Top 5 Most Futile Redskins Moments, 1992-2008

Jim Zorn's initial outing as leader of his "Maroon & Black" culminated in a loss at the 6-9 SF 49ers yesterday. It was the culmination of "full body dry heave" by the once 6-2 Deadskins, and a continuation of 17 years of futility and disappointment. So, before we get to any reflection of this wasted season, or, dare I say, any speculations for the off-season or next year, let's look back at the 5 most futile moments Redskins fans have had to endure since our last Super Bowl appearance:



5. January 9, 1993. San Francisco 49ers 20, Redskins 13.



Ugh. This was the last game of the Joe Gibbs I era. They were defending Super Bowl champs, but had struggled mightily. They were at different points 2-2, and 6-5. They had won most of their games very closely (except beating the Phoenix Cardinals 41-3) and lost most very badly (except a 1 point loss to close the season vs. the LA Raiders). They lost 2 to close the season, they finished 3rd in the NFC East, and things looked sketchy going into the playoffs. But, then, Coach Gibbs took the boys into the Metrodome and whooped the NFC Central champion, Minnesota Vikings. (btw, this was Denny Green's rookie season, and the team included future futility-mongers, Rich Gannon and Terry Allen) Skins fans everywhere were juiced with the possibilty of a playoff run that would lead to the successful defense of the Super Bowl Championship. That would not be.

After coming out flat and spotting the 49ers a 17-3 halftime lead, the defending champs battled back to put the game within reach at 17-13. But, a sustained drive, and a Mike Cofer FG put the game away for the 49ers.

The first of many, many, many disappointing season endings.



4. The 2001 Season.



This was the last time that the Redskins went 8-8. It was also under a first-year head coach, Marty Schottenheimer. Much like this season's version, the '01 Skins were abyssmal on offense - ranking 28th of 31 in NFL scoring. The Tony Banks, Stephen Davis, Michael Westbrook offense (plus the ridiculous 2-game tenure of Jeff George) were quite reminiscent of the Campbell, Portis, Moss version - lame.

But 2001 seemed to be the exact opposite of 2008. The '01 version started out 0-5, and, then, found their footing, and reeled off 5 straight wins. They closed out the season with 2 impressive victories - putting up 40 on the road in New Orleans, and posting 340 yds vs. 187 yds for the Cardinals in the finale. Unlike this year, the season ended with optimism of things to come.

Then...

Boy Wonder felt the need for the Steve Spurrier Experiment. The rest, as they say, is history.



3. 1999.



The last time that the Skins won the NFC East. The Norvell offense had finally - finally - started to pay off. The team finished 2nd in the NFL in scoring with 443 points. That's 443 points with Brad Johnson, Skip Hicks, and Albert Connell. They were the antithesis of the anemic ninnies that Zorny put on FedEx Field this season. Yet, when they met the Tampa Bay Bucs in the Divisional playoff game, their defense gave up a measely 14 points, and lost. It was eerily familiar watching this crew this season, and reflecting on the '99 Skins. Some of that may have to do with the fact that Mike Sellers and James Thrash played on both teams - 9 years apart!!!

Dear God, why did you make me a Redskin fan?



2. 2000.



Also a deja vu of this season, the 2000 'Skins also started off 6-2, and also finished 8-8. The '00 'Skins, though, went into week 9 having won 5 games in a row, capped off by a 35-16 shalaquing of the Jags in Jacksonville. They followed this up with a 2008-esque faceplant on MNF. They, of course, went on to lose 6 of 8, including back-to-back home division loses to the GMen & Igles. Those were bittersweet loses, for they stung, but they sang the death knell of Norvell Turner, a glorious occasion for all of us.

It seemed as if young Dan Snyder had so much promise then. If we only knew...



and, of course...



1. 2005.



This has to be the most painful for young Redskin fans, it seems that pre-Gibbs fans, like our Pops, are quite accustomed to Redskin futility. For those of us who revelled in the Gibbs I era, we were spoiled by the curse of winning expectations, but, at least, we have seen the glory of the coming of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. For those, like the Consigliere, to whom the glory days are but tales of myth and legend, the 2005 season was like a time portal. The Joe Gibbs-led Skins were back in the playoffs. They had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Big D on MNF in week 2. They fell to 5-6, but reeled off 5 straight wins to close the season, including back-to-back-to-back division wins vs. Dallas, NY, and @ Philly. They put up 52 on the '9ers. CP put up 1500+ yards, and Tana went to the Pro Bowl. It was the Best of Times.

And, then, it was over.

The steady arm of Matt Hasselbeck, and the steady foot of Josh Brown killed our dreams. Again.



Hail...