George Allen Miller One Geek's take on all things SciFi

I watched the Washington Redskins vs the New Orleans Saints today, December 5th, 2009, in much the same way all other Skins fans did. Waiting in total dread for the Saints to go up 21-0 in the first half. It was with some mild shock that I watched the Saints go 3 and out on their first possession. Even more so when the Skins jumped to an early 10-0 lead. I came back down to earth in the last few seconds of the second half when the Saints ripped the ball from Moore and ran in for a touchdown.The whole game was that way. Highs of “oh my god we are going to beat the 11-0 saints” to “oh my god we just fucking missed an 18 yard field goal attempt”. For all the bads and all the goods of the day, it was one HELL of a football game.

For whatever you say about the day’s performance of our beloved Redskins, you have to admit, they have some heart. More heart than they have had in years is pumping through the veins of that team. I am sitting here, about to eat some serious crow about my early bashing of this franchise.

Ok, lets not get ahead of ourselves. The owner is still far too involved in day to day operations, the play calling is a little insane with an offensive coordinate just asking for the next play should be, and the head coach is just too inexperienced for the job. That all said, all our reality checks in place, that team is one pretty damn good NFL football group.

Stars are beginning to come out. Devin Thomas and Fred Davis are beginning to figure out how to play NFL football. Campbell had his best day as an NFL quarterback. And once again we see that the defense of the Redskins is legit. Sure, the Saints scored 33 points on us, but 7 of that was from a bogus play. I’m sorry,Moore was down by contact, F U review booth. But they scored those points with one or two bomb plays and by fighting tooth and nail for every single score.

Hell even the play calling is getting better. Sherm, you bingo calling beautiful black man, you are actually doing a pretty damn decent job. Lets face facts, a brand new head coach, and I mean brand new, has way too much on his plate to be calling plays. He needs to figure out how to be a head coach and not get involved with too many things. Maybe the system they have isn’t great, ok it isn’t, but its better than they had.

Today’s game showed us one thing. This team has some serious potential. I heard the sports junkies, a local radio group here in DC, say they should fire everyone and start from scratch. I’m not so sure. There is something there. A glimpse of talent. A spec of greatness. Protect Campbell long enough and I really believe he can pick them apart. His wide receivers are starting to come into their own. They will open up defenses and allow for the RB’s to tear the field up.

I am just not so sure that firing the head coach, yes I am saying it, is the best thing to do right now. Give him some offensive line support and this team may just shock the world. One thing we know doesn’t work, if you keep cleaning house every 2-3 years and giving these players new schemes and routines to learn, they are not going to get better.

As for today’s game, let me say this. Bullshit on that late 2nd quarter review booth call. His elbow was down and it should have been overturned. As for the overtime call. Give me a fucking break. No way was there conclusive evidence to overturn the ruling on the field that it was down by contact. That ball did not start moving until after his elbow hit the ground. His big white gloved was wrapped around it. Oh and please fire Suisham. You can’t kick an 18 yard field goal? Get the fuck out of my NFL team!