The Dream Team flew five hours out west to play a Seattle Seahawks team, who four days prior had just fell to the Washington Redskins. I’m sure everyone was thinking, “these guys are tired still, and they just lost to the Redskins for crying out loud… this game is Philly’s to lose.” And well, they lost. It wasn’t a squeaker either, it almost was though. With enough time to make two scores in the game needed to stay alive, Young stared down his receiver for 3 seconds (I counted) while the opposing ILB watched him and attacked the ball and returned it for a touchdown to seal the game. And then we saw the facial expression above. (more…)

This painting will probably be displayed in Dan Snyder's home soon.

All Blackstreet references aside, in D.C. the money paid out by Dan Snyder has almost never equaled the play on the field or the love and respect received from fans. If you think about the Redskins right now, and the players that most fans love and adore, who are they? A general consensus can probably be reached on Chris Cooley, Brian Orakpo, DeAngelo Hall, Mike Sellers, Brandon Banks, Phillip Daniels (especially after this week), London Fletcher and the list could go on. Most of the guys I just mentioned were brought in either through the draft or free agency in “regular” deals. They aren’t here as a result of a blockbuster trade or a 100 million dollar contract (or a new $80 million contract). The Redskins problem has been, as many of us know, trying to buy championships. In the NFL big dollars don’t necessarily equate with wins.

Do the best players in the NFL generally get paid more than the average? Yes, of course. But my issue is with Danny just bringing in guys who were great within their own team and expecting them to just magically adapt to the Redskins. Shall we make a list? (more…)

Brandon Banks and Anthony Armstrong have made the most of their opportunities in 2010 (Toni L. Sandys-Washington Post)

With all the attention Albert Haynesworth has drawn over his benching just before Sunday’s game in New Jersey (and now suspension), it got me thinking. Just how many of these 2010 Redskins will be around to see 2011? I’m going to forego McNabb talks because of the contract and nobody really knows what’s going on in Mike Shanahan’s head right now.

The Redskins offense has produced to an extent this year. McNabb’s Jason-Campbell-like stat line of  16/30 200 yards 1 touchdown 1 interception isn’t really helping this years team but his numbers can be attributed  to many things including the offensive line play, having no running game and his own physical performance. The defense has struggled for the entire season and I think there will be somewhat of a house cleaning after the seasons end, possibly starting at the top. The bright spot of the three units has been special teams. I know the Skins still don’t cover as well as they’d like to but they have Brandon Banks now on returns and Lorenzo Alexander is striking fear in to the other side’s return team. Let’s take a look first at players whose contracts are up after this season.

(more…)