The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Someone once said "I know you'll fight with me when I'm winning, but what I wanna know is will you fight with me when I'm losing".

My question is this: After what this team has done up to now, will you consider our season a "success" if we dont' win a playoff game?

I think what Joe Gibbs has done in two short years is nothing short of phenominal. He came back to coach his beloved Redskins, tore apart the roster, had to adjust to the modern NFL, and withstand severe criticism. For him to be able to do what he has done is extraordinary. Look at what we've done in just his second year back. We swept both the Cowboys and the Eagles, and finished with a 10-6 record, earning a playoff berth. But, more importantly, look at how this team has risen to the challenge it was faced with when we were 5-6. To be able to come together as one unit, and win 5 in a row under such conditions, is enough to deem this season a success. We are no longer the doormats of the NFL, no longer the butt of many opponents jokes, and people are finally realizing that Joe Gibbs is DEFINITELY the right man for this job, and his ability as a coach and leader can not be questioned. I've never been more proud of being a Redskins fan as I am right now. What Joe Gibbs has done, he has done it with class, dignity, and passion even under harshest of criticism. He risked his own legacy on the decision to play Brunell, while everyone in the World questioned his decision. Whether Brunell leads us to the promised land remains to be seen, but Joe Gibbs's decision has now been validated.

I'm interetsed to hear if other people would consider our season a "succesfull" season if we dont' win a playoff game this year. I like our chances, and believe we'll come out with our guns blazing. We almost beat the Bucs in their own house, and some might even say we did, but I think we have a very strong chance. Complacency will not be a factor, as Gibbs will have his team ready to play. But, should the unfortunate happen, I will still consider this season more succesfull than any other since 1992.

AMEN !! I'm with you JP !! We are vastly improved from last year in that we're back to playing Gibbs' style of football.

Going from 6-10 to 10-6 and a playoff birth is more than I hoped for when the season began, so yes, for me the season has already been a success. We have improved and I see no reason to believe with the continuity that Gibbs has built, we won't be in the hunt for the SB next season.

I just hope we take care of TB (which I think we will) and then let's see what happens. Will be hard to win 3 on the road and get to the SB, but hey, not many thought we would win 5 straight to get in either.

yep. I agree. We have turned the corner to a new era i think for the skins. and beating the cowboys was a sign of that. We definitly faired better than I expected. I think the NFC is wide open! SO who knows what can happen. but either way, this year was a huge success!

There's not a doubt in my mind that this season's a success no matter what. Of course I hope we go deep in the playoffs but I'm more exited over what this coaching staff has done for the long haul. They have built/are building something special.

Here's to a great game against Tampa - we can definitely take them...

In my mind, if we do not win the Superbowl, we will have failed our mission. If we do not win a playoff game, we cannot say that the season was a success.

Having said that, failure is a lot easier to accept when you know you have made great strides towards improvement. Even if we fail, we have accomplished a lot this year. We are on the right track. We have reason to expect that next year will be even batter. How many teams can say that?

Meanwhile, let's continue to defy the odds and win the Superbowl this year.

This is a successful season. I'll say it again, and others have said the same thing:

- Joe Gibbs has not finished building this team, but

- we can already see the foundations (mostly) in place

- In '81, Gibbs took over a team that had had about two losing seasons in the previous 11. They knew that they could win, whether it meant Charlie Taylor catching a long pass, or Diron Talbert bending Staubach like a pretzel, or Larry Brown rifling through a hole that didn't seem to exist, or Ken Houston lifting Walt Garrison off his feet with 2 seconds left, or the unknown "Downtown" Eddie Brown slopping through the mud as Cardinals hit him about 15 times and he stayed on his feet to return a kick for a TD. That team knew it could win, and that sense is back.

- In '81, Gibbs not only had a team with a winning attitude, but he had a few pretty special players to start with: Art Monk, Dave Butz, Joe Theisman, John Riggins, Joe Washington, Monte Coleman and all the undrafted free agent linebackers.

- This time, it has taken Gibbs two years to get the attitude and most of the players he wants. It will only get better.

I totally consider this a successfull turn around from where we where last year. This is a major positive step for the future. I dont consider it phenomenal though because this is what Joe Gibbs does he is a natural people person coach. Let me touch more on the how our skins do in the playoffs. I am satisfied already. I was satisfied just sweeping the Cowboys and avenging the Giants. I hope we do our best in the playoffs but I dont want to make it to the SuperBowl unless we win it.

I just look at it week by week. I hope we get Tampa Bay...

Absolutely, I went with the first.
I feel completely vindicated.

In one word, "Yes!"

I agree. No matter what happens now, this year was a good year. We cannot settle for that though. We need to now push on deep into the play-offs.

I believe my preseason prediction was 9-7, 4-2 in the division. Since we've already surpassed both, I feel the season is a success. I believe the Bucs do not realize the anger the Redskins have for that first 'win.' We will also have a healthy Taylor...which will make a difference. So, we have a very good chance of "think Detroit!"

Im tottally satisfied but would definately be mildly dissapointed if we lose to the Bucs. If we lose any game after this 1st game I wont have any qualms.

I'm just happy we're even in the playoffs.

Next year will be even better.

Jake wrote:I'm just happy we're even in the playoffs.

Next year will be even better.

Ditto

I've said all season that I would be happy just to make the playoffs. That sentiment has not changed in any way. Granted, I will be ecstatic if we progress beyond the first round or two, but either way, this season has been much more successful than last year.

The best part is - I felt like we should have beaten Tampa if Taylor and Griffin were not hurt in that game. This time, they will be in full-force defensive mode on Saturday, and there's no way the Bucs will run 36 points against us again.


But the bottom line remains the same - even if we lose in the first round, I am happy with the way things turned out this year. It's just nice not having to put my gear away at the end of the regular season again.

i consider this season a success. with what this team had to do from 5-6 to get to 10-6 is awesome indeed. i like what the coaching staff has put together it,s just a matter of keeping this staff together for the long haul.
yes i hope they go deep into the playoffs and make some noise.year #2 is a success.

we can beat the buc on saturday.

The second win vs the Cowboys was the "Success" mark for me. Everything else is gravy. A wonderful, brilliant, best darn gravy I've ever tasted! The Skins are playing hard and getting better. Anything can happen at this point - I'm enjoying the ride!

Scooter wrote: Anything can happen at this point - I'm enjoying the ride!

That's funny...you sure were kicking and screaming when we tried to get you in the car!

I consider this season a success already. The 10-6 record, the team-first attitude, the crushing defense and bruising running game, with big plays down field.

We are a couple of pieces away from being a dominant football team.

Uh, to me this isnt even a question.

We swept Dallas
We swept Philly
We beat the Giants when it mattered most....and we freakin made the playoffs!

Oh yeah, Portis beasted, and so did Moss.

Question: Winning season?

Answer: Yes!

Question: Sweep the Pukes?

Answer: Yes!

Question: Sweep Philthy and their awful fans?

Answer: Yes!

Question: Gibbs inspired heroic effort 5 or no go to each the playoffs?

Answer: Yes!

Question: Redskins being built as a Joe Gibbs style character team?

Answer: Yes!

Bonus:

Question: Pukes and Philthy eliminated and in turmoil?

Answer: Yes!

How can this season not be an all around success! It is!