SINCE 2013, our Eagles are 3-5 vs the Redskins, losing the last five games in a row. So we’ve been swept by them in each of the last two seasons. Like it or not, they’ve had our number lately. However, the tables are about to turn, sharply.
What proof do I have that things are about to change? We recently made some moves that forced me to another top-to-bottom comparison of the Eagles against our division rivals. We made improvements to the depth and talent of our Offensive Line. We also improved a Secondary that didn’t seem to be able to stick to their shadows last year.
While the Eagles improvements are all well and good, the more important side of this equation, is that the Redskins have gotten worse. Significantly worse. In fact, it usually takes a team a few years to decline this fast. In a sick sort of way, it’s almost an accomplishment that they were able to self-destruct so thoroughly in such a sort period of time. I’m… impressed(?)… sort of??
On defense, they let lineman Chris Baker just boogie on down to Tampa Bay. While they could have had a dominant 3-4 line, featuring rookie Jonathan Allen and led by Baker, they now are down to being anchored up front by that rookie, and “just some guys”.
Think the Eagles were bad against the pass last year? With as bad as we looked, we were still ranked 13th in the NFL. The Redskins were ranked 25th. That’s twelve spots worse than what we found unacceptable. Twelve. So how did they shore up their secondary? Aside from the CB they selected in the third round, they didn’t touch a thing. No really, go look. I’ll wait.
CB Bashaud Breeland, playing with some kids.
On offense, the ‘skins haven’t been able to reliably run the ball in two years. So of course they ran out and added some help to their offensive line, to open holes for their star RB, right? Wrong. They left everything just as it was. They saw mediocrity, and planted a flag in that sumbitch like they were claiming Iwo Jima.
Wait, did I say “star” RB? Two years ago that was Alfred Morris who gave way to Matt Jones. But then last year Matt Jones gave way to Rob Kelley. So far this preseason, it looks like Rob Kelley is giving way to 4th round pick Samaje Perine (PEE-ryn?). So yeah, it looks like they don’t really have a star RB. So I misspoke. My bad.
But that’s okay! It just means they have to lean on their passing game, right? So of course (for whatever reason), they tossed not one, but two, thousand yard receivers off the team. They then decided to base their passing attack on a Kick Returner, a TE who gets concussions from nodding ‘yes’, and WR who is most famous for being Cleveland’s best receiving option in 2016, despite having either having played QB, or being completely out of football every year since 2011.
To top it all off, they left their locker room an unsettled mess, by making it impossible to rally around their QB. They did that by leasing him for yet another season, instead of giving him a multi-year deal. The upshot is that now their QB (their leader), is disgruntled because he feels unappreciated as he literally depreciates with time and potential injury.
I didn’t make any of this up, and aside from the concussion joke, I didn’t even exaggerate any of it. I didn’t have to. This is Dan Snyder’s version of “the best he can do”. It’s crazy that this shit is actually happening to Redskins fans, and they have to pay good money for the privilege. It’s almost terrorism!
Last year the ‘skins went 8-7-1 and were a far better team than they are today. That’s taking into account talent, experience, and overall morale. Oh yeah, and losing these first two preseason games won’t help to keep down the internal finger-pointing.
So yeah. Barring something truly bizarre, the Eagles should have no problem with this team in 2017. The only good thing about the Redskins upcoming season, is that after 16 games, they get to go home and stay there. That team is a dumpster fire.
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 