It Was Ugly But, A Win Is A Win

The Washington Redskins have to be one of the luckiest teams in America. There is no way they should have left Tennessee Sunday with a win. But, some how, some way, they pulled it off and came away with a 19-16 Overtime win versus a very good Tennessee Titans team led by Vince Young and Chris Johnson. The AFC South has to be one of the toughest division in the NFL and the NFC East has been struggling against them. But Washington and Lady Luck showed up in Nashville Sunday to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, thanks in part to the Redskins Defense who has showed up more times than not and, they did it again this past Sunday.

Let’s get one thing straight, Tennessee is a very good team led by Vince Young who looked good for the most part Sunday, Chris Johnson who is a TD just waiting to happen on every play, Kenny Britt who was injured and couldn’t play and Randy Moss who the Redskins took away from the Titans Sunday. Give that team some time to gel and we could be easily looking at the AFC Conference Champions. With all of that being said, Washington did a great job of keeping that potent Offense off of the field, but sustaining drives and running the ball. Washington dominated the clock with Time of Possession (T.O.P.) 40:09 to 26:34. Usually when your opponents have the ball almost twice the amount of time that you’ve had it, the results are not good. And although Chris Johnson had 130 yards on 21 carries, he never once crossed the goal line. How many teams can say that? The Redskins fought like a team clinging to their Playoff hopes. But even though the Redskins won, they lost a lot of players.

In all seven players were either hurt or injured. Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Clinton Portis, Rocky McIntosh, Kedrick Golston and Anderson Russell who started in place of the injured LaRon Landry were among the players who left the game with various injuries. There is a concern about the long term affects of Sunday's game. LaRon Landry, Ryan Torain and Carlos Rogers were already hurt going into Sunday's game and one can only hope to have them return by next week. The one thing that Washington has been able to do is avoid the injury bug. Well, it bit the hell out of them Sunday and they were still able to win. The sad thing is Vince Young seems to be trudging down the same winding road that Redskins’ QB Donovan McNabb had to go down.  And it looks like his ride will be a bit more bumpy than Donovan McNabb’s.

Vince Young will never be appreciated for what he brings to the table in Tennessee. It was just last season in which the Titans started 0-6. Insert Vince Young, the Titans finish 8-8 and one game out of the Playoffs. Right now the Titans are in the thick of the AFC South divisional race and Young has played well for the most party. He struggled against the Redskins and was greeted with a course of boos from the home crowd. I guess people thought that the Redskins’ Defense wasn’t good. Well I don’t know what tape they were watching but this Redskins Defense, talent wise, can swing with any team in the NFL. And certainly one game should not be an indictment on the young man, but I’ve come to realize that there are a different set of rules as it relates to Black QB’s. Just ask Donovan McNabb.

It was just three weeks ago, the “experts” had Donovan on his way out of D.C. and suiting up for either the Minnesota Vikings or the Arizona Cardinals. The Chicago Bears were even thrown around for good measure. Then a funny thing happened on the way to the stadium for Donovan last week. He signs a 5-year, $78 Million contract. Now some speculate as to the terms of the contract and how the Redskins can get out of it with minimal risk(s). But with all of that being said, it says something about their plans for Donovan McNabb. A guy who was never really appreciated by the “experts,” and even some Eagles fans. But I’ll tell you one thing, McNabb finds ways to win games. He doesn’t get style points for pretty wins, but he does win. Brett Favre gets a free pass for a lot of things, but let’s not act like Brett has as many rings as Tom Brady. Brady, in my opinion, should be the standard for QB’s. He just wins games, and Super Bowls. Granted Brady is 3-1 in Super Bowls, but that is 4 Super Bowl appearances in 10 years. Peyton “the Great” has only 2 appearances in his 13 years, and one win, and Brett has 2 appearances but both were over 10 years. In a league that asks, “What have you done for me lately,” how is it that Favre gets a free pass? McNabb, with very little talent around him for the most part, has 5 NFC Championship appearances, one NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance, just never seems to do enough. But after watching him in Tennessee this past Sunday, I’ll take a guy that wins games any day of the week over a guy with records. Because at the end of the day, and a career, people only remember Champions, and if McNabb can win one Super Bowl before he retires, should he not be mentioned with the Manning’s (both Eli And Peyton), the Favre’s, the Marino’s, the Kelly’s, and the Tarkenton’s?

