DC Sports Team Falters in the Playoffs Again

After winning the division for the first time in over a decade, Washington’s playoff run ended in the first round. After taking an early lead on an experienced playoff tested opponent, DC fell apart defending their home field. Washington got to this point riding a rookie of the year candidate who was barely on the depth chart to start the season. Their prized recent free agent even contributed down the stretch despite missing the middle of the season. Even the big trade which involved mortgaging future prospects for one player worked out, since he was an All-Star this season. DC was all a buzz, with increased attendance, record TV ratings and even a popular Twitter hashtag. Now their former champion coach must field questions during the off-season second guessing his handling of their star player’s injury down the stretch and what might have been in the playoffs. 

Wait, I was talking about the Nats.

Either way, despite the rough playoff exits for the Redskins and Nationals, the future is bright for both franchises.

 

Week 8 Football Recap

Cavaliers 24, Hurricanes 19 – That’s more like it. UVa put together its best win in several years, upsetting #22 Miami for their first victory against a ranked opponent since October 2008. It helps to jack-up the Canes’ starting quarterback in the second quarter. The U’s backups proceeded to throw four more interceptions, including an incredible one by Chase Minnifield above. The junior cornerback now leads the NCAA in interceptions at six. Payne added two more rushing touchdowns bringing his ACC leading total to 12. Even the Star Wars themed halftime show by the marching band was pretty sweet. Despite the 24-0 performance through three quarters, the game ended on a scary note since Miami scored three straight touchdowns late to force the Hoos to convert two key third downs to preserve the victory. While storming the field after defeating a barely ranked opponent may be a little much, this guy always makes me laugh. With four games remaining, Virginia will need to win at least three to become bowl eligible and have winnable games against Duke, Maryland, and BC coming up.

Redskins 25, Lions 37 – Really? The Lions again? Washington played down to its competition again in a stunning loss to now 2-5 Detroit. The offense line was just atrocious leading to the McBenching. Even if Donovan was in shape or knew the offense up to Shanahan’s standards, no quarterback was going to stand up to that pressure. I wonder what these two were talking about when Grossman was blowing the game? Instead of going after Randy Moss, the Skins need to somehow incorporate special teams stud Brandon Banks into the offense. The Burgundy and Gold has kept six of their eight games to six points or less contests. The other two? Blow out losses to St. Louis and Detroit. At least they have a bye this week to sort out this disaster.

Colts 30, Texans 17 – In a battle of my two favorite quarterbacks, Manning out dueled Schaub, to take over first place in the AFC South. Despite missing Clark, Collie, and Addai, Peyton avenged the Week 1 loss to Houston with a 268 yard two td, no pick performance. The defense stepped up, pressuring Schaub and the fifth ranked Texan offense all night, leading to three sacks, a pick six, and only 17 points. After the Steelers and Jets lost this week, it’s looking like the two best teams in the league are the Pats and Colts. We’ve heard that one before.

Elway and Favre are not Walking Through that Door: Be Wary of the New Holmgren and Shanahan Eras

Now that Mike Shanahan has officially been named head coach and executive vice president of the Redskins, the city is abuzz with high expectations. A couple weeks ago, there was similar optimism in Cleveland when the Browns hired Mike Holmgren as president of football operations. Both men are Super Bowl winning coaches from the mid 90’s, however there is reason for concern.

Shanahan took over the Denver Broncos in ’95 and led them to back to back titles in ’97 and ’98 with Hall of Famers John Elway, Gary Zimmerman, and 8 other Pro Bowlers including MVP Terrell Davis. But after Elway retired, in the subsequent 10 seasons, Shanahan only produced a 55% winning percentage, one divisional title, four playoff appearances, and one close playoff win. At least he somehow maintained a tan in Colorado during those years.

Likewise in Green Bay, Holmgren joined the Packers and was very successful as a coach, with a Super Bowl title, six straight playoff appearances, and a 66% winning percentage. However, Ron Wolf, the general manager at the time, traded for Favre before Holmgren arrived, and signed Reggie White, the cornerstones of their Super Bowl run. Then Holmgren took over the head coaching and GM job in Seattle in ’99 with mixed results. While he drafted Shaun Alexander, Steve Hutchinson, and brought in Matt Hasslebeck the backbones of their later Super Bowl run, he also drafted Koren Robinson and Jerramy Stevens, who had run-ins with the law. After four seasons with both positions, a 47% winning percentage and only one playoff appearance, the Seahawks removed him from the GM position. Now as just the coach, Holmgren went on a five year playoff run including their Super Bowl appearance.

Whether Shanahan’s recent unsuccessful coaching record and lack of GM experience, and Holmgren’s mediocre seasons as a GM will help the Skins and Browns rise to prominence, is yet to be seen. One thing’s for sure, they will miss these two.