For Old DC: The Season that Stunned Us
By Lindsey Williams
Robert Griffin III #10 of the Washington Redskins feels the weight of a pending loss in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Seattle Seahawks, 1/6/2013. (McDermott/Getty Images)
It was, literally, the loss felt around the world. Box seats, stadium halls; homely living rooms and sports pubs alike, all filled with the wincing and grimacing glare of Redskins fans, as we watched the continual deterioration of our beloved and championed quarterback, Robert Griffin. The term ‘rookie’ diminishes in context when you remember the dazzling and commanding plays this young talent projected night in and night out; that is, until reality settles in, understanding that it is this same first-year NFL QB that was giving Coach Shanahan every reason he should continue marching onward with the persistently questionable knee- no questions persistently asked.
I preface the rest of this article by saying the following: This is not- and I stress, is NOT- a piece composed to bash Griffin. Instead, this is the “What Happened, How it Happened and Why We Need it to Not Happen Again,” article.
As Redskins fans- fans that have endured the fight, kept the faith, and continued to speak life over a team that emanated nothing but wishful thinking- we are endowed with the right to examine and ask the question: What in Shanny’s name just happened?
Week 14 of the regular season against the Ravens, RGIII injures his knee. The bend, also seen and felt around the world, almost to duplicate the unnatural abilities of Gumby, was hard to conceive. “A knee is not supposed to do that”, we all thought. Griffin rested, with not so much as one game to soften the blow, and then– in RGIII-like fashion– he forged onward for another chance to clench the win, leading the home team.
A mental snapshot of the knee-bent in slow-motion replays in my mind. We all saw it- just wondering if Griffin did; if Shanahan did.
We have a true Gladiator of the Gridiron, ladies and gentlemen. But is this “I will fight until the death” mentality privy to the very need for longevity, versus the excitement of a short term win? The entire clubhouse wanted to win games; a city wanted to continue the upward trajectory. “We need you for the long haul,” a city chants all the while, waiting for an end to this Lombardi Trophy drought.
Did our allure of the continued wins; our incessant tug on the championed player to bring the rain, cloud- if even a little- our ability to sensibly place our star? This placement, embodying- and rather affectionately might I add- every opportunity to crown him as the number 10 that would easily lock the win; even with a less than permissible, and more than battered knee. With the weight of a city on his shoulders, the team wanted to win for all of DC, but what decisions are too costly?
(Smith/Getty Images)
“Many may question, criticize & think they have all the right answers. But few have been in the line of fire in battle,” Robert recently shared via his Twitter account. Not most of us can say that we have, all that we can say is that we want and need you here: healthy and happy for the long haul; Not just for the next win, but for the next season, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next.
No one should earn points in the incredulous, umpteenth round of the Blame Game. Winner takes nothing, but it sure is fun, ain’t it?! No, it’s not. I’ve played, and have come up short every time.
We all want to win: from Shanahan, to Synder; to LaVar and Dukes on 106.7 the Fan; to the incredibly loyal and true blue fans of the franchise– never flirting with the notion to abandon ship and swing the other way. You wanted them to win; I wanted us to win. And it just so happened, that within this first year, we came back from a 3-6 losing record; winning 7 straight in a row, making it to the NFC East Championship, clenching our division; and oh yeah, didn’t beat the Seahawks to continue advancing.
Perhaps we need to remember what we’ve just accomplished- the new blood and the new life that has been pumped into the city—generating new growth that is inherently resulting. “A bit ahead of schedule,” you could say.
I’ll say.
We fooled the critics, crept up from behind into the potential playoff standings and heated sports debates, all in year one—with a quarterback not even fully healthy, not with Orakpo to electrify the defense; not with all of our puzzle pieces completely in place.
Mmm…With a first go-round at this- where RGIII is at the helm of the ship- having finished with a 10-6 record, fighting through an initially losing season, ultimately winning the NFC East…. I’d say we Skins are doing just fine; and in the words of the sultry and sweet sounds of The Carpenters, “We’ve Only Just Begun.”
I’m Lindsey Williams, and that’s all she wrote.
BetaPass 
Great article – neutral & positive. We should all take a step back and… “remember what we’ve just accomplished”… and stop playing the “blame game.” It’s sad – 3-4 days after we lose, everyone returns to their normal lives; however, RG3 is going through surgeries, physical therapy, pain and sweat for the next 3-4 months so we can do it all over again.
He’s a smart guy – he will find his way through adversity. #httr
Oseth
Oldie but a goodie. Excellent commentary– the deeper issues of the franchise are bleeding through the locker room. Gotta get this right. The Skins have seen better days… and perhaps, better days- whether near or far- are to come.