2008 Redskins Report Card

Another season is in the books for the Washington Redskins. It was a season of highs and lows and it seemed to fly by especially fast this year. In the end they finished where they started, a very "medium" 8-8. Some would say that with a new coach an 8-8 or 9-7 season was to be expected, I would disagree. This was a playoff team in 2007 and nearly every piece of the puzzle, both coaches and players alike, were back. That coupled with a 6-2 first half should have meant a playoff birth. Oh well, there's always next year. Here's my final grades for the Skins, from the top to the bottom.

Dan Snyder - B-
Good things,
He didn't have his private jet flying all over the place spending big $$ on free agents last offseason. He didn't keep Gregg Williams around to be the head coach, and was able to keep Greg Blache from retiring. Honoring Sean Taylor with induction to the ring of honor was a nice touch. He also provided some enjoyable YouTubes.
Now for the bad,
His loyalty to Vinny Cerrato has not provided the Redskins with the front office structure they need to be successful (ie Vinny needs to go.) The Zorn pick for Head Coach is still debatable, especially if Jim Swartz is a successful head coach next year. Cowboys, Eagles, and Steeler fans taking over Fedex was embarrassing, the marketing department should have been proactive in not allowing this to happen

Vinny Cerrato - D

The draft was a debacle, aside from Horton and Brennan, nice pickups late in the draft. DeAngelo Hall was a nice addition mid-season, but then everyone knew he would land in Washington. Everything else sucked. Jason Taylor was a huge bust. Cerrato's choice of a Punter actually cost us a game or two! Lets see what Vinny has in store for us this offseason.

Jim Zorn (Head Coach) - C

At this point I like Zorn better as a head coach than an offensive coordinator. He seemed to run a tight ship and appeared well prepared from the start of training camp. Too much info given to the media about in house stuff. His public spat with Portis was not handled well. The Skins were 2-6 in the 2nd half. Hail maroon and black.

Jim Zorn (Offensive Coordinator) - C-

The offense had a few moments where things were clicking but not many. The rushing game was strong (using the same plays from Gibbs.) Play calling was poor and Zorn sometimes appeared lost. Red zone offense was terrible. Offense ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring and yards. Zorn needs to get much better or delegate more.

Greg Blache - B

He led the 4th ranked defense in the NFL. Got the defense to play well thru injuries. Coming back next year, but several coaches may not. Only gripe is the defense didn't seem to make stops or big plays when needed.

Quarterbacks - C

Campbell only turned the ball over 7 times and improved his QB rating and completion percentage for 3rd straight year. But, the improvements are baby steps, not giant strides. QB's with less experience are playing better and leading their teams to the playoffs. It's time so start seeing improvements in the W department. Collins took only a handful of snaps. Colt Brennan is like the new chick in school. Everyone wants to date her because they think she's hot. The truth is, she may not be hot, she's just new. However, Colt should get extra snaps and game time in preseason next year to see what he can do.

Running Backs - B

Portis had a Pro Bowl season, was 4th in the league in rushing and played thru various injuries. He did say several negative things publicly about his coaches and teammates in the media, and for the first time I have concerns about his character. Betts was serviceable as his backup and Cartwright played little. Sellers had a Pro Bowl season was a beast as a blocker. If we could just take back one play.




Wide Receivers - C-

Moss had a 1000 yd season and is still a game changer. However, he dropped to many balls and seemed to disappear from the offense for several weeks at a time. Randle El would have good numbers for a 3rd WR, which he should be, but he's our 2nd. Thrash contributed little. Thomas showed glimpses of promise but overall did not do much. Kelly is a disaster to this point.

Tight Ends- B

Cooley posted career highs in receptions and yards on his way to his 2nd consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Zorn needs to use him more down field (deep post, post corners) and in the red zone. Yoder played well when called upon. Boozie Davis came thru with a -3 yd reverse.

Offensive Line - C-

Strong running game averaged 130 yds per game, 8th in the NFL. Kendall probably stood out along with Samuels (when healthy.) Pass protection was poor and the line is getting old. This unit has to be a priority in the offseason.

Defensive Line - C

Played well against the run. This line is made up of serviceable NFL players, no studs. Golston, Montgomery, Alexander, Griffin, and Evans are all good players. Carter and Taylor provided little pressure on the QB, and combined for only 66 tackles and 7.5 sacks. We need a difference maker on this unit.

Linebackers - B-

Fletcher was awesome and is the heart of the defense, he was robbed of the Pro Bowl. Mcintosh played well. I'm worried that Marcus Washington will never be the same again. HB Blades played decent filling in both inside and outside spots. If Jason Taylor comes back, I would like to see him moved around more and used like he was in the Eagles game.

