Random Commanders Thoughts

[TomE]

But the fact remains that we lost two contributors from last season's horrendous run D and have replaced them with castaways and low round rookies. As Keim says, IF lots of things break right, we could be in good shape. But there are a lot of "ifs" in that article.

Agree, there are a lot of 'ifs' but at the very least the new castaways/low rounders are a little younger than the older castaways they replaced. Perhaps the horrible performance put up last year will be a wash statistically this year but spiced up with a little more enthusiasm, durability and the potential for the occasional timely big play.

 

[Ax]

Agree, there are a lot of 'ifs' but at the very least the new castaways/low rounders are a little younger than the older castaways they replaced. Perhaps the horrible performance put up last year will be a wash statistically this year but spiced up with a little more enthusiasm, durability and the potential for the occasional timely big play.

That, familiarity of 2nd year under Barry, plus a potential high-scoring offense, forcing teams to pass to catch up (something we know about) could easily propel the D to the middle of the pack. Or higher.

 

[Henry]

Lowering expectations leads to mediocrity. I doubt McGloo would accept it from anyone on his roster.

That's a great slogan to put on a poster of a cat in a fishbowl or something.

I, however, certainly hope that over-blown expectations wouldn't lead Snyder to think his front office is a problem if the team doesn't go deep into the playoffs. We've had an owner with pie-in-the-sky expectations for over 15 years now. How's that been working out for us? Been keeping us from being mired in mediocrity, has it?

And, at least for me, personally, I don't lower my expectations as a fan either.

I expect improvement from every coach, and returning player.
Add that to some FA hopefuls, and some pups who look good on paper, and I expect another NFC East crown. And at least one playoff win.
The only acceptable excuse would be injury.

Again, how has un-bridled optimism been working out for us fans over the years? Nah. I think I'll keep my expectations grounded, and simply hope Dan Snyder doesn't decide to pull a Dan Snyder again.

 

[Ax]

Again, how has un-bridled optimism been working out for us fans over the years? Nah. I think I'll keep my expectations grounded, and simply hope Dan Snyder doesn't decide to pull a Dan Snyder again.

I guess it boils down to what a fan feels he/she can withstand.

If the team doesn't meet my expectations, so what? All it cost me, for that season, is a little hope. Which I can regenerate in an instant. There's always hope. It takes no effort, and it doesn't cost a dime. As long as one possesses the ability to not quit. And shoulders strong enough to handle accepting someone else's failure. How hard can that be? I didn't fail, they did. But they're my team. Me hoping for/expecting less, or more, has no effect on how the team plays. And they don't control the way I handle whatever happens. I do. It's a chosen mindset/outlook.

Anyone can do it.

 

[Henry]

Honestly. Don't care.

If other fans, such as you, want to be eternally optimistic, that's awesome. I'm fine with that.

I'm specifically addressing the notion that lower expectations breed mediocrity. I think the team's history with current ownership strongly suggests otherwise.

 

[micks113]

Yeah, but I think I heard Mike Greenberg say he was predicting that Ezekiel will lead the league in rushing next year.

So there's that.

Not gonna happen. Can't happen. Dallas defense is real bad, gives up points and goes down early. Once they are behind, they will abandon the run and count on Romo. They always do. Last year McFadden was top 5 behind that line, but in a losing cause playing catch up without Romo. Had Romo been there, McFadden would not have had those yards, imho.

Plus, making Romo throw to play catch up, he will get crushed as he doesn't have that spin step like he used to, too slow.

 

[Ax]

Honestly. Don't care.

If other fans, such as you, want to be eternally optimistic, that's awesome. I'm fine with that.

I'm specifically addressing the notion that lower expectations breed mediocrity. I think the team's history with current ownership strongly suggests otherwise.

I don't think the results dismiss the notion.

Aim high! Reach for the stars! etc...

Perfection is unattainable. Doesn't mean you give up trying.
Nobody worth their salt starts out aiming to finish second.
Setting goals that are more easily achieved, is indeed, striving for mediocrity.

 

[Henry]

I don't think the results dismiss the notion.

Aim high! Reach for the stars! etc...

Perfection is unattainable. Doesn't mean you give up trying.
Nobody worth their salt starts out aiming to finish second.
Setting goals that are more easily achieved, is indeed, striving for mediocrity.

...

You started going all Tony Robbins in this thread in response to the hope that the team is patient if we don't improve in the win total this year.

So are you suggesting that such patience would be a bad policy?

 

[Goaldeje]

Lowering expectations leads to mediocrity. I doubt McGloo would accept it from anyone on his roster.

And, at least for me, personally, I don't lower my expectations as a fan either.

I expect improvement from every coach, and returning player.
Add that to some FA hopefuls, and some pups who look good on paper, and I expect another NFC East crown. And at least one playoff win.
The only acceptable excuse would be injury.

Oh, I agree. I think the Norman signing alone was made in the belief that would make us a top ten defense. And with Kirk being the starter going into TC, I expect GREAT things from the offense. Before the Norman signing, I was thinking 8-8 or 9-7 might be alright; since then, 10-6 or 11-5 is what Scot is thinking, imo.

 

[TomE]

I, however, certainly hope that over-blown expectations wouldn't lead Snyder to think his front office is a problem if the team doesn't go deep into the playoffs. We've had an owner with pie-in-the-sky expectations for over 15 years now. How's that been working out for us? Been keeping us from being mired in mediocrity, has it?

