THE 10 Reasons why the Redskins will reach the Super Bowl

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 9:55 am

Posted on Thu, Aug. 26, 2004

THE 10 Reasons why the Redskins will reach the Super Bowl

By Ray Buck

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Look for the Redskins to be playing on the first Sunday in February. • You know the drill: One year, the joke of the NFL; the next year, Last Comic Standing. • It has been a Super Bowl theme since a former grocery-shelves stocker, Kurt Warner, and the 1999 St. Louis Rams snapped a string of nine consecutive losing seasons, including going 4-12 in '98, to capture Super Bowl XXXIV. • Over the next three years, previously downtrodden teams from Baltimore, New England and Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl. Only last season was the theme slightly altered when the Carolina Panthers made it to the big game but lost to the heavily favored Patriots. • Go ahead, act surprised when the Redskins cruise into SB XXXIX, Feb. 6, in Jacksonville, Fla. • But here are 10 reasons why you shouldn't be surprised:

1. Return of Joe Gibbs

All he does is win. In his first tour of duty with the Redskins, Gibbs posted a .683 winning percentage (third-best in NFL history) and won three Super Bowls while making the playoffs eight times in 12 years. Gone from D.C. is The Ol' Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, who had two losing seasons (7-9 and 5-11) and kept the Redskins out of the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 years between Gibbs tenures.

2. Sound that (Joe) Bugel

Gibbs didn't come out of retirement without bringing along his right-hand man to coach the offensive line. Nobody does it better than Bugel, who gains the respect of players, then molds them. He immediately becomes the best thing to happen to fifth-year LT Chris Samuels, who has been a classic underachiever.

3. Second chance for Mark Brunell

The former Jacksonville quarterback (think Super Bowl site) already has reminded Gibbs of a left-handed throwing Joe Theismann. Brunell has smarts, mobility and enough brashness to suggest that life begins at 33 (OK, 34 by Week 2 of the season). And if anything should go wrong, experienced third-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey can step in.

4. Clinton Portis time

As in controlling the clock ... which is what Gibbs intends to do. The Redskins traded four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey to get Portis from the Broncos. He averaged 22.3 carries per game last season, the perfect cure for a Redskins team that hasn't been able to keep its defense off the field. Portis' 122.4 yards rushing per game was second-best in the NFL.

5. No Hogs, just Dirt Bags

The Hogs are a thing of the past, although you couldn't tell it by watching many of the Redskins faithful dress up for games. Bugel has a new nickname for the likes of Randy Thomas, Lennie Friedman, Derrick Dockery and Samuels, who toil in relative obscurity. He calls them the "Dirt Bags." And they like it.

6. A bigger and better Posse

The Redskins keep trying to find that "No. 1 receiver." The result has been a much-improved receiving corps: Laveranues Coles (82 catches, 1,204 yards last season); 2001 first-round pick Rod Gardner; 6-foot-3 end-zone target Darnerien McCants; and newcomer James Thrash, who used to be Donovan McNabb's favorite receiver in Philly.

7. Star power on defense

Big-play linebacker LaVar Arrington belongs in the big games in January and February. Cornerback Fred Smoot also brings some firepower to last year's 25th-ranked defense, which figures to be turned around by new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

8. Wide-open NFC East

The Eagles might fool you and appear to be a dominant team just because they've been to the NFC Championship Game three years in a row. But egos are fragile, and demons are hard to cast away. The Eagles' baggage is just a different shape than the baggage of the Cowboys and New York Giants, both in the throes of quarterback changes.

9. Winnable schedule

The Redskins play 10 of their 16 games against teams that failed to make the playoffs in 2003. And four of those six games against '04 playoff teams are at FedEx Field. Only once are the Redskins on Monday Night Football (home vs. Cowboys, Sept. 27); their other two night games are two months apart. So they have uniformity of schedule.