Secondary - B
Springs was banged up again and will be gone next year. Rodgers played better, but still can't catch. I hope he catches a 1,000 passes a day in the offseason. Smoot is a solid #3 CB. Hall played decent, but he tackles like my 4 year old. I think we need to resign him, but don't get crazy doing so. Landry is tough, but needs to cut out the stupid penalties. Horton showed flashes and could become a solid player.

Special Teams - D
Yuck. The Punters were terrible. Randle El was horrible returning punts. Suisham was ok early, but got cold at the worst time of the year. Coverage teams were so-so. Cartwright does a fine job returning kicks.

I guess if you average these grades together you'd come out with a C average. A medium grade indeed. Certainly better than I fared in High School and College, but not what I'd have hoped for from my team. Like I said earlier, there's always next year see you in Miami!

Cheers and Hail

Six Degrees Of Fatpickled...Christmas Edition

A nice story about Kurt Warner juggling Family, Football and his faith.

A fat, old, Quarterback who likes to throw footballs at his receiver's feet seeks new contract, any takers?

An awesome story of Charlie White, a Redskins usher for the past 70 years.

From the Evil Empire, a cool story about the last at-bat at Yankee Stadium. (turns out it wasn't Brian Roberts)

A Baltimore Sun columnists insist it's a good thing Teixeira signed with the Evil Empire. (I was clearly wrong with my Teixeira to O's theory)

Zorn will be back.

Merry Christmas!

Six Degrees Of Fatpickled

If anyone wonders what I look like on a Sunday, here is a spot on imitation.

Zorn finally got something right this weekend.

Dallas, how about DC? (wouldn't have to change offensive systems again, probably not with his connections to Zorn)

Would this guy like to do some grocery shopping in Ashburn?

T.O. as cousin Eddie, Wade Phillips as Aunt Bethany?

It's like dating a stripper, fun while it lasts but you know it's going to end badly.

Mr. Snyder, Your Steak Is Ready

I said "keep it medium!"

It seems as though Jim Zorn might be cooking himself right out of a job. Mr. Snyder likes his steak "medium" and Zorn right now is "medium well." If Zorn doesn't win out, he may just be "well-done."
Just 5 weeks ago everything was good. Zorn was just perfect. A coach of the year candidate, the West Coast offense was clicking, and Portis was the league's MVP. Zorn was riding bikes around DC with the President. Since then the Skins have gone 1-4 (including 0-3 at home), and the Offense has disappeared, averaging a mere 10 pts per game. Having a public spat with said MVP candidate was not a good thing. If Zorn was not happy with Portis and his practice participation, it should have been handled in the 40 hours a week they spend together at Redskins Park. It should not have played out on the field of a "must win" game on national TV. Zorn loves to get in front of the media and talk too much about things that should be kept in the locker room, he seems to pride himself on his communication. Is he not communicating like this in the locker room with his players?
Now word is circulating that Zorn needs to win out to save his job. I'm pretty sure that if Mr. Snyder's steak leaves a bad taste in his mouth, he's going to send it back. So we'll have to wait and see if Zorn and Bush ride off into the sunset together.

Maybe do some fishing.

The truth is I hope Zorn is the coach of the Redskins next season (even though I am less than pleased right now). If Zorn is the coach next season, it will have meant the Skins made the Playoffs this year. This is my hope. I'm still medium.

Cheers and Hail

Hail To The Burgundy And Gold

Having been a fan of the Redskins for over 30 years I have seen a lot of players come and go. With the salary cap, free agency, and the fact the average NFL player's career only lasts 4 season, players are gone before you know it.

So when it comes down to it, we root for colors. Maybe you root for the blue and orange, the silver and blue, or the silver and black. I look good in burgundy and gold. The names on the backs of the jersey's may change each year, but the colors, they are forever.

Once in a while we are lucky enough to have a few special players strap on the burgundy and gold. Players that leave a mark in our memories, and in our hearts. Players like Riggins, Theismann, Manley, Clark, Coleman, Butz, Green, Monk, The Hogs, Portis, Cooley, and Taylor.

And once in a while, the 53 guys wearing the burgundy and gold are truly a team. The 2008 Washington Redskins are a team, not 53 individuals. I believe that more than I can ever remember, dating back to the glory days. The Dallas Cowboys are in trouble! With all the I love me some me and pointing of fingers, they can't compete with this TEAM.

Like George Allen would say "With 53 men playing together, we can't lose!"

