An Ode to Redskins fans — Give the Capitals a try!

Washington Capitals hockey is back!  The preseason is now a thing of the past, Caps posting a 4-2 record.  Regular season begins in just two days as the Washington Capitals open up the season with bean town rival Boston Bruins. 

Message and open invitation to my fellow Redskins brethren . . . No one is a bigger fan of the Washington Redskins than me.  Many of us are die-hards.  Been a huge fan since, well, I was at least 4 years old.  That’s over 30 years!  Been through the best, been through the worst, which now seems like the current era, a new rock bottom and low for Redskins fans.  Many of us are not just disappointed in the way the Redskins have  played this season, but are devastated at the last 17 years of a losing franchise.  Many of us sit and watch in utterly disgust at how the franchise has and is operating under egocentric owner Dan Snyder.

We remember clearly the days of the 1980′s and early 1990s’.  The days when the Redskins were consistent winners like today’s Patriots, Giants, Steelers and more.  Off years happened, but they were more rare than usual.  Today we watch others do it.  We yearn for those days.  We want that back!

The fantasy football approach Dan Snyder has taken with this roster has devastated the franchise.  There is no master plan here.  This franchise goes into each off-season operating on a whim, trying to grab the top free agent name, usually a player who immediately contacts the Redskins because he knows a big pay day awaits.  He is wisked away in Snyder’s private jet, wined and dined, then given a big fat deal with a huge signing bonus.  Snyder introduces them to the media with a smile from cheek to cheek, yet, they are usually players that are in positions of little need, roster wise.  No plan.  No logic.  No direction. 

The team has literally no methodology to drafting, the lack of young talent on the current roster shows that.  Vinny Cerrato happily chimes in the Redskins take a best available player approach.  That is only because he has no methodology, no real approach and needs a name for it. 

It is a pain in the heart to watch this proud, historic franchise fall to the depths of the Cardinals, Lions, Browns, and Bengals.  Yes Redskins fans, that is the state of this franchise.  Snyder bought the team in 1999, but we won’t include that year in his record, because essentially, he did nothing to build that 1999 team.  Snyder’s fingerprints began in 2000.  Since 2000, the Redskins have gone 67-80 (.455), have posted only 2 winning seasons, only one with double digit wins, and went to the playoffs only twice.  They have not won the NFC Conference or the NFC East under Snyder’s reign of terror.  Depressing eh? 

Snyder has made it clear by words and actions he will spend money, but the problem is, the franchise drifts aimlessly and cluelessly ahead as Sndyer and side kick Vinny try and build a fantasy roster.  They pay the cash, but with little rhyme or reason.  The moves they make do not fit any overall scheme or plan.  Why?  Because there is no plan. 

The sad truth is, many players have come to Washington for the big pay day and that is it, including some on the current roster.  The lack of a professional GM and front office personnel combined with Snyder’s involvement in all aspects of football operations has spiraled this franchise into a state of complete mediocrity and is driving a once rabid fan base to one of complete apathy and disinterest.  Fact is, Vinny Cerrato would be hard pressed to find any other job in any other NFL front office.   But, for Dan Snyder, Vinny plays racquetball and can say yes, good enough, your qualified for Redskins Park.  It’s sad.  Really sad.  Imagine if Dan Snyder actually woke up, was willing to spend money, completely step out of football operations, and hired a first class General Manager and personnel department.  Imagine the possibilities.  But that won’t happen.  Why?  Well, it just isn’t fun that way.  I guess. 

That being said — give up and write off the Redskins?  HELL NO!  I
admit I am becoming more and more apathetic.  I admit I refuse to buy
game tickets and you will not see me at FEDEX this year.  I admit I am
done buying jerseys and any team gear.  Not because I don’t love this
franchise.  Not because I gave up on the Redskins.  Only because I
refuse to give this owner any, and I mean ANY, of my money.  No way. 
I’m done buying anything Redskins until there is a plan in place that
does not include Snyder’s involvement.  Done! 

But it looks
like it could be a very long, difficult season for fans.  So, as you
follow the Redskins, let us here at DCPSR invite you, if you are not a
hockey fan, to try out these Washington Capitals.  I am taking my
Redskins cash, combining it with cash I already spend on the Caps, and
rewarding a franchise that understood what I wanted to see as a fan. 
That respects me as a fan.  And yes, even listens to me, as a fan.  Yes
I am buying Caps.  Caps gear.  Caps merchandise.  Caps game tickets. 
Yes I will spend. 

