The Bounce Back

Hello Sports World. Here it is another football week in the books that finds your girl in front the computer again. Last week I left the web agitated and worried. Not only was an upsetting feeling left within me after the 24 to 17 loss the Redskins were dealt at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, but to make matters worse rookie quarterback Robert Griffen III suffered a concussion in the same game. Personally, I believe if RGIII had had a chance to stay in the game the team would have ended up victorious. I mean the very play that caused his concussion was indeed the play that helped the Redskins go up by a field goal. Unfortunately, this game does not leave time for "what ifs."

Anyways, it was another Skins lost and uncertainty filled the air in regards to their quarterback. Would RGIII even be able to play in week 6. as to whether or not their quarterback would even play. Redskin faithful were happy to get the news that RGIII would in fact give it a go against the Minnesota Vikings.   Hopefully the young quarterback would go into his next game in learning a lesson. Most importantly, when deciding to leave the pocket he would protect himself and get out of the bounds. A scrambling quarterback's best friend is indeed the sideline and if he wanted any chance of staying with the team and being productive throughout the rest of the season he would utilize it.

The Skins showed up to play and were complete control of game, impressively connecting on all cylinders. The overall consensus around the NFL is that Robert Griffen III is a young quarterback with great potential. All believe that he has the ability to be a one of the top quarterbacks of the future in this league. Out of the games he has played thus far I am pinpointing this one as his coming out party. He completed 17 of 22 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Not only did he put up numbers in the air. He put in his own personal numbers on the grounds as well rushing for over 138 yards and 2 touchdowns. Let the Records come!!! With 379 rushing yards as a quarterback on the season he now holds the team rushing record by a quarterback in a single season. This total surpasses Harry Gilmer's 365 rushing yards and served as both quarterback and running back. The highest numbers before that were held by Joe Theisman in 1984, who rushed for 314 yards and mainly played QB. As if this was not enough to take in their was more.

Ironically, the man who left with a concussion last game's glory came from him being productive rushing. Even though it certain instances you can tell that he was nervous, RGIII would keep both composure in the pocket and he can run with a flash within him that puts him in conversations involving running backs. His ability to get the ball, see the whole and just go for it without any hesitation makes him amazing. The play of the game he runs for a 76 year touchdown.
Amidst a room full of Redskin haters I reigned victorious as I put my hands in the air in utter celebration of watching RGIII run in for a touchdown. TOUCHDOWN!!!!! Aw man it was great to watch FedEX field erupt as it did. That 76 yard touchdown was just the icing on the cake making it the longest rushing touchdown by a quarterback in team history and the longest by a NFL QB since PittsBurgh Steeler Kordell Stewart who rushed for 80 yards on December 22, 1996 against the Panthers. I could go on and on with the accalades, but its no point to gloat for the man because the work speaks for itself. ROOKIE OF THE WEEK! No doubt about it.

At 3-3 the Redskins are now have the the same record with the Eagles. the positioning now as it is in the NFC East puts Philadelphia above the Skins, but in all actuality the second and third spot is a toss up. Everyone falls behind the New York Giants who sit above everyone at 4-2. Week 7's matchup against the Giants could be the catalyst of what the Redskins season will ultimately shape up to be. It has a lot of strong implications involved in it. The New York Giants for the last couple of years have held the NFC East in the palm of their hands. I do not understand why everybody does not get the NFC East. The same thing happens every year. The Cowboys and the Eagles always end up in a toss up, the Redskins never can seem to get it together and the Giants themselves always reign supreme with a strong ending. The Giants know how to win point blank period. They are not SuperBowl Champions for nothing. With a quarterback like Eli Manning winning becomes expected. Eli Manning always pulls his team out of tough situations. With him at the healm the game is never over and he is notorious for his late 4th Quarter comebacks. He is heroic when the Giants have their backs against the wall. Not to mention weapons like Victor Cruz add to the Giants ability to be dangerous. Not to mention their defense. When dealing with a team that has the capacity to be fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball, how could you not go into a chest match with them not in an optimistic manner. this is a Redskin team that is trying to get some Respect in this league. Its funny every team goes through a patch of time where they have not been able to produce quality play and wins. every team has a rough period, but it seems like people will never let the Redskins live for some reason. The Redskins will always be the Deadskins and it does not matter what they do, they will never come back from being looked at as I refer to it as the "scum" of the league.

