With their next regular season victory, the Redskins will reach the 500-win plateau in franchise history. The Redskins will have their first opportunity at this milestone this Sunday when the Redskins host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener at FedExField.
Only three franchises have passed the 500-win mark. The Chicago Bears have won 641 games, the Green Bay Packers have won 602 and the New York Giants have won 571. The Redskins enter the 2004 season with 499 wins all-time.
Factoring in postseason wins, the Bears are No. 1 at 655, followed by Green Bay at 626, the Giants with 587 and the Redskins at 521. These are, of course, among the league's longest-running organizations.
Win No. 499 for the Redskins came last Dec. 7 in New York in the form of a 20-7 Washington victory over the New York Giants.
On Motions And Shifts
Joe Gibbs' offenses during the 1980s and early 1990s were renowned for their motions and shifts. But the NFL's shortened play clock could force Gibbs to alter how he approaches calling plays with motions and shifts.
Said Mark Brunell: "Surprisingly the quarterback doesn't do a whole lot with that. You have to make sure guys are set and are lined up properly before the shifts. There are 11 guys out there who are in control of the motions and movements. Even the linemen have to be set. So there's a lot to it. A lot of offenses don't even mess with that because it's complicated."
LaVar's Challenge
During a media session on Wednesday, LaVar Arrington turned his eyes to the camera and issued a challenge to Redskins fans at FedExField:
"We need the 12th man to be the MVP of this season," Arrington said. "As hard as we have been working as players and coaches, we need to have every fan in that stadium, the biggest stadium in the NFL, to make a difference. I believe they can all make a difference.
"I believe in this game coming up, and every home game we have, if the 12th man is there. If they are accountable, I think that the level will be immeasurable."
