Rick Snider: For Redskins, bye week brings welcome case of amnesia
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
November 3, 2009
They're back ... whether anyone cares or not.
The Redskins returned from their midseason break with a short practice on Monday. Players spent a few days taking their kids trick or treating or bowling, hanging around the practice facility and simply sitting at home. Anything but living in the circus that has become this season.
Certainly, a few days away from the latest fire/sell/no-signs movements that turned the 2-5 start into the second coming of a Michael Vick controversy had to help. But the bye can also become a second season divider.
The locker room was a little more friendly, the usual laughter returning after several weeks of silence. Todd Yoder taunted linemate Casey Rabach. DeAngelo Hall joked of not being the next Brett Favre story when returning to Atlanta on Sunday. Fred Davis excitedly spoke over starting for injured Chris Cooley.
"Faith," defensive end Andrew Carter said of the emotional turnaround, "If you don't have faith you shouldn't play the game."
The Redskins seem long shots to make the playoffs, especially playing eight of nine games versus playoff contenders. Yet, the break lets players separate from the past as if it's a second season. The Redskins were 0-7 in 1998 before returning to finish 6-3.
"It's going to be a tough November for us," receiver Malcolm Kelly said, "but if we don't make many mistakes we have a shot."
The real question is whether fans still care. TV ratings were roughly equal to last season's 5-2 start despite three more losses. That proves fans still care. They may yell more at the screen. Fewer Redskins jerseys will be purchased as Christmas presents. The no-shows could be staggering against Denver on Nov. 15 at FedEx Field. But, fans still care.
For all the "Fire Jim Zorn/Vinny Cerrato/Dan Snyder" T-shirts sold in recent weeks to cloth a growing Burgundy Revolution, fans return from the break just as ready for more football as players. The break lets everyone develop amnesia for the better.
Hall jested over shedding a tear if beating Atlanta one moment and calling his old Falcons boss a nasty word the next. Redemption and revenge in one afternoon wouldn't be bad. And Hall wouldn't be alone.
It promises to be a long march into the offseason. A few may not make it to San Diego for the final game. A week or two from now the laughter could vanish from the Ashburn training facility.
For one more brief moment, though, it's not a bad season.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.
