People who live in D.C. actually talk about “the game” on the bus – it is, after all, better small-talk fodder than the weather. People who live in D.C. take the day off work, even when they need the money, just for the chance to see the Redskins on TV. People who live in D.C. feel, and mourn, the team’s losses, which is a tougher proposition in the playoffs, which don’t offer the hope of “next week.”
When Taylor passed, fans set up a spontaneous memorial at the parking spot he had won with his on-field performance. The chance of going back to Dallas to stick it to the Cowboys again seemed too good to be true.
And, in the end, it was.
Still, the Redskins should be proud of the season they’ve authored. They’ve certainly made more noise than any 8-loss team in recent memory. They had every reason to fold things up after Taylor’s death and especially after Gibbs’ clock mismanagement cost them the Buffalo game that same week, capping a four game losing streak that sank the Redskins to 5-7. They had every reason to decide that four wins in a row was too high a hill to climb and start making vacation plans.
But they didn’t.
That they didn’t is a credit to Gibbs, his coaches, the players, and the organization. The Redskins only made it this far because their strong safety wouldn’t have given – nor tolerated – anything less.
And their failure to break out of the Wild Card round is proof that some players are just irreplaceable, even if they do inspire others to play beyond themselves.
Article comments
1 - Jason
I had always been impressed with Taylor's game as he was truly the evolution of the safety position that has been long discussed over the past decade. I was rooting hard for DC not just because of the emotions behind them, but because Joe Gibbs had done such a great job in keeping the team in the path towards the playoffs without taking away the emotion. They honored him quite well.
2 - wayne seay
having been a Redskins fan forever i could only
imagine what a future Sean Taylor would have had
if he had not been killed as a football player for
the Washington Redskins. he was "blessed" with a
special talent for the game & Coach Joe Gibbs knew
this so with that he felt he could no longer do his job as a coach. Sean Taylor grew-up this past
year was going to dedicate the season to his baby
girl but by fate this never took place. this seems
to happen to more of the "gifted" type of players.
an accident would take place to end their time as player or as Sean Taylor's case his life was taken
away too soon!!! these "boys" involved will get their day in court & i pray that justice will be served. i hope they realize what they have done to
end the life of the next...........SUPERSTAR!!!