In the spirit of the season -- that is, from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas, the most tumultuous time of the year -- it’s time for all Redskins fans to whip out their calculators and determine every possible scenario in which Washington can still be playing in January.
The math is vague now but will soon clear up, and with some wins the Redskins can keep themselves in it. While the road is hard and long, the Skins are by no means done yet.
However, it’s always good to plan ahead, so if I can push little Jimmy off Santa’s lap for a few moments, I’d like to make a few requests that would dull some of the pain should we not make it to the playoffs. After all, there’s always next year, and to have a few building blocks in place can’t hurt. So, Santa, this year I want:
To see the end of locker-room cancer controversy
Losing breeds problems, and despite efforts by many Redskins to show a unified front in tough times, controversy has found its way into Washington yet again. It started with frustration directed at Mark Brunell -- and Gibbs’ loyalty to him -- during the first half of the year. Recently, an article came out citing an unnamed player who cites an alleged disconnect between the coaches (specifically Gregg Williams) and the players.
It’s hard to imagine that everything is OK in the Redskins’ locker room. The good news, however, is that, just as losing causes every kind of heartache, winning erases them, quickly.
If the Redskins make it to the playoffs, we’ll all wonder what the fuss was about. Perhaps on Christmas morning we’ll have sports columns about the Skins that are worth reading, and the negative pieces and cynical blogs will be used as kindling or for wrapping presents.
To watch the offensive line dominate
Santa, you and I both know that this is the key to winning games, period. Good football starts with the fundamentals, and there is no position more fundamental to a well-oiled offense than a dominant offensive line.
With the salaries of our front five and next year’s cap, there is reason to think that there will be some personnel changes in the off-season. To see the unit come together again, as they did around this time last year, would be a real treat … playoffs or no.
To see Jason Campbell grow, to see T.J. Duckett get some chances and to get a second Ryan Clark
I know that this is asking for a lot, Santa, but hear me out. Washington has been waiting for a true starting QB for a long time. We were patient with Campbell as a practice player, and it looks like the city will be patient with his development for the rest of this year.
I can’t remember the last time the Redskins had a quarterback that seemed to have it all: good decision-making, physical tools and the poise of an aged veteran.
Duckett has probably had the most frustrating season as a Redskin, and it would be great going into this off-season if he weren’t determined to leave D.C. Betts may be gone at the end of this year, Duckett (at this point, at least) is almost certainly gone. Maybe if he gets a chance to play he’ll settle into a spot here in Washington. I know that this is a stretch, too, but do you think you could pull some strings?
And, while we’re at it, could you continue to work some magic in the secondary? Whatever the cause, they were inspired on Sunday. Clark was a no-name that stepped into a difficult role. We all wish that he was here now, but it’s not too late for our defense. Could Vernon Fox be the next Clark?
Finally, Santa, since we’re mostly talking miracles anyway, would you please make the voters put Art Monk in the Hall this year? Please?
ARTICLE TOOLS 
