What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

I know that this questions is slightly fatuous as a good season is dependent on many factors that are all inter linked; however, I wondered what people thought was the single most important thing for us next season.

Zorn getting to grips with head coaching responsibility quickly? A healthy offensive line? Getting pressure on the quarterback? Improved secondary play?

For my money, the single most important factor that will determine the success of this team is Jason Campbell. I think that this is the season where he must really step up and cement himself as the leader of the team. He has shown tremendous potential but this is yet another offense to learn under a new leader. I feel that the Skins season will rise or fall on how he fares.

Personally, I think he is going to have a great year so am very optimistic about the season.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

We have a lot of question marks, but I do think JC is the biggest, perhaps it turns out to be Zorn? But I get the feeling he's going to be ok. I will go with Campbell.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

all teams success depends on health. so i will say its time for Campbell to step it up. no excuses. a first rounder, if he is the franchise qback, this will be the year we find out

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

................winning.............
sorry-Joe theisman

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

I going with the performance of the offensive line. If they stay healthy, protect Jason, and open up the running game like they did a couple of years ago, everything will click easier.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Without a doubt, health, and depth is going to be the biggest factors for us. We need to try and prevent the small nagging injuries and problems we had last year. The groins, Hammy's, and heat cramps hurt us pretty bad last year. The guys need to stay conditioned, and the trainers should be ensuring that they are stretched and hydrated. We can't prevent the big injuries.
We need to ensure we have good personell ready to step in if someone does go down also.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

It begins and ends with Jason Campbell.. If he goes for 3500, 26 TD and 12 INT then we should be a playoff team. If it's more like 2900 18 TD and 16 INT then we're likely below .500.

The OL will be fine and I have no worries about the defense.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Health/depth & how well the D plays under Blache.

I really think there has to be a drop off in the D w/GW gone & some key starters up in age. Plus, very little quality depth behind them. GW got his teams to overachieve w/the exception of 06. I think Blache is in a tough spot & at this point the front office hasn't done much to improve his personel. WE'll see if they add some vet depth before camp, but at this point that's about all that's available.

Even though I expect the O to take some time, I feel really good about it. There's always the chance that this system just clicks for them right off the bat. Even if it doesn't, I feel like it will get going by mid season.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

The single factor that is key for the Skins this year is how many wins they have.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

injuries

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

The defense.

I think it's a given that the offense is going to be really rough, since we're in year 1 of a new system.

I think we're all waiting to find out exactly how big a loss GW was. Since Blache is keeping the system in place, we all tend to assume we'll be fine. But GW isn't referred to as a genius for nothing. If our defense stays in the top 10, we can still compete for a playoff spot. If it falls off, we'll go 5-11.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

zorn, blache and campbell are all big question marks. but i'm gonna go against the grain here and say the rookies, particularly the 2nd round picks, are the x-factor.

despite learning 2 systems since arriving here, jc has improved steadily and there's no reason to think that pattern will change. however, he had very little help from his receivers last year and the resulting domino effect of that is obviously a big part of the struggles we had.

with many of our losses last year coming with a single score difference, just one of those 3 newbies having a big year will be the difference in our record.

at the moment, my money's on kelly.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

#1 factor is the QB. JC has shown flashes of being good, but so did Patrick Ramsey. If JC makes believers out of us, the Redskins will have a great season. But in order to do that, we need to think that he's going to have that last second scoring drive no problem (a la Manning) vs. "JC, please don't screw up, please, please!" I have no confidence in him as a "STAR" player yet - nor has he given anyone a reason to feel confident in him.

#2 OL. This has a direct impact on how #1 above turns out.

Coaching at the high school level and maybe college is important, because the players need to be coached what to do. At the pro level, they all know what to do and when to do it, so coaching has little to no impact on the game. Don't fool yourselves. I think Easterbrook from TMQB stated that coaching may have an impact on game if you have one of the top 3-4 or bottom 3-4 coaches. All the coaches in between are not going to really impact the outcome of the game. I was initially pissed about the Zorn hire until I read this article - but it makes sense. Now I just hope that Zorn helps JC come along -cause that is truly where he could make a difference.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[quote=Ade Jimoh Fan Club;448330]#1 factor is the QB. JC has shown flashes of being good, but so did Patrick Ramsey. If JC makes believers out of us, the Redskins will have a great season. But in order to do that, we need to think that he's going to have that last second scoring drive no problem (a la Manning) vs. "JC, please don't screw up, please, please!" I have no confidence in him as a "STAR" player yet - nor has he given anyone a reason to feel confident in him.

#2 OL. This has a direct impact on how #1 above turns out.

Coaching at the high school level and maybe college is important, because the players need to be coached what to do. At the pro level, they all know what to do and when to do it, so coaching has little to no impact on the game. Don't fool yourselves. I think Easterbrook from TMQB stated that coaching may have an impact on game if you have one of the top 3-4 or bottom 3-4 coaches. All the coaches in between are not going to really impact the outcome of the game. I was initially pissed about the Zorn hire until I read this article - but it makes sense. Now I just hope that Zorn helps JC come along -cause that is truly where he could make a difference.[/quote]

I'd have to disagree, and Easterbrook is a moron.

Coaching has a huge affect on the game. Coaches can overcomplicate schemes, they can put players out of position (Archuleta), they can clash with each other on philosophy (Saunders vs Gibbs & Bugel), they can inspire a team (Gibbs' December record), etcetera. Most of all, coaching comes into play when a new system is being put into place. When you're running a new system, how you perform in year one is all about the ability of the coach to teach and translate the playbook message onto the field.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[quote=Schneed10;448332]I'd have to disagree, and Easterbrook is a moron.

Coaching has a huge affect on the game. Coaches can overcomplicate schemes, they can put players out of position (Archuleta), they can clash with each other on philosophy (Saunders vs Gibbs & Bugel), they can inspire a team (Gibbs' December record), etcetera. Most of all, coaching comes into play when a new system is being put into place. When you're running a new system, how you perform in year one is all about the ability of the coach to teach and translate the playbook message onto the field.[/quote]

I would disagree that Easterbrook is a moron, while agreeing that coaches do make a difference. Here is the link referred to for anyone who cares to parse the language. [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/071218]ESPN Page 2 - TMQ: SuperCoach?[/url]

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

in my opinion it all starts with the head coach.the sucess of this team rides on his shoulders.zorn has alot to prove in this league and to dan synder.so far so good but we shall see how it all works out come sept.can he make jc the qb he thinks he can.not getting a few more free agents in,the draft.will his system work.i certinly hope so.to add one more thing that worries me is the defense.it's getting old.bottom line.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

"Health" Coupled with the continued development of our young players.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

We've got a new head coach, a new OC with a new scheme, a new DC, a young QB, a banged up and aging defense, a WR corps with a lot of question marks, a banged up and aging O-line, etc. I think there are a LOT of reasons to be optimistic, but there are just as many questions. If I had to pick the biggest question mark, it would probably be JC.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;448332]I'd have to disagree, and Easterbrook is a moron.

Coaching has a huge affect on the game. Coaches can overcomplicate schemes, they can put players out of position (Archuleta), they can clash with each other on philosophy (Saunders vs Gibbs & Bugel), they can inspire a team (Gibbs' December record), etcetera. Most of all, coaching comes into play when a new system is being put into place. When you're running a new system, how you perform in year one is all about the ability of the coach to teach and translate the playbook message onto the field.[/QUOTE]

Of course coaches have an impact, I'm just saying it's not usually a game-changing impact. Coaches are given way too much credit when they come in and teams start winning more (and too much blame as well). They're just a figurehead -and it comes with the job description. Let's face it, most head coaches are smart, smart men who are there for a reason. Mistakes are made, but sometimes mistakes that turn out to be good plays make the coach a genius. It's very arbitrary. Here's what Easterbrook actually said:

"The first flaw is obvious -- coaches don't play! A coach's hard work, good judgment and good play calling help, but these are only a few of many factors in sports success -- and all trail the athletic ability of the players by a large margin. I'd hazard an unscientific guess that in football, the coach can be responsible for up to a 10 percent swing in results: 10 percent more points scored under good coaching, 10 percent fewer under bad coaching. In a close game or a Super Bowl run, that 10 percent swing really matters. In the majority of games, the coaching differential between opponents is small, especially in college at the football-factory level, where many outcomes are not close."

I think he makes sense.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

It JC. He will determine the success or failure of the offense.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[quote=Ade Jimoh Fan Club;448348]Of course coaches have an impact, I'm just saying it's not usually a game-changing impact. Coaches are given way too much credit when they come in and teams start winning more (and too much blame as well). They're just a figurehead -and it comes with the job description. Let's face it, most head coaches are smart, smart men who are there for a reason. Mistakes are made, but sometimes mistakes that turn out to be good plays make the coach a genius. It's very arbitrary. Here's what Easterbrook actually said:

"The first flaw is obvious -- coaches don't play! A coach's hard work, good judgment and good play calling help, but these are only a few of many factors in sports success -- and all trail the athletic ability of the players by a large margin. I'd hazard an unscientific guess that in football, the coach can be responsible for up to a 10 percent swing in results: 10 percent more points scored under good coaching, 10 percent fewer under bad coaching. In a close game or a Super Bowl run, that 10 percent swing really matters. In the majority of games, the coaching differential between opponents is small, especially in college at the football-factory level, where many outcomes are not close."

I think he makes sense.[/quote]

I think he's making up stats. Did you know that you can make up stats off the top of your head to prove anything? 83% of all people know that.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[quote=GoSkins!;448316]I going with the performance of the offensive line. If they stay healthy, protect Jason, and open up the running game like they