Redskins Have Problems, but at Least I'm Enjoying the Ride

[1niksder]

Redskins Have Problems, but at Least I'm Enjoying the Ride

By George Solomon
Sunday, January 9, 2005; Page E02

There is something about taking a train to a ballpark or arena that's always held a fascination for some fans, especially those who have had the joy of advancing on tracks above ground toward the lush green grass of Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field, or coming up from the subway station and seeing the lit marquee of the old Madison Square Garden and more recently in the Gallery Place Metro station feeling the buzz of this season's Wizards or the Caps in the Stanley Cup finals 6 1/2 years ago.

In that spirit, took the Metro last Sunday on the recently extended Blue Line from Rosslyn to the Morgan Boulevard station -- within sight of Landover's 91,000-seat FedEx Field, a mile walk from the stadium -- for the Redskins' season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

Despite the opportunity to avoid the loathsome parking lot squatters, had a feeling a number of the 76,876 fans at the game weren't aware of just how close the new station was to FedEx, or shared my affinity for riding a train to a game. One hour before kickoff, the train was about half full, most passengers looking glum, knowing there would be no playoffs for the Redskins for a fifth straight year.

When I asked several fans if they enjoyed the fast, pleasant trip to the stadium, they turned away in silence, except for one who asked me to find another seat. The only person I could find who shared my enthusiasm and memory of a similar commute was former Redskins and New York Giants middle linebacker Sam Huff, now a member of the Redskins' broadcast team.

"My rookie year with the Giants, in 1956, the players would take the subway to Yankee Stadium on game days and practice," Huff recalled. "How else would you get there?"

What about a bus or cab?

"Who could afford it?" Huff recalled. "I remember once the Eagles came to New York by train and then had to transfer to the subway to get to Yankee Stadium. Two teams riding the subway together to the game."

What did the fans think?

"They didn't know who we were; thought we were just some guys on the train."

On the Metro back to Arlington, didn't run into any Redskins or Vikings, although maybe that was the reason Minnesota wide receiver Randy Moss left the field before the end of the game. Times change.

Joe Gibbs, meanwhile, was one of many who said he'd be assessing the Redskins after their 21-18 victory completed a disappointing 6-10 season. Haven't heard his assessment yet, but here's mine:

Offensive philosophy needs to change to keep up with NFL defenses and, as Gibbs said last week, "I'm not afraid to change anything." Patrick Ramsey can be the quarterback for this team, if he can get rid of the ball faster and his coach formulates a better scheme that can allow him to throw the ball downfield. That means the offensive line has to improve, which it should with the return of Jon Jansen. But Laveranues Coles needs to fix that toe and get the ball deep more, while Rod Gardner might be better elsewhere, giving Taylor Jacobs and James Thrash playing time. Don't know if overpaid Clinton Portis will ever find true happiness with Gibbs, but Ladell Betts has. Mark Brunell will be a good coach somewhere.

Gregg Williams's defense was the best in the NFC, but losing cornerback and team sparkplug Fred Smoot and improved linebacker Antonio Pierce to free agency is a real concern, as is keeping LaVar happy and healthy -- no easy task.

Sean Taylor is a great player but warm and fuzzy he ain't. Can't we get this guy a TV spot? Defensive line had its best season in more than a decade, but place kicker John Hall has as many injury problems as Kwame Brown and the special teams weren't so special. Neither was Gibbs, or many of his coaches, who like me, must be following the president's cockamamie ideas on Social Security.

News flash: To improve on that 6-10 record, the front office needs to deliver some better players and the team capologist, who says it's okay to spend $110 million on salaries when the NFL salary cap is $85 million, deserves a raise.

Washington has only had three all-star game participants in the past 10 years -- Juwan Howard (1996), Chris Webber (1997) and Michael Jordan (2002 and 2003). Fans worldwide can vote for their favorite players on the Internet, with Houston's Yao Ming the leading vote-getter in the ultimate "Red State" domination, showing 1,373,485 votes. Jamison has 204,226 votes, No. 5 among Eastern Conference forwards, but ahead of both Anthony A. Williams and Linda W. Cropp. Polls close Jan. 23 for the Feb. 23 game in Denver. Fans pick the starters but the coach of the team in first place (Miami's Stan Van Gundy) selects seven reserves. "Our guys are worthy," said Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld, who gets no argument here.

• Caps GM George McPhee was breathing easier Thursday when he learned his, and the NHL's, latest No. 1 pick, Russia's Alexander Ovechkin, suffered only strained shoulder muscles in the world junior hockey final against Canada on Tuesday in Grand Forks, N.D. Ovechkin, 19, was named the top forward in the tournament with seven goals, and according to reports, showed a flamboyancy much needed by the Washington franchise when the NHL resumes play, hopefully before Ovechkin turns 30.

"He was outstanding," McPhee said of Ovechkin's performance. "He's a powerful, pure attack player who is intense, emotional and animated. You like those intangibles."

• Big win for Georgetown at No. 16 Pitt on Wednesday night, with new coach John Thompson III drawing praise from WTEM commentator John Thompson Jr., who said, "If you win a Big East game against Little Sisters of the Poor it's big," but cautioned his son is coaching a team "that's not very good, lacking in depth, but showing courage." I know a former Georgetown basketball coach who would have criticized such pointed commentary with one question: "When did you become an expert?"

• Nats update: Looking for an opponent for an April 3 exhibition game at RFK Stadium, the day before the regular season begins in Philadelphia. How about Peter's O's in an act of conciliation? Or maybe an intrasquad game that includes former Senators.

Spelled a lot of names correctly in the column last week, but not those of Caps radio voice Steve Kolbe or area horse whisperer Arnold Heft.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... 5Jan8.html

[Beast Hog]

you shouldn't take pride in other's pain

[Scottskins]

you shouldn't take pride in other's pain

what does that mean, and who are you talking to?

you need to be more specific...