When is it OK to believe...I mean REALLY believe?

[Jugband McGillicuddy]

There's no denying that this team just has a completely different feel to it. I think we're all beginning to feel that old-Redskins expectation of winning. But when is it OK to let go? To let go of the past two decades, and truly believe in this corps of Skins?

Was it when we mudhole stomped the Eagles? Was it when we ground out (literally and figuratively) a one-point win over the defending champs? Was it when we ran in our backup rookie quarterback and second-half whooped on a team that plays very well at home? Or was it when we rattled off five in a row, to go from left for dead, to division leaders and controlling our own destiny?

This team is different; so different, in fact, that Mike Shanahan didn't even realize how different it is. With all respect to the coach, I think we'll hold off on evaluating players for next season until we're done with our playoff run THIS season.

The thing is, while I'm thrilled with what this team has already accomplished, I just don't have "that" feeling yet. You know the one I'm talking about. You remember the days when opposing teams visiting RFK felt like the lamb being led to slaughter. They showed up. They went through the motions. But ultimately, they knew there was nothing they could do to prevent the royal ass kicking that was about to ensue.

The Redskins of my youth were a juggernaut. Oft times, they just toyed with the opponent, like a feral cat does a wounded squirrel. And like that cat, they regularly finished off their prey, and dropped a big win at my doorstep -- my gift for being a loyal fan.

But two decades of suck -- or at least massively tempered expectations -- have a way of shaking one's confidence to its core. I believed in 2005, and again in 2007, only to have it take in away in a fashion colder than a bad divorce. I believe again in 2012...but in that "fool me once" kind of way.

There's no doubting the fact that my tempered expectations aren't the "fault" of the 2012 Redskins. They're the fault of the 1992-2011 Redskins. And while it's not fair to judge this cast of characters by those who preceded them, it's a necessity. I value what's left of my sanity. I just can't let go and believe all the way. But I can't not either. (Leave it to a Skins fan to be doubly negative.)

This team has already exceeded our wildest expectations. Who thought that RG3 would lead the league in QB rating? Who would have thought that if he couldn't go, Kirk Cousins would come in and keep us from missing a beat? Who would have thought that Alfred Morris would put up historic franchise rushing numbers; on a team known for running the football. Who would have thought that we, the Washington Redskins, would lead the NFC Beast with just two games to go? Who would have thought we would control our destiny?

Destiny. Funny word, that. I wish I could skip ahead a month or so, and see what ours is. I wish I could see just how excited I should be right now. I wish I could see just how much faith I should have.

But then I wouldn't enjoy the ride. And I'm going to enjoy this one for all it's worth. It's been way too long.

HAIL.

 

[Goaldeje]

Well said, J. I believe. My biggest fantasy is playing the Patriots in the Super Bowl and getting revenge for the 2007 debacle, with Gibbs in the house.

(Yeah, I really hate the Pats. REALLY hate the Pats. Anne and I may need to form a group or something)

I've been saying all year that this year is gravy, and I mean it. Expectations, serious expectations are coming soon. Like next year. This is the unexpected, completely fun, stress-free year. If you can't sit back and enjoy this ride, there's something wrong with you.

The team is playing better than the sum of its parts, period. I don't know if I would use the D word (destiny), but I know for certain that NO team wants us to make the playoffs, because they don't want to face us. NO team.

That in and of itself in Griff's rookie year is pretty damned cool.

 

[SilentThreat]

When is it ok to believe? Now. Because we've gone from an "any given sunday" mentality, to other teams having to figure US out... they have to change their gameplan around OUR team... because when we walk on the field... we have the better talent at multiple positions. NOW is the time.... and hold on tight, because this is gonna be a wild ride.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

'Tis Blogged.

 

[Henry]

We just walked into a road game against a team riding a three-game winning streak and absolutely pummeled them.

With our best player on the sideline.

It's ok. Right now.

