What's Considered Success for Next Season?

Anything less than the playoffs is always a disaster.

Making the playoffs doesn't mean it isn't a disaster, though. 8-8 will make the playoffs this year - would that be a success next year? Obviously not. Playoffs are a component, and it's good you bring that up, but we need to rack up some wins too.

Making the playoffs doesn't mean it isn't a disaster, though. 8-8 will make the playoffs this year - would that be a success next year? Obviously not. Playoffs are a component, and it's good you bring that up, but we need to rack up some wins too.

This is what I'm trying to get at, sort of. Is a successful season gauged by total number of victories or a playoff appearance?

It's hand-in-hand. There have been 2 teams with 10+ wins that haven't made it to the playoffs in the last 5 years, and every 10+ win team this year will make the playoffs. If 97% of 10+ win seasons mean a playoff appearance, then 10+ wins next season almost guarantees a playoff spot.

So, I would say 10+ wins is a successful season. If we don't make the playoffs with 10 wins, it's a fluke. If we make the playoffs with 8 wins, then that's a fluke, and not a successful season.

10-6 should definitely be expected whether if it is good enough to make the playoffs or not.

This is what I'm trying to get at, sort of. Is a successful season gauged by total number of victories or a playoff appearance?
to me, its about getting into the playoffs. once in, anything can happen

to me, its about getting into the playoffs. once in, anything can happen

I can sort of agree with that too, although having a better record is "Supposed" to make it easier for a team to get through the playoffs, but you are right...once in anything can happen.

I just want to go back to the feeling I had in Gibbs I where each and every Sunday, you expected the Redskins to win, and if they lost, then it was unusual!

Anything less than the playoffs is always a disaster.

Exactly.

With the talent we have on this team, thats gotta be a minimum. We have the talent to win in this league, and against the teams we play. I only really saw us outmatched once and that was against Indianapolis and the first game against Dallas/Philly; other than that there isnt a game I can look at and say we shouldnt have won.

I'd say anything 10-6 and a playoff win would be a success. But if the NFC doesn't improve much on this season, our schedule works out in our favor a bit and we stay healthy I really really think we have 11-5/12-4 type talent. The key is that everything needs to click with no injuries. I do not think an NFC chapionship appearance is a stretch and if you make it to that game then who the heck knows. essentially I'll have similar expectations that I had this year. I see no reason to have lower expectations.

I think the offense picks it up, gets into the top ten, and I'll even venture to say there will be slight improvement with the D (how much worse can it get?).

Still, there are too many problems with the team overall, and not enough solutions.

7 - 9.

If Joe Gibbs, Gregg Williams, and Al Saunders can't get it done here, who the hell can??? It's not the coaching. It's the QB position. Brunell wouldn't threaten deep down the field, and Campbell is still learning.

We go as far as Campbell takes us. I think he can win 10 games after a full offseason of work.

I think it is a combo coaching and QB. I used to think it was more coaching but the last several seasosn around the league have made me a realize how black and white the qb position is for an NFL team. With a QB playing well you have a chance to win every game. With him playing poorly you have a chance to win maybe half your games if you have a good defense and decent players around him. To be successful with a poor or even mediocre QB you need a stellar defense. (See Balt and Chi)

It seems that a lot of people think the QB position is overrated but I think if anything it is underrated. Take Peyton off of Indy and they are a 8-8/9-7 team at best. Put him on Arizona and they win 11-12 games. Same in Minny.

I think though you also have to have good coaching with a solid scheme. The more and more I see Seattle and Philly play the more I realize how flawed their offenses are. I don't think it is a coincidence that their performance is all over the map the last 4 years. Even with good QBs they struggle to over come limited offensive shcemes and sometimes shoddy coaching.

The Pats are a perfect example. They really haven't been super talented but they have a great scheme on both sides of the ball, quality coaching and a super QB.

Basically to me good coaching and scheming overcome the spots where you have mediocre players. But the scheme or coach can't overcome having a poor QB. You need both to compete year in and year out.