Maybe Dan Snyder Isn't What's Wrong with the Washington Redskins

Ok, maybe I'm over exaggerating with the headline, but when I hear players like Rock Cartwright say in an interview that Sunday's game in Dallas is just another game to the players, I've got to wonder if they have any heart.

Before I even touch base on the whole Washington Redskins-Dallas Cowboy rivalry, I'd like to remind Rock that they are at the very least a divisional opponent.

Sure the 'Skins have about as much of a chance of winning the division this year as I do throwing the decisive touchdown pass to win said division, but that doesn't mean this team can't ruin at least part of the Cowboys' season.

For those of you who don't know, here is a quick history on what Sports Illustrated has named The Greatest Rivalry in Sports .

In the late '50s, Clint Murchison Jr. wanted to bring an NFL team to Dallas.  At one point, he almost bought the Redskins from George Preston Marshall.  Let that sink in for a moment, Redskins fans.  We were almost the Dallas Redskins.  I don't know if its my Starbucks Coffee, but I suddenly have a bad taste in my mouth.

When that, and other teams Murchison was trying to buy, fell through he decided to just start his own team.

For that to happen, Murchison would have to get approval from all of the NFL owners.  He had gotten approval from all but one owner, George Preston Marshall.

So, things got a little hot between the Redskin's owner and the future Cowboy's owner, but rivalries don't start because of heat, you need a fire.

And the Redskins' band leader was about to throw gasoline on the warming rivalry.

Band leader Barnee Breeskin decided to sell the rights of Hail to the Redskins to Murchison and Murchison would not let Marshall use the song unless he voted for the Cowboys.

I'm sure Rock Cartwright and many of the current Redskins and Cowboys don't know this story—they should, but probably don't.  I won't fault them for that.

However, they should want to kick each other's teeth in because they are on opposite sidelines in this game. 

Even without the rivalry, there should be hatred coming from the 'Skins to the 'Boys.  In the last ten years the Redskins have won three playoff games.  Not that impressive mind you, but do you know how many the Cowboys have won?

Zero!  The Eagles and the Giants have both made appearances in the Super Bowl in that time, with the Giants winning one of their two attempts, yet the Cowboys get all the attention in the NFC East.

As a player for any other of the three teams in the division I would down right loathe the Cowboys for that.

Apparently, though, Rock doesn't see it that way.  It's just another game to him.  That's fine, he's just a kick returner and third-string back, and after hearing his comments yesterday, I think he and any player who thinks like he does should be shipped out.

I will admit that this rivalry is probably bigger for the fans, I mean, after all, players come and go but we're with this team from birth to death. 

However, while these mercenaries for hire are here, I'd like them to at least pretend to hate the blue star on the silver helmet.

And just to prove to you that at one point the players cared about this rivalry I leave you with a quote from the great Joe Thiesmann.

"George Allen taught me to hate the Dallas Cowboys.  He taught me to hate the star he taught me to hate their shiny uniforms.  The Roger Staubuchs, the Danny Whites, the better than everyone attitude."

And frankly, Thiesmann has it right, and maybe one day this team will have that attitude again, and I assure you, once they do, they'll be winners again.