That honking around town is supposed to be a celebration of Dallas Cowboys week. Frankly, it’s just more hot air.
Honking is just the latest in a series of token moves by Washington Redskins’ management to resurrect what once was the NFL’s best rivalry. What else could you expect from a team employing general manager Bruce Allen, whose father — late Redskins coach George Allen — hated Dallas so much he once offered to fight Cowboys counterpart Tom Landry at midfield for the victory.
The air is long gone from this rivalry, though. The only thing that will restore it is if a late-season meeting decides who makes the postseason. That’s what made the games in the 1970s and 80s so spectacular.
Opening against Dallas on Sunday feels too early. Sure, they’ve done it before. Richie Petitbon’s 1993 debut was a 35-16 runaway over Dallas on “Monday Night Football.” It turned out to be the end of the Redskins’ Super Bowl era, which quickly faded away.
To Redskins players, the opener just happens to be against the Cowboys. It could be anybody as far as they care.
“We can play on Thursday, we can play on Friday — it doesn’t matter,” quarterback Donovan McNabb said. “This is the regular season. I’m sure everyone in Washington is going to be fired up.”
Actually, players are more excited it’s a nationally televised night game.
“[The rivalry] doesn’t matter to me, but it’s going to be fun under the lights,” said guard Derrick Dockery, one of five native Texans on the Redskins. “People watching back home.”
At least receiver Anthony Armstrong carries the rivalry tradition — only he’s a turncoat in the family. Armstrong was a Cowboys fan growing up in Carrollton, Texas and well remembers the Redskins’ shocking 14-13 victory over Dallas in 2005.
“Those two touchdowns from [Redskins quarterback Mark] Brunell was pretty tough,” Amstrong said. “I told Santana [Moss, who caught both] it took me a little while to get to liking him. They were heartfelt games that meant a lot to each city. Being on this side of it will be a little bit different.”
Even though their favorite son now plays for Washington, Armstrong’s family won’t convert their allegiance.
“They’re Cowboys fans that root for me,” he said. “They’re giving me a hard time. They’re saying the Cowboys are going to win.”
Maybe Armstrong should beep his horn at them.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
