Sporting News Football '08: Redskins (Magazine)

The summary of the article seems pretty decent and unfortunately for us these preseason mags lowballing us usually doesn't bode well for us. Last year making the playoffs was great, but in all honesty, the NFC was weak as hell. Things will again be tough for us in the NFC East with a retooled, healthier Philly. IF we do make the playoffs it will be a mirror of last season.

Ah i am more excited for this season then I've been in recent years. I think we will be more aggressive and productive on offense. Last year our offense was based on timing, this year receivers will be able to adjust to coverages when running routes. With the mobility of JC i think this plays more into his strengths. Yea Philly will be improved but i dont think Dall-ass and the giants will have the years they had last year. Im going to say anywhere from 8-8 to 11-5 going 3-3 in the division.

As a team that lost four heartbreakers in a row only to rebound and make the playoffs, other than head coach what question marks do we have? I see no reason our offense won't be vastly improved (young QB continuing to grow, offensive line that can't possibly more injured than last season, significant upgrades at the skill positions, and, let's face it, a more modern NFL offensive philosophy). While we do have some threatening injuries on defense, I think it's reasonable to expect a level of performance at least close to last year's. If anything we under achieved this previous season. What do you see that I don't that makes a 4-12 prediction seem anything other than outrageous?

If Zorn turns out to be a hack than yeah, maybe we'll be bad, but I am at least willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Where are the "significant upgrades at the skill positions" ?? Do you mean the draft picks? Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas? If they collectively amass 50 receptions this year, we should feel lucky.

The offensive line couldn't be more injured than they were last year? I hope you knocked on wood when you typed that.

Other than Zorn? Nothing.

But it's all about Zorn. Here's the thing, I'm a Redskin fan and traditionalist. To me, Joe Gibbs is one of the greatest coaches of all time. How do you go from him to Jim Zorn, with basically the same player personnel, without taking a step back?

If Zorn puts up a better record than Gibbs, which I admit is possible, it will pretty much turn everything I know about coaching upside down.

But if I'm a betting man, I'm with Daseal. No playoffs for us this year. I won't go so far as 4-12; but if we make 8-8 in this division with a new coach, you'd have to be pleased with Zorn's first season.
Without rehashing for the umpteenth time the Gibbs/conservative playcalling issue, he/Al didn't get the most from our talent last year. There were flickers, but the burner never was turned past medium.

Here's where I think our offense will be much improved this year. To a man, we've heard the playmakers rave about what they've seen from Zorn's offense thus far. The common themes have been aggression, putting players in positions to make plays, playing to the offensive players strengths.

Maybe I am looking thru maroon and black colored glasses, but I think we're going to see an offense unlike what we've seen in DC in YEARS. I think JC is going to have a big year & Portis having a career year. I don't expect to see a breakout WR but more balanced numbers and consistency across the board. We're not going to be a remake of the '99 Rams or anything, but if we don't consistently put up 24-28 points, I will be surprised.

As someone else said, I have some questions on defense. While I didn't share the same man love most had for Grilliams, I don't know if Blache is the answer either. Again I'll refer to the players comments this offseason about how the schemes are much simpler (which also means they are simpler to scout against, but that's a different thread) and 'let guys make plays'.

If nothing else, at the end of the year we should know what kind of players we have. Are we talented enough to compete at the upper crust of the NFL as our FO seems to think or are we a collection of names who've had occassional moderate success and cashed in?

I think the overall assessment is fair, though 4-12 is off. Unfortunately we are a middle of the road team right now. Somewhere between the Patriots and the Dolphins. The offense will struggle early. It will take a little time to adjust to a new system and rookie receivers. Fortunately the easiest part of the schedule is in December when the offense should be more in sync. I think if we were in the NFC West or South we would win the division but in the East we probably will be 4th.
Strahan's retirement will hurt the GMen more than they think, Andy Reid will outsmart themselves and Romo still will struggle in the big games, but they are all better than us right now.

Nemo:

Here are my questions. Jason Campbell. I love the guy, but it's got to be a big year for him. Granted, all these new systems isn't fair for him -- but as he goes, we go -- and I'm not sure hes ready yet. Especially since we're switching offenses this year. Secondly, where do you see huge upgrades at skill positions. We have more or less three rookie receivers (Davis isn't exactly an inline blocking type of TE), rookie receivers typically have little to no impact. RBs will be the same, as will QB -- so skill positions are the same.

However, my concern comes on the defense. From what I understand, Blache is a Dline rush coverage type guy -- which I don't think works for this team. That and I'm not sold he's a quarter of what GWill was. Also -- Rocky and Carlos probably not being there on opening day is huge, along with the question mark that is Marcus Washington. I think our defense falls off rather significantly, and our offense improves some.

Granted, it's June. Maybe I'll feel better when I see a few practices in training camp, or when I hear the injured guys are working out.

Please don't take this as a knock on Zorn. I actually think he's a great candidate. But lets be realistic, he was a quarterbacks coach less than a year ago. The adjustment might be more steep than he was expecting and it takes a while to implement an offense.

Now, 4-12 is ridiculous. I expect us to be at worse 6-10. at best 10-6. But I think in our division -- even 9-7 may not land us the 2nd spot.

Fair enough, I don't think 6-10 is unreasonable at all, just because of how close the division currently is. A few ball bounces will account for 3 or more wins or losses. The issue I have is with a playoff team keeping its roster intact while being picked to finish a full 5 wins lower. How do you rationalize that?

