Washington Redskins: 10 Reasons Why The Redskins/Cowboys Rivalry Will Be Reborn
George Allen, Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, Joe Theisman, Jimmie Johnson, Joe Gibbs, Troy Aikman and Darrell Green all bring to mind better times for the two basement teams of the NFC East in 2010. Games like the 1983 NFC Championship Game and 1979 NFC East Title Game are games that both teams remember very well as a part of their rich history. Some might remember the thunder of 54,000 fans screaming "We Want Dallas!" or the miraculous 35-34 comeback victory over the Redskins to win the division in 1979.
Unfortunately, it seems like history is all that is left. It seems like ages ago that both teams were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. The hatred and rivalry once shared seems like a distant memory of the glory days. It would do well for both fanbases to remember that history is still being written. The Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys both showed in 2010 that there is a lot of work to be done to resurrect the success of the past, but they also showed signs of a brighter future.
1. The Drama
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If 2010 showed us anything good about the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry, it showed us that the games still bring us to prayers. In the season opener, I still remember the sinking of my heart when Roy Williams caught the touchdown, only to find my pulse in the flag indicator on the screen. The game was very symbolic of the Cowboys season, a valiant effort that always seemed to come up just short due to dumb mistakes.
The Redskins season too was mirrored from that game, as the team could not defeat an opponent with offense or defense, but would only win by capitalizing on their opponents mistakes. In Week 15, the teams would prove once again that no matter who was under center or what the record was, there is always something to play for and to not give up until the final whistle blows.
A miraculous comeback after trailing 27-7 fell just short for Washington as the game ended 33-30. The drama between two long rivals still exists on the field, and not just in the stands.
2. The Youth Movement
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When the 2010 season began, the Washington Redskins met the Dallas Cowboys with the oldest roster in the league. Since that Opening Day, they drastically reduced the average age of their team. With depth chart moves such as Kory Lichtensteiger for Artis Hicks, Anthony Armstrong for Joey Galloway and Ryan Torain for Clinton Portis, the Redskins added youth to their starting roster.
The special teams for both the Cowboys and Redskins saw rookies (very different in size) take kickoffs to the house and add a much needed spark in the return game. The Cowboys running game looks like it's headed in a younger direction with more playing time of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice over Marion Barber.
It appears the Redskins will look for a younger option at QB next year, and I would suspect the defense for both teams to be active in the NFL Draft.
3. Jason Garrett
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Many wondered who would replace Wade Phillips when the team fell to an unthinkable 1-7. Rumors of Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden taking over in Big D were thought to become reality. Thankfully for Dallas, it appears their answer at head coach came at a much cheaper cost as Jason Garrett, former offensive coordinator, took control and put the team back on track toward success.
The team played differently with him at the controls and W's were the result. Now that Garrett has secured his spot as Dallas' Head Coach, I would only suspect that trend to continue. There is a culture change in Dallas and Garrett is at the core of it.
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4. Mike Shanahan
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Mike Shanahan has been met with a lot of critics after leading the Redskins to a poor 6-10 record in 2010. Although 6-10 is far from impressive, it is an improvement from before he came, and I'm not just talking about two extra wins from 2009. With the exception of a Monday Night debacle against Philly, the Redskins were in almost every game and were a few dropped passes and missed field goals from wins.
Shanahan chose wisely in the last draft with the addition of OT Trent Williams, and I would suspect him to do the same in 2010. Shanahan might not have done the best job of coaching the Redskins last year, but I didn't see anyone else in line to pick up the controls after 2009.
He has the team going in the right direction, but needs more than one year to bring back a winning record.
5. The Owners
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None can argue that Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder are some of the most brilliant businessmen in the NFL. On the latest edition of Forbes' Most Valuable Sports Franchises, Snyder had the Washington Redskins as the third most valuable sports franchise in the world. The only NFL team to outdo him was Jones' Dallas Cowboys in second. The only problem with both teams are they both finished 6-10 in 2010.
These are two owners that will open their wallets to help the team win. Although this strategy has burned them in the past, I believe they will both do anything to get their teams back in the win column. Snyder appears to have stepped back and given control of the Redskins to men that are more football-minded. Jones' decision to fire Wade Phillips was long overdue and his decision to stick with Jason Garrett instead of signing a big name head coach might pay big dividends in 2011.
6. The Fans
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It almost seems, at times, that the fans are the only aspect of this rivalry that still exists. The trash talk that goes into these games is always fun to hear, and many bets have been won or lost on Cowboys-Redskins games.
Last year the emotions of both fans swung like a pendulum as a near Cowboys victory was suddenly snatched away by the referee's yellow flag. 14 weeks later, the hope of victory on a comeback by Rex Grossman was swept away by David Buehler's field goal to secure the 33-30 Cowboys win. The rivalry is still alive in the stands as silver and blue shows up to away games in Washington and burgundy and gold appear in the New Cowboys Stadium when the Redskins come to town.
The trash talk about games of old will continue for games and seasons to come.
7. The 3-4 Denfense
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A few years ago the Dallas Cowboys implemented the 3-4 defense. There was no doubt that they struggled after bringing in the new system in their first year. Although their defense appeared terrible at times in 2010, the 3-4 system was not the culprit. The secondary was constantly the reason why Dallas gave up big plays on defense.
The 3-4 system, led by LB DeMarcus Ware, is slowly become one of the best 3-4 systems in the NFC. The Redskins made the switch to the 3-4 in 2010 and it was clear by their 31st overall finish that the move has a lot of work to do. The Redskins will address personnel problems to the system in the offseason and are one outside linebacker away from having a strong two-prong attack with Brian Orakpo.
Both the Cowboys and Redskins defensive systems will improve over the next few years, resulting in overall improvement of the teams.
8. Dallas's Wide Receivers
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With the addition of Dez Bryant last year, the Cowboys assembled one of the best wide receiving corps in the league with Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams. As their offense continues to progress, so will the talent of their wide receivers.
Both Austin and Bryant are young and could become one of the most dangerous receiving combinations in the NFL. The Cowboys offense, led by Tony Romo, Felix Jones,and Miles Austin, have all the pieces in place to become one of the most productive offenses and productive teams in the league.
9. Washington's Running Backs
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Ryan Torain came as a pleasant surprise for a struggling team in 2010. With the loss of Clinton Portis, the Redskins appeared to lack depth at running back, but the emergence of Ryan Torain gave the Redskins a cheaper, younger and stronger back for years to come.
He accumulated 158 yards in the first half against Tampa Bay in Week 14. If the Redskins are able to pick up a faster back in either the draft or free agency, they will have the right long-term plan for a young and powerful rushing attack. Torain, a downhill power runner, looks to be taking the reigns from Portis at half the price.
Another factor is their improvement of the offensive line. If the offensive line situation can be handled correctly, and running lanes open up, the Redskins running game will look pretty. Against the opinions of the analysts, I believe that the Redskins are on pace to have one of the better rushing attacks in the league, depending on how their strategy in the offseason.
10. Rebuilding Teams
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Both the Cowboys and the Redskins looked terrible in 2010. One team began with an abysmal start and an improving finish, while the other began well and finished poorly. The 6-10 records tied for the bottom of the barrel in the NFC East. However, the two teams appear to be making the right moves to lead to better days ahead.
The Redskins have a longer road to travel before they reach a level of contention, but with the right decisions (not the big-name contracts of old) they will see two or three more wins in 2011, and even more, for the long-haul.
The Cowboys look to be only one offseason away from regaining the title of division champion in 2011. The two teams might not be too far from competing in a meaningful game in the future, and a rivalry that once was alive and flourishing, might soon rise again.
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