Future outlook-A Rant!!

[stevenaa]

I've read many posts from people who are convinced we've taken a step backwards from last year, and who want to rip into every decision and move made. Then, they feel the need to comment on how they're sure they'll get jumped on for their post.

I have a hard time undersanding this mentality. Any of us could scrutinize things and pick out the negative. What fun is that?

I'm a Redskins fan who wants his team to win and wants to believe next season will be better than the last. I could use being a "realist" as an excuse to explain a defeatest attitude. I could find all kinds of reasons to doubt the upcoming season. I just choose not to.

If you aren't starting the season with anticipation of the great things to come, then why even watch? It is a game and it is supposed to bring enjoyment. Even during the hard times we've been subjected to, there have been games that were enjoyable.

I guess those who would rather see the gloom need to convince themselves that the team is going to suck, so if it does, there won't be so much disappointment.

As for me, I'd rather be excited about the season. I can deal with the disappointment if it comes. But, oh if it doesn't, I'll have had the enjoyment of the anticipation as well as the victory. This, to me, is what being a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins is all about.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Great post stevenaa!!

I agree with you. I usually stay pretty grounded on the surface, but I'm CONSTANTLY allowing myself to get my hopes up on the inside.

[HailSkinz1]

Perhaps it's conditioning? Perhaps it's passion? Passion comes in many forms. Fans boo their team sometimes simply because they are so passionate. If they didn't care, they wouldn't boo. Those of us who remember the Redskins going back to Allen and then with Gibbs I, just want to return to those days. Trust me, we didn't complain then.

But what have we done lately that gives you encouragement, besides hiring Gibbs?

Having said that, I am VERY encouraged by our OTAs and the attendance of them. Taylor is the only no-show and I do think the Skins are building chemistry. But that is only what I think. There are other signs (Taylor's troubles, drafting Campbell, LaVar's injury/attitude, WR questions, losing Smoot and Pierce, etc.) that things might go the other way.

H

[Walking Deadman]

I'm not sure what it is....
but clearly there are some angry people on the board.

Maybe, it's some offseason moves-- or the draft or the thing with y'know who recently.

I don't know but I have to think 2005 will be better.

[Thiebear]

I've said it so many times i've talked myself into this one:

Portis was 8th running a system he wasnt used to.. He had the 30th Ranked offense. The people better averaged a 12th ranked offense... And Brunel.. nuff said about that..

Now: At the end of the season and for this season they are allowing him to go back to his previous routes and Ramsey will be taking 1st string snaps all year...(lacking till like Oct/Nov last year)...

I for one believe that in and of itself gives us 4 more games than last year all by itself...

But my glasses stay tinted at all times...

edit: OHH and lil Moss is an inch shorter than Giant Lav and his toe seems to be o.k... (media sarcasm inserted due to it being repeated over and over)....

[brooksfb]

Originally posted by stevenaa


I guess those who would rather see the gloom need to convince themselves that the team is going to suck, so if it does, there won't be so much disappointment.

I know its just a game but, as a life-long fan and with the memory of the glory days rekindled by Gibbs' return, watching the Skins lose games that they should've won was emotionally draining. After ten years of disappointment, one tends to become sort of a pessimist. Of course I want them to win but, I've learned to hope for the best and expect the worst. That way, if they do lose, at least I've prepared myself (emotionally) for it.

[stevenaa]

"But my glasses stay tinted at all times..."

You said it, bro...

I've been a fan since the first go round with Gibbs, so i'm well aware of how dissapointing it has been since then. But I refuse to let last year color my outlook of next year. I get great enjoyment out of looking forward to a winning season, the playoffs and a trip to the Superbowl. If it doesn't work out, I'm disapointed, but get over it as I get ready for the next year when we will surely turn it around. If I ever loose the joy of looking forward to the new season, I will simply stop watching. (never gonna happen, though)

[Hog Lover]

This is the first year that I haven't had the high preseason optimism for the Skins. I think we're a mediocre team, in the 8-8 range. I'm all for rooting and hoping for the best, and you can believe that I'm hoping for a great season.

