The Super Bowl Run Begins
So I mentioned in one of my previous posts that no one reads, that I am a big jinx guy.
When John Wall is at the free throw line, please don’t open your mouth about how he is 6 for his last 6, because he damn sure is going to miss #7.
When the Skins go up 10 points with 2 minutes left in the game, PLEASE don’t say a word about it being GAME OVER, because we will most definitely blow it.
I have been there. I’ve been that guy. Ask Buster, he’s witnessed it. I have literally jinxed at least 27 DC sports matchups during the contest, resulting in a big L for my team. So I made a conscious decision to stop doing it.
Well, I’m over it.
Tonight is the night that the run to 23-0 starts. That’s right, 23-0. Not only are we going to go undefeated in the regular season, but we are going to go 4-0 in the preseason, and of course make the undefeated run right to the Super Bowl.
Interestingly enough, we crack this season open against the team we are going to beat in February for the Lombardi trophy, the New England Patriots.
Alright alright, there is a ZERO.ZERO percent chance we go undefeated this season, and probably a mere 50/50 shot of us making the playoffs, but I’m still drunk off of excitement to watch the burgundy and gold take the field tonight in Foxboro.
Although the starters are MAYBE going to play a series tonight (some of them at least), there’s still plenty to get excited about. Here’s a quick rundown of some things to look for:
1. Will Derrius Guice flash?
The 2nd round pick, who pretty much everyone agreed was a legitimate top-20 overall talent, has already become a fan favorite this offseason. He’s embraced the community and been the last one out on the field at Redskins park signing autographs for the fans, and even the staff.
On the field, he has already cemented himself as the the starting RB by most reports, and some players have even come out saying they think he’s just as good, if not better than Saquon Barkley.
We probably won’t see tons of Guice tonight, but a couple explosive runs will surely get the hype train going.
2. Will Jonathan Allen look dominant?
Coming off a season ending Lisfranc injury from last year, Allen is looking to rebound. Before his injury last year, he was pretty dominant in the middle with Matt Ioannidis (who also went down with his own injury not long after). The run defense for the Skins were top 10 in 2017 before they went down, and they most certainly will need these 2, along with rookie Daron Payne to be healthy and dominant if they have any chance at success this year.
3. How deep are we?
The first couple preseason games are very telling on how much depth you have, especially on the offense and defensive lines.
At the skill positions, it is easy for the athletic freaks to run around and make plays against guys that will be bagging groceries in a couple months. But the big guys in the middle are who you want to look for.
Which guys will flash with their footwork, agility, or mere strength? Which behemoth moves the mountain across from him further and faster? Those are the things that no matter what the level of competition, you can learn real fast in preseason week 1.
4. Who will be be the preseason sweetheart?
Every single year, a QB, RB or WR will become the most popular guy in town, and everyone will be clamoring for them to be the focus of the future.
Colt Brennan. Lache Seastrunk. Marko Mitchell just to name a few. Guys that look good against 3rd and 4th stringers, but in reality are nothing more than backups, maybe.
A cult following will start tonight, and I’m guessing it will be for Mr. Irrelevant, WR Trey Quinn. The next Wes Welker, or Julian Edelman. And I hope the hype train is right.
More importantly than all of this, is just that football is BACK. My wife can now proceed to get mad at me every Thursday, Sunday and Monday, and that’s ok, I accept it. Because every week from now until February I have something to write about, gamble on, stress about and look forward to on a constant basis.
HTTR. Let’s do this boys!
Good read. Actually has me looking forward to watching the Skins play.