Washington Redskins fans thought they were only a play away from last year’s NFC Championship Game. Now they’re so far from the postseason that googlemaps.com couldn’t find it.
What can the Redskins learn from Sunday’s final four of football featuring New Orleans, Chicago, New England and Indianapolis? That coaches, front office execs and quarterbacks make all the difference.
Indianapolis president Bill Polian is a five-time NFL Executive of the Year after leading Buffalo to four Super Bowl appearances and Carolina to the NFC final in its second year of existence. Now Indianapolis is amid its sixth postseason in seven years with Polian after finishing 3-13 twice before his arrival. Of course, quarterback Peyton Manning certainly makes a difference.
New England demonstrates how a personnel director and coach working together can succeed. Coach Bill Belichick and personnel director Scott Pioli seek their fourth Super Bowl crown in seven seasons together. Gibbs’ credentials match Belichick, but the Redskins have nothing in the front office while Pioli is an ace.
New Orleans coach Sean Payton looks like a miracle worker, but in reality the Saints were big underachievers last season to set up the first-year coach. No one can blame the Saints for tanking last year given they were refugees from Hurricane Katrina. They played seven “home” games in two locations plus a bogus home game in New York. Everyone worried about their families, friends and future after New Orleans was ravaged so last year was a throwaway for them.
Still, Payton shows a new coach can quickly overcome a defeatist attitude. Whenever Gibbs retires again, the Redskins should look for young blood. They’ve tried three well-worn coaches with mixed success. It’s like signing a veteran free agent whom you hope has some good left in him but usually doesn’t.
Chicago proves sticking with a beleaguered quarterback is sometimes worth it. Rex Grossman is not Manning, but did his share this season. When Jason Campbell struggles this fall in his first full year, Grossman has shown why Redskins fans shouldn’t give up so quickly.
Ultimately, the final four have strong front offices and standout passers. The Redskins have neither. No wonder they finished 5-11 and decided to throw the linebackers coach on the offseason flames as the scapegoat. Ironically, the best part of the defense has its coach taking the blame, though Dale Lindsey certainly hurt himself with the poor handling of former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington.
As Redskins owner Dan Snyder reportedly builds a $750 million private investment fund to take over a restaurant chain along with his amusement parks, maybe time demands will force him to hire a general manager. It’s not happening this year, but Redskins fans can only dream Snyder will realize the Redskins need to emulate the NFL’s elite franchises that they once were and find a GM.
Meanwhile, look for New England to beat Indianapolis, 30-23, and New Orleans to upset Chicago, 28-13. Two road dogs to the Super Bowl? Why not, given the playoffs’ razor-thin outcomes lately.
And in the end, New England joins Pittsburgh as a dynasty with another Super Bowl crown. Budweiser wins the $2 million commercial race and Prince rocks at halftime.
It all seems so clear. Sure, and I’m a rocket scientist.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
