a new regime, there is reason for optimism. With the end of one season (and a string of mostly bad seasons), it's time to look ahead to next season. And hopefully we do so, with a proven winner at the helm. A Super Bowl winner.

Sure, we don't have John Elway. But the Redskins have won Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. Without getting into a “can we win with Jason Campbell at quarterback debate,” let's just say that I don't believe lack of talent is the problem.

I think it's leadership...discipline...and heart. With the right leadership, disciplined players with the heart to win can be led effectively. Those without it, well, it's a big league and there always seems to be room for good talent, even if short on heart and discipline. Just ask the 2009 Washington Redskins.

Call Me Naïve But I Still Believe

When I was asked earlier this year to be a part of the Georgia Southern Radio Network’s broadcast team for the 2009 football season, I was ecstatic. Being a broadcasting student at GSU and a life-long fan of college football, nothing could be better.

Now let me say that no one loves the Eagles more than I do. However, I’m sure there are plenty of fans who know more about the history of Georgia Southern football than I do. I’ve only lived in Georgia for 4 short years and it took more than half that time before I first traveled to Statesboro. But with my new responsibilities as a Studio Host for the GSU Radio Network, I was not going to let my limited number of years following the team deter me.

I immediately purchased a copy of Just One More Time by Jim Halley and Mark McClellan. I quickly read the entire book, and immediately guys like Tracy Ham, Frank Johnson, and Tim Foley became my heroes. If the resurrection of GSU football is not a story made for the big screen, I’m not sure what is.

Of course Erk Russell is well-known even outside of Statesboro and Athens, but Just One More Time provided further insight into this legendary coach and leader. I soon found myself spending countless hours online reading anything and everything I could find on Big Erk.

Fast forward to Fall Camp and my first opportunity to scout this year’s team. I don’t know about anyone else, but I liked what I saw. This year’s team is young, no doubt, but they’re also fiery and full of optimism. And if you can only choose one area where your team has any experience, you would choose the offensive line (GSU has 3 seniors up front). Call me naïve, but magic was in the air at Eagle Creek and I was glad to be a part of it.

So heading into the Week 1 against Albany, needless to say I was all fired up. GSU at home against a tough out of conference opponent--- I’m supporting the broadcast from the studio, then heading over to Buffalo’s Southwest Café for my first post-game show-- life is good, and so are the Eagles!

And if you’re reading this then you probably know the Eagles won that night 29-26 on a last-second field goal by Adrian Mora. A tough, come-from-behind win for the Eagles, but as Coach Hatcher says, we’re just trying to score 1 more point than our opponent.

Fast Forward again 6 weeks into the season. Our boys sit at 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Southern Conference. Not exactly magical, but still in the mix. Again, maybe I was naïve heading into this season-- did I really think they would win every game? Honestly, I never once prepared for a week thinking we would lose. I just never thought about it.

But after a pretty good beating at South Dakota State and a 28-14 loss at Elon, I’m smart enough to know that our backs are against the wall. Do I still believe in this team? Absolutely! Am I being naïve? Perhaps.

But I truly feel this will still be a magical season. In what form that magic comes in I cannot say. Maybe the magic moment will be a road win over Appalachian State. Maybe it will be a 3-game wining streak heading into the Furman game (which could still have us contending for a conference title). Maybe it will be a five-game winning streak to end the season!

Again, am I being naïve? Maybe I am. But I still believe in this team. And I’ll continue to believe. That’s the great part about being a fan. You never stop believing, no matter what.

Eagles, Terrapins, and the Internet

Let me say that in the past 24 hours I made two great discoveries on the Internet (speaking from the perspective of a Maryland guy now living in Georgia, attending Georgia Southern University). The first is GSUFans.com, a message board for Georgia Southern Sports Talk.

I spent at least 2 hours last night looking through old posts, getting tuned in to how Eagle Nation feels about all things Georgia Southern. This includes commentary on this year’s baseball team, the Eagles potential move to Division 1-A (or FBS if you prefer), and above all else, the injustice pretty much the ENTIRE Southeast feels about Erk Russell not being eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame (some lame rule that says you must have held a head coaching position for a minimum of 10 years)-- ridiculous!

One thing for sure, Georgia Southern fans are passionate about their Eagles. And so am I. Even though this is my first year attending GSU, it didn’t take long to fall in love with Georgia Southern and with Statesboro. I’ve been fortunate enough to do some broadcasting assignments this semester covering the baseball, football, and golf teams and everyone associated with the teams including coaches, players, marketing, etc. are class individuals.

I must share, however, that my first love is the Maryland Terrapins. I was born and raised on Maryland basketball. Guys like Greg Manning, Albert King, Buck Williams followed later by the Great One, Len Bias. And Maryland football, though arguably not as successful over the years as the basketball program, is still an integral part of my lifeline.

And that’s where my 2nd Internet discovery comes in: Southernpigskin.com. A site that covers both Southern Conference and ACC football (along with the SEC). How great is that! Then I log in today and there’s Coach Friedgen on the home page. An outstanding post by Phillip McCollum on talent evaluation and recruiting among college football programs, with some nice tidbits on Maryland‘s latest recruiting class. I’m loving it.

To make it even sweeter, if you click on the SoCon link you’re directed to the Derek Heyden blog. So, not only will the staff writers be posting up to date info on the Southern Conference, Derek will be posting his thoughts and insights behind the scenes of Georgia Southern football. Life really is good.

GSU Golf Team Begins Regional Play on Wednesday

The Eagles Golf Team is in Sorrento, Florida today preparing for the South Regional of the NCAA tournament that begins tomorrow at Red Tail Golf Club. The Eagles received an at-large bid from the NCAA after finishing 2nd in the Southern Conference Tournament last month.

Following the SoCon tournament, I was able to spend a few minutes with players Drew Lethem and Joe Monte along with Coach Larry Mays (see video below). The most obvious thing to me in talking with these guys is that they are team players in every sense of the word. In spite of all the individual awards the team has won this year (and there have been a lot!), their focus is on nailing a Top 5 finish at the Regional Tournament so the team can move on and compete in the National Championship.

That’s it, plain and simple. Coach Mays stated to me what he’s been saying all year long: this year’s group has the best team chemistry he has seen in a long time. These guys trust each other and play hard for each other.

It doesn’t hurt that they are all extremely talented golfers either. Oh yea, and one more thing. That battle on the back nine with Chattanooga on Day 3 of the SoCon tournament-- I say the Eagles draw on that experience and use it to move on to the National Championship.

Go Eagles!