 

[Rymanofthenorth]

I am excited , but ill be more excited when the holes are fiulled and we dont need to be lucky anymore

 

[Fear The Spear]

I am excited , but ill be more excited when the holes are fiulled and we dont need to be lucky anymore

We should even be glad that we're getting lucky.
Because in the past, even luck never went our way.
The ball would ALWAYS bounce in the other teams favor.
Luck is now turning around, in addition to execution and skill

 

[Goaldeje]

I am excited , but ill be more excited when the holes are fiulled and we dont need to be lucky anymore

Lucky? Luck is on the Colts dude. Griffin is all we need. Griffin is all we need.

I would say the luckiest play I can remember getting recently was the Griffin fumble to Morgan for the TD. Aside from that, half our D is injured, we just won a road game in December with a backup rookie fourth round pick, we lost our best TE two months ago, and our number one WR is only now getting back to 100%.

Tell me again how lucky we've been.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Tell me again how lucky we've been.

We were lucky when the Rams accepted our trade offer, over the Browns' more tempting offer, for the #2 pick

 

[Goaldeje]

We were lucky when the Rams accepted our trade offer, over the Browns' more tempting offer, for the #2 pick

Nope. Fisher unquivically stated the rules. The Browns gave their offer, then decided they had a better offer they were holding back on. They played outside the rules. Eff 'em.

 

[Jugband McGillicuddy]

When is it ok to believe? Now. Because we've gone from an "any given sunday" mentality, to other teams having to figure US out... they have to change their gameplan around OUR team... because when we walk on the field... we have the better talent at multiple positions. NOW is the time.... and hold on tight, because this is gonna be a wild ride.

That's an excellent point, D. We're no longer the trap game, and that's a great feeling. Heck, WE even talk about trap games at this point. (I'm still trying to process that.)

I guess where I am is this...I expect to beat the teams we should beat. But it also wouldn't shock me to lose to Philly this week. Surprise? Yes. But shock? No.

I just hope that when/if it comes down to us and the Cowboys for the division, we don't....yeah....I can't even say it. But if it happens, steer clear of me for a month or so.

 

[SilentThreat]

That's an excellent point, D. We're no longer the trap game, and that's a great feeling. Heck, WE even talk about trap games at this point. (I'm still trying to process that.)

I guess where I am is this...I expect to beat the teams we should beat. But it also wouldn't shock me to lose to Philly this week. Surprise? Yes. But shock? No.

I just hope that when/if it comes down to us and the Cowboys for the division, we don't....yeah....I can't even say it. But if it happens, steer clear of me for a month or so.

im with you brother, and maybe i'm rationalizing here but regardless of what happens the next two weeks, i'ma believer, just based on what i've seen the last 5 weeks.... and i honestly have a lot of confidence the next two weeks... i'm a happy Redskins fan right now, and it's only going to get better. Is it going to sting if it doesnt continue, you're damn right it will, not even going to hide it, but right now... i'm liking it.

 

[redskins26]

They say its better to enter the playoffs lucky than good

 

[Jugband McGillicuddy]

im with you brother, and maybe i'm rationalizing here but regardless of what happens the next two weeks, i'ma believer, just based on what i've seen the last 5 weeks.... and i honestly have a lot of confidence the next two weeks... i'm a happy Redskins fan right now, and it's only going to get better. Is it going to sting if it doesnt continue, you're damn right it will, not even going to hide it, but right now... i'm liking it.

Oh absolutely. I'm ecstatic. Don't misunderstand that. It's just a simple case of "the more you get, the more you want." That's all.

 

[SilentThreat]

Oh absolutely. I'm ecstatic. Don't misunderstand that. It's just a simple case of "the more you get, the more you want." That's all.

you're enthusiasm was never in doubt.... dont worry

 

[RedskinfaninOC]

...after the Dallas game and we beat both the eagles and the cowboys. Too much could go wrong between now and then.

 

[Nobody]

Well said, J. I believe. My biggest fantasy is playing the Patriots in the Super Bowl and getting revenge for the 2007 debacle, with Gibbs in the house.

(Yeah, I really hate the Pats. REALLY hate the Pats. Anne and I may need to form a group or something)

I've been saying all year that this year is gravy, and I mean it. Expectations, serious expectations are coming soon. Like next year. This is the unexpected, completely fun, stress-free year. If you can't sit back and enjoy this ride, there's something wrong with you.

