is there really any hope left?

[die cowboys die]

the only possible way we can make the playoffs is to win out now. the next two games SHOULD be easy (but hey, we honked an easy one to the raiders last week), and the eagles game at the end should be very winnable. so really in theory it should come down to the cowboys and giants games. as we showed YET AGAIN today, we can play with anyone, and COULD beat them both.

but at this point, i refuse to be so naive as to think we will suddenly stop finding ways to give games away. so isn't it really all about next year now? so, what do we do about QB? brunell had a great game overall, despite some HORRIBLE, inexcusable decisions that helped give the game away (several times throwing the ball away on 3rd down instead of just trying to run, to keep the clock moving, etc). he is doing a good job overall, and is definitely not the main problem for us. but don't we really need to figure out what we're going to do about next year?

i'm sure we'll stick with brunell, and that's probably the right thing to do, i guess. just frustrated. screw this crap. disgusting.

[SCSkinsFan]

Just hope for a winning record for now.

[1niksder]

We can still make the playoffs

After today’s lost we fall to 5-6 but aren’t out of it yet. If we run the table, we’ll finish 10-6 and headed to the playoffs.

But how do we win out? That’s the question.

Here are a few hints:
1. From here on out if we have a 4th Qtr lead maybe we should hold on to it, addind to the lead wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
2. If mixing the run is working then let’s keep doing it in the 4th Qtr.
3. Before the end of the day Frost should be sent on his way. Royal has been here awhile so he’ll make a good escort.
4. We have to stop giving up the big plays on D. Week in and Week out they are killing us.
5. Something has to give with the running game.
6. Rabach’s penalty show’s the mental mistakes are creeping back
7. The play calling is becoming a major issues
8. Walt Harris has to earn his paycheck

If we could get all of this done by Sunday we have a shot.
If Royal or Frost are still around Redskin Park then we can look at not making the playoffs

[tcwest10]

I'm in no shape to forecast anything but my next beer, and all I got to say about that is "cold".
I'm really brokenhearted over this, but only because I really bought into the Brunell thing.
When I saw him throw away on a 3rd and 2 in the late third, early fourth quarter, I knew the game was done for. I just knew.

[die cowboys die]

We can still make the playoffs

After today’s lost we fall to 5-6 but aren’t out of it yet. If we run the table, we’ll finish 10-6 and headed to the playoffs.

But how do we win out? That’s the question.

Here are a few hints:
1. From here on out if we have a 4th Qtr lead maybe we should hold on to it, addind to the lead wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
2. If mixing the run is working then let’s keep doing it in the 4th Qtr.
3. Before the end of the day Frost should be sent on his way. Royal has been here awhile so he’ll make a good escort.
4. We have to stop giving up the big plays on D. Week in and Week out they are killing us.
5. Something has to give with the running game.
6. Rabach’s penalty show’s the mental mistakes are creeping back
7. The play calling is becoming a major issues
8. Walt Harris has to earn his paycheck

If we could get all of this done by Sunday we have a shot.
If Royal or Frost are still around Redskin Park then we can look at not making the playoffs

hahaha so we can't fix all those problems in 12 weeks, but suddenly we will resolve them all in 6 days? i want some of whatever you're drinking, buddy.

[die cowboys die]

I'm in no shape to forecast anything but my next beer, and all I got to say about that is "cold".
I'm really brokenhearted over this, but only because I really bought into the Brunell thing.
When I saw him throw away on a 3rd and 2 in the late third, early fourth quarter, I knew the game was done for. I just knew.

this is the kind of thing i was talking about. again, i'm not at all blaming this loss on brunell, there's a long list of people to blame, #1 being Rabach of course, but even brunell is even on the list, he'd be like #22 or something. but i thought the whole point of having a seasoned vet at the QB position is you're going to sacrifice a little bit of physical ability for a lot of great mental ability, and brunell has been sorta stiffing us on that pretty frequently. why not just go with ramsey then, who might make some dumb mistakes but will certainly get a little more going in the passing game?