Its obvious that the tide has changed a bit in DC. The Skins have a new look, new sound, new attitude. However, even with such the early success of the team in general and RGIII they get no Respect. The game against the Giants will be this statement. If they are able to pull out a win they get get Respect and prove to the division and naysayers that they are legitimate contenders. the Washington Redskins will be a force in this league again. On the other hand of this if they lose they prove the notion that they are all talk. That all they do is get people to get their hopes up for nothing. I am not surprised if everyone takes the Giants. Its amazing watching pre games on Fox and seeing Jimmy, Howie and the boys always pick the Redskins opponents. Im sure they are going to pick New York as well. The Redskins need to prepare for a battle. Their name is at stake, pride is at stake, respect is at stake. Put on your helmets, this week should be interesting.

Signing out ready for week 7

Sunday Hurt Day

Happy Tuesday People! However, even though it is Tuesday in my world its always football sunday so lets recap this one's events shall we. The Washington Redskins(2-2) faced the rolling 5-0 Atlanta Falcons. If anyone out there is a TRUE Redskin fan they see the progress that the Redskins have made in every game win or lose. However, one still is optimistic going into every game. Lets face it to the rest of the world the Red in Redskins stands for Dead. so typically on paper its the Deadskins vs the Atlanta Falcons and it should be a no brainer as to who takes the contest. the Redskins start off strong. Ryan Kerrigan intercepts a pass from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and runs it 28 yeards for the TD and the Redskins go up 7 to nothing. Later on in the 2nd Quarter the Falcons would score off a 1yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Tony Gonzalez, which would tie the game. Everything seemed to be pretty neck and neck at the beginning stages of the game.

Going into the second half the objective of course is to keep the motor running. Then you notice in an instant everything can change. Skins quarterback Robert Griffen III tries to get a first down for his team and ends up getting hit hard by Falcons defensive back Sean Witherspoons. BOOM!!! Just like that everyone in FedEx field's heart dropped. I have been one to criticize RGIII's inability to make up his mind on whether or not he wants to stay in the pocket or not. I mean in this league nowadays you either are a pocket quarterback or not. You either play like Tom Brady or you play like Michael Vick. Furthermore, if you go on to ask me I think the league needs to recognize the change in tides when it comes to the quarterback postition. Where players like Mike Vick and Cam Newton are showing their athleticism and showing that when it comes down to making it happen for their respective teams it does not always lie in how long you can stay behind the offensive line.

Anyways, that is a discussion for another time. RGIII unfortunately gets hit and RGIII unfortunately he would not return. He would in fact suffer a mild concussion.I understand trying to make things happen for your team, but in certain situations you have to learn when to take thr rope by the hands and when to pull the plug. This is a prime example of a young quarterback not knowing when to pull the plug. The synopsis is that RGIII does not know how to run out of bounds. I believe he learned his lesson. However, I must give him Kudos that whatever it takes mentality, especially coming from a Washington Redskins quarterback is commendable. That is the sense of urgency that has been lacking for so long in that position for the team. Someone willing to go guts for guts glory for glory and be a leader for this team. Concussion or not he gave his team a profound message and that is he will do whatever it takes for victory to prevail for the Redskins. All others naturally should follow suit. There is a passion in the team I feel that can be united from that one play.

The redskins would actually take the lead in the 3rd from a Billy Cundiff 23 yard field goal. Backup quarterback, rookie out of Michigan State, Kirk Cousins, would come in for the injured RGIII. For a minute he seem to be picking off from where Griffen left off. Completing a 77-yard gain to Santana Moss. After this destruction begins Kirk Cousins would get picked off twice and Matt Ryan would go on to lead three scoring drives helping the Falcons to take total control over the game. Post RGIII turned out to be a disaster for the Redskins who would lose 24 to 17. All this seems so tragic, but the Skins ONLY lost by 7. It seems like they lost by more than just that. But, in
Redskin land where losing seems to be more reoccuring than winning it is tragic.

The Brightside out of all this is that Griffen will be ready for next week's game against the Vikings. Hopefully, order can be restored and the Redskins can get a win before hey face NFC East Rivals/Superbowl Champ New York Giants. The Giants game will be a statement game for the Redskins...It WILL be there chance to show  that they are indeed legitimate contenders in the NFC East. Beating the Giants will prove that the Redskins are geared to change and there is a new order in the Nation's capital. My advice to RGIII is put on a hard hat and get outta bounds. They need you young fellow.

Signing off Sports Diva in distress....