It’s that time of year again, where every player waxes poetic about his team’s chances at taking home the Lombardi. Optimism reigns supreme in every locker room, positivity emanating out of each franchise from top to bottom.
The atmosphere at Redskins Park is no exception to the rule. Coach Mike Shanahan entered year two on the right foot, casting aside the baggage of a tumultuous past the Redskins would be wise to forget. He recently settled the quarterback controversy by choosing to start Rex Grossman over John Beck and also finalized a roster with a bevy of new faces.
What’s not to like as the Redskins prepare to host their season opener against the New York Giants?
“It’s not even close to what it was a year ago,” Shanahan said. “Not only with the character of the football team and the mindset of our football team, but with the infusion of youth, some free agents, the guys that we kept that fit our scheme and a combination of those things. And that’s what you’re hoping for from year one to year two.”
These Redskins aren’t distracted by the antics of an Albert Haynesworth or a Clinton Portis. The Donovan McNabb debacle is a thing of the past. It’s all business, all the time.
“There’s definitely a different feeling, a different vibe,” London Fletcher said. “Not all the extra stuff that you have to deal with on a week-to-week basis as far as distractions that keep you away from being mentally focused for the opponent. It’s hard enough to win football games when you’re just facing an opponent, but when you have different distractions that are within your own locker room that definitely hurts as well.”
Fletcher needn’t worry about such distractions this time around. The locker room has adopted a decidedly team-first attitude, which will help foster the growth of a squad with 19 players under the age of 25 and 20 players who are playing in Washington for the first time.
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“We’re on the same page,” tight end Chris Cooley said. “You got a lot of guys that really care about being part of this team -- not just being good football players, but being a good team and wanting to win as a team.”
Cooley and Fletcher have been around long enough to realize success can’t happen overnight without first establishing a team bond. That method has been tried again and again with little to show for it. As a small group brought a win-first mentality each and every day many former players didn’t even bother to give the impression they cared about anything but themselves.
Now the Redskins seem to get it. They kept their core players like Cooley and Fletcher and surrounded them with impressionable, young talent and free agents who fit Shanahan’s system. The results might not be instantaneous, but for once Washington is on the right track.
“I know there’s been lip service in the past of a new era,” safety Reed Doughty said. “I’m trying to take a wait-and-see approach and I think a lot of fans are too, but I can feel an aura -- guys willing to sacrifice, willing to do what it takes to win as a team. We’re playing together and we’ll see what happens when we go through thick and thin.”
Some of the newcomers already sense it as well.
“I have felt really good about being here ever since I got here,” running back Tim Hightower said. “This is a special team with some good guys and a special coaching staff. I felt like I belonged since my first day here … In some ways it felt like I was meant to be here.”
Hightower and free agent acquisition Josh Wilson both grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and couldn’t be more excited about coming home. Wilson will join a defense that looks much more formidable a year after finishing 31st in the NFL and Hightower will try to help the Redskins balance out an offense that relied solely on the passing game in 2010.
Shanahan addressed many of the weaknesses that plagued the Redskins in his first year as head coach. He obviously has his sights set on making the postseason this season, but ultimately he’s built a foundation that should breed long-term success.
Count Cooley as a believer.
“I’m really impressed with the way we’ve handled camp, the way this team has got through this training camp,” he said. “I think guys have been super professional, have worked harder than I’ve seen this team work. More than a relief, I’m really looking forward to seeing how this team plays.”
We’ll find out Sunday afternoon, but for now things are looking up -- just as they should be.
