ESPN the Magazine ranks the best & worst franchises in america. Redskins ranked 121 out of 122.

[GTripp0012]

Interesting that we're comparing the Redskins to the dregs of the AFC, the stronger football conference, with all the dynasty teams (Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Ravens, Steelers) that are shaping the perception of the have-nots in the AFC. Whereas in the NFC, a different team has represented the conference in the super bowl every year between 2001 and 2010. And with their resources, I think a super bowl appearance was a bare minimum expectation. And while I feel the Redskins were very close in 2005, the NFC "have nots" include the Cowboys, Vikings, Lions, 49ers, Falcons, and Redskins, the only six remaining teams who didn't win the conference at some point in the last ten years. And the Lions and Falcons appear set for the next decade.

Excluding the Cowboys as a classic underachiever who does actually compete a lot (not totally unlike the Redskins), it will be interesting to see whether the Vikings, 49ers, or Redskins drag themseleves up to prominence first. I think the expectation is that the Redskins will be the last of these three teams to make a super bowl in the next decade. If that's right, then it's because despite all the resources, the Skins are one of the worst organizations in sports. If it's wrong, well, there's not a whole lot preventing the Redskins from making the super bowl in 2012, 2013, or 2014. Except themselves.