I have a Caps license plate.  I have a Caps
plate bracket.  I even have a Caps PA plate, DC CAPS. I have 4 Caps
t-shirts.  And yes, I have three Caps jerseys.  Even better yet, I will
be going to Verison Center a few times this season.  Yes, I will spend
my money in Washington, but it will be downtown instead of Landover. 

New
to hockey?  Don’t understand the NHL?  Not sure you can get into it? 
All we ask is — try it out.  What’s the harm in trying?  It is a
terrific sport.  Just as active, just as brutal, and just as fun as the
NFL.  I promise. 

These
Caps are a young, energetic, and enthusiastic team.  They are one of
the NHL’s offensive juggernauts.  They score.  Often.  They have
offense.  Lots of it.  Something the Redskins don’t have.  They are
extremely fun to watch.

This Caps roster is full of great personalities and characters that interact with the fans in special ways.  They
have the giddy fun like your local little league team.  They are addicting to
watch.  You can tell, even with the big pay checks, these guys love the game itself. 

Better
yet — they will be good this year, damn good.  Probably for the next
5 years.  They are led by the
very best player in the entire sport, Great 8, Alexander Ovechkin.  You
have to watch this guy play.  I can’t imagine having a Redskin player
that loves the sport as much as Ovie loves hockey.  Refreshing.  He
is the damn best player of this generation and an absolute blast to
watch.  His enthusiasm, intensity, and love of the sport is amazingly
refreshing.  The Caps have a chance to go far, real far.  As far as
Lord Stanley?   We’ll see.  Just give it a try. 

The
Caps are run by a terrific team owner (Ted Leonsis), who LEARNED
lessons on how to be an effective sports franchise owner, stepping out
of hockey
operations to allow professional personnel to create a master plan and
implement it.  What a plan it was!  Funny how letting professionals do
their job creates a winner.  A lesson Dan Snyder has NOT and likely
refuses to learn.

Ted
Leonsis does not buy media outlets to preach his spin.  He gets a long
well and embraces Washington media.  Interacts with Washington media. 
Embraces the blog world.  Technologically, Leonsis is ahead of his
League.  He invites bloggers to practices, training camps, and games. 
You don’t have to write wonderful stuff about the Caps or Leonsis
himself.  Not Leonsis style.  Imagine that.  He embraces the publicity,
uses the Web, and embraces the role the media and blogosphere can play
in publicity and fan base development.  Yes, Leonsis is an AOL guy and
understands internet technology. 

In other words, he is an
Anti-Snyder type owner.  They could not be more opposite in the way
they run their franchises.  The franchises themselves could not be more
opposite in the direction and paths they are on.  The Caps are full of
young superstars who lack the ego and stats driven attitude.  These
guys have a close bond with one another, you can tell on and off the
ice.  From what I have witnessed, one of the most terrific things about
this roster of guys is  — they play to win, not for personal gain. 
Stats are great.  Stats are awesome.  But with this team, it is the win
that matters the most.  Wow. 

Imagine if the Redskins were
like that.  Instead, it just seems after every game, one of the issues
fans point out the most is, the team plays with little passion,
completely lethargic, they just quit and don’t care.  A huge
difference.  At least to me as a fan. 

The Capitals season
gets underway on Thursday.  They face the reigning Eastern Conference
top point scorers,  Boston Bruins.  Start out right away.  Get on
board.  It will help you get through your Redskins pain. 

And
just imagine, you may even become a big time hockey fan.  It can
happen.  It has happened.  Give it a try.  And if you are hesitant
because you never watched hockey and you know you wouldn’t understand
the rules, don’t worry, you will pick it up as you watch.  You can also
start HERE, and HERE.   

Capitals
hockey is addicting.  We promise.  It is also a well run franchise that
has built a truly exciting team.  They are built for the future as
well.  A once declared dead hockey town now boasts the Sea of Red at
the Verizon Center that many NHL players stated last year, was an
absolute hell to play in.  Kind of like the old days of RFK. 
Remember?  Hockey is not only NOT dead in DC, but is bustling and
thriving.  Why?  Because they are winning. Because they are a thrill to
watch.  Because the franchise is well run.  Because the franchise cares
about the fans.  Because it is all the Redskins once used to be.

Give Caps hockey a try!