Cavs, Skins linked by hard times

The team has a losing record, the coach is perceived as a lame duck, and the offense just can't seem to score points.

Is it the Washington Redskins or the Virginia Cavaliers? And perhaps more important, does it matter?

It's been a trying season for Cavs and Skins fans. Neither team figures to be slotted into a postseason game.

The similarities don't end there. The same problems fans watch on Saturday seem to haunt their Sundays as well.

Virginia wide receiver Jared Green experiences both worlds -- his father, Darrell, played for the Redskins, and the younger Green occasionally chats with some of the players.

"I know they're going through a lot," he said. "It's unfortunate, but it's just one of those things."

Both teams have had struggles at quarterback. For Virginia, it's been a matter of juggling among Vic Hall, Jameel Sewell and Marc Verica. Washington has had just one, though Jason Campbell has yet to inspire the fan base.

The problems for both teams, however, have centered on offensive-line play. For the Cavs, coach Al Groh alluded to as much when he said yesterday the holes for running backs haven't been sufficient.

"Unfortunately for who ever is carrying the ball, we haven't been able to give them as much help, as far as openings, that we'd like to give any back," he said.

In D.C., the line's anchor, Chris Samuels, went down with injury, leaving a rag-tag collection of inexperienced players.

"I'm concerned with our injuries, but it's what all the teams have to deal with each week," coach Jim Zorn said. "One thing that we will do is be competitive. We'll go out and compete. We will put our best effort out on the field."

And, as much as fans hate to hear it, both teams may have their toughest games still ahead of them.

The Redskins started by playing six winless teams in a row, but now must face the reality of the NFC East.

Meanwhile, Virginia will finish its season against Boston College, Clemson and Virginia Tech, all winning teams with eyes on prestigious bowl games.

Both teams are dealing with unhappy fans. The Redskins still sell out every game, though many of those fans have skipped showing up on Sundays.

On Saturdays, Scott Stadium still draws at least 40,000 people, but linebacker Aaron Clark said it's evident when the crowd is pumped up and behind the team.

"We still get great crowds," Clark said. "But there's a difference between seeing a crowd and feeling a crowd. The players know when a crowd's behind them, and they really appreciate it when they are."

Contact Michael Phillips at (804) 649-6546