Returnees

It's quite the trend this free agency period. Griese back to the Bucs. Kearse back to the Titans. Muhammed back to the Panthers. Booker back to the Bears.

(I pity the Bears who signed Brandon Lloyd. But I pity the Skins for having wasted $10 million on him in the first place. Yes, he made some nice plays against the Skins as a Niner but there was never any sign of consistency or promise that warranted a $10 million contract. That is a clear example of why Cerrato fails in the much-needed GM capacity. I'm sure Gibbs wasn't the one who wanted Lloyd.)

Gregg Williams and Jim Zorn

He deserved so much better. Four years as heir apparent. Support of the team and fans. Support of yours truly. Four long interviews.

But he obviously sealed his own fate all along. He apparently had never reached out to form a relationship with Snyder. He hadn't earned Snyder's admiration and respect. He didn't have the charm that Snyder found with Zorn (and seemingly saw in Mora as well).

It was a big mistake not to let Gibbs know about the 10-player thing after Taylor's death. Of course Gibbs would have given his blessing. But by catching Gibbs off guard withthat, Williams didn't appear to pay the same homage to him that Snyder would have expected.

Gregg Williams moves on to a better situation. So long as Snyder and Cerrato are in charge, the best coach for the Skins was Gibbs. No other coach will ever have the same respect from Snyder unless he can immediately have the Skins contending in the playoffs and do so consistently.

Zorn will have two years. Mark my words. If there is ever a two-year period where the Skins aren't in the playoffs (including these first two), he will be gone. Say he pulls it off and has the Skins contending and even wins a Super Bowl (knock on wood). If he then hits a dry spell, that SB will probably buy him one extra year of leeway. So three years out of the playoffs and he's gone. .

Sean Taylor

Heartbreaking loss. Sports figures are so magnified in our society through the media that a loss like that really feels like we've lost a friend. Many of us feel that way even though we may not have actually met #21.

I watched the video tributes available online (on redskins.com and washingtonpost.com). Was anybody able to watch those tributes and maintain dry eyes.

There was no denying his talent. No denying his ferocity. No denying his love for the game. And that was all recognized with the Pro Bowl nod.

And then there were the personal family circumstances. So young (same age as my youngest brother). A young daughter who will grow up without him. A troubled past that he appeared to be putting behind him. Sean Taylor, we barely knew you but what we did know, we loved. Rest in peace.

Moody Blogswings

The problem I've found with blogging about my favorite sports team is that when they lose, I don't feel like rehashing and dissecting their loss in detail. I'm depressed that they lost and can't stand to read about it on washingtonpost.com. By the same token, when they're winning, I can't get enough. So I've been an absentee blogger for much of the season.

What about their winning stretch when they won a bunch in a row to get into the playoffs? First, it was just hard to blog after the Sean Taylor tragedy. Second, we die-hard sports fans all have our supersitions and know about jinxing a good thing. (And of course there was the whole finding time issue) However, I resolve to be a more consistent blogger about the Skins in 2008.

Running the Rock

It's hard to run the football when your starting offensive line has been decimated by injuries. From last year's O-line, only Chris Samuels and Casey Rabach are playing.

Derrick Dockery, who now has his own ugly Web site, departed for the Buffalo Bills. Outstanding OG Randy Thomas has endured a season-ending injury for the second consecutive season. Jon Jansen also suffered a season-ending injury (breaking his ankle), for the second time in four seasons.

On the plus side, although Pete Kendall joined late, he appears to have plugged in. Rabach was injured last week with a groin injury but is back. The question is on the right side with Jason Fabini and Todd Wade subbing in for Thomas and Jansen, respectively.

It's not for a lack of attempts, which is positive but the unit has shown no signs of jelling. The team is averaging only 3.5 yards per rush.