One thing will never change.

[LongTimeSkinsFan]

I agree. We are improving in many areas, although special teams has many needs that have to be addressed. It WAS nice to see us pull off a punt block yesterday, but I seriously question Thrash on punt returns (it seems like 95% of the time he FCs), and Betts, while he is consistent, just doesn't have the speed to break a KO return.

As stupid as it sounds, I really walked away from that game feeling like we were playing against the Broncos and the refs. I've always found it interesting that Shanahan's teams have always had an 'unusual' relationship with the referees. I don't know if its because of his whiney, plaintive nature or if it's something else going on, but even when he was running Oakland, they always seemed to get a few more calls there way than the other guy in each game.

Finally, I found it highly amusing that yet another 'sports analyst' (this one from Foxsports) underplays the Redskins effort in a game that they were 'supposed to lose'.

'Ian Gold's break-up of a Mark Brunell pass on a potential game-tying, late fourth quarter, two-point conversion attempt was the clutch play of the weekend. The ball seemed destined to land in David Patten's paws until Gold suddenly appeared out of nowhere and made an athletic and heady play to break it up. The Broncos didn't play their best, and that's what makes the 21-19 win against a quality Redskins team one to savor.'

Hmmm, we'll just ignore the fact that Portis ran for over 100 yds, Brunell passed for over 300, and several questionable officiating calls had a bearing on the final outcome (especially the 'not-fumble', 'not-safety' play). I would like to know how the referees are reviewed with regards to their performance, if at all. I know that in baseball, umpires are 'graded' on their adjudication of the game and their review is directly tied to incentives and in some cases even their continued tenure.