tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post5646685368865491513..comments2009-01-26T15:59:51.667-05:00Mark "Om" Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10977539052121255474noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-81431813292758571222009-01-26T15:59:00.000-05:002009-01-26T15:59:00.000-05:00Yeah, the difference between the team that beat Dallas and Philly on the road and lost to Cincy was night and day. We could spend hours talking about why, given all the variables in play this year.<BR/><BR/>At this point though, short and sweet, I'm thinking the two most central keys to avoiding a repeat in '09 are improved play from the QB position, and upgrades in the trenches. The latter being, in my view, both the more glaring area of need and the harder one to "fix" in just one offseason.Mark "Om" Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10977539052121255474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-41646075503734050482009-01-26T15:47:00.000-05:002009-01-26T15:47:00.000-05:002008 was a tale of two totally different teams. The team during the win streak I'd put up against the two teams in the Super Bowl and feel pretty damn good. The team that lost to Cincy, St. Louis, and San Fran I wouldn't feel good about against the local high school team down the road. It just didn't make much sense to me. I'm starting to believe that the skins just aren't tough enough or want it bad enough. You watch how other teams play with what I call controlled recklessness. Remember how ST played? Everyone's gotta play like that to be an elite NFL squad.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-64774350730773608922009-01-26T07:12:00.000-05:002009-01-26T07:12:00.000-05:00done !!<BR/><BR/>see you in august, although i will look forward to your comments on what comes before<BR/><BR/>shallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-18179079809582427832009-01-26T01:13:00.000-05:002009-01-26T01:13:00.000-05:00RBD, you are far too kind, my friend.Mark "Om" Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10977539052121255474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-79635714125143445632009-01-26T01:11:00.000-05:002009-01-26T01:11:00.000-05:00Shally,<BR/><BR/>I think you may have misunderstood my reference to the 8-8 Gibbs team of 1980. I made no suggestion that the 2008 team's performance, or what I think they may do in 2009, has any parallels with '80 than the final record.<BR/><BR/>Again, I'm not as ready as you to begin making assumptions or judgments about 2009 or beyond. We have free agency, the draft, minicamps, QB schools, training camp and preseason standing between the '08 team and the team that opens '09. There will be all manner of changes, developments, evolutions and whatever else fate throws our way. <BR/><BR/>Let's do this, though. Let's plan to meet here again in late August when there's enough meat on them bones for both of us to chew on.Mark "Om" Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10977539052121255474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-56529954711648330542009-01-25T23:47:00.000-05:002009-01-25T23:47:00.000-05:00Hermano, you continue to astonish me with your writing. Quite possibly the best I've ever read; you are the Master.<BR/><BR/>Well written, and I concur.BigRedskinDaddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10979199057190710014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-90839661705731955852009-01-25T22:43:00.000-05:002009-01-25T22:43:00.000-05:00i understand your points. but the way we got to 8-8 is far different from the way joe gibbs got to 8-8 his first year.<BR/>we were 2-6 over the last half of the season and looked every bit that bad. there are a lot more problems that remain, than we have options this off season. not to run through them all, but we have issues on all 3 sides of the ball. plus a coaching staff and front office that inspires little confidence.<BR/>i have no doubt that we will have an offseason that is trumpeted as being the best in the nfl..<BR/>dont we hear that every year ?<BR/><BR/>i bring a 50 year perspective of being a Redskin fan. i can remember seeing eddie leBaron play live.. so, over the years, i have probably seen every kind of offseason you could imagine. this one smells of desperation to me, and i am NOT optimistic at all.<BR/><BR/>to come back to the actual purpose of you column, i think the 2008 season, or at least the last half of it, will be recalled as showing the cracks in the foundation of the franchise that prophesied the debacle of 2009.<BR/>this in turn, will lead to the complete overhaul of the team, coaches, and front office that will follow next year.<BR/><BR/>please understand, i am not wishing for that to happen. i am far too much of a fan to ever root against my team. but, i see very little reason for optimism, other than blind faith, right now.<BR/>let's see what happens over the next few months to change that perception. i sure hope i am wrong.....<BR/><BR/>shallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-19711256022405750512009-01-25T19:25:00.000-05:002009-01-25T19:25:00.000-05:00A valid question, my friend, but not really following on what the piece is about. This one's about how '08 will be remembered, not how '09 is likely to play out. <BR/><BR/>That said, I am far less pessimistic than you. Sitting here today, before the offseason changes even begin to take place, I see pretty much exactly the same team that just finished 8-8. We won't see that same team in September, though. For better or for worse, there will be changes of all kinds.<BR/><BR/>Ask me again in August. :)Mark "Om" Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10977539052121255474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3845486561905685878.post-60975182798986984662009-01-25T19:13:00.000-05:002009-01-25T19:13:00.000-05:00i seriously doubt it will be remembered as a stepping stone to greater glory. this team, and coaching staff, looks a lot more likely to follow 2008 with a 4-12 season, than a 12-4...<BR/>the early gibbs era drafts were inspired. the qb/rb situation was solid. the defense was led by one of the great DC's of the modern era.<BR/>do you see any comparisons in 2008 that are valid ?<BR/>i dont<BR/><BR/>shallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com