Hail to the Redskins

Growing up in the D.C./Baltimore area I have always found myself rooting for the home teams (the Redskins, Orioles, Bullets/Wizards and Capitals). With the Redskins, there is a certain amount of hope for each new season to be the season where the team returns to its glorious former self.

Most years there is no limit on the amount of frustration that the Redskins can cause for a loyal fan. Before this season even started it seemed like another typical year for the ‘Skins; with signings of big-name additions who were doomed to disappoint when compared to their expectations. Expectations were high like every year but even the most loyal fans still retained their doubts because let’s face it, the Redskins can always find a way to lose.

But this season was different from any other because despite all the losses that the ‘Skins endured, both on the field and off, they have fought and fought and fought until it seems like it’s impossible for them to keep trying. They inspire when it seems like the time to throw in the cards. This team flares up the tiniest spark of hope into bandwagon bedlam by constantly keeping up their spirits when it seems like a lost cause.

And that has led them to remain in the NFC Wildcard Race despite their incredible misfortunes.

Despite barely winning their first two games against the lowly Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, the Skins looked good. However they lost the entire right-side of their offensive line to a broken leg and a torn triceps (right tackle Jon Jansen and right guard Randy Thomas, both of who are at times Pro-Bowl-caliber players). The line and the running game have never been the same since the team lost Jansen.

Soon after that the team also lost top cornerback Carlos Rogers to a season-ending knee injury during the team’s loss to the invincible New England Patriots. But at the midway point of the season the team was 5-3 and looking like an actual playoff contender.

Then came the inevitable downfall as the team lost four straight games against Philadelphia, Dallas, Tampa Bay and Buffalo (to add to that they lost 3 of those games after leading at halftime but we’ll talk more about that in a little bit).

The team also suffered the biggest loss imaginable when star-player and defensive leader Sean Taylor was shot down in his Miami home for a stupid and senseless reason. The media chastised Taylor for his rough past but also overlooked the fact that, bottom line, Taylor died like a hero in the defense of his family and home. A “reborn” man according to teammates and friends, Taylor was just becoming the player and even more so the man that everyone knew he could be.

Mourning and injuries weighed heavier than the world upon Atlas’ back for the Redskins. By my count all but 7 of the opening day starters have missed at least one game due to various injuries (tackle Chris Samuels, guard Pete Kendall, tight end Chris Cooley, defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery, defensive end Andre Carter, middle-linebacker London Fletcher and Landry. All except Landry and Fletcher have also missed some game-time or practices due to injury). It seemed like after the loss to Buffalo that it was time to roll over and die with concern to this season.

But then came the spark of hope when quarterback Jason Campbell dislocated his knee. It seemed like the backbreaker for the Skins, but then career-backup Todd Collins rescued the Skins in their win against Chicago. And just like some over-the-top Disney movie, the tide turned for the team.

They leaned on Taylor’s former teammates and team leaders during the outstanding throttling of the New York Giants last weekend. Wide receiver Santana Moss and running back Clinton Portis put the team on their shoulders and carried the team to another unpredictable win.

Yesterday the Redskins had a huge test at Minnesota in a must-win game and completely
dominated 50 minutes of a game. The defense held the best rushing team to under 100 yards and no touchdowns from the running backs and forced a slew of turnovers. And the offense let Portis be a one-man show as he ran for a touchdown and threw one to receiver Antwaan Randle El. In a dire situation they outfought the Vikings, even at a time when it doesn’t seem like they have anything left in the tanks.

There are people who complain that other teams have had more emotional seasons.

The Miami Dolphins are having a horrific season starting from Week 1, but they have only lost pride with their 14 losses to this point. They haven’t lost the number of players to injury that the Skins have and they also haven’t continued to have any hope of success since about Week 6.

The Atlanta Falcons were deprived of their franchise player for the next three years since Michael Vick did finally get caught up in his past sins. That family has some serious difficulties staying out of trouble with the law. But losing the franchise player to the jailhouse does not even come close to losing the face of your defense because his life was stolen from him by hoodlums.

Through the good and the bad, the joyous overtime wins and the blown halftime leads, the injuries and the comebacks, the fourth-down stands and the turnovers, this team has never given up on themselves or on their fans. It is a remarkable, Hallmark-worthy story of endurance through difficult times and witnessing it (even in light of this year's atrocities and beautiful moments) will stay in my memory forever.