Are we a top 10 team?

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Since starting 0-2, we're 5-1-1.



Would you want to play us right now?

Can easily think of about 25 teams who would not.

[JoeRedskin]

Are we a Top 10 team this week? Yup.

Could we NOT be a Top 10 team next week? Yup (Hopefully not).

We are not a team that consistently plays well enough to be considered a Top 10 team on a week to week basis. The Patriots, Cowboys, Seahawks could all lose this week. If they do, no one would say they are no longer a Top 10 team. However, if we lose, and depending on who else wins, it would be very easy to objectively argue that we shouldn't be in the Top 10.

Right now, we are a team that could potentially beat anyone - even if we don't hit on all cylinders. Further, if we are playing a complete game, there are teams - Cleveland, Frisco, T-Bay - that could not beat us with their best game. However, we have not consistently played a complete game yet and, when we don't, any team in the league could beat us. So, we are pretty much a second tier team that, depending on how everyone is playing this week, has the potential to rise to the top of that grouping or sink into the general middle of the league.

If we beat GB, Dallas and then come out of the mini-by with a win in Arizona, I would put us solidly in the perennial 5-10 grouping. Right now, I see us more in the 8-16 grouping.

[punch it in]

If we win our next three we are a top 5 team no doubt.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by punch it in

If we win our next three we are a top 5 team no doubt.

I was going to say ask me after Thanksgiving. I don't think we have to win both games to be top 10, but we need to beat 1 team and be competitive in the other (my preference is to beat the cr*p out of dallas).

These next two games will show us who the Skins really are this season.

[punch it in]

Bottom line. If you name ten teams you think are better than us I guarantee we beat one of them. Only caveat would be if you think either Detroit or Houston is better than we are. Than you could have ten teams ahead of us of whom we have beat none of them. That said you are completely splitting hairs between us , Detroit, and Houston. So to say we are not top ten right now...again...is a very very tight squeeze.

[MTK]

Seems that some fans are still suffering from the loser mentality cultivated over much of the last 25 years.

It's a new team, we're trending up and only getting better. Get used to it.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by MTK

Seems that some fans are still suffering from the loser mentality cultivated over much of the last 25 years.

It's a new team, we're trending up and only getting better. Get used to it.

I definitely expect to win more than we lose going forward, because the organization now understand the importance of investment in the trenches. Vinny never did. We had a brief period where Gibbs got us going on the right track, with Randy Thomas and Cornelius Griffin and some others.

But McCloughan so clearly understands the need for talent in the trenches and as long as he keeps doing that, I expect us to win. Teams that control the line of scrimmage are playoff teams. If we can start to dominate it on the defensive side next year we'll be a Super Bowl contender.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by MTK

Seems that some fans are still suffering from the loser mentality cultivated over much of the last 25 years.

It's a new team, we're trending up and only getting better. Get used to it.

Yup. Absolutely.

GBay and the Skins represent two teams that are generically about the same - 2nd Tier teams that should beat most teams in the league and have a shot against the good teams even when they are playing well.

GBay, however, is trending down and we are trending up. Time to stomp on their heads, kick them down the stairs, and climb over their cold dead bodies as we move on up.

[punch it in]

Dallas is really going to be tough. Short week for both of us, but we are traveling and playing night game on Sunday. That is bullshit. We should be 1 oclock game to be fair.

[calia]

My reaction is -- who cares about rankings? Just win. Beat the Packers. Focus on nothing else. Beat a team that seems on the ropes at home like you can and should. Take care of business immediately in front of you. Repeat through early February.

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by calia

My reaction is -- who cares about rankings? Just win. Beat the Packers. Focus on nothing else. Beat a team that seems on the ropes at home like you can and should. Take care of business immediately in front of you. Repeat through early February.

Very true, but also very detrimental to the health of our discussion board.
So just amuse us and answer the question.

[SFREDSKIN]

The next couple of weeks will determine that, one home game before going on the road for 3 straight ones (not an easy task).

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

The next couple of weeks will determine that, one home game before going on the road for 3 straight ones (not an easy task).

As it stands right now are we top ten?

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by punch it in

As it stands right now are we top ten?

Yep and will have to play like that to beat GB, Dallas, AZ and Philly.

[calia]

Originally Posted by punch it in

Very true, but also very detrimental to the health of our discussion board.
So just amuse us and answer the question.

I know, I know -- I just find the rankings so arbitrary and on one of them (ESPN, I think), we bounce up and down 10+ slots every week . . . like everyone else that isn't at the top (Patriots, Seattle) or at the very bottom (Cleveland, Jax).

But to answer your question: I think we can absolutely be a top 10 team ... if we can be more consistent defensively (our offense is definitely top 10). Our D had great second halves (Baltimore, Minn.), but we've also had second half swoons (Steelers, Lions). I cannot figure it out; the D hasn't really had a solid 60 minutes of football yet, and until they do, we can be beat by virtually any team outside of Cleveland, Jax, and perhaps SF.

So in recognition that I didn't really answer the question, I will say this: I think we are a top 10 team because I think our D is making strides and will play better going forward. I think Whitner has quietly been a good addition, Blackmon is playing better than I would have expected in a new position too. Our LBs seem to be picking up their play (talking to you, Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan the week before), and Lanier on the DL has give us a little spark there too. Breeland has been a disappointment, and while Norman has been very good, not hanging on to several picks has left me wanting much more from him.

One other reason I will put the team in the top 10 -- character. I think they have shown some mettle this season (lots of close games), and they seem to genuinely like each other and want to fight for each other (and the coaches) -- even our flashy offseason acquisition, Norman, stays late after practice and keeps working (really like his attitude and work ethic, and the enthusiasm for the game). And NO DRAMA THIS YEAR. It's like another team entirely. I cannot get over how different it feels. Friends of mine who follow other teams keep saying things like, "Your Redskins seem like a real franchise this year" and "Everything seems quiet and businesslike in DC this season." It definitely has the feel of slowly waking from a two decade slumber. Let's hope Scot can continue to work his magic and really build something durable.