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Washington quarterback Mark Brunell said the win over the Cowboys Sunday could be the springboard to another playoff run. Do you believe him?
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Washington quarterback Mark Brunell is a diplomat, but he’s also a realist. When some reporters tried to project a lucky victory over Dallas on Sunday as the launch of another playoff run, Brunell looked bemused and said, “Sure, why not?”
No one believed him. No one should. The Redskins are 3-5 and three games behind NFC East leader New York. The win over Dallas was a stay of elimination. The Redskins still need to win seven of eight games to reach the playoffs and if you think that’s possible let me know how much the tooth fairy is leaving nowadays.
The Redskins reached midseason with a feel-good victory, but it’s just temporary elation.
Like the bump provided by a good movie quickly passes, so will this win.
Washington can beat anyone on its schedule. Trouble is the Redskins can lose to anyone too, like Tennessee. At home. The Redskins could split their final eight games, but that’s still only 7-9.
The Redskins are heading to Philadelphia on Sunday. Then it’s Tampa Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Orleans, St. Louis and New York — the NFL’s fourth toughest schedule. You can almost hear Dan Snyder screaming of potential victories like Howard Dean’s guttural primary rant. And we all know how Dean’s presidential bid fared.
Washington is really playing for the future. Unfortunately, this isn’t a college team that can simply promote the underclassmen and take some lumps for the future. Aside elevating linebacker Rocky McIntosh and quarterback Jason Campbell, the Redskins aren’t stashing any young players. The roster will turn over one-third next year anyway so they have to play who they have and entertain fans with some meaningless victories.
Gee, who turned this team into the Wizards ... I mean Capitals ... uh, Nationals. Wow, we’re surrounded by this malaise. Even the roster on Capitol Hill flips today and you can bet they won’t play ball with 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
The biggest question is when coach Joe Gibbs will turn to Campbell. Don’t look for it any time soon. The Dallas victory keeps Brunell in the lineup for a few more weeks.
Brunell has been competent this season. He’s not the problem nor the solution and that makes it harder for Gibbs to bench the veteran. There’s no glaring reason to sit Brunell other than restlessness by fans for a change. Maybe it’s age discrimination as fans know the 36-year-old passer is past his prime. Where’s the AARP on this one?
The Redskins need to know whether Campbell can play, but token late-season appearances won’t provide the answer. If he can’t play the final month, better to take the audition into the offseason and try to give fans something to cheer now because there is very little to applaud otherwise.
There’s nothing wrong with shutting up those Cowboys fans who are far too prevalent locally. But the Redskins shouldn’t be fooled into thinking the problems are solved. The offseason signing of safety Adam Archuleta was obviously a bust when Troy Vincent comes off the street to start. Defensive end Andre Carter hasn’t worked out, either. Both lines will need revamping. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a half dozen new starters in the trenches next season.
So enjoy the season’s second half for what it is — killing time until Snyder gets a clue and hires a general manager who can find talent. Otherwise, Gibbs is the master of smoke and mirrors.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at rsnider@dcexaminer.com.
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:48 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 29, 2007 re: "Rick Snider: NFL’s fine of Taylor anything but"
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Examiner Reader said:
my brother anthony jo jo hunter is and always will be a good man as well as agood kind hearted man he never hurt anyone and that was his first time in any trouble in his life weather he rob any placed i cannot say from my heart but all the joy he brought to the streets of dc and the homes on tv playing maryland university basketball no one would stand up for him he would take poor kids on trips and help them when they where in trouble and feed people when they where hungry.and no one would help him when he was in trouble and he has been in jail for 10 years 5 to 45 years in jail when most people in jail do not get that kind of time for worst crimes not to say what people said he did was not wrong but my god he is a good person and from what i understand the store owner could not identify him as being the person that did the crime the witness a drug head that he knew off the street with a record and i guess she got what she wonted less time or shes free its wrong! sharons300@yahoo.com
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