Eagles, Rain, Storm D.C. as Vick Set Records

Hurricane Michael touched down in D.C. Monday night. The damage was severe. This natural disaster was televised and was very ugly. As a lifelong Redskins fan, I have seen some ugly games, and lopsided wins. But last night was something out of Hollywood. I mean it was only two years ago that people thought that Michael Vick would never play QB in the NFL again. And now Vick is on the cusp of NFL history. There are seven games left in the regular season and Vick is positioning himself and the Eagles for a Playoff run. And even though the Eagles are in the Redskins’ division, as long as Vick is starting, I hope the Eagles go to, and win, the Super Bowl.

There were people, even Eagles fans, who were upset that Vick was signed to their team last season. Comments were made that were borderline offensive and racist. People made references to his intelligence, or lack there of, on a regular basis. But, it’s funny how all of the critics are on vacation while Vick is ripping through the NFL. And people wonder why Black people are still crying racism, in sports and America. The All-American boy, Peyton Manning, faced off against Vick last week and lost. The Golden Boy, Tom Brady (no disrespect to Brady, I love Tom, and I think he is still a Top 3 QB in the NFL), will get his opportunity at some point as well and my guess is the results will be the same. Vick is playing at a Super Bowl level right now and he took it out on my boys Monday night. I tried to get upset with the Redskins, but I was too happy for Vick. I had to put my loyalties for the Redskins aside and honor my loyalties as a Black man to Vick.

The NFL is on old organization. Many guys have played QB for teams in the NFL (and even the AFL), but Michael Vick became the first player in NFL history to have 300+ Passing Yards, 50+ Rushing Yards, 4+ TD Passes and 2+ Rushing TD’s in one game, which turned out to be the greatest performance by a QB on Monday Night Football, ever. Talk about winning the game all by yourself. Vick’s 80 Rushing Yards moved him to #2 All-Time behind Randall Cunningham for Most Rushing Yards by a QB. I really want to be upset about the Redskins losing the way that they did, but, if anyone deserved to have the spotlight on them and was due for that kind of performance, I am glad it was Vick. Say what you will about the man, but Vick deserved a second chance and I am glad he got it.

Donovan McNabb worked his ass off to be the most balanced QB that he could possibly be. And still, McNabb gets no respect. Carson Palmer is stinking up the joint in Cincinnati, but people blamed Chad Ochocinco, and are now blaming Terrell Owens. Jay Cutler has not won a playoff game yet, but Lovie Smith is on the hot seat. David Garrard was being blamed for Jacksonville’s woes, but can you name me one of Garrard’s Wide Receivers? I’ll give you one, Mike Sims-Walker. Do you know who that is? My point exactly. Michael Vick had Roddy White and Michael Jenkins in Atlanta, but at the time they were not producing. Now White is having a career year in Atlanta. Where was that when Vick was there? Vick carried that Falcons for years, yet he was being blamed for lack of wins, even though, he had very little talent around him. Vick wasn’t supposed to be able to come back to the NFL and play, let alone start. But with his second chance in football, but more importantly, life, Vick is taking full advantage of it and I can’t think of one person in the NFL who deserves it more.

Michael Vick’s action should have gotten him in trouble, but two years in Leavenworth was over the top. Just like my post last week, I can hear Bob Marley strumming his guitar singing his famous track “Redemption Song.” And Vick is getting his redemption now. I personally hope Vick wins the NFL MVP award this year, and the Super Bowl MVP. Can you imagine how pissed some people would be? I’ll bet the “N” word will be flying freely at that point. It doesn’t matter, Vick is doing his thing and has quieted his critics showing that he is and NFL QB, and quite possibly a Superstar. If you don’t like it, change the channel. The most electrifying player in the NFL is back. I am just glad that the Redskins don’t have another regular season game against Philadelphia. Otherwise we might be seeing a repeat performance.

A SONG OF REDEMPTION: TWO VERSES, ONE ENDING!!

It was years ago, a man from Jamaica recorded a track call the Redemption Song. The sound of his voice moves me to this day. Bob Marley was a great musician from my family’s native country of Jamaica. The song wasn’t in your face, it was smooth and soothing. Almost as if he knew something others didn’t. I could hear that song playing in my head Sunday as I watched two Black NFL Quarterbacks guide their teams to victory in such a smooth and calm manner. Almost as if, they knew that they were going to win. Jason Campbell and Michael Vick are two examples of what can happen when you feel as though you have support when you are backed into a wall. I want to say to both of them, "Keep playing the music my Brotha’s. Keep playing the music." Everyone may not want to listen to it, but they do hear it.

