 |
| via CincyJungle.com |
By Jason Bacaj
An unfiltered, real-time glimpse into the mind of a Redskins fan during the team's bizarre and crushing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
This year, we're being treated to an amazing one with the Washington Redskins. I'm wholly biased, but that doesn't make it untrue. If one thing is clear, the team isn't a turd sandwich held together by cracked toothpicks anymore. It's a team with focus and potential. They're great to watch, and the new era has brought the fan base together even tighter than before. "It's real this time," we tell each other through earnest, shining eyes. We're watching every second and basking in it.
Unfortunately, the rebirth of a team is frustratingly slow and frequently painful, and as Redskins fans we're wired to believe that all of the franchise's promise could disappear tomorrow. But in the meantime, everyone should be allowed to enjoy the show, and so I'm offering you a firsthand look at my life through a text message conversation held during yesterday's Redskins-Bengals game.
A little background: My friend and fellow fan David Sternlicht had to miss Sunday's home opener against the Bengals for "family time," and so I provided him with the best play-by-play I could via text.
The conversation (lightly edited to protect the innocent) began after Mohamed Sanu hit A.J. Green for a 73-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. Redskins running back Alfred Morris ripped off a nice run to start the Redskins' first drive, and then on Morris' carry the next play...
I was too furious and confused to type after that. Without hearing the announcers' explanation, I have no idea what exactly happened. There was a sack, false start, the Bengals ran on the field, the Bengals ran off the field, and next thing you know it was third and 50 from the opposite 40-something. The Redskins had the ball on the 19 going in a couple plays before. I still have no words to describe what happened. The Washington Post took a shot at dissecting the last 10 seconds, but there are still a number of question marks.
I'm hoping for a quick return to the brilliance we saw week one, but I'm not holding out hope. That week featured a team that was daring, beautiful and made me feel dangerous and safe at the same time. But it was also horribly cruel and misleading if the last two games signal a return to the typical Redskins heartbreak, one that would be magnified this year by the long-awaited presence of a star quarterback like RGIII (and the unfortunate presence of those damn replacement refs). All the same elements are there: crucial injuries, missed tackles, poor line play and mental lapses on both the players' and coaches' part.
That said, I'd like to point out that RGIII has led the team on potential last-second, game-winning drives in the last two games. Both were ruined by penalties and poor refereeing. But it appears we finally have a player that thrives during those moments. Warms the heart. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your glimpse into the rebirth of a franchise and all the joyous pain that goes with it.
Jason Bacaj is Began in '96's Out West correspondent and an abundantly optimistic Redskins fan.
1 comments:
Except the ball didn't go 10 yards on the onside kick, so...
Post a Comment