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.