For those of you who are fans of the Washington Redskins and who think “going out West” means driving to Falls Church, I thought I would offer a helpful study guide to help you prepare for this Saturday’s big game. Growing up in the Northwest and being a Seahawks fan myself, it is my duty to help you…and warn you.
As you know, the Washington Redskins face the Seattle Seahawks on January 14 at 4:30pm on FOX in the second round of the NFL playoffs. There is a lot for you all to catch up on so we better get started.
Today’s lesson: running back Shaun Alexander.
Get used to this photo, you’ll see it again on Saturday. This is what happens when Shaun scores a touchdown. He scored 28 of them this year- a new NFL record.
This year he also rushed for 1,880 yards- the most in the NFL (and over 300 more than Clinton Portis). Over his six-year career, Alexander has 7,817 yards rushing and 1,387 yards receiving with a total of 99 touchdowns.
(On a couple side notes, Alexander went to school at Alabama and he’s only a couple months older than I am.)
And Shaun is a real man on and off the field. He started the Shaun Alexander Foundation, a mentoring program for young men. I can think of one young man on the Skins who could use a positive role model.
Shaun Alexander: A class act…and the Redskins’ worst nightmare on Saturday.
Nathan, Nathan. Wow. And we thought we had to be sensitive about politics on this site. Whew. We are about to see some serious disunity, I fear.
I don’t have a dog in this fight (although I know you are trying to lure me in with Shaun Alexander’s collegiate roots), so I will just enjoy from the sidelines.
Heather Z
January 9th, 2006
Not sure how this happened - I think we need to make a new rule that only true Washingtonians can write on our small group blog (or at least about pro-football!)
Hail to the Redskins!
Christina Borja
January 9th, 2006
Nathan,
I’m just hoping Hasselback gaurantees a victory like he did against the Packers a few years ago
That’ll seal a Redskins victory 
The timing of this game is so opportune–right during our week of prayer
You’ll notice that we have prayer for our city on the prayer list. That would be Washington, DC not Seattle, WA. And by default the Skins are part of the city. You can follow the logic.
Pastor Mark
Mark Batterson
January 9th, 2006
I would just like to point out that Nathan’s post just propelled Christina Borja into the blogosphere. Welcome, Christina!
Heather Z
January 9th, 2006
Heather - don’t be pulled by Nathan’s schemes to get you to root for Alexander b/c of his Alabama roots. “Fight for old D.C.!!”
Leslie
January 9th, 2006
Nathan,
You always amaze me with your use of the English language. Truly hilarious.
While I understand that this is Part 1 of a hopefully 5 part diatribe on why the Seahawks are going to win their first playoff game in twenty five or so years, it’s always possible that you could be wrong and setting yourself up for months if not years of ridicule.
I would ask for prayer this week. Not necessarily that the Broncos beat the Patriots on my birthday because I can’t control that one, but that if we do lose, that I don’t seriously injure, beat, or possibly hospitalize my dear roommate who happens to be from New England.
I think that would fall under praying for our church, but that could fall under our city if I light his car on fire (just throwing it out there).
mferrigno
January 9th, 2006
either way- this whole argument is meaningless, because the winner of this game is only going to have to endure the tragedy of getting one game away from the super bowl and then experiencing a crushing, crushing defeat at the hands of the chicago bears in the nfc championship…
so really, the pain will be less if you go out this week…
bear down- chicago bears.
*hasler
jh
January 9th, 2006
Wow. Now I feel way way better about my SEC College Football passion. You guys are intense.
Go Skins!
heidiscanlon
January 9th, 2006
Were I a betting man, I’d be putting my money behind the TWO TIME DEFENDING CHAMPS and not worrying about all these other second and third place teams. Not only are they TWO TIME DEFENDING CHAMPS , but I’m pretty sure they’ve won THREE OF THE LAST FOUR Superbowls.
Tom Brady. Now that’s a quarterback.
Monty/Mike
January 10th, 2006
Ok sorry skins fans but Im gonna have to go with Nathan on this one! Seattle will punish if the skins play anything like they did the last two weeks.
Here are my pics
Seattle over Washington
Carolina over Chicago
Indy over Pittsburgh
NE over Denver
AFC Champ - Indy over NE
NFC Champ - Seattle over Carolina
Super Bowl - Indy over Seattle
Dave Clark
January 10th, 2006
Pastor Dave — thank you for the Indy love in your pics. The Colts are the classiest team with the classiest coach. Go Horse!
Sarah O.
January 10th, 2006
Nathan, the Seahawks having Sean Alexander is to the Cubs having Ernie Banks. Ie - One talented player, no playoff success. Skins 23-Shawks17
I have to throw my pics down like PD (though you could just flip his and you’d have mine)…
Skins over Seattle
Bears kill Carolina
NE over Denver
Pitt over Indi
NFC Champ: Bears
AFC Champ: NE
Superbowl Bears 13-10 (Urlacher MVP)
PJ
cubswinholycrow
January 11th, 2006