Jason Campbell was casted off by my hometown team Washington Redskins. To a man, I didn’t like it. I figured why not fix the issues around him and then let’s see what’s good. Well everyone thought the problem was Campbell so off to Oakland he went, almost for next to nothing. I think Oakland made out in this deal. Watching the game Sunday was great for me. Jason Campbell look as poised and as smooth as ever. He never looked like he doubted the outcome of the game at all. The signature play came in overtime as Campbell completed a pretty floater to Jacoby Ford for a 47 yard gain which set up the game winning Field Goal in Overtime. I can remember a time when Campbell would have driven all the way down the field only to throw an Interception to end the game. It doesn’t make him a bad QB, because the great Brett Favre has thrown more Interceptions than anyone in NFL history. It just says to me it wasn’t his time to make those plays. The fact that Campbell could move his team in the clutch spoke volumes to me. But who am I? I will tell you who I am not. I am not an idiot. The average fan is smarter than management/ownership gives them credit for. We know when smoke is being blown up our asses. And the fact that Jason Campbell was blamed for the Redskins’ issues was a bunch of crap. Don’t believe me? Ask Donovan McNabb what he thinks right now.

Jason Campbell has the fans in Black Hole going crazy. And I, being a Redskins fan, am very excited for Campbell. Oakland is in the thick of the AFC West Division race and Jason Campbell had to fight back from injury to win back his starting job. As it stands Oakland is 5-4 and Campbell is poised for playoff run. Good luck Jason. We here in Washington are secretly pulling for you.

Another guy that I can’t wait to see how things shape up for is Michael Vick. As much as I’d hate to admit it, I want Michael Vick and the Eagles to make the NFL Playoffs, only because Vick is starting. I remember days in Atlanta when Michael Vick was all that Atlanta had to offer. By his own admission, Vick never took playing QB seriously. What didn’t help was hearing his highly touted WR Roddy White say that he too didn’t take playing WR in the NFL seriously. That bothered me considering that the ultimate pro, Warrick Dunn, was on that team as well. Although Vick made the NFC Championship Game one year, people didn’t respect his game. And after the drastic fall of Vick, which included him going to jail in a maximum security prisoin like he was a serial killer, he was given another opportunity to play football… in Philadelphia. I was happy and mad at the same time. We all knew that Michael Vick was the blueprint of what the QB’s of the future were going to be like. But, what if Vick learned how to play from the pocket and use his athletic abilities only when needed? Well we have been getting the answer to that question this season. And you know what, it is scary.

Vick went head to head with Peyton Manning this past Sunday. Guess who won? What is surprising is Vick didn’t stop running. Vick has learned when and how to use his athletic ability. Vick is undefeated so far this season and has yet to throw an INT. What is scary is Vick has young WRs who are very mature beyond their years. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Macklin are a great 1-2 punch. And when Brent Celek and Cornelius Ingram get on the field at the same time with LeSean McKoy, Vick will be surrounded by the most talent he has ever had. Philadelphia is in position to win the NFC East this season, but it will not be easy. But watching Vick Sunday made me think, “Wow, it can happen!”

Michael Vick is making throws from the pocket. Vick is moving around in the pocket to avoid sacks and is still looking downfield to make throws. For all of you Mike Vick haters, Vick’s accuracy is deadly now. Vick can avoid sacks by making moves only seen by RB’s such as Barry Sanders. And when all else fails, Vick is still one of the fastest players on the field. I remember some geniuses saying Vick should be converted to a Running Back? Why? Because of his athletic ability? Do you still think that people? Do you still think that Michael Vick is not an NFL QB? Because his stats tell another story. Take a look for yourself:



7- Michael Vick (QB) Philadelphia Eagles
Passer Rating - 105.3 (Leads NFL), that's right... Michael Vick leads the NFL in Passer Rating.
Completions – 76
Attempts – 125
Completion % - 60.8% (Career High)
Yards – 1,017
Average Yards – 8.1 (Career High)
Touchdowns – 7
Interceptions – 0

