Weatherman Bob Ryan may be the Washington Redskins’ secret weapon.
Despite playing in Jacksonville, Fla., on Sunday, the Redskins are praying for major snow in the District. It’s the only way anyone will watch this game.
The Redskins are out of the playoffs. They’re experimenting with the roster after six losses in seven games. The Jaguars mean nothing to Redskins fans. It’s the day after Christmas, when there are many alternatives to watching a bad team’s meaningless game.
“Madden NFL 11” may be on more local TVs than the Redskins. You might actually read one of those books under the tree or put together the kids’ toys.
Normally, Redskins games draw about half of the households in the D.C. area. A bad rating would be 45 percent. This one could match the temperature outside.
Trying to pick the most meaningless games of the Redskins’ post-Super Bowl era is tough. There are just too many. Last year’s farewell for Jim Zorn in San Diego. The 2000 finale after Norv Turner was fired. Winning before 25,705 in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve 1994.
But this one ranks up there even though Jacksonville is a playoff contender. Players have tried to fake interest, but it takes a lobotomy to care.
Quarterback Rex Grossman is probably the only player who’s excited. He wants to show his four-touchdown outing against Dallas on Dec. 19 was not a fluke and his three turnovers were.
The number of times Fox will show Donovan McNabb looking sad on the sideline could inspire a drinking game. Buy some more egg nog before kickoff.
Indeed, fans are reduced to catching a peek of John Beck, the former third-string passer now dangled as the potential future of the franchise. That is until the Redskins draft a quarterback in the first round come April.
Fans surely don’t want to watch any more of this 3-4 defense. It’s ranked dead last. Think coach Mike Shanahan will reconsider over the offseason and return to a 4-3? About as likely as Republicans reconsidering tax cuts for the rich.
The worst part is there’s still one more game remaining. The Redskins are already touting available tickets for the home game against the New York Giants on Jan. 2. A big visiting crowd may be needed for FedEx Field to reach half-capacity.
Unfortunately, there may be little for area fans to watch during an offseason that will be marred by labor lockout issues. The Wizards are dreadful again. The Capitals are turning coach Bruce Boudreau into the king of the bleeps. The Nationals are still a couple years away from .500.
Redskins fans will be desperate for training camp to open whenever the labor deal comes. For now, they’re desperate to move on from this season.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter@Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
