Hail to the who ??????

"Hail to the Redskins Hail Victory.
Braves on the warpath, playing for draft pick #3!"

I remember driving to the Boy & Girls Club over the summer. I was listening to ESPN radio.
Colin Cowherd was talking about football and how pro teams were shaping up. He got to the Washington Redskins.
It really caught my attention. My ears perked up. Kind of like the Minnesota Vikings when you say the words, "sex, party, and boat." (Enter the Love Boat theme) Colin was talking about how dangerous this team was. That talented defense, the explosive offense and the highest paid coaching staff would equal success. I was pumped! Man, you could see the testosterone leaving my car like a trail of smoke. I screamed, "that's what's up!"

Wow, a lot has changed since my moment of Redskins euphoria. Now I find myself calling them every name in the book!
A season full of optimism has gone down in flames. Very reminiscent to N*SYNC's solo careers! A season where Mark Brunell has stated that anything less than the Super Bowl would be a disappointment. What level of disappointment are we at now Mark?

I have complied a list. Ladies and Gentlemen here are the top 10 things to consider about your Washington Redskins:

#10

Why is TJ Duckett still on this team?

Duckett was brought in when Portis was hurt. And even then, he did not get to play much. The trade deadline has since passed. The Redskins could have made a trade to get a decent defensive back! Because we all know that some of the members in this secondary could not cover a little, old lady on a motorized cart! Boy, I can't wait until Steve Smith comes to town! If I were Duckett, I would be the most disgruntled player in the world.

#9

Will someone make a tackle?

This problem actually began last year against San Diego. I love Sean Taylor. I believe he is the catalyst of this Defense. He makes plays and acts as if he has done it before. I cannot stand it when a player , who makes a play that some kid in Kentucky makes every Friday night in front of 700 people, dances around like a Kiebler Elf! If you remember last years OT loss to the Chargers, LT broke several arm tackles to score the winning touchdown. I believe that touchdown ruined our Super Bowl chances. Win that game and home field would have been at Fed Ex Field! The Washington Redskins have some of the hardest hitters in the NFL. But they are sub par at making open field tackles. Anyone can lay a dude out when you blind side him. But can you crush him when he mans up against you? So far the Redskins can't!

#8

Redskins fans ..Stop blaming Brunell!

Mark Brunell is 36 years old. If he were 26 and had this team I would already be booking my flight to Miami or wherever the Super Bowl is this year, but he's not. Whether we want to believe it or not Brunell gives us the best chance to win right now. Todd Collins has been a career benchwarmer and Jason Campbell has not grasped the 700 page play book that Al Saunders uses. A few weeks back as I sat with my cousin Dave at Fed Ex Field (vs. Jacksonville), people were really getting on my nerves. With every incomplete pass people would "boo" Brunell and say, "Get him out of there." Brunell would scramble then throw it out of bounce, NOT TAKING A SACK. "Boo!" Brunell would check down to a back instead of throwing into double coverage to Moss."Boo!" Brunell would give his weeks salary to a 8 year old boy with cancer, whose dog was just hit by a Mack truck while his Mom was telling him there is no Santa Claus. "Boo!" Nothing is good enough for the idiots! And I swear to receive Redskins season tickets, you should have to pass a football intelligence test. We had these guys sitting behind us who I think (KNOW) came from a Star Trek or Dungeons and Dragons convention or something. They had no clue what they were talking about. They were heckling Brunell and then the one kid said to the other."Brunell go back to that other team you played for!" Then they started discussing what team it was. And they couldn't figure it out! I wanted to dump by $25 soda on them and say, "We're freaking playing his old team Spock!" Ironically, it was these same fans who were cheering and going crazy when Brunell threw 3 pretty touchdowns to Santana to win the game. Ok, I need some aspirin!

#7

Carlos Rogers?

This past weekend Carlos Rogers sat the game out. It wasn't against the Texans or a team with a poor to decent, at best, offense. This was the Indianapolis Colts. The offensive juggernaut! And Carlos is inactive with a broken thumb. Normally I wouldn't care, besides what has Carlos done with 2 good thumbs? I was mad because Springs is still recovering from all of his injuries and newly acquired Troy Vincent is still getting his bags unpacked. This left Kenny Wright and Mike Rumph in coverage. Oh Sweet Jesus! Our defense will be nothing until we can cover someone and allow our linebackers to blitz!
Look at the Bears, their DB's aren't that good, they just blitz the Heck out of you, forcing bad throws!