[tcwest10]

Congrats on the 1000, btw.
Anyway, if his decision making prowess was the big thing behind starting him over Patches, then I have to question him. In the pass play I'm talking about, there was almost no rush to speak of, yet he chucked that ball like satan himself was a'coming.

[HitDoctor]

When we are mathematically eliminated, then use Ramsey to market his skills for trade bate. Start Campbell next season. I suspect we will be eliminated within the next 2 weeks.

[Snout]

The Redskins are a competitive team, and they are close to becoming a good football team. The problems this year have been lack of pressure from the front four, inability to generate turnovers, and inability to control the ball and grind out first downs in the 4th quarter.

Today it was the inability to generate first downs when it mattered.

[stevejrfan78]

I don't like the idea of starting Ramsey. Their are teams already interested in him from the way he has already played. I say just start Campbell if we lose 2 more.

[tcwest10]

When we are mathematically eliminated, then use Ramsey to market his skills for trade bate. Start Campbell next season. I suspect we will be eliminated within the next 2 weeks.

They won't do it. Campbell will be only a last resort, I feel. (I have no facts to back it up...just feel it.)
Ramsey's value rests in his ability to be a back-up. He has never looked like a starter, and that to me is a major leap.
It is clear to me, though, that Brunell is not now (nor has ever been) the answer. He throws away too much.
That's what I see, anyway. Maybe I'm an idiot, and he's really Joe Montana.

[die cowboys die]

When we are mathematically eliminated, then use Ramsey to market his skills for trade bate. Start Campbell next season. I suspect we will be eliminated within the next 2 weeks.

the worst thing is, we will probably win the next two weeks, against lousy teams, and then lose again when we play the good teams after that. so, it will have been completely pointless to waste these remaining games on brunell in the first place. we probably won't be "officially" eliminated until the last week or two, not giving us enough time to do any real evaluation of our other QBs.

[tcwest10]

I'll say this. The day I see Campbell throwing the ball this year (barring injury), is the day I feel in my heart that Joe has mailed it in for the year.
It's no knock on Jason. It's what I think I know (knew ?) about Gibbs.

[spudstr04]

I predicted at the beginning of the year, that we would go 8-8...so i will be happy to go 9-7 or 8-8 and that is definetley a possiblity

[John Manfreda]

NO. there is no hope left, I am just hoping for a 8-8.

[Redskins2k5]

We can't win 5 games in a row so I can settle with a 8-8 season.

[tcwest10]

Maybe that's my problem. I'm sick of mediocrity. I want to win. I want to root for the Redskins loudly in the bar and not get the looks like I do.
I want my son to experience the greatness I grew up with.
Is that so damn much to ask ?

[old-timer]

Reasons for hope:

- positive turnover ratio
- Taylor Jacobs has his best day as a Redskin (not saying much - but still - he had a couple of key third downs)
- better pass rush - same old personnel - this indicates that coaching can help

Reasons for despair -

- losing seems to have become a habit
- bonehead plays indicates some players are not the brightest
- OT performance indicates that the defense GAVE UP
- poor playcalling indicates a problem with our offensive coaching

Comments:

- Clinton Portis and Mark Brunell need to take this more seriously - We don't need any more funny costumes, no more joking around and smiling with the opposing team players after losses....seems to me they fired Hollywood Henderson for this kind of showboating - don't they do this anymore?

- Gibbs seems to think he has the personnel for the Riggo Drill here - memo to Joe - YOU DON'T - Portis is not Riggins and this offensive line cannot be confused with the Hogs - if you need to run out the clock, you need to PASS to set up the RUN - sorry, but that's the way it is with this team. Diving into the middle of the line on first down with a lead in the fourth quarter gets you 1 yard and an express ticket to three and out - DON'T DO IT!! FIND ANOTHER WAY TO PROTECT THE LEAD!!

[tcwest10]

Call it in on his radio show. Somebody needs to remind Joe that things aren't what they were. I know, I know. Of course he knows this already, but the results aren't indicative of an enlightened coach.
We're in a tailspin, as Judge wrote in GameDay.