The team is playing better than the sum of its parts, period. I don't know if I would use the D word (destiny), but I no for certain that NO team wants us to make the playoffs, because they don't want to face us. NO team.

That in and of itself in Griff's rookie year is pretty damned cool.

That's been one of my wet dreams too. But I'd also like to end our 21 year losing streak to the Steelers by pounding them in the Super Bowl. I despise those towel waving mouthy bandwagon bitches.

 

[GSF]

This team is different; so different, in fact, that Mike Shanahan didn't even realize how different it is. With all respect to the coach, I think we'll hold off on evaluating players for next season until we're done with our playoff run THIS season.

The thing is, while I'm thrilled with what this team has already accomplished, I just don't have "that" feeling yet. You know the one I'm talking about. You remember the days when opposing teams visiting RFK felt like the lamb being led to slaughter. They showed up. They went through the motions. But ultimately, they knew there was nothing they could do to prevent the royal ass kicking that was about to ensue.

The Redskins of my youth were a juggernaut. Oft times, they just toyed with the opponent, like a feral cat does a wounded squirrel. And like that cat, they regularly finished off their prey, and dropped a big win at my doorstep -- my gift for being a loyal fan.

Ok a couple things imo:

First, i think people forget that the Skins did not dominate for a decade under Gibbs. They DID dominate in 91 and 82, those seasons you just knew they were going to win week in week out. Most of the other teams under Gibbs were more like this team though: strong in some areas, shakey insome other areas, well coached, and played with a lot of heart. Those teams lost some games they could have won, and won some games they should have lost, like this team. To me, this season reminds me a lot of many of those Gibbs teams during the 80s.

Second, it's cool to believe now. You don't, at least I don't, have to believe the Skins are going to go undefeated, but you can believe that the Skins can compete with any team week in week out. You can believe that this team is being built the right way, with a nice mix young talent and veteran experience and leadership. You can believe that this team plays with heart, and is well coached and prepared from week to week.

That's really all I ask for from my team. Let me know we have a chance win consistently in the short term, and in the long term. I don't have to have that 91 feeling that we're going to crush opponents every week. In fact, it's kinda boring in some ways.

I am sold on this staff and roster for the most part. Even if the Skins lose the next 2 games, which I don't believe will happen, I am confident that things are going to get better next year and for the next several years to come. And most of all, I am a huge believer in RG3.

 

[Henry]

We're not done rebuilding yet, but look at where we are:

We have a QB. He's 22 and a rookie. We drafted him.
We have a RB. He's 24 and a rookie. We drafted him.
We have a legitimate #1 WR. He's 26.
We have two guys competing for the #2WR spot. One is 27.
The other is 23. We drafted him.
Behind them is a guy averaging 21.5 yards a catch. He's 25. We drafted him.
We have a TE. He's 26. We drafted him.
His backup has started half the season. He's 25. We signed him undrafted.
We have a FB. He's 25. We signed him undrafted.
We have a LT. He's 24. We drafted him.
We have a center. He's 29. The oldest starter on the offense.

Our backup RBs both have 100 yards games as starters for this team. They are 24 and 25. We drafted them.
Our backup QB just had a 300 yard game as a starter for this team. He's 24. We drafted him.

Look at the ages. Look at how many players are home-grown. And this is the #4 offense in the league right now. We need some linemen, but at this point ... that's it. For a long time.

The defense has more holes. It's older and not as good.

We do have two bonafide pass rushers, who are 24 and 26. We drafted both of them.

There are holes here. The entire secondary, for example. Injuries have killed us. However, over the past five games, our defense has started to gel too. It's allowed fewer points than all but eight teams during that span. Considering the calibre of our offense, it's getting the job done.

And if we continue to build through the draft, and begin to put our defense together the way we've done it for our offense ... this season is just the beginning.

 

[Rymanofthenorth]

I dont think we should be counting on Davis and Paulsen flashes but also shows why he was undrafted sometimes. I agree that we have far more to be excited about than we did 4 weeks ago.