Dan Snyder knew exactly what he was subjecting himself to when he laid out signing bonus after signing bonus to bring high-priced veterans to the Washington Redskins this off-season. He knew that the time would come when people would be calling for his head, when his short-sightedness would be questioned.
He just didn't think it would happen ten games into the 2000 season.
Snyder threw money at a number of veteran defensive players, like Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, and Mark Carrier, among others, and ignited a quarterback controversy by signing the talented Jeff George to back up Brad Johnson, who played like an MVP in 1999. That, in addition to drafting linebacker LaVar Arrington and tackle Chris Samuels, set expectations sky high for the 'Skins on the heels of a division title last year. While the salary cap would force cuts and hurt the team in the future, the prevailing logic was that by then the Redskins would have at least one Super Bowl under their belt. But the Redskins have turned into a high-budget flop at this point in the season.
Things may have hit rock bottom on Sunday. After losing their second Monday night home game of the season, a 27-21 decision against the Tennessee Titans, the Redskins were handed a 16-15 defeat at the hands of a pitiful Arizona Cardinals team. That dropped Washington to 6-4 and a game and a half behind the first place New York Giants. Just as important, the loss made it alarmingly clear that there is no way that this team can just turn it on, as many of its fans have been waiting to see happen all season. If you can't bounce back from a home loss in prime time to beat a bad team, then you're not a real contender.
So what exactly is wrong with the 'Skins? In short, as teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers in baseball learned, money can't buy championships. Now, it's Washington's turn to find that out.
The main reason for Washington's demise has been the sporadic play of the offense. Johnson has not looked like the quarterback he was last year, and George, who started for the first time last week after Johnson was diagnosed with a knee injury, threw two interceptions and no touchdowns. As a result, the Washington attack has dropped from second overall, behind only the unstoppable St. Louis Rams last year, to seventh. It hasn't been horrible, but without number-one wide receiver Michael Westbrook, who is out for the season, the offense hasn't been the same.
The defense, on the other hand, has been good, if not spectacular. While players like Smith and Sanders are not the legends they once were, they have helped give the D a significant upgrade. But against a first-place schedule, a pretty good offense and a pretty good defense will not get it done.
Things should not get any better anytime soon for the Redskins. After a bye, a trip to St. Louis looms before home games against the upstart Philadelphia Eagles and Giants. Although the schedule will then lighten up, if the Redskins play like they have in the last two weeks, they may play themselves right out of a division title and any realistic chance at winning the Super Bowl.
If that happens, not only will the kicker be axed (as Snyder has done three times this season already), but coach Norv Turner will be gone and the franchise will develop into cellar-dweller for years to come. For those who think the worst is over in Washington, think again.
Ross says goodbye to Detroit
This must be getting old for Detroit Lions fans. Still recovering almost a year and a half after Barry Sanders unexpectedly walked away from the game, the fans have now watched their coach abandon ship as well.
Bobby Ross, with his team at 5-4 and in the thick of the playoff hunt, resigned as head coach in Detroit following his team's 23-8 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The decision seemed to be mostly personal and perhaps fueled by his tremendous disdain for losing, which fueled him to apologize to fans after one loss earlier this year and sound dispirited on Sunday.
While the reasons for his resignation are not completely known, the way in which he did it has drawn criticism. Ross did not even attend the press conference in which he quit on Monday, and his abrupt resignation goes against the toughness and discipline he has tried so hard to instill in his players.
Replacing Ross is Gary Moeller, the former University of Michigan coach who was fired in 1995 after his arrest following a disturbance in a restaurant near Detroit. He will have a tough task on his hands in trying to get an offense, which has been stagnant all season, to begin generating points. But maybe, just maybe, he could get some help. After all, Sanders retired largely because he did not get along with Ross. Although a return to football now is highly unlikely, it may be time for the rumors to start swirling in Motown.
TD back in end zone, MVP form
Since Super Bowl XXXIII, about the only times we have seen Terrell Davis looking good on a football field were when he was flanked by his mother in those Campbell's Chunky commercials. He missed most of last year with a torn ACL, and was off to a slow start this year. But that changed on Sunday, when he began to return to his MVP form in a 30-23 Denver Broncos' win over the New York Jets.
He looked a step quicker than he has at any point since 1998, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown. He hadn't had a 100-yard game or a touchdown since the Super Bowl two seasons ago. If he continues to hit the hole as well as he did on Sunday, the Broncos should become a force to be reckoned with. Due to the emergence of Brian Griese as a solid NFL quarterback, the Denver offense is beginning to mirror the John Elway-led machines of 1997 and '98. If everyone stays healthy and the defense doesn't allow any more record-setting rushing totals, Denver could surprise a lot of people from a wild card spot come playoff time.
