#@$% You, Dick Stockton: Vikings 17, Redskins 13

The casual fan will remember the fact that Brandon Banks scored the go ahead touchdown on a punt return in the 4th quarter, which was nullified by Perry Riley pushing a Viking in the back--completely needlessly.

But the Redskins lost today because they don't have enough talent. Santana Moss is still a good player, but he can't be the #1 guy. His two drops cost at least three points.

The offensive line is still crap. Its better than it was last season--Shanahan did a decent job putting together a functional offensive line, but they still stink. The o-line needs to get younger, bigger, better at every position except left tackle.

Running back was a small problem for a little while, but now it is a major problem. Clinton Portis is probably done as a starter in Washington at the very least. We don't know what we have in Torain really, and Keiland Williams appears to be a decent option in spot duty. The Redskins needs a real killer at running back. Someone with fresh legs, power, and explosive speed. Against the Vikings, Williams and a guy off the street picked up a total 30 yards.

But I'll remember this game for the--dare I say it--Dick tease.

It was 17-13. We had no offense momentum. Brandon Banks catches the punt, makes a move around a guy, finds a seem, and is gone.

Me: Oh! oh, oh shit. Its coming back, right?

Joey: ?

(Banks continues to run, crowd is cheering)

Me: Did they not throw a flag!?

Joey: ?

Dick Stockton: Touchdown Redskins! There are no flags.

Me: (Jumping and celebrating, but only 95%, because I can't believe they didn't throw a flag on Perry Riley for blocking in the back. I supposed the refs had just missed it like the refs missed it the previous week when the Titans scored on a punt return)

Dick Stockton: There is a flag down. Remember when I said there weren't any flags down? Well, forget that because there is a flag down. But just one flag so try not to get too mad (he didn't really say this verbatim)

Me: I'll ^%$%ing kill you, Dick Stockton!!!!

Favre iced the game and then we lost. We are 5-6. In November, the teams in the middle of the pack decide who goes forward and who stays behind. The Redskins stink in November.

Its silly to be counting on a Redskins run like 2005 or 2007. But why not play along--November rooting against other NFC teams only comes along but once a year.

After the San Diego game in November 2005, we were 5-6. Minnesota was 6-5. Dallas and Atlanta were 7-4. We leapfrogged 'em all for #6

Today: 5. New Orleans 8-3

6. Green Bay, New York Giants/Philadelphia, Tampa Bay Bucs 7-4

Washington 5-6

Gut Check Time: Redskins 19, Titans 16 OT

"Shanahan is going to lambast the players this week, and they'll all be scared sh*tless about their job security, and they'll play well from here on out."--Steve

"I really don't know what to think. Last night's game was the worst beating I've ever seen. I just hope they can forget about it entirely and compete this week."--Me

"Gut check time"--Dad, 3:38 pm, on a cruise ship off the Florida coast

It was not easy, and it was not pretty, especially with the long list of injuries.

But enough about me and Joey trying to clean out the den, ripping a roomba wall unit of the wall, tearing apart a mobile shelving unit, a redistributing the multitude of crap and knicknacks we have compiled over the years.

Let's talk Redskins, and how they overcame injuries before the game, in pre-game warmups, and during the game to grab a badly needed and well earned victory in Nashville.

Landry and Rogers--pre-game scratches

Chad Simpson--hurt in warmups

Clinton Portis--played well in the beginning, picking up first downs on screens and off-tackle runs, but re-injured his groin

Lorenzo Alexander, Kedric Golston, Rocky McIntosh.

Hall and Moss left the field in the second half.

Then there was the offensive line. Artis Hicks was already a scratch, so the starting lineup was this:

Williams--Dockery--Rabach--Lichtensteiger--Brown

Rabach hurt his knee, so Will Montgomery played Center. Dockery got hurt, so Lichtensteiger went to play left guard, and back up tackle Stephon Heyer came in to play right guard (he had never played guard in his life before).

So it became: Williams--Lichtensteiger--Montgomery--Heyer--Brown.

McNabb threw for almost 400 yards and a td to Moss.

Big Massive Props to Heyer who gets a lot of shit from critics, mostly because he often plays so awfully and comedically terrible.

The game was back and forth and unspectacular. Late in the third quarter, Vince Young threw a td pass to Moss that was called back because of pass interference, VY hurt his thumb on the play. A guy named Rusty Smith came in, and he kind of stunk. However, the skins couldn't take advantage of his terrible interception because, on a crucial third and 4, the Skins went back to their worst play--step on McNabb's foot for a loss of 5.

McNabb gave us a chance to win at the end of regulation, but Gano's kick fell short.

In OT, Chris Johnson ran for 20 on the first play. This was followed by a stuff, and two incomplete passes.

The Titans ended up completely giving it away on our drive, with a roughing the passer penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and defensive holding.

Gano got another chance, and he nailed it. He...naailed it.

However, the Skins couldn't gain much ground in the playoff chase because the Bears, Eagles, Saints, Bucs, and Packers won. But they can't all win forever.

Flashback: Mid-November 2003

Flashback: Mid-November 2003

The 4-5 Redskins went down South to see if they could salvage a November tailspin. In a very emotional game against the Carolina Panthers and Redskins' cast away Stephen Davis, the Redskins were up 17-13 with 4 minutes to go and a real chance to get to .500 and continue the relevant portion of the season.

Patrick Ramsey threw a bullet of a touchdown pass to Patrick Johnson. His body language was: Hell Yeaahhhhhh. In yo face! We win! Check out my hardcore fist pump!