Don't understand, who is overblowing expectations? (other than Axmainia which is OK as it only seems to be just higher expectations )

Haven't really heard a (public) word from Snyder in quite sometime, in fact he seems to being just doing ownership stuff like stadium upgrades, future planning for one, divvying up tailgate lots, padding beer prices, sponsoring public affairs efforts and the like.

I understand the angst created by his tenure but I haven't seen much recently to propagate more of it, in fact he's probably enjoying 'winning the offseason' even more now as the positive reviews on drafting, FA acquisition, player performances and contract structures flow in.

Even the notion that the Norman acquisition was totally 'Snyderesque' fizzled out fairly quickly once the pundits figured it was a fairly reasonable and unexpected move to get an all pro cornerback for near market value but I can see the scrambling of Redskins One causing a spike on the angst meter.

We're accumulating draftees, signing our own performers, seeing forward looking positive cap ramifications, the players are beginning to get 'noticed' by the outside and Redskins are becoming relevant as a team again.

Maybe this should be the current ground to base expectation on rather than waiting for the owner's other shoe to drop.

 

[Ax]

...

You started going all Tony Robbins in this thread in response to the hope that the team is patient if we don't improve in the win total this year.

So are you suggesting that such patience would be a bad policy?

No sir.

Just observing how many fans are seemingly afraid to expect more success.

If I thought the team, owner, coaches, players, etc.. were not trying to win everything, all the time, I'd stop watching. Like I did the Orioles.

And yes, I expect them to. Always.

Fans? I only wish they would.

 

[TomE]

this conversation is more confusing than figuring our Bruce Jenner's closet.

Yes it is, still trying to figure out what I just said and haven't even looked in the closet yet.

 

[Henry]

Don't understand, who is overblowing expectations? (other than Axmainia which is OK as it only seems to be just higher expectations )

Haven't really heard a (public) word from Snyder in quite sometime, in fact he seems to being just doing ownership stuff like stadium upgrades, future planning for one, divvying up tailgate lots, padding beer prices, sponsoring public affairs efforts and the like.

I understand the angst created by his tenure but I haven't seen much recently to propagate more of it, in fact he's probably enjoying 'winning the offseason' even more now as the positive reviews on drafting, FA acquisition, player performances and contract structures flow in.

Even the notion that the Norman acquisition was totally 'Snyderesque' fizzled out fairly quickly once the pundits figured it was a fairly reasonable and unexpected move to get an all pro cornerback for near market value but I can see the scrambling of Redskins One causing a spike on the angst meter.

We're accumulating draftees, signing our own performers, seeing forward looking positive cap ramifications, the players are beginning to get 'noticed' by the outside and Redskins are becoming relevant as a team again.

Maybe this should be the current ground to base expectation on rather than waiting for the owner's other shoe to drop.

Good grief. All I said was I hope the team is patient.

I didn't say anything about the owner or anything until it was put forth that not expecting awesomeness leads to mediocrity.

I have a lot of good vibes about this team. I sure do.

However, I can conceivably see a scenario where the team is actually pretty darn good, and actually plays better than last year, but it doesn't show up with an improved record. This is not driven by angst or pessimism or Dave McKenna whispering sweet nothings into my ear. It's simply one outcome I could reasonably see happening. Actually, I think this team is pointed in the right direction regardless of what our record may be next year (so long as it isn't, like, 3-13 or something).

The only thing I'm worried about is people who were expecting awesomeness over-reacting if that happens. Considering our owner is historically ... like that, I hope he is patient.

That is all.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

It has been 123 days since the Redskins played a game. It is 123 days until the opener against the Steelers.

Welcome to the halfway point of the offseason.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

That's going to be my phrase for tomorrow. I don't know what it means, but I figure it will get me a man hug or a slap in the face.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Former Redskin. Yeah - bad criminal, but in a hilarious way.

Reche Caldwell is officially the worst criminal in the world | ProFootballTalk

 

[TomE]

Good grief. All I said was I hope the team is patient.

I didn't say anything about the owner or anything until it was put forth that not expecting awesomeness leads to mediocrity.

I have a lot of good vibes about this team. I sure do.

However, I can conceivably see a scenario where the team is actually pretty darn good, and actually plays better than last year, but it doesn't show up with an improved record. This is not driven by angst or pessimism or Dave McKenna whispering sweet nothings into my ear. It's simply one outcome I could reasonably see happening. Actually, I think this team is pointed in the right direction regardless of what our record may be next year (so long as it isn't, like, 3-13 or something).

The only thing I'm worried about is people who were expecting awesomeness over-reacting if that happens. Considering our owner is historically ... like that, I hope he is patient.

That is all.

Maybe the Snyder syndrome has affected me more than I care to admit and references to the possibility of it spewing back out of the cauldron peals back the blinders of my optimism just enough to check the pit for some signs of smoke and react by reminding myself why those blinders exist.

Glad to hear you're seeing pretty much the same things most of us are seeing and yeah, his patience is my hope as well.

 

[Elephant]

Oops...n/m.

 

[Elephant]

this conversation is more confusing than figuring our Bruce Jenner's closet.

Umm..."your" Bruce Jenner closet?

 

[stevenaa]

That, and whether Kirk Cousins really is the guy we saw emerging down the stretch last year. If he is, the climb up the mountain will accelerate dramatically.

I almost added that same thought, but decided it was against my mantra of patience. But it will speed things up. Outstanding QB play overcomes a lot.