I, for one, am so excited that NFL football is back. Through the short off-season, training camp and now the preseason, every NFL fan dreams that this is the year their team breaks out and wins the Super Bowl. The Redskins are no stranger to this and during most of Dan Snyder’s tenure we have all dreamed that the upcoming season would be “the one.” It hasn’t happened yet and all the pundits are putting us down, which is why this season should be classified in one word; BELIEVE.
First of all, let me start by bashing all these so called “experts,” and by experts I mean every well known wannabe athlete who tries to be a commentator without any credentials what so-ever. Hello ESPN! Let’s just name a few; Colin Cowherd, Merril Hodge, Cris Carter, Trent Dilfer, Marcellus Wiley, Mark Schlereth. I’m sure I’m forgetting at least 100 others as well.
These “experts” think that the Redskins suck, are a joke, and couldn’t possibly contend with the mighty Vick’s, Manning’s and Romo’s of the world. They don’t have to watch the games. In their minds, the Redskins don’t have a name quarterback so they can’t possibly be good or even compete. It’s sad because this ESPN perception is followed by many reporters on other sites and in the national media. Therefore no one and I mean NO ONE outside of Washington gives the 2011 Redskins a chance.
Some experts are even saying the Redskins are the worst team in the league to which I laugh at. I mean you’re telling me the Bengals, Seahawks, Bills, Raiders, Jaguars, and Panthers are all better? Give me a break.
So why are all the “experts” wrong and I’m right? Because for the first time since Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999 we are building a team, the right way, and we do not care for the high priced slackers who are just in it for the money. For so long we built teams through free agency and bad trades. We acquired “names” and we lacked depth because we spent too much on older high priced veterans.
The 2011 version of the Redskins are a breath of fresh air to many in Redskins Nation. They’re quicker, younger and have much better depth than they have ever had under Snyder. One of the reasons the Redskins have started well and slipped late in recent seasons has been due to a lack of depth beyond the starters. That’s not going to be an issue this year.
This team has a bunch of guys who just want to compete and play football. There are no distractions. There is competition at every position and guys can’t get comfortable about their spot due to their pay rate because Mike Shanahan will not allow it. The locker room is great and no player is bigger than the team.
Critics may disagree but Mike Shanahan is still one hell of a coach. He will be better in his second season, and the roster is vastly improved to do so. He’s a run first coach and if the preseason is any indication, we will be just fine this year with either John Beck or Rex Grossman. After all, we don’t need our QB’s to be superstars. We just need them to be accurate and make safe, quick decisions. Shanahan won with Jake Plummer and Brian Griese so why can’t he do it here.
The Redskins won 6 games last year and we will be much better this year. With an improved running game, efficient QB play and a big step up from our defense, 10-6 is not out of the question this year. One thing is clear from the preseason thus far. We look much more comfortable in our system this year and in a shortened offseason, that’s a huge difference.
The game of football is not played on paper and it’s why the Redskins will succeed. While the Eagles have bought into the old Redskin mentality of buying a Super Bowl, the 2011 Redskins have no egos. They work hard and although they’re not the most talented team, they don’t have to be. They just have to execute Mike Shanahan’s offense. It’s a proven system that works. Just ask John Elway.
BELIEVE!
~JT
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