The Washington Soft & Fruitys

A post by "Blake the Megalomaniac" To see more posts click here

It’s about time we give this racial epithet of ours up: The Redskins namesake that is.

The Washington Redskins, once a beacon of consistency and organizational proficiency, are now a circus without the tent and we do have our sideshow freaks. Players like Clinton Portis, who in a perfect situation would be able to ride out the remaining years in their playing career with 100-yard games courtesy of a cogent offensive line.  Instead, he has his flaws highlighted each week by poor blocking and an unwillingness to take contact and a willingness to leave yards on the field. Like many of the other Washington Soft & Fruitys, Portis has the audacity to walk around like his fecal matter doesn’t stink.  Portis by no means is he even 25% of what’s wrong with the Soft & Fruitys.  The problem is the sense of entitlement procured from soft training camps, large, undeserved contracts and amateur coaching that almost demands the belief that other bad teams will lay down and let the Soft & Fruitys prevail.

Jimmy Johnson had some choice words about our Washington Soft & Fruitys (as I’m sure you’ve heard by now) courtesy of Fox NFL Sunday by way of the dcprosportreport . . .

“When analyzing a team, you have to look at the positive and negative. Head Coach Jim Zorn, he’s not good enough to do the work that lies ahead. That’s a negative. The scouting department, they’re trucking around the country doing their job, but no one in the D.C. office is trusting their work. That’s a negative. Salary cap situation. Well, that’s a negative.

“The team is bloated with high-priced vets. So, how ’bout the team’s veterans? While experienced players are often valuable, if they have too many miles on their cleats, then it’s a negative. Clinton Portis is towards the end of his career, and DeAngelo Hall’s contract was a big mistake. Albert Haynesworth is a phenomenal player, but he came to Washington as slightly damaged, but very expensive goods.

“On the other side, how about young, up and coming players? Hmmmm. Can’t think of any. Say it with me now: That’s a negative. Then there’s the quarterback. Jason Campbell is not championship material. Hey, check this out: Neg-a-tivo. Since the roster isn’t where it should be, the Redskins need extra draft picks to rebuild. However, they don’t have any right now. That’s a negative.

“To get any marks in the positive column there has to be a drastic philosophy change. I would put every coach and player on notice. In the next three months, EVERYONE is fighting for their jobs. Realize that a great 53-man roster is what wins championship, not five or six high-priced stars. Dan Snyder builds his team like it’s fantasy football, and that’s a big negative. The Redskins need a GM who can prevent Snyder from making decisions, while letting Snyder think he’s involved. Who can work that magic? I don’t know. Hey Washington, you didn’t want to listen to me six years ago. Can you hear me now?”

It’d be a different story if 1) I didn’t pick the Redskins to finish 2nd in the NFC East (I picked the Cowboys to finish first so it shows you how much I know), 2) we weren’t made to believe that we were one of the most talented teams in world, 3) if we were exciting, fun to watch, or performed any facet of the game above mediocrity BUT we are not and we do not.

It’s early in the season, but the Broncos were 8-8 last year and brought in a snot-nosed coach with some balls and some intensity and right now they’re 5-0.  The 49ers were 7-9 last year after Mike Singletary took over in October and right now they’re by no means world beaters but Singletary seems to be maximizing his talent with his “I want winners,” attitude and his, “I will not tolerate players who think it’s about them when it’s about the team. And we can not make decisions that cost the team and come off the sideline like it’s nonchalant!”

In sum, I don’t think Mr. Singletary would tolerate much of what goes on with our players.  Hell, if I were coach and I thought I wouldn’t get a beat down, I wouldn’t tolerate it.  So I’m saying it’s time to wipe the slate clean.  We’re not the same Redskins’ organization from top to bottom and we haven’t been for 10 years plus, it doesn’t look like the future is too bright because no coach wants to come here.  Daniel Snyder could earn the fans back by doing what every pundit has been calling for him to do, namely, call a spade a spade.  Clean house: cut players, relinquish control to a guy who knows what he’s doing and the new one. . . give up the name Redskins because in spite of what the name meant to this area, it doesn’t mean that anymore and it’s offensive to a certain sect of people.  A fresh start: new color scheme, new name, new coaches and hopefully new results.  Why not go red, white, and blue like the Capitals.  Soft & Fruitys is the name until we come up with a better one.  The Washington Monuments?  The Washington Troopers? The Washington Generals? The Washington Socialites?  The Washington Get Rich Quicks? The Washington Fire Greg Blaches?  The Washington Our Best Just Isn’t Good Enoughs? The Washington “we’re going to keep working hards”? The Washington Minimizing Talent?

udothedishes . . .