"Lack of Respect" and "Anti-Redskin Bias"

[Nugget1616]

Despite our 3-0 start, most analysts, experts, journalists, and fans have picked the Skins to lose both the Denver game and the KC game. This naturally has led to a seemingly endless stream of threads and/or rants on how we get no respect from the "mediots." I admit that I have grown quite tired of the persistant negative view of the Redskin franchise by nearly the entire media, but at the same time I do not blame anyone for their negative opinion of the Redskins for 2 reasons.

(1) Even the most objective person would consider the Redskins no more than a "pretty good" team at this point (or when we were 3-0). Objectively, the Broncos and Chiefs are just about on par with our resurgent Redskins. Since we play(ed) them both away at two of the most difficult stadiums to play in in the NFL, an objective person (or even a Redskin apologist) would naturally pick the Skins to lose both games.

(2) If we all take a step back for a second and look at the last five years, the franchise has given the media no other choice but to consider it inept. The damage done to our beloved Skins (and their perception) by Snyder's early mistakes and under Spurrier's utterly embarrassing "leadership" have left us with cavernous hole to dig out of as a football team and in the public eye. The franchise has made tremendous strides in only 1 1/4 years, almost to the point where I can't even believe where we're at now, considering the state Spurrier lef the team in, especially in the realm of attitude/work ethic/discipline/professionalism/intabgibles. It will take some more time, but we're getting there. Be patient (easier said than done, I know).

In summary, most experts and common fans don't actually watch the Redskins play and rely on highlights, final scores and statistics to make their predictions, and the Skins stats aren't . . . . wait . . . . here's the O and D rankings:

Offense Rank Yards/Game

Total Offense 8 367.0
Rushing Offense 6 133.5
Passing Offense 12 233.5

Defense Rank Yards/Game

Total Defense 5 282.0
Rushing Defense 15 103.8
Passing Defense 6 178.3.0


Ah, nevermind. F*** the media and their bias against the Skins.

[Leonard Washington]

given our nice stats on the offensive side, we still aren't where we should be in scoring points. we are doing great in time of possession and moving the ball between the 20s, but the whole point he whole point of the game is to outscore the opponent. we can't hope to beat people by 3 or less every week, its too hard to do. also i think its still too early to follow stats to know how good or bad a team is. i usually look around week 8 or 10.

[TheCoach22]

I was about to refute your POV until I got to the end You are correct. The media still talks about "Dan Snyder 2000" instead of "2005"... "Gibbs of 2004" instead of the "Gibbs of 2005" (which looks like the Gibbs of 1981-1992)... etc. They ignore the fact that we are statistically a top 10 O and D right now, one of the few teams who can say that. When Denver beats us by 2 at their place, they get a lot of credit for hanging in against a good team. Yet that good team is 6 point dogs again this week. When the Seahawks... When Dallas.... etc. I agree with you.

Then they jump on bandwagons like the Giants (with those impressive wins against St. Louis, New Orleans and Arizona) and make me even madder.

What bothers me even more is that the Skins and Joe Gibbs never got the credit they deserved the first go round, when they won three SB in nine years. When I say credit, I mean this. Ask the average media member to name the top 10 coaches in football history and Bill Parcells will make everyone's list. Some will leave off Gibbs, which is absurd. Art Monk is waiting to get into the HOF, yet others less deserving are first ballot automatics. I have never understood this.

When Joe Gibbs wins a fourth Super Bowl hopefully this franchise and the coach who resurected it again will get the credit due.

[skins1972]

Winning cures all problems.

[Park City Skins]

I could go on a long tangent about respect and how it is earned and how right or wrong, earning it can be more difficult for some more than others. In the case of the Redskins, this respect will come harder than most based on who they are and their history over the last decade or so. However, respect from the media and even some fans is really irrelevant imho. Gaining respect from fellow coaches and players, those who actually participate in the games, who have to go against the Redskins is what is important. You want respect? Look no further than Coach Shanahan and John Lynch's recent comments. That's what it's all about right there. And I'm willing to be that they are not alone in the NFL in giving respect to the Redskins these days.

[Chachie]

I could go on a long tangent about respect and how it is earned and how right or wrong, earning it can be more difficult for some more than others. In the case of the Redskins, this respect will come harder than most based on who they are and their history over the last decade or so. However, respect from the media and even some fans is really irrelevant imho. Gaining respect from fellow coaches and players, those who actually participate in the games, who have to go against the Redskins is what is important. You want respect? Look no further than Coach Shanahan and John Lynch's recent comments. That's what it's all about right there. And I'm willing to be that they are not alone in the NFL in giving respect to the Redskins these days.

I have always understood the media's skepticism about the Redskins. I remember the way we all used to regard the New England Patriots. Now look at them. They EARNED respect.

Our division will make it even harder for the Skins, but I look forward to their challenge.

[Thiebear]

Watch every channel and read every article...
Sloooooooooooowly they turn.. inch by inch...

[Timurchin]

You would think that the so called "professionals" could see what is being built in Washington. You would think that they would give a 3 time Super Bowl hall of fame coach a little more respect. God knows they ranted and raved when the Big Tuna came to the girls. Last time I checked he went 6 and 6 last year too. But no, they say that the game has passed Coach Gibbs by, he's to stupid to keep up with modern times. I say to hell with Pastabelly and the rest of those sports writers, just wait until December and everyone will be kissing the skins rear ends... game has passed him by-- my big ole but.

[Tarpon75]

given our nice stats on the offensive side, we still aren't where we should be in scoring points. we are doing great in time of possession and moving the ball between the 20s, but the whole point he whole point of the game is to outscore the opponent. we can't hope to beat people by 3 or less every week, its too hard to do. also i think its still too early to follow stats to know how good or bad a team is. i usually look around week 8 or 10.

It wasn't long ago we couldn't muster anything at all on offense.Now at least we are moving the ball.The Skins are running and passing very well.Great progress has been made.Hoipefully the points will follow in the near future.

[jnhay]

I want them to keep picking us to lose so some of the weirdos in this forum can keep complaining about it ad nauseum.

[jnhay]

Damn, I couldn't find out how to delete this post.

[FightForOldDC21]

if we dont start getting repspect with a win tomorrow i will kill some1