10. Fresh off 5-11

This is the best news yet based on recent Super Bowl history. Two of the past four Super Bowl winners had non-winning records. The New England Patriots were 5-11 in the season before they won the Super Bowl XXXVI. OK, the script is getting a little worn out. But the Redskins are about to play it one more time ... for old time's sake ... for Joe Gibbs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ray Buck (817) 390-7096, rbuck@star-telegram.com

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/9501043.htm

Sweet! Written by a Texas journalist two. I bet he's on a few people's most wanted list down in Texas! :lol:

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:00 am

The Eagles keep getting bit by the injury bug...there defense got shook up in the offseason. If Sean Taylor or Lavar can take out Westbrook then their season is done.

NFC is wide open IMO

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:11 am

The first two reasons are the best. I say we will go 11-5, win the division, and once Joe gets in the playoffs: look out NFC! SB 39 here we come!

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:42 am

With all of the injuries in Philly, I am now thinking the NFC East is within reach.

redskindave · Post by **redskindave** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:04 am

Im thinking 12-4, And playoffs are no doubt HTTR

screwgun · Post by **screwgun** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:53 am

SWEET !! I get chills just thinking of it

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 1:05 pm

Every year I think there is no way the Eagles can dominate again, but for three straight...

You have to credit Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb. Reid is a real coach and McNabb is a leader with guts. We're not going anywhere until we can get past those guys.

We have the coach now. Do we have the players?

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:10 pm

I think we have the players - the question is do they shake off their losing ways immediately or does it take them half a season or a season to gel.

Anything is possible...

gundo · Post by **gundo** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:45 pm

The Skins could finish 12-4 or 4-12. But, I do think they have enough talent to win the division. Last year, with less overall talent and a college coach, they won 5 games and lost 6 (!) by 3 points or less. If Coach Joe and Co. still have the touch, this team should win no less than 9 games. Anything more will come down to having the ball bounce the right way in the 4th quarter.

It's just nice knowing that we'll at least see some good, disciplined football.

UPSGuy · Post by **UPSGuy** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 7:23 pm

What a great feeling knowing Coach Gibbs is back at the helm. I feel 11-5 is very realistic and deep into the playoffs. I want to beat Tampa Bay though and being from Florida I am sick and tired of these bandwagon Tampa fans. I went to the Skins-Bucs wildcard game in Tampa a few years ago. Needless to say the outcome was not what we had hoped for and those low-class Bucs(no experience at winning) fans dumped about 5 gals of beer and at least 9 Ballpark franks on me after their win. SOB's, this is our year...

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 7:48 pm

Would be nice...and if it's against the Pats I'm there!!

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:41 pm

UPSGuy wrote:What a great feeling knowing Coach Gibbs is back at the helm. I feel 11-5 is very realistic and deep into the playoffs. I want to beat Tampa Bay though and being from Florida I am sick and tired of these bandwagon Tampa fans. I went to the Skins-Bucs wildcard game in Tampa a few years ago. Needless to say the outcome was not what we had hoped for and those low-class Bucs(no experience at winning) fans dumped about 5 gals of beer and at least 9 Ballpark franks on me after their win. SOB's, this is our year...

Actually, that was the Divisional round. We beat Detroit in the Wild-Card round. It sounds like those Tampa fans are real losers to waste perfectly good beer that way.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:24 pm

Well, it's a nice read and everything...but I'm a little too old to get all carried away here.
I'd settle for some good, solid football with relatively few mental errors, and whatever record that type of play brings us.

skin_to_the_bone · Post by **skin_to_the_bone** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:39 am

TC, I'm 27, and I remember more Redskins highlights and memories (both good and bad

) than I do half of my own experiences. I try not to get to caught up in what I want when it comes to the chance of being disappointed, but I have my exceptions. The biggest being Skins fan.

I enjoy reading your posts and your extreme dedication to the site. I'm not saying you are wrong, just stating that I agree with you and I'm throwing a little more wood on the fire. I expect us to win every year no matter what. Its why I'm such a lunatic when we play. I can't sleep on some Saturday nights during the season because I want to know what we are in for come Sunday and vice versa for the opposition.

