Redskins turn of the decade has no historical equal

A new decade has come, and with it comes a new era of Redskins football.

Nothing is different yet. Not different enough, anyway. But for the first time in twenty years, there is a light reflecting off this bleak landscape. Blotted by clouds and sheer distance, but undeniably, unequivocally there.

With the turn of the decade, stereotypical images come into focus. A young morning, with the sun slowly inching out from the cover of a dominating skyline, soaking the night sky with shades of amber and gold. The Washington Redskins rebirth has that feel. The feel of dawn. It’s only the beginning. And for time being, it’s cold and silent. Possessing a subtle sort of suspended anticipation.

There’s a patient peace to the present, but it veils a chaotic past. Since Dan Snyder assumed his role as owner two decades ago, the Redskins have logged a record of 142-193-1. In Bruce Allen‘s ten-year tenure, which started a decade later, the Redskins went 45-83. On the field, they were known for their irrelevance and mediocrity. Off the field, for their ruthless, unending dysfunction.

A full twenty years after his ascent, an older Dan Snyder has, at the very least, gained an awareness of reality, and he made the move that needed to be made, in removing organizational toxin Bruce Allen from the front office. From dusk, on to dawn. But that was only the first step. The initial reaction resultant. There’s still so much more to be done.

The Redskins turn of the decade is reminiscent of the extinction event separating geological epochs. The Ordovician-Silurian. The late Devonian. The Permian-Triassic. The Triassic-Jurassic. A massive, abrupt alteration of planetary history, putting an end to a segment of 70 million years, and starting a new era just as long. Many species do not survive. And those that do, evolve.

The extinction event has passed. And now, we’re left with the aftermath. An ashen void, from which new life can grow.