#6

Everyone knows about the freaking screen pass!

In his 700 page playbook, how many pages are devoted to the screen pass? Pssst Al .... the story is out, we know how much the Redskins love to screen. Here's an idea! Now I'm not an offensive guru like you. But, uh, you may want to throw some new ideas into the offensive scheme. How about we set up a screen pass to Moss on the left side. We pump fake the screen and them throw a deep pass to Brandon Lloyd, who was lined up on the right side, running a fly route. Hey just a thought, but I'm not a smart guy like you!

#5

Let Mike Sellers free!

During the Indianapolis game, a Colt DB took a cheap shot at Santana Moss. Santana then head butted him and the Colts player flopped. He looked more like an NBA player taking a charge than a football player. I believe somehow Joe Gibbs needs to let Mike Sellers be the enforcer out there. Just like Arn Anderson was for the 4 Horsemen. He should be the Redskins contract killer. Cheap shot one of our players and sometime within these 60 minutes of football Mike Sellers will steam roll you! After that Cooley will put you in the figure four leg lock! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

#4

Team Unity!

I remember my sophomore year. The entire football team shaved their heads. Being on JV, I was scared to shave my head because I think I have a mis-shaped head. So I had a mo hawk (kind of). Whatever it was I looked like reject from a biker gang! The Redskins must do something to bring them together. As dorky as this sounds, this will help them win ball games.
Look at colleges they do everything together. Dress a like, same pre game routines, stomp on the other team and swing helmets together at them. That's how we do at the "U." It's very heart warming! I mean look at the Red Sox ... Cowboy Up and they all shaved their heads. You must have guys who are willing to be the "rah-rah" guy. Kevin Millar was it for the Red Sox, when he left so did the red Sox chances in my opinion! Clinton Portis, you are the "rah-rah" guy! Every Washington Redskins player should have a mo hawk! And come up with alter egos every Thursday during interviews. Al Saunders, you alter ego is a good offensive coordinator.

#3

Special teams!

This has been the bright spot of the Washington Redskins season. Between Rock and Randle El returning kicks, we know that every punt and kick off could be ran back for 6! However against the Colts. Special Teams stood for "Special" Teams as in small bus! The only player riding this bus was kicker Derrick Frost. After Randle El's touchdown and excessive celebration, which was never shown. The Redskins were already backed up deep on the kick off. Then a special teams disaster happens. Frost came in to punt the kick off. (OK?) And then as he punts, the ref blows the play dead. Frost erupts, apparently he was motivated by Denny Green last Monday Night.T he second he ripped of his helmet Sellers should have given him the Stone Cold Stunner. I was speechless and anyone who knows me, knows that is wicked rare! As I am watching this, holding my daughter Briley, I had to somehow control every thought and every emotion in my body. The only thing I could mutter is, "You idiot!" Though in my head, I was saying a little bit worse than that! The punter of all people ... you have got to be freakin kidding me! Ever see a team kick off from their own 5?

#2

Chris Cooley IS the heart and soul of this team!

I love me some Cooley! He is tough, gritty and good! Every Redskin game I go to you will see me in Section 114, wearing my white Cooley jersey. And in unison with the 90,000 others saying, "Cooooooooooooool" when he make s a catch. Even in last week's loss to Indianapolis Chris played 4 quarters. Even when some guys "mailed it in," Cooley continued to compete. With hard nosed players like him along with playmakers, I am reminded of the good ole days with Donnie Warren, Art Monk and Gary Clark! "COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL !!!"

#1

Believe it or not, this season is not finished yet!
Yes, the Redskins are currently 2-5 and sitting in the basement of the NFC east. But, the Cowboys are done. They have no offensive line and a young quarterback who is supposed to be able to stand up to TO when he rants like a little girl. The Eagles are not as good as they have played. Plus Brian Westbrook is all banged up. The Giants have a defense almost as underachieving as the Redskins. Also, the Redskins have 4 NFC East division games left. 3 of which are at home. If they win these games as well as win 3 of their 5 remaining non divisional games. This team can sneak in! And as every week passes, the Redskins become more healthy! My prediction the Redskins will finish the season 10-6. However this is only if they COWBOY UP and act like a team that wants to start winning and stop being a punchline!

Is my optimism a reason to believe in the 2006 Redskins or a reason to begin drinking ...Heavily?