Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
September 4, 2008, Washington Post

Cheerful or Gloomy, They're Redskins Fans

The Washington Redskins start their regular season at 7 tonight with a nationally televised game against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

At the beginning of any football season, there are two kinds of Redskins fans. First, there are the optimists. They are the fans who are convinced that the Skins are going to the National Football League playoffs and maybe the Super Bowl. Then there are the pessimists. Those are the folks who think the Redskins are one injury or fumble away from another losing season.

You probably know someone (a parent, friend or neighbor) who is either a die-hard Redskins optimist or a die-hard Redskins pessimist. Let's take a look at the Redskins' 2008 season from both points of view.

Optimist: The Redskins made the playoffs last year with a record of 10 wins and 6 losses. They have an exciting new coach (Jim Zorn), and quarterback Jason Campbell is healthy again. So the Redskins will be even better this year.

Pessimist: Washington was lucky to slip into the playoffs last season by winning their final four games. A new coach means that the team, and especially the quarterback, has to learn a new system of plays. It may take Campbell a few games to feel comfortable with the new offense.

Optimist: Last season, the Redskins defense was ranked fourth among the 32 teams in the NFL. The Redskins have added defensive end Jason Taylor from the Miami Dolphins. Taylor is an All-Pro pass rusher who should put lots of pressure on the opponent's quarterback.

Pessimist: Taylor is hurt with a sprained knee and will probably miss the Giants game. Taylor did get 11 quarterback sacks last year, but he probably won't get that many again because he is slowing down after 13 years in the NFL.

Optimist: The Redskins have a solid offensive line, led by All-Pro tackle Chris Samuels, that should spring running backs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts for plenty of long gainers.

Pessimist: The Redskins' line would have been great five years ago. Most of the linemen are 30 years old or older. Old linemen are slow and get hurt more often. And the Redskins' backups are not very good.

Optimist: The Redskins had trouble scoring last season when they got inside the opponent's 20-yard line (also known as the red zone). So they drafted two taller receivers, Devin Thomas (6 feet 2 inches) and Malcolm Kelly (6 feet 4 inches), to grab some goal-line passes.

Pessimist: Those two rookies did not report to training camp in tiptop condition. They have had trouble learning the new offense and may not help much this year.

Optimist: The Redskins had a winning record in the preseason: three wins and two losses. If they can keep that up, they will definitely have a winning season.

Pessimist: The Redskins got killed in the final two games of the preseason by a combined score of 71-6. If they keep that up, they won't win a game.

So who will be right about this Redskins season? The optimists or the pessimists? We'll find out, beginning tonight.

Fred Bowen writes KidsPost's sports opinion column and is an author of sports novels for kids.

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