A Franchise Disgraced
By pmd on Oct 10, 2009 in Sports |
The most interesting thing about the debacle called the 2009 Redskins is the way that they have become terrible. Being a Redskins fan is not about love of superstars or trick plays. It is about love of grit and determination. Redskins fans have always rooted for hard working players who succeed despite lacking flash. I have lived through the glory years and my first true joy in sports came from the ‘87 Redskins–a team lead by a very average quarterback and running backs that no one but Skins fans can remember.
It was the same in 1991 and the team continued in that tradition in the years that followed. Since a bitter little loser (by nature–not by checkbook) named Dan Snyder took over the team–things have started to erode. Negativity begets negativity and losers have a tendency to–well–lose.
So even though this team has been loaded with winners and true football talents (think Arrington, Taylor, Portis, Landry, Fletcher), this team cannot be successful. More so than any one player can–an owner sets the tone for a franchise. Great owners can allow players and coaches to define the franchise, but bad owners poison the franchise. That’s what Snyder has always done. He is like a spoiled child who has the ability to control and ruin the lives of many and doing so makes him feel powerful.
So it is not surprising that we are at a point now where players are fighting in the locker room, coaches and quarterbacks lack confidence, and the most simple things appear complicated. This is a team that hees been ruined at the top. At this point succeeding would require not just working really hard, but overcoming the odds. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it is very close to it. I do not know the last time I saw a traditionally great franchise turn into this much chaos.
I feel your pain. As a Raiders fan, I know they’ll never get back to those glory days until their owner, Al Davis, croaks or relinquishes control of the team.
Like other sports, I rely on fall back teams who are good or more interesting and it has been dismal being a Bengals and Raiders fan, but Cinci’s actually surprising everyone and are the most exciting team right now.
Similarly, in hockey, I’m a Leafs fan, but until the ownership is blown up, I have to cheer for a well-run club, the Red Wings, as a model of how things should be done.
So yeah, in Washington, they need to blow that thing up but what can they do, really? Fans have to stop supporting a losing franchise by staying at home.
Peekay | Oct 11, 2009 | Reply
Peter, is it too easy to blame Snyder for the losing on this team. Too many players in the Redskin locker room DO NOT CARE ABOUT WINNING. They come to Washington, collect their fat check, and mail it in. That fat loser Albert Haynesworth quits on his team, week after week. $40mil guaranteed and he can’t even stay in average game-shape? There are a ton of warriors on this team, Fletcher, Portis (though he may have lost a step… hard to tell behind that putrid o-line, though), Campbell, Moss, etc., there are also a good amount of losers. Obviously, Snyder deserves a lot of the blame, he refuses to bring in a proven personnel person to serve as GM, but until the players begin to hold themselves accountable you can’t COMPLETELY throw Snyder under the bus.
imjustlikemusiq.com | Oct 11, 2009 | Reply
How bout them Panthers damn you guys suck!
Random | Oct 12, 2009 | Reply
Yea it sucks (knicks fan)
Gmen > ____
LCD | Oct 12, 2009 | Reply
It is a proven fact that in the NFL the only to build a championship contender is through the draft. You cannot just go out every year sign the top free agent available and expect to win. Until Snyder realizes that the Redskins will be exactly where they are right now which is at the bottom of the NFC East.
KobeTellMeHowMyAssTaste | Oct 13, 2009 | Reply
When I saw the title I instantly figured the Juan Epstein franchise has been disgraced for going on hiatus longer then the fucking Boondocks…throw us a bone (pause) here Rosenberg
Greg in VA | Oct 14, 2009 | Reply