Jason Campbell and Michael Vick both have a long way to go to gain mass appeal because everyone wants them to be the next Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. But Brady and Manning can’t do what they can do either. Black QB’s just have a different flavor that they bring to the game. The NFL is not really ready for it. Can you imagine if Michael Vick was the face of the NFL? Donovan McNabb was about as close to crossover appeal as Black QB’s were going to get in this era, but when McNabb was poised to take over… SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENED. I just hope Vick and Campbell take that much needed step forward in appealing to the masses. Just keep in mind that their appeal has nothing to do with their abilities. And then maybe on day, we can hear the great Bob Marley off in the distance strumming his guitar singing his song with such warmth. Almost as if he were trying to say, “Everything will be o.k.” Everything will be o.k. people, because regardless of ethnicity/color/race/creed, these are still football players. As long as they can play the game, everything else shouldn’t matter. But secretly I’ll be playing Bob Marley’s song over and over in my head. I can hear him singing that song now for Vick and Campbell.

REDEMPTION SOOOOONG!!! REDEMPTION SOOOOONG!!!

WILL THE REAL WASHINGTON REDSKINS PLEASE STAND UP??!!

Were you surprised? I wasn’t. The Detroit Lions are not a bad team, and to add insult to injury, I believe that the Lions just have the Redskins’ number right now. In the last three games between the Lions and Redskins, the Lions are 2-1. And the game that they lost was a close one. There was no surprise that my pick for best player in the 2010 NFL Draft, Ndamukong Suh, was going to play well. There was no surprise Calvin Johnson would play well. Calvin is the other Johnson (Andre) that has been playing well, but gets overlooked because of where he plays. Kyle Vanden Bosch didn’t surprise me with how well he played and neither did Cliff Avril. The Lions Defensive Line just whipped the Redksins at the point of attack all game. Not even the play of Redskins return man, Brandon Banks surprised me. What did surprise me was how poorly the Redskins pass protected. And the icing on the cake was that McNabb seemed to be getting most of the blame.

 

See when you bench Derrick Dockery in favor of Cory Lichtensteiger, he’d better perform well. Because if you haven’t noticed is, Dockery is the most consistent Offensive Linemen that the Redskins have had over the past few season. Even the Rookie, Trent Williams, who draws the toughest assignments week after week, is playing better than Lichtensteiger. And let’s not even get started on the right side of the Offensive Line. It is down right Offensive. I am wondering how anyone expects Donovan McNabb to get anything done when he is constantly looking up at the sky before he gets to finish his drops. Now if Donovan starts running again, people will say that he is not getting it done from the pocket. If he sits in the pocket, especially behind this line, his wife will have to make sure that their insurance policy is all paid up. Sorry Roxy (McNabb), they put Donovan in a tough spot. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Coach Shanahan benches Donovan. His explanation was weak at best and it could make for a sticky situation in Washington.

See Coach Shanahan, if you are going to talk to the media, make sure you are consistent. First you say Rex Grossman understood the 2-Minute Offense better than Donovan. Then you said Donovan had nagging injuries that would have slowed him and hindered him running the 2-Minute Offense. And last, but not least, and my personal favorite, you eluded to the fact that Donovan might not have, as you put it, the “cardiovascular endurance.” Don’t blow smoke up our asses as fans. Just say that you think McNabb was out of shape. Give me a break and talk straight to us. There are fans out here that have played and/or understand football a bit more than you all give us credit for. And, right now, you ego might be pissing away the Redskins’ playoff chances. I love Donovan McNabb, but just one time I want him to go off and tell someone to kiss his ass. Just once D-Mac. I know that is not you, but I can dream can’t I? Shanahan needs to get a grip, or we will be drafting in the Top 10 yet again in April.

The Redskins have two good Wide Receivers, two good Tight Ends, and now, two good running backs. The problem is, I think that they only have three good Offensive Linemen. One is inactive (God only knows why), one is playing his Rookie ass off, and the third is on IR. The Bye Week better a time in which Washington goes back to the drawing board or they will finish a dismal 2-6 down the stretch again. Trust me, teams like Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Minnesota will kick ass if we go into those games doing the crap that we’ve been doing over the past 8 weeks. I said from the beginning of the season that Jacksonville and Tennessee are not good matchups for Washington, and right now, they would blow the Redskins out if they were to play one another. Fix the Offensive Line and give Donovan some time, and we will right the ship. Otherwise, you will see fans wearing brown paper bags over their collective heads. Do you really want that right now Danny Boy?