Cheers and Hail

Fantasy Thoughts For Week 10 (that don't include my wife)

Studs

The trades that I talked about last week have produced immediate dividends. After adding Cutler, Quinn, and Addai, I feel I am strengthening my team for a playoff run in The League. Pairing Cutler with Royal on Thursday night produced 86 points for 22 Swinging Dicks, and I lead Sticky Fingers by 109 points heading into today. I feel pretty good about my chances of coming away with a win. My Studs this week do not come with any dialogue, I'm having trouble keeping up with the short NFL week. Cutler is on my list of Studs, as I completed my research Wednesday, but couldn't post till now.

QB

Brees

Cutler

Edwards

Warner

RB

Charles

Hightower

Peterson

Tomlinson

WR

Colston

Fitzgerald

Jennings

White

Last Week 6/11

YTD 32/47 = 68%

Enjoy the games.

Cheers and Hail

Top 10 Interview Meltdowns

I love a classic head coaches post game interview meltdown. Both Singletary and Zorn has some minor flare-ups this weekend, and it got me thinking. What is the greatest interview meltdown ever? Well first off, what constitutes a meltdown? Usually it takes a poor performance by the coaches team, a pissed off coach, a stupid question by a reporter, and a few F-bombs. So, I have compiled my top 10 meltdowns. This is a coaches only category, no athletes, Gm's, or owners.

Warning - some of the links contain angry middle-aged men dropping f-bombs, it's funny stuff but turn your speakers down if your at work!

#10 Kevin Borseth - He addressed the media after addressing the Michigan Women's B-ball team. I was scared watching him in the interview, I can't imagine how the girls felt.

#9 Bob Knight - He has given us so much material it's impossible to pick just one. Here he is explaining his favorite word.

#8 Mike Gundy - His intentions start out good, trying to defend one of his players. Somewhere in the interview he turned into Gny. Sgt. Hartman.

#7 Dennis Green - Maybe it's wrong, but every time I watch this I think of Gary Coleman getting angry.

#6 Tommy Lasorda - Another guy who can fill up an hour of your time on youtube. The word that got Crash Davis thrown out of the game in Bull Durham is very prevalent here.

#5 Earl Weaver - My favorite manager of all time. Whether this was scripted, a practical joke, or real, it's funny. Alice Sweet where are you?

#4 John Chaney - This one features Chaney going into another coaches interview and threatens to kill him. We're covering new ground here.

#3 Jim Mora - From the man that brought you "diddly poo". One of the most imitated interviews "playoffs?". Do you like random triangles on your shirts?

#2 Hal Mcrae - Once again we are breaking new ground here, drawing blood. Check out Hal in his long johns and the reporter walking out of the office with blood dripping from his cheek. "Now put that in your pipe and smoke it".

#1 Lee Elia - The mother of all breakdowns. He doesn't bitch about the media or the team, but the fans! Less than a month into the season he delivered this doozy. It was so good he was invited back to Chicago last year for a reunion. "85% of the world is working, the other 15% come out here".

Cheers and Hail

Judging Mike Singletary

I know it's only one game, way too early to form an opinion of Mike Singletary's head coaching abilities. Remember what all of us Redskin's fans thought about Zorn after the Giants game? But, I saw a few things today that really soured me on Mike. I blogged just a few days ago about how I thought Singletary would make a great coach, and would light a fire under the 49er's. After watching his antics today, I think he might be taking this "light a fire" stuff too far. Here are the things that I saw while watching the game today that bothered me.

Down 13-3 with :31 seconds left in the first half, the 49ers had the ball on the Seattle 29 yard line, facing a 4th and 4. The 49er's called timeout. During this timeout the cameras focused on Singletary, his Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz, and his QB JT O'Sullivan. Singletary asked Martz, "what do you want to do?". Martz said "go for it". Without hesitation, Singletary went with Martz's recommendation. Mind you, a FG brings you within a touchdown to start the third quarter. On the ensuing play, O'Sullivan threw an interception that was returned 75 yds for a TD. On the interception TD return, Vernon Davis almost tackled the defender after sprinting his ass off for 80 yards! Keep this in mind for part 2.

After a silly penalty in the 4th quarter by Davis, Singletary pulls him out of the game. OK, good move. Singletary then follows this up by escorting Davis to the bench and directs him to sit down like he is a 5 year old in time out. This was not enough however, as a few minutes later Singletary directed Davis to the locker room. This was still not enough. Singletary decided to call out his TE in the post game press conference. And for the record, I am no fan of Davis.

Look, I'm all for making your mark on the team. I'm all for dressing down a player (who probably is a distraction). I'm all for making an example of somebody. But do not do it in the media, or in front of 50,000 people in the stands, or on national TV.

Mike, your a hard ass, we know this. It's why you were voted to the Pro Bowl 10 times. It's what made you a Hall of Famer. But don't make your mark this way. I'm pretty sure that the 10 years that you spent being a motivational speaker never involved a speech about degrading a man in public.

I hope Singletary turns around the 49er's, and I hope he leaves his door open when his players want to speak to him.

Cheers and Hail

The Redskins Are Just Fine

I 'll be the first to admit it, I looked at the Redskins schedule after the Cowboy's game and thought, 7-1. Well, it's just not that easy in the NFL. There are no "layups".
But I'm here to issue a plea to all Skins fans, keep yourselves grounded! The same fans that were on Internet message boards, and calling into Sportstalk radio saying we are going to Tampa, turned around and said the Skins suck. Last week Zorn was the second coming of Joe Gibbs and George Allen rolled into one. This week, fire him, he sucks. Listen guys, the NFL season is 4 long months of hard battle. There are many ups and downs, stay even, or as Zorn says "medium".

Tiger Woods misses a cut every now and then. Michael Jordan had nights where he only scored 12 points. Dirk Diggler couldn't get it up every time. The Skins had 4 fumbles, that is a fluke, shit happens. Here is what the Redskins are, a solid playoff team with the ability to win it all.

So relax Skins fans, sit back and enjoy the ride. We are going to lose again, and we are going to win games you didn't think we would win. Tony Romo missing 4 weeks doesn't mean we are going to the Superbowl. Playing the Browns and Lions the next 2 weeks doesn't guarantee 2 wins.

So, if you are a true fan like me, root with all you have, pray hard, wear your lucky gear, sit in your lucky chair. Don't criticize when we lose, don't drink the kool-aid when we win.

Because if you wait another 3 months, maybe, just maybe, we can laugh all about this in Tampa.

Standing on top of the World!

So, the first time I saw the Redskins 2008 schedule, my first reaction was, did Jerry Jones write this? I mean, come on, 3 divisional road games in the first 5 weeks? At Dallas, then at Philly? I originally was thinking 3-2, and I was going to be happy. After our less than stellar showing in week 1, I was going to be ok with 2-3. What they did today,had never been done in the history of the Washington Redskins. It took me about an hour and 4 beers to do the research, but no Redskins team has ever won back to back road games against Philly and Dallas. NEVER!


This team keeps amazing me. If this team were Kimbo Slice, they would have tapped out with 9 minutes to go in the first quarter. Down 14-0, momentum totally against them, crazy Philly fans fired up. The Skins picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and went to work. Slowly chipping away and letting the game come back to them. It didn't matter that the Eagles took Tana out of the game, Portis and Cooley carried us. No turnovers again, you don't realize how huge that is. Any offensive turnover the past 4 weeks could have resulted in a Redskins loss. Zorn showed us again today the difference between him and Gibbs. With a 4th and 1 and a little over 2 minutes to go, he went for it. And the Redskins delivered the dagger. Gibbs would have punted and put the game in Mcnabb's hands.

Sometimes, its all worth it. All the money I've lost betting with my heart. All the shit talking that I've had to take back after the Skins lose a game they should have won. All the tears, all the yelling, all the punching holes in drywall.

Yep, sometimes its all worth it. And tonight, I'm standing on top of the world (for a little while).

The Last Word in Big D

The Skins went into Dallas this weekend as 11 point underdogs. No one in the media predicted any upsets, and to be honest, even the most die hard fans did not predict a W. But, this Redskins team is good, and they showed how good they are by dominating this game. Do not let the final score fool you, the Redskins dominated in all phases of the game, and proved to everyone that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Who would have thought that the Redskins would out coach the Cowboys? Jim Zorn came out with a great game plan, and his play calling was awesome. For the first time in 4 years, I have no idea what the Redskins are going to do on offense. During Gibbs 2, I could guess the next play 75% of the time. On the other hand, the Cowboys ran the ball only 8 times to Barber, and Felix Jones got ZERO carries. The Cowboys also had a crucial penalty, having 12 men on the field. This happened after a timeout! That's COACHING! And you can tell that the coaches listened to TO's whining. They tried to force the ball into his hands, and it just was not there.

I have to give props to the defense, excellent game. Portis ran strong, Cooley blocked hard, Tana is amazing, and JC is playing at an unbelievable level. Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Lets take care of business this week in Philly, and show everyone why this team is not only good, it is special! We play physical, we win!