And Beemen, I consider Thomas, Kelly, and Davis to be significant upgrades. Regarding your certainty that the two former will not exceed 50 catches this season, if that happens they will have been big fat busts, since they will be used immediately and will get plenty of opportunities. While that's possible, I don't think its unreasonable to expect one to make a serious impact his first year, thus my choice of the word significant. If I'm wrong about that, as you seem convinced I will be, then I will probably also be wrong about the Skins being a playoff team next season. If I'm right I am going to laugh at you, not invite you to my playoff party, and then email you pictures showing how fun it was afterwards :)

Last year's offensive line situation was unusual, and was in many ways a perfect storm. I should say I think its also unlikely they will be equally or more injured this season; if they are we will probably be in trouble.

Just out of curiousity Beemen are you going on the record as picking them to finish last this season like the author of the article in question?

Nemo:

Here are my questions. Jason Campbell. I love the guy, but it's got to be a big year for him. Granted, all these new systems isn't fair for him -- but as he goes, we go -- and I'm not sure hes ready yet. Especially since we're switching offenses this year. Secondly, where do you see huge upgrades at skill positions. We have more or less three rookie receivers (Davis isn't exactly an inline blocking type of TE), rookie receivers typically have little to no impact. RBs will be the same, as will QB -- so skill positions are the same.

However, my concern comes on the defense. From what I understand, Blache is a Dline rush coverage type guy -- which I don't think works for this team. That and I'm not sold he's a quarter of what GWill was. Also -- Rocky and Carlos probably not being there on opening day is huge, along with the question mark that is Marcus Washington. I think our defense falls off rather significantly, and our offense improves some.

Granted, it's June. Maybe I'll feel better when I see a few practices in training camp, or when I hear the injured guys are working out.

Please don't take this as a knock on Zorn. I actually think he's a great candidate. But lets be realistic, he was a quarterbacks coach less than a year ago. The adjustment might be more steep than he was expecting and it takes a while to implement an offense.

Now, 4-12 is ridiculous. I expect us to be at worse 6-10. at best 10-6. But I think in our division -- even 9-7 may not land us the 2nd spot.


I agree with you about the defense. The defense scares me more than the offense. think they will be okay on offense and I think Kelly or Thomas will have a big impact. I think the skins do have a chance of making the playoffs as long they don't have any major injuries. It seems Dallas maybe the only solid team in the nfc conference. They have most of the same players and made some upgrades.

And Beemen, I consider Thomas, Kelly, and Davis to be significant upgrades. Regarding your certainty that the two former will not exceed 50 catches this season, if that happens they will have been big fat busts, since they will be used immediately and will get plenty of opportunities. While that's possible, I don't think its unreasonable to expect one to make a serious impact his first year, thus my choice of the word significant. If I'm wrong about that, as you seem convinced I will be, then I will probably also be wrong about the Skins being a playoff team next season.

The problem is that most rookie wr's don't have immediate impacts. Especially with a QB learning a new system. One will be a number 2 and one will be a number 4 (barring injuries). Their biggest addition will be in the Red Zone when their size and hands will offset their inexperience. I wouldn't be suprised to see Cooley and three rookies on the field every time we are inside the 15 while he will be with Moss and ARE the majority of time outisde of scoring position (so either leading the team in TD receptions while all three combining for 50 receptions is highly likely). That being said, neither should be considered a bust for at least two full seasons despite not taking over the game as a rookie (like Randy Moss did). As unpredictible as drafting a wr is, either could be a pro bowler in a few years though fans will have to expect mistakes along the way. Still, don't be suprised if we are in the WildCard game again this year.

Nemo:

Here are my questions. Jason Campbell. I love the guy, but it's got to be a big year for him. Granted, all these new systems isn't fair for him -- but as he goes, we go -- and I'm not sure hes ready yet. Especially since we're switching offenses this year. Secondly, where do you see huge upgrades at skill positions. We have more or less three rookie receivers (Davis isn't exactly an inline blocking type of TE), rookie receivers typically have little to no impact. RBs will be the same, as will QB -- so skill positions are the same.

However, my concern comes on the defense. From what I understand, Blache is a Dline rush coverage type guy -- which I don't think works for this team. That and I'm not sold he's a quarter of what GWill was. Also -- Rocky and Carlos probably not being there on opening day is huge, along with the question mark that is Marcus Washington. I think our defense falls off rather significantly, and our offense improves some.

Granted, it's June. Maybe I'll feel better when I see a few practices in training camp, or when I hear the injured guys are working out.

Please don't take this as a knock on Zorn. I actually think he's a great candidate. But lets be realistic, he was a quarterbacks coach less than a year ago. The adjustment might be more steep than he was expecting and it takes a while to implement an offense.

Now, 4-12 is ridiculous. I expect us to be at worse 6-10. at best 10-6. But I think in our division -- even 9-7 may not land us the 2nd spot.

I agree w/most of this post, though I am more hopeful about the O. If the line stays reasonably healthy I think we'll see a top 10 offense or better.

ON D, this team is going into the year w/a lot of injury prone players, a couple are in the twighlight of their careers. I think asking Blache to get out of them what GW did is unrealistic. If the D is mediocre I think we'd be doing well given the peronnel. There is the possibility that a couple guys have big years & lift the whole unit, but I don't expect that.

I don't know about a lot of you, but I am excited about this upcoming season, because I see a chance for us to go deep into the playoffs. Firstly, this maybe JC's millionth offense, but it is one he is familiar with. He already has a good rep with Moss and Randle El that should be growing with each passing practice. In my opinion, the offense will go with the oline, not with JC. If the line stays relatively healthy and our backups improve from last year, then we are easily a playoff team.

People seem to be worried about Blache after G Williams, but I coulda sworn I heard Blache was just using a simpler GWill D. It is a lot of continuity in that, just as there will be a lot of continuity in the O's run game. I have a feeling that we're just going to be picking up from where we left off last season. Guys are hungry and excited to play. This will be the year that we make the transition to an elite team in the league, or maybe I'm just seeing out of my burgundy and gold colored glasses