The 2006 Washington Redskins returned to Texas Stadium for Game 2 and picked up where they left off with 7 minutes left in Game 2 of 2005. For most of that game, the Redskins offense was stuck in the mud, able to generate few first downs while Dallas did just enough against our defense to pull away. Around that seven minute mark, something magical happened in 2005. The offense summoned up enough daring, focus, and confidence to go with their physical talent to go on the attack. The tables turned, the Skins walked away with a comeback victory, and that confidence carried the team the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

In a season that was supposed to continue building on that swagger, the clock was turned back last night, and the team seemed to resume the horrible play of that game as if everything since was just a dream. There was no more sign of offensive execution or consistency than there was during any of the Spurrier years. The defense hung in for much of the game despite the pressure the offense put on them, but in the end they still gave up too many 1st downs and big plays. After two games against opponents thought to be big question marks, the Redskins are in the bottom 25% of the league in most major statistical categories.

At 0-2, everything's not over. But time grows short to figure out what this year's particular malaise is. Everyone knows that kind of scrutiny starts at the top - coaching - and then quickly turns to the field commander, the quarterback. Brunell earned back a great deal of adoration in the Dallas win last year. He may have finished undoing most of it by the end of yesterday's game. Even those the most patient with Brunell and Gibbs have to feel that the QBs leash must be very short now. The only way we'll ever know if Jason Campbell is the true future of the team is to get him on the field. Whether you view that as an opportunity or a surrender, its pretty clear there's not much point left in delaying it much longer.