The Eagles have their injuries and there Bad luck as well. They also have a huge target on them. I completely agree with you on the fact about the "few mental errors and such" but I don't want to keep aging and seeing us embarrassed. I live for victory and I think we are so close to being back to the "good ole' days.

trey53 · Post by **trey53** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:01 pm

My expectations are somewhat tempered. I believe the Skins will at least reach 9-7. Anything after that would be gravy. Plus it is all the more sweet when unexpected. Regardless, I am going to savor every bit of Joe Gibbs' return...win, lose or tie. Never thought I'd see it...miracles do happen.

cj17 · Post by **cj17** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:12 pm

Eagles still cruise to the divison title, no problem. Enough with the unrealistic dreaming, yes it's ok to hope for the best, but let me give you a small dose of reality...the birds aren't going anywhere and will CRUISE to another division title.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:23 pm

Cj that is reality??? The season hasn't even started yet. Can I pull your feet back down to the ground???? ;-)

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:40 pm

riggofan wrote:We have the coach now. Do we have the players?

I think we have had the players for years - the coach was what was missing. IMO

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:43 pm

tcwest10 wrote:Well, it's a nice read and everything...but I'm a little too old to get all carried away here.

So how do you think that makes me feel when a young guy like yourself TC, makes those kind of comments.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:26 pm

Code: Select all

Eagles still cruise to the divison title, no problem. Enough with the unrealistic dreaming, yes it's ok to hope for the best, but let me give you a small dose of reality...the birds aren't going anywhere and will CRUISE to another division title.
[quote]

The McNabb-Owens duo will score a few impressive long TDs. One or two may come against us, but ...

Cruising to another division title??? No way.  :roll: 

The NFC is open and we are in great shape. The birds can sink and TO can be a pretty disruptive fellow when things do not go -his- way...

You must be young to give up on a Gibbs team before the start of the season. But that is fine, HE will show everybody. And we all will be better Redskins fans for it.
[/quote]

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:29 pm

Sorry for the post above. Imessed it up. :oops:

Eagles still cruise to the divison title, no problem. Enough with the unrealistic dreaming, yes it's ok to hope for the best, but let me give you a small dose of reality...the birds aren't going anywhere and will CRUISE to another division title.

The McNabb-Owens duo will score a few impressive long TDs. One or two may come against us, but ...

Cruising to another division title??? No way.

The NFC is open and we are in great shape. The birds can sink and TO can be a pretty disruptive fellow when things do not go -his- way...

You must be young to give up on a Gibbs team before the start of the season. But that is fine, HE will show everybody. And we all will be better Redskins fans for it.

skin_to_the_bone · Post by **skin_to_the_bone** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 8:00 am

The "young" will catch on about Gibbs. I was very young when he took over the Head Coach job the first go around. He's the first coach I remember for Us. I then went into reading up on Allen and others. Gibbs is a perfect coach for the younger generation to learn about the game and get a feel for how football is really how to be played.

The Eagles aren't, by anymeans, a dead lock for anything. These guys will have to pray this year because their expectations are higher than ever and evryone else is on the same mission: 1st step...."take the division" or make the playoffs.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:11 pm

After yesterday's game, the exepctations should be realistic. No superbowl yet but this is a team on its way to it in a season or two.

I am still convinced that the NFC East is up for grabs. Everybody has had good and bad preseason games.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 12:16 am

That's all I was saying. It's not enough to have Gibbs back, kids. Those people wearing the B&G have to buy into it, entirely.
I'm telling you now. There's no room for stupid audibles on this team.
Not even Gibbs can manufacture a win if the quarterback can't do what he's told. You have to give in to his knowledge and authority, and you can't do that if you don't trsut him completely.
I've coached both winning and losing teams. If the guys don't believe that you know what you are doing, you will lose.
It's as simple as that.
The whole "Even a broken clock is right twice a day" adage does not apply to the NFL.
I'm not going to get all excited about the season until I see that each and every person on that team is willing to lay down and die for Gibbs and Co.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:58 am

The "young" will catch on about Gibbs.

Yes, exactly, Im trying to catch on. I became a fan at a weird time. New coaches every 2 seasons or so, it was hard being a Skin fan being that Im not from DC, and I just watched because my father is a Skin fan. I picked it up and stuck with it. I wasn't here for the glory years so I haven't had any thing to hold onto but blind love. Im glad Im a Skins fan. I think Gibbs will give me some memories.