December 18, 2010
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
And the Redskins do it again. After falling behind early, they had a late game resurgence fueled by personal fouls and missed opportunities by the Cowboys. Yet when they managed to tie the game in the fourth quarter (30-30), I’m sure I’m not the only Redskin fan that was more anxious than excited. After all, this was the team that just last week drove 75 yards down the field for a touchdown only to miss the almost-always guaranteed extra point due to a high snap and lose the game. This week was no exception. After tying the game, the Redskins let the Cowboys march down the field and score a field goal with less than two minutes left. And, in true Redskins fashion, backup-turned-starter QB Rex Grossman showed his burgundy and gold by throwing an interception to end the game. The Redskins continually lift us up simply to let us down once again. It’s hard to get excited about anything they do since you know they’ll just negate it a few plays later. It’s like a bad movie stuck on repeat—you know the ending but watch it anyway, thinking somehow, something will change. It’s safe to say the only Redskin smiling after the game was the benched Donovan McNabb whose thoughts are on next season–and a new uniform.
Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants
Elsewhere in the NFC East, the New York Giants loss to the Philadelphia Eagles today was pitiful. Giants coach Tom Coughlin should be preparing for a change of locks if his team misses the playoffs due to blowing a 24-3 halftime lead. Meanwhile, the Cowboys, who started the season 1-7 could end up with a better record than the sinking Skins.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are proving to be their own worst enemy this off-season. In their quest to move from perennial league losers to possible playoff contenders, they have taken steps backwards, not forwards. Feared slugger Adam Dunn felt like a dream come true when the Nationals acquired him in 2009–and he was. Just last summer he hit three home runs in a single game, the only National besides Yankee transplant Alfonso Soriano to accomplish the feat. Yet the Nationals let him walk off the field at the end of his two-year, $20 million contract and into the arms of $56 million in Chicago. In his place, they’ve signed Phillies veteran outfielder Jayson Werth to a seven-year contract worth $126 million. While Werth is a recognized name and face in the game, his statistics show a ballplayer with half the power and numbers of Dunn. While Nats fans mourn the loss of their only power hitter, Jayson Werth is laughing…all the way to the bank.
Washington Wizards
Gilbert Arenas bid farewell to the District and the Wizards on Saturday in a three-team deal that sent Arenas to Orlando in exchange for Rashard Lewis. The loss of the all-star guard could be either brilliant or crippling. Only time will tell. If rookie John Wall can fill the shoes Arenas left behind and Lewis performs, the Wizards could create some magic on the court. If not, DC has just voluntarily shipped off another franchise face.
