How would Redskins fans feel about an 8-8 season? It depends on when you ask.
If you asked in January when the Redskins were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs, Skins fans wouldn't be too happy. If you asked in July when a rookie head coach was implementing a new offense, they'd be happy. If you asked in September after the Redskins horrible loss to the Giants in the regular season opener, they'd be ecstatic.
However, if you asked in late October when the Redskins were 6-2 they'd be ticked off.
That's how this Redskins fan feels right about now. Sure, if you told me when the season started that the Redskins would finish the season 8-8, I would have taken it. Washington had some talent but was ushering in a new system and a new way of doing things. The NFC East looked stacked and the schedule looked daunting.
However, the Redskins jumped out to that 6-2 start and expectations change.
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While Redskins fans weren't sure if this was a Super Bowl caliber team, we did know that this team deserved a playoff berth. Washington had beaten New Orleans, Arizona, Dallas and Philadelphia and had several cupcakes left on the schedule as well as every tough game being held in FedEx Field.
Didn't matter. The Steelers came into Washington and pounded the Redskins on Election Day Eve. Two weeks later, the Dallas Cowboys gutted out a win there. Two weeks after that, the Giants ran over the Redskins for an impressive win. If not for a win over the lowly Seahawks, this season was slipping away.
It slipped completely with an ugly loss in Cincinnati. The same team that beat all those good teams has also lost to the Rams and Bengals and squeaking bye the Seahawks, Lions and Browns. Those wins over Arizona and New Orleans don't look as impressive anymore.
The problem with being 8-8 is that it is tough to know what direction the team is going. Which was the fluke: the first half that went 6-2 or the second half that went 2-6? The team that won three games against playoff teams or the one that lost to two of the worst teams in the NFL?
There is a lot to do in the offseason. They have to find out where Jason Campbell lost his confidence. They need to rebuild those creaky offensive and defensive lines. They will most likely be on the market for one of those big-time receivers that should be available. There may be pressure on Jim Zorn to find someone to take one or more of his coaching duties. While being a first time head coach, he was also the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
The NFL is a league where things can get away from you quickly. The Redskins, like several other teams, had that happen to them this year. The good thing is that this team was once 6-2 and showed us what they can be. Let's hope that they figure out what got us there and make it happen for the entire 2009 season.
How Should the 2008 Season Be Viewed By Washington Redskins Fans? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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