$100 million signing Albert Haynesworth did not bring the Redskins the season they imagined.
After back-to-back losses to divisional rivals by a combined four points, the Redskins season hit a new low by blowing a 23-yard field goal to put away the undefeated New Orleans Saints. While there were other plays that could have altered the outcome, specifically Kareem Moore getting stripped of his interception and returned for a touchdown, the missed field goal is a microcosm of how the team performs. Washington cannot put a team away, play well down the stretch and has absolutely no leadership on the roster or coaching staff.
While the team could possibly be commended for playing tough opponents close with a decimated roster and no depth to speak of, that sentiment never comes to fruition because of the terrible decision making, unaccountability, and overall inability to make plays when necessary that occurs week in and week out.
To be fair, let’s call a spade, a spade. This team has a massive amount of injuries to deal with. Future Hall of Fame left tackle Chris Samuels, right guard Randy Thomas, backup right guard Chad Rinehart, backup right tackle and guard Mike Williams, starting running back Clinton Portis, backup running back Ladell Betts, tight end Chris Cooley, strong safety Chris Horton, strong safety Reed Doughty, and backup defensive end Jeremy Jarmon were all placed on season-ending injured reserve. In addition, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, right tackle Stephon Heyer and cornerback DeAngelo Hall missed significant time due to ankle and knee injuries.
Normally, a list like that would equal a death sentence for a team’s season, and it has for Washington. However, those injuries are not the reason this team plays so poorly. There is talent on both sides of the ball, sans the offensive line, and the defense plays well on a regular basis. The reason the Redskins are the way they are is because no one steps up and leads the team. No one is outspoken on the field, and Lord knows coach Jim Zorn will never get above “medium.” There are rumors that some players get preferential treatment and are excused from activities while others are not. If true, there is a lack of institutional control and respect for how an organization should be run. Quite honestly, it shows on the field.
The level of apathy in this season spread from the team to the fans, and the hatred that showered the front office and owner Daniel Snyder subsided in favor of people finding other things to do with their Sundays. Injuries or not, this season was doomed with a poorly run offensive system, a bad overall attitude, a lack of respect and a failure of any coach or executive to do anything about it. The new regime will have to address these issues before there can be any turnaround in the nation’s capital.
