Whenever a coach begins his postgame remarks thanking fans, it’s not a good day. But Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan never saw the passion of FedEx Field spilling through the stands — inspiring fights by men and women — before Sunday. Oh, he’d heard of the rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys, but the series that has been so lopsided in recent years seemed almost forgotten. Instead, it is indeed alive.
Dallas escaped with a 27-24 victory, but Washington delivered its most entertaining home game in several seasons. A stadium one-third filled with Cowboys fans created an emotional outpouring reminiscent of the 1970s and ’80s when the series mattered.
It suddenly felt very personal.
“I thought our fans were unbelievable today,” Shanahan said. “Starting the game all the way through … they did give us some extra jolt.”
Maybe there’s some hope for a team that has now dropped six straight games. The Redskins winning another game or two in the final six weeks doesn’t matter as much as continuing to engage fans.
FedEx Field has always been sterile compared to predecessor RFK. Losing does that. But Landover finally found its fond memory even if the ending was cruel.
The maybe 50,000 Washington backers in the stands showed that nearly 20 years of mediocrity is finally draining the franchise’s local grip. The team removed 10,000 seats this season because they haven’t been used in years. They could take another 10,000 of the 80,000 because demand isn’t there.
That doesn’t mean Washingtonians no longer love this team, though. They’re just tired of believing in a promised turnaround that doesn’t come. Year No. 2 of Shanahan is a disaster.
But watching the Redskins play hard in a loss to the Cowboys matters to fans. And it should matter to players even if the roster tends to practically flip every three years.
“That was a very interesting time,” said quarterback Rex Grossman, who has lost three games vs. Dallas by a combined eight points. “Playing in this rivalry, it is the best.
“You play for these moments. It’s disappointing we didn’t get a victory, but I enjoyed myself.”
Former Redskins tight end Doc Walker, now a local radio/TV commentator, cheering on from the sideline inspired Grossman. Redskins broadcaster and Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen talked with the passer in preceding days about the rivalry.
“You really kind of get it,” Grossman said. “A lot of times you think you really only have that kind of allegiance in college. You really feel it in these rivalry games.”
The question is whether the narrow loss will propel a rejuvenated finish or was it merely the last stand before a complete collapse. It could go either way.
But at least Redskins fans know the team, even in losing, still cares. They’re not just cashing paychecks.
The passion was remembered on the field and in the stands. Maybe it’s the start of a renewed romance.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
