Unfortunately for the region's sports fans, frustration and disappointment in our chosen teams are becoming all too common, as well. The roster of stars who have ventured to the nations' capitol to help save our beleaguered franchises is a long and distinguished one. Michael Jordan, Jaromir Jagr, and Bruce Smith all will eventually enter the Hall of Fame in their respective sports. None of them will get there based on their play in this town, though. It doesn't matter which sport we are cheering for. Once the season is underway, it doesn't take long for optimism to turn to pessimism.
As the Redskins board their flight for Chicago, their latest cavalcade of saviors will be in a familiar position. Rather than building on successes and finally banishing the collective monkey from Washington's back, Coach Gibbs and his staff are struggling for answers to their offensive futility. Mark Brunell, the NFL's 12th leading passer in history has looked no better than 112th so far this season. Prized running back Clinton Portis, who after just two seasons felt he should be the highest paid running back in the league, has been decidedly average. And most surprising of all, Coach Gibbs, offensive genius, has failed to generate more than 18 points in a game this season. Who would have thought that 5 games into this season we would be longing for the 4 wide receiver sets so common under Steve Spurrier?
While the problems with the Redskins right now start with Coach Gibbs, it's becoming more and more obvious that he just doesn't have the players he needs to run his pound-it-out ball control offense. As well as the defense has played thus far, -- ranked 2nd in rushing defense, 5th in passing defense, and 3rd overall -- even an average performance from the offense would have this team in a different position in the standings. Kyle Boller, perhaps the only quarterback in league playing worse than Brunell, had one of the worst games of his career last weekend, going 9-of-18 for a measly 81 yards and three interceptions. The Ravens offense generated only three points en route to their victory. In what is beginning to sound like a broken record, turnovers, special teams play, and offensive ineptitude handed the Redskins their 4th straight loss.
