On November 16, 1974, the Washington Redskins came to St. Louis to play the Football Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Each team was a member of the NFC East and each team was successful in the win/loss column. In those days, the Redskins and the Big Red were as compatible as gasoline and water: dogs and cats: Cardinal fans and Cub Fans: Democrats and Republicans. These two teams did not like each other at all.

Late in the fourth quarter on that cold November afternoon with the Skins leading by 7 points, St. Louis Quarterback Jim Hart dropped back and threw a pass into the end-zone to Wide Receiver Mel Gray. #85 was covered by Redskin Cornerback Pat Fischer. Both players fought for the ball. It never did hit the ground but was it a touchdown or not?

All the officials conferred and it was ruled that Gray had possession in the end zone. Give St. Louis six points. An extra point would tie the game. Later, in the overtime, Jim Bakken would calmly kick a field goal to give St. Louis the 20-17 victory.

Washington (and former Los Angeles Ram) Head Coach, the late George Allen, was livid. He showed that replay over and over and over again to any NFL official or television outlet that would care to listen. That cold November day would be the last time an Allen coached Washington team would lose to the St. Louis Football Cardinals.

And on that day, Gateway City football fans learned to despise the team from our Nation's Capitol. They would be considered Public Enemy Number One. In those days, the local fans disliked the Dallas Cowboys. The Washington Redskins were hated.

Now, twenty-six years and four days later, the Washington Redskins still give St. Louis football fans headaches with the same results. And in this latest chapter of the tortoise versus the hare, it was the tortoise that once again came out on top.

Before Al Michaels, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller and a nationally televised audience, the Skins walked into the Trans World Dome and defeated the Rams 33-20. In so doing, Washington taught our Male Sheep a lesson in preparing for a big game. In so doing, they also taught our Male Sheep a lesson on the value of experience.

St. Louis did not have to win this game. Washington absolutely had to win it. Yet, the Rams provided the Skins an early Christmas present by giving this game away. A team can not fumble the ball twice, throw a fourth quarter interception in the end zone, allow six quarterback sacks and a safety, and still expect to win the game.

Falling behind 10-0 early in the first period, the Skins took charge. They eventually tied the game at half time with two late scores. In the second half, Washington controlled the game offensively and defensively: outscoring St. Louis 20-7 as the Rams Mike Martz looked like a frustrated first year coach (especially after a surprise on-side kick).

Just like those teams a generation ago, these Redskins are a throwback to old "Over the Hill Gang". They simply refuse to fold. George Allen's motto was "the Future is Now". These current veterans are as valuable to Washington as Florida Chad is to Al Gore. They may be the only group in Washington not suffering from gridlock.

Soon to be 33 year old Quarterback Jeff George put up Kurt Warner-like numbers: completing 24 of 34 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. 44-year-old place kicker Eddie Murray successfully converted four field goals. 37 year old Bruce Smith sacked Rams Quarterback Trent Green three times plus a fourth quarter safety. 33 year old Defensive Back Deion Sanders forced a fumble stopping a St. Louis scoring drive. A touchdown pass to 38-year-old wide receiver Irving Fryar put the Skins ahead to stay.

Washington not only seized the moment, but also caught the eye of the national media. Catch these comments of John Clayton on ESPN.COM: "If the Rams want to return to the Super Bowl, they better learn an important lesson. Respect the league elders.

Two weeks ago, coach Mike Martz demeaned Reggie White's comeback from retirement and was slapped with a 27-24 loss to the Panthers and two quarterback sacks by none other than White. On Monday night, Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith steamed over a lack of respect he perceived from Rams players. Smith sacked Trent Green three times, including an exclamation mark safety to cap a 33-20 upset in the TWA Dome. Suddenly, the invincible look vincible; the unstoppable can occasionally be stopped. Wile E. Coyote, for once, caught the Roadrunner.

"I just think when other teams walk out on the field, they should have the respect that they deserve," the 37-year-old Smith said. "I'm not going to harp on it, but the fact that all we heard all week is how are we going to stop them, how are we going to slow them down? We kept hearing how they were going to score 37 points on us."

Few teams have as many NFL senior citizens as the Redskins do. The Rams are hip-hop. The Redskins are big band."

I guess Mr. Clayton and the Redskins were not intimidated with the local media's pre-game spin on the "Super Bowl Champion Rams". At gut check time, the Redskins simply outplayed the Home Team. The Duck Down dance was replaced by the Mashed Potato.

After jumping out to an early ten-point lead, the Rams could not muster any sustained scoring drive. Washington made defensive adjustments and the Rams did not counter or react to them. The Skins slowed the pace of the Greatest Show on Earth to a Bingo Social. Trent Green was sacked six times. Trent really looked Green as Redskin Defensive Coordinator Ray Rhodes successful executed blitz after blitz: penetrating the Rams offensive line like a hot knife through butter.

Late in this game, the Redskins looked like an experienced team expecting to win. Eight-year veteran Dana Stubblefield might even go on to say "Same Old Redskins".

Our Navy and Gold heroes hopefully learned that experience can be a very cruel teacher. Still, the Rams do continue to control their own destiny. Monday night's loss brings their overall record to 8-3. Bottom line: if St. Louis finishes the 2000 season with a five-game winning streak, they will earn the home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. However, there will be roadblocks called Minnesota, Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Carolina in the way. This won't be an easy journey and time will tell how they will react.

If Monday night is any indication, Gateway City football fans should be concerned.

It was illustrated again Monday night that when you are the defending Super Bowl Champs, all opponents will be gunning for you. Also, when you are the defending Super Bowl Champs, you need to remember that you can't just do it on reputation. It remains unclear as New Orleans comes to town for Game Twelve whether or not the Rams are aware of this. That focus for these next five games should be Priority One for Martz.

Just like a generation ago the Washington Redskins have frustrated the Gateway City football fans. Sometimes as things change, they also remain the same.

Meanwhile in our Nation's Capitol, partisan arguments concerning hand counts, dimpled, pregnant or three corner Chad have been put on the back burner for a moment. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents have joined in song:

"Hail to the Redskins-Hail Victory. Braves on the warpath-Win for Old D C"

That's another golden oldie that St. Louis football fans know much too well.