It hurts to be a Skins fan sometimes

It hurts to be a Washington Redskins fan sometimes.

I mean what a great first half to this season. I was so excited I really thought we had found the right coaches, players and mojo. The defense was tough, stingy and game changing at times. The offense was tight, unpredictable and ball hogging. We beat Dallas and Philly away in great games. It looked as though we were the real deal.

Then in a matchup I believed would make or break us as a real contenders in the NFL, took place at home against the Steelers. Break us it did! Our defense was soft and the offense played as boys among men. I only wish it had been a wakeup call rather than a premonition to the second half of the season as we entered into the all too familiar downward spiral out of the playoffs. I mean at 6-2 you would have to almost bank on making the playoffs right?

So where do we go from here? I for one believe that we can build upon the success without major roster changes or another coaching overhaul. Our draft was poor with the exception of standout Chris Horton. The WR’s drafted made no difference in any game I witnessed. Some danger was anticipated, at least from their size and height. In all fairness they did not play much but it most likely was due to the fact that they were ineffective.

I do think Campbell can develop but some QB’s take so long that they can see their career passing them by. Hopefully Jason Campbell will not cement a place in that group. He has had some past difficulties with the carousel of coordinators, but the second half was all on him. He proved what he was capable of the first half of the season and frankley stunk up the joint the second half. He has to accept a great deal of responsibility for that. Do not get me wrong Jason Campbell is a quality player, and more impotantly, a quality person.

As much as I hate to say it the QB position still appears to be our weakest link. The running game is solid and has great depth, something most franchises dream of (cough… Arizona). Portis is the best all around back in the league (rushing, receptions, blocking, total offense) but even he can’t win them all for us. As great as Portis is it still gives us one dimension when the QB struggles like the whole second half of the season. A good team adapts and overcomes to win games, something we did see the first half of the season. No draft or free agent is going to fix this team. We just have to give these guys some time to grow and gel. In the meantime, Time is running out.

Thx