GumboBC

Here's an article by Judge from 2002. And I think it still rings true today. But you be the JUDGE.... ;)



The Washington Redskins score 75 points in their first two preseason games — 29 more than they managed in four exhibitions a year ago — and jubilant Redskins fans want to know what it all means. I think I can answer that in one word.

Nothing.

Yep, preseason results have as much impact on the regular season as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have on the World Series, and I offer last year's San Diego Chargers as Exhibit A. They won three of their four preseason games, losing only to Arizona, then plunged confidently into the season.

They lost their last nine.

While that's an achievement, it can't surpass the Bolts' performance of the year before.

That team won all four preseason games — including a 31-7 laugher over Minnesota — then proceeded to drop its first 11 en route to a 1-15 finish. Minnesota won 11 and wound up in the NFC championship game.

I think you get my drift: Preseason games don't mean squat.

If they did, Mike Riley would still be in San Diego, Ryan Leaf would be in the Pro Bowl and there would be no question where the Chargers would be next. Try a new stadium, approved by a giddy electorate.

It'll be tough for Shane Matthews and the Redskins to repeat their preseason success during the regular season.

I bring this up not because of what didn't happen in San Diego but because of what's going on in Washington, where the Redskins have the attention of local travel agents booking round-trip airfares to San Diego for January. The temptation is to buy into what's happened the past two weeks and believe that Washington can be first in war, first in peace and first in the NFC East.

The Redskins are hotter than July in Great Falls, with Shane Matthews and Danny Wuerffel treating opponents the way they used to treat Vanderbilt. It's not supposed to be that way — Matthews and Wuerrfel were other people's rejects, remember? — but Spurrier's pulling down $5 million per, so he must know something others don't, right? Maybe.

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[Edited on 16/8/2004 by GumboBC]