We could feel it through the TV screen. What incredible satisfaction to keep the season alive, defeating the best team in the NFC whose star player had a revenge jones for us.

On the make or break drive, the Panthers had a 4th and 1 on their own thirty-something. Delhomme went back to pass--just the fact that he want back to pass instead of handing off to Davis gave a second or two of giddy hope. Delhomme had not had a good game. A linebacker converged on Delhomme just as he planted his feet--all he could do was find a hot route receiver. Surely there would be someone there to disrupt the very rushed pass and end the game.

No. The only guy there on the strong side flat was Stephen Davis. He caught the ball and turned up field to nothing but green grass. Two or three plays later, Davis scored on a short td run despite an instant replay challenge.

That one really hurt. I think I remember saying that as I left Redskins Club to drive home. The Redskins would only win one more game, finishing 5-11. Yes, the cruel reality is that at 4-5, an NFL team is truly teetering on the edge.

Despite the total asskicking from Monday, I think the Skins will make a game of it in Tennessee. But just like 7 years ago, there will be a small handful of moments, decisions, like a linebacker deciding not to account for a runningback leaving the backfield, that can all but end the 2010 campaign, or breathe new life into it. Good luck to us.

Eagles Destroy My Emotional Health in Real Time, 59-28

12:45: Looking forward to the game. Might drink some beer to deaden the sensation. But a loss really puts us up against it--2 games behind wild card leaders which would be Philly, or NYG, New Orleans and Tampa, Chicago or Green Bay. Really bad.

2:59: During Philadelphia week, I am not allowed to listen to The Roots or any Philly based music, which eliminates a lot of material from my workout playlist. New York weeks are much more difficult though--no Jay-Z, Nas, Wu-Tang, Gangstarr, Black Moon, Busta Rhymes, Beastie Boys, BDP, and so on. I also can't wear my dark green hoodie.

3:40: "The Washington Redskins and quarterback Donovan McNabb have agreed to a five-year, $78 million extension that could be worth up to $88 million with incentives, a source with knowledge of the agreement told ESPN NFL Insider Michael Smith. The source said $40 million of the deal will be guaranteed."

No joke, I'm glad that I avoided the two-week he said/they said nonsense the media put together over the last two weeks. Looks like they like having McNabb around.

4:17: Steve: any thoughts on resigning McNabb to 5 year deal? Are we (1) crazy because he's old and has kind of sucked so far; or (2) brilliant because he's going to ripen with age and because it will fire everyone up for the big Monday night game against the Eagles; or (3) just plain stupid.

Me: Its kind of crazy, but its the old crazy, so its not that crazy. Also, there's a chance he'll get better. I'd like him to lose some weight though. Having him around is, in fact, better than having him leave for the Vikings and starting some rookie or Rex Chapman next year.Steve: I agree. McNabb may be a problem, but he's our problem

7:27: Joey's fantasy football mantras:

-I like to win
-I want to win
-More points for more more jo's
-Points, points, points
-Just say no to touchdowns

I need Chris Cooley to have a monster game tonight. Something like 100 yards and a touchdown. That way both the Redskins and one of my fantasy teams can win this week.

8:28: It it me, or does Chick Hernandez on Comcast seem happier when the Redskins lose? When they win, he can't act all smarmy and passive aggressive.

8:35: I just don't want to see Vick throw a 80 yard bomb in the first minute

8:38: Hank Williams Jr.'s "song" is beyond awful. Its so awful it laps itself and returns to awful.

8:42: Oh, make that 88 yards. F me. 7-0.

8:46. 3 runs for Williams, 8 yards. A lot of dancing in the hole, then stuffed.

8:53: Shanahan did not have this team ready after 14 days. 14-0 Eagles after Vick scramble. ESPN extremely aroused.


8:58: McNabb intercepted. Coach Zorn couldn't have drawn this nightmare up any better. One yard pass to Armstrong. Four yard pass to Moss. McNabb goes back to pass, the middle of the line gets blown up like usual, he dodges a blitzer, then throws a ball that gets deflected and then caught by an Eagle.

9:05: Shovel pass touchdown. 21-0. The coaches couldn't have been doing anything over the bye. They don't a clue.

9:11: 2 running plays. Redskins don't seem all that concerned. And an overthrow on third down. YOU SUCK.

9:16: Jerome Harrison just ran 50 yards for a touchdown. Mining disasters are tuning to ESPN to see what's going on.

9:20: Galloway drop. I quit.

Real Men of Genius

The Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" ad campaign is a classic. I don't know why they stopped making them. See below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsC3ni7A88M&feature=related

There are so many topics. For example:

Real Men of Genius salutes you, Mr. I Don't Watch the Games But Here's What I Think Anyway

(Mr. I Don't Watch the Games But Here's What I Think Anyway)

You could have watched the game, and probably wanted to, but somehow got bullied into doing something else

(Had to Alphabetize the Wife's Socks Agaiiii-iin)

I know what's wrong with my team because I saw what happened on the TV, But you're the expert because you overheard something on the radio about Clinton Portis

(Something about not being as good as when he was in Denver-err-errr)

At the very least, you know the score of the game, and should know I'm just not in the mood this Monday morning

(Let me tell you, man...)

Oh my goodness. This is the first you've heard that your "favorite" hometown team is in first place. Get out of my office!

(A fan since day one!)

So here's to you, Mr. I Don't Watch the Games But Here's What I Think Anyway