Green, Monk Help Set Redskins' Standard

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YOU CAN'T LIVE in the past.

The Redskins proved that the past four seasons under Joe Gibbs, who, though he tried, never quite found the same magic he had in the 1980s.

Every once in a while, though, it doesn't hurt to look backward. This is such a weekend for Redskins fans.

Two of the team's greats, Darrell Green and Art Monk, are going to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They may be the last players enshrined from the era that brought three Super Bowl titles to the nation's capital.

It's the time that made many area residents the Redskins fans they are today.
Some call Washingtonians spoiled for expecting greatness from the football team. We just have good long-term memories.

There's a lot of tradition behind the burgundy and gold.

That's why it was just a bit disheartening to hear new coach Jim Zorn dub the Redskins the "maroon, black and yellow" at his introductory press conference. He's no doubt heard endless jokes about that.

But he should know entering his first preseason game Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts that he is being held to the standard set during Green and Monk's prime.

Sunday night's game is meaningless, as is the entire exhibition season. As of the game Sept. 4 against the Giants, Zorn will have to prove he is not in over his head.

This weekend, the Redskins will be reliving their glory years. It will surely remind fans that they’re still waiting for the next Gibbs.

The question is whether Zorn is the coach the nation's capital has been waiting for.

Photo by Rich Lipski/TWP