nice work Neo.

Amen.

Working on a blog piece that gets into the Haslett thing as well.

It ain't a pretty picture.

Well said, Bob (and Om). The experts, to be fair, really don't haev enough time to analyze every snap of every game of all 32 teams, so they pick and choose who will get the best audience numbers and go from there.

We are close to being relevent again though, and I would expect those numbers to go up when we are, which will mean more exposure.

This sounds incredibly self-serving, but know what I think? I think fans like us, who spend as much time and energy and passion on their team as we do, have become the new "experts."

We're not NFL experts, or X and O experts, but we have a grasp on our own teams that exceeds what I see from most of the media. And that includes not only the national media but many local commentators.

We know the ins, the outs, the trends, the history. They know the current news cycle and the superficial conclusions so easy to regurgitate. The media knows a little bit about a lot of teams and manages to pass it off as knowing a lot about any one.

Bastards.

I noticed.... Glad to have your commentary back.

Yep. I don't care a lick about pre-season NFL football. But I notice it. It's like crossing the line of departure in some coming grand military attack. You're not there yet, but you can hear the drumbeat of the enemy in the distance. Just enough time to check your gear, reassure your buddies, check the guys on your flanks, and get ready to fix bayonets

Hell yeah.

Have to admit, after the first half tonight, this is like not only finding your favorite leather jacket you thought you'd lost two years ago, but finding the pockets stuffed with green.

Money, brother.

Well done, brother. And particularly enjoyable given it allowed me to relive a Cowboys debacle.

What was interesting about that game for me was that after the first few possessions, I was thinking Dallas was establishing the LOS early and it was just a matter of time before the wore the MINN defense down. The Dallas OL came into that game dominant, and early indications were not good for MINN.

When Favre hit that first TD heave to Rice, it seemed to rock Dallas and totally energize MINN, because from then on the LOS was a different story.

A great "franchise QB" can overcome a poor OL if the team also has a great defense (read: '08 Steelers), but it's rare. Even the otherwordly Dan Marino could never get over the top w/o a great run game and defense ... the OL has to be part of the equation if you want anything more than the occasional "fluky" championship (Ravens, Rams, '07 Giants). If you want to be truly elite, you need the franchise QB and a rock solid OL.

Unless you were Joe Gibbs 1.0, that is, in which case, you were so good you could get it done w/ "just" a great OL and defense.

Amen brother!

With the resignation of Viny, things are starting to look up.

Exactly what I keep telling friends of mine and opposing fans

None of us are calling for a Superbowl (like I was when Gibbs came back)

We just know things should be done the right way now

Amen brother, on all counts. In the blink of an eye, we are in more solid hands. This change may also say something about Mr. Snyder - perhaps it took a humiliating failure of a season to get the immovable object rolling, but it has undeniably rolled.

That alone is worth a smile

Excellent piece.

Been thinking about the 49ers of late too, Neo. About how dramatically the right change at the top CAN affect a situation. In the case of the 'niners, they happened to strike gold with Singletary.

I do remember the snickers though, after that first game when he went off on V. Davis in the postgame presser---many observers thought he was so over the top and wound tight he was an anachronism today's players would simply tune out.

Turns out said observers were wrong ... loud wrong.

IF the Redskins thought they had a Singletary aboard, AND the owner was willing to find a proven general manager to work with said coach to build a cohesive roster, AND the owner was willing to step aside and allow said new brain trust do their thing for 2-3 years ... it'd almost make sense to pink skip Zorn today and roll the dice. Unfortunately, that's a lot of IF's to hang our hats on.

Ah well. To answer your final question ...

Danny, you're doing it WRONG.

Excellent article! Overall I agree with everything mentioned.

All fair statements, there.

Smoot was particularly disappointing. That missed tackle not only led to a TD, but it would have ended that drive and forced a FG attempt.

Yes, and this dummy is thinking about printing it out and using it as a guide on Saturday night...LOL. My visiting sis from Pittsburgh (twin and natural football enthusiast while I was the nerdy book worm) will be duly impressed, I'm sure.

What a great summary - cutdowns for dummies - love it

Nicely done brother Neo!

I've always been a Thrash fan--scrapy and resilient, he did a lot for the Redskins during his tenure. He'll be missed indeed.

Ha! I can only imagine what's like. Time to talk smack is now. We are the kings of the off season, after all!