But I don't think that it's a requirement of a diehard fan to expect your team to have a good season every year before it begins, and expect the turnaround if it starts off badly. I think there is a place for an objective fan who tries to look at his team in a similar way to he'd look on another team that he wasn't so passionate for.

Right now when I look at this team preseason, I'm not too optimistic about Super Bowl aspirations. I think we're fighting an uphill battle in our division against teams that we traditionally struggle mightily against. I don't see us pulling out a wildcard this year.

And I don't think that there's anything wrong with scrutinizing offseason moves. I lauded the signing of Deion and got that wrong. I thought the Redskins should have taken Peter Warrick instead of Chris Samuels and got that wrong. But I also thought that the signing of Rob Johnson a couple years ago, and Mark Brunell last year were bad moves and I turned out right.

Isn't that the fun of the offseason? Talking about what moves to make, analyzing moves they do make and making predictions on how they'll turn out?

[TheLongshot]

I think we are going to be better simply because we are returning mostly the same team, with another year in the system. That is certainly better than making a lot of changes, and spending half the year getting everyone integrated.

That being said, the whole division has gotten better, so improving is a tougher road. Eli Manning will be more comfortable with his offense, especially with a new target. Dallas has done a lot of work on their defense. Philly is still the team that went to the Super Bowl last year.

8-8 is a definite posibility. If some things roll our way, more is possible, but I'm not putting my hopes in it. Some may be disappointed with that, but I'll take some forward momentum of any kind, rather than the running in place that's been happening the past few years.

Jason

[MidPennSkin]

I'm optimistic every year in preseason. We're gonna be 10-6 or better in 2005, baby! Plenty of reasons we can do it!

Sure hope Lucy doesn't pull the football away again this year.

[brooksfb]

Originally posted by TheLongshot
I think we are going to be better simply because we are returning mostly the same team, with another year in the system. That is certainly better than making a lot of changes, and spending half the year getting everyone integrated.

IMO, that is the most positive thing we have going into this year.

[chuckflhp]

Wow, some of you really scare me. I really wish that half of you would have half of the passion for the Skins that the guy's who run this site have. The other half I just wish would go away.
I hear naysayers who like spout they are just trying to be realistic. They claim to be fans. They say Eli will improve, beagles are the same team, and the cowgirls will have a better defense. What a load of crap.

Coughlin is not nor will he ever be an offensive genius. Burress was and is injury prone. Defense is still suspect. I liked Antonio, but give credit to the system and supporting cast he had last year too. If Barrow was healthy he would have hardly seen the field, except for special teams.

The beagles are not the same team they were last year. Team chemistry is shot. They have a bunch of guys that are just looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. So they can get out. They have lost some decent guys, and are hoping people will step up. I still think they will be the team to beat in the NFC. But they won't dominate the way they did last year.

The cowgirls are the ones who will be worse than last year, Offense might improve with the addition of Bledsoe. But the defense? Gimme a break. They are switching to a completely new system! Everyone talks about their draft. They drafted out of NEED! Not depth. Several of these guys will be switching from positions they have played since high school. And we all know how injury prone rookies are. And any of these guys get hurt, they are toast. Again, because they have no depth.

The Skins are going to be a better team. Period. No major personell changes. Great depth, and excellent coaching. Joe gibbs was known in his previous tenure as a coach who was dangerous for the way he could adjust. Last year was the rust year. we are already hearing about some of the adjustments he is making. Patrick is very happy about them too. Offensive line is taking a huge step forward. The return of Jansen and the addition of Rabach are beyond major. Portis is way torqued for this. He's going to run rampant.

Defensively, the return of so many starters is going to make this defense deadly. Gregg Williams over achieved last year with backups mostly.With his starters in place this defense will be the Beasts from the East. Smoot was rarely at 100%. I see the whole thing kicking up a couple of notches.absolutely no reason they can't be No.1 across the board this year. There are a lot of guys, with a lot to prove. LaVar just for starters.

Seriously, those out there who claim to be Skins fans but are predicting a losing season, leave now. Become a fan for the cowgirls , beagles or whoever. We don't need you and really don't want you.

Hail

[airborneskins]

The only thing taht I have to say to the doubters.... What was Gibbs record in his second season before?? That's right... We will be back this year.