Some Optimism from a Pessimist - The Skins CAN Reclaim Greatness

i agree with your final sentence more than any other i've read. the skins are in desperate need of some new people,in management,yes but just as much in players. the roster needs to be drastically different next season.

I hear ya, but man, a couple of those teams were 1-15. Their talent couldn't have been that much better. But maybe it was... The Cowboys benefited from the Hershel Walker trade. The Dolphins benefited from Parcels, Pennington, a 1-15 team's schedule and some smart moves... like trading Jason Taylor to some chump team for 2 draft picks;) Aye Carumba:doh:

I believe we can have a turnaround...but not as easily as some other teams. In my mind the teams who have had the biggest turnarounds from season to season are the falcons, dolphins, ravens, jets (maybe), saints, and broncos. All these teams had one big thing in common, they all had coaching changes (and qb changes, but I think the coaching change is more important...I do not believe orton to be better than cutler). They all had a change in scheme. The dolphins followed parcells's scheme in his version of the 3-4 and the wildcat. The broncos are thriving off Nolan's defense (and mcdaniels's offense is good considering they have orton). The jets are thriving off Rex Ryan's defense. And I think that the Ravens and Falcons just started to do good because of good drafting finally paying off combined with a competent coach.
The Redskins can do it, but our biggest obstacle is that we do not have young draft picks to build off of. Our cornerstones are old and on the decline while we do not have rising youth to take over one day. Coaching will help significantly, but it will only do so good as long as we have players to back us up, which I am not confident we can get in one year. I think in like 3 years or so we might have a good shot at contending assuming we draft well

Heck ya we can turn this around. Starting tomorrow, LETS ROLL. Just ask REDSKIN ANONYMOUS (Danny Rouhier) Week 5, or Lionel Richie....He's easy like Sunday morning.

Provided by Redskin Insider:

Redskins Insider - Marko Mitchell and the Numbers Game (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/jason-reid/marko-mitchell-and-the-numbers.html#more)

YouTube - Redskins Anonymous (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyhU6kmoD8E)

Building blocks: Turnaround teams usually turn tackles
Building blocks: Turnaround teams usually turn tackles (http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8136f660&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true)

Let's all print this out and mail it to the Park.

They did it with young players and fresh new ideas. Both teams have something we do not have, respectable and knowledgeable personnel heading up their programs. The Redskins need to get younger as well among other things.
That's the issue, Vinny thinks that he's a real GM or whatever, he's quick to remind people of his SB ring as director of college scouting 15 years ago.

Let's all print this out and mail it to the Park.

They do seem to be the Bizarro Front Office of the NFL. If only we could find an article that says the key to building a Super Bowl team is to sign the most expensive free agents on the market and trade away all your draft picks in the process. They seem Hell-bent on re-inventing the wheel over there.

I can't believe we a talking about the next few years already.....AHHHHH!!:cussing:

If anything serves as optimism for this team it should be the quick turnaround of teams like the Falcons and Dolphins. The Falcons had to change their whole team around from their scrambling centric franchise QB and are now competitive on a consistent basis with a whole new team. They were able to turn things around with a new coach and GM and see immediate results.

That's promising at least.Note that both invested in their O-lines right before their turnaround. I'd hate to see this team completely blown up. I agree that we are getting closer, but does anyone really think that Zorn and Campbell will be back? If they aren't, then once again, you're starting over. If the offense shows anything this year despite our deficient O-line, I would want to see Zorn and Campbell retained for one more chance to see what they can accomplish with a rebuilt line.

Having these guys doesn't help team age and all can be purged next year (except Fletcher and Smith):

Wynn
Daniels
Griffin
Fletcher (love him, but he's getting up there)
Collins
Rabach
Samuels (might be done for good)
Thomas
Albright
Yoder
Hunter Smith

Agree with all but Fletcher (he can STILL do it) and Hunter Smith even being on the list. How can you put Hunter Smith on the list? He's the best punter we've had since Turk and Roby. Yes, he's hurt right now but he will be back and solid again. Look how bad our punting game is without him. He's not THAT old...punters can go into their late 40s. :D