He Said

In my book being overrated is all about one thing: expectations versus results.

And if you think about the issue that way, there's only one team that's going to come to mind when you hear the word “overrated:” the Washington Redskins. (Oh man, I can hear all of DC registering on our site as I type...)

Over the last decade, closer to two decades even, the Redskins have consistently failed to live up to expectations. Every year there is big news out of DC – the new coach, the sure-thing draft pick, the new attitude – that is sure to give the 'Skins their first division title of the new millennium. And then, every year, just a few months later, we hear all the sob story shoulda-woulda-couldas....

Now, let's get one thing straight – this is not an anti-Redskins rant. But it is my opinion. I know the 'Skins are one of the leagues most beloved franchises; they've got seven-times the service time of the Ravens in this league. They deserve their respect. But the saturation of local and national media with Redskin fervor every single summer has certainly played its role in driving the two towns apart.

They've got just three playoff appearances in 16 years. Worse yet, they've got just two 10-win seasons in the last 16 years. They are also 30 games UNDER 500 over the last 15 years, translating to an average record of 7-9. Not quite horrible, but also far from greatness.

Meanwhile, over the last decade-plus we've all been beaten to death by story after story on why this year's 'Skins team is going to really “take that next step.”

Caution: Read the following paragraph slowly and take breaks often. I don't want you to get as light-headed as I did writing it.

How about back-to-back Top 3 picks in the NFL Draft in 2000? Lavar Arrington, the second coming of Christ himself on the football field! Then in 2001, it was Marty Schottenheimer, the ultimate turn-around man coming into run things, literally, run things. In 2002 it was the arrival of The Ol' Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier... he was going to turn DC into The Swamp, Part II and give a jolt to that tired, old offense. Yeehaw! Let's fun-n-gun this offense, boys, and we can all be on the links by noon in the summer. By 2004 we got hit twice. First, the return of Joe Gibbs and the greatest trade ever in Broncos history bringing Clinton Portis to Washington. Did I mention how Gibbs was bringing with him an All-Star coaching staff and Jaguar near-retiree Mark Brunell? In 2005 and 2006 we saw the arrival of Jason Campbell, the next-next big thing. In 2007, it was LaRon Landry, oh, and still Jason Campbell, who was really ready to turn things on. And let's not forget the plethora of big deals and trades throughout the years... Antwaan Randel-El, Santana Moss and Laverneus Coles, Chris Cooley, Keenan McCardell, Fred Smoot (here, then gone, then here again!), Shawn Springs... I could keep going...

After all this... what do they have to show for it?

She Said

So how much of a cop out would it be for me to just say that I agree with everything Dan has said? Yeah, I know. The Washington faithful are going to read this and blood will start oozing from their eyeballs. The fact of the matter is that Washington, for all of its high-priced signings over the last ten years, has barely anything to show for it. It has been a disaster down there.

Lavar Arrington, for all the hype surrounding him, just never lived up to any of it. Don’t get me wrong. Arrington had all the potential in the world, but it was just squandered. Then came the “fun and gun” Spurrier who arrived in the nation’s capital Maryland after hightailing it out of the University of Florida to become the highest paid bust of a coach at the time.

After that failed attempt, little Danny Synder carts in Joe Gibbs, the best coach in the history of the game, who is sure to lead the team into the history books. That didn’t quite work out. Now, it’s Jim Zorn’s turn. OK. I’ll buy that. Why the heck not? He was only the offensive coordinator of the team for three weeks during the off-season.

Draft picks? We don’t need no stinking draft picks! Going undefeated in the preseason is plenty for us, thanks.

If anything, my instinct would have me feeling very sorry for the Washington fan base. But, of all the Washington fans I’ve met, they’ve all sort of asked for the misery. For the better part of a decade, I’ve watched in sheer awe as my friends attempt to convince me that this will be the year they make it deep into the playoffs, reach the Super Bowl, and realize their dreams.

I feel really bad for them, those friends of mine. They’ve totally bought into the media machine that cranks out this Second Coming garbage every year.

Good for them, I say. I wish I had that kind of spirit. To never know what it is to be gun shy after fooling me once. It is quite a skill, and takes a special kind of person to tolerate such circumstances year after year.