A House Divided
by Richard Rogers
September 15, 2017
Abe Lincoln once said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand”. Redskins nation is definitely a divided house. The Redskins find themselves in a familiar space, 0-1, and in a “must win” situation already in week two. The Patriots were whipped last Thursday night by the Kansas City Chiefs, yet I’m sure everyone in Patriot nation has shrugged it off and is onto the next game. The Giants were soundly beaten by the Cowboys in their opener, yet there is still optimism in Gotham City once Odell Beckham, Jr. returns. Many Redskins fans don’t share that same optimism.
After a week one loss, fans are picking sides. Kirk played a horrible game, but some suggest he’s been tainted by a horrible franchise and wish him well in his pre-determined departure. Others have used his poor showing against the Eagles as a referendum on his contract worth. Many fans on social media are posting pictures of college QB prospects on their Twitter page. As usual, there are some who say it’s Gruden’s fault and that we need to be looking for our next coach. Even more rich, there are some that feel we should have kept McVay and let Gruden go. Then there are the Scot McCloughan loyalists. He got a raw deal. He was disrespected. He’s the best we’ve had since Beathard. There are others who are “meh” on McCloughan’s work, especially after the shocking “retirement” of Su’a Cravens and the oft injured Josh Doctson. There’s always the usual Snyder haters who start every complaint with, “I’ve been a season ticket holder for forty years, but not anymore”. Then there’s Bruce Allen, who is ripped mercilessly in the media, by fans, and just about anyone else with a radio signal. The divisiveness is getting out of hand. Doctson’s manhood has been questioned on one hand, and on the other, there are some that speculate that Gruden is holding Doctson out to spite Scot McCloughan.
Things are messy early. But what else is new here? The thing is, the Redskins only have themselves to blame. This was a far from quiet off season. They fired the General Manager and allegedly leaked that that he had a drinking problem. They failed to lock up Kirk Cousins to a long-term deal. Pierre Garcon, one Kirk’s security blankets, wasn’t even offered a deal. DeSean Jackson was low-balled. The Redskins don’t do stability well. Yeah, they gave Jay Gruden a contract extension, but what good is it without a strong personnel executive and a franchise quarterback locked up long term? The owner never speaks. The last time I saw him, he was dancing (if that’s what you call it) on Sunday Night Football last November. There have been no statements from him on direction, vision, goals or anything. Bruce Allen speaks, he’s done little or anything to bring calm to the franchise.
They say winning cures all, but does it really? The Redskins have had two back to back winning seasons, yet there doesn’t seem to any goodwill left from that small accomplishment. This team not only needs to win the “must win” games; they need a direction and a voice of respectability. Bruce Allen, right now, is too toxic. Even Redskins legend Doug Williams can’t turn the tide of public opinion. The Redskins need sustained progress for fans to feel good about this team. We need to see a “next step”. There are glimmers of hope for an improved defense, but signs of regression for the offense. A victory with a one-hundred-yard rushing game, a touchdown for Doctson, and a takeaway or two for the defense, all in the same game would do wonders for this fan base. We can become one. But thanks to a tumultuous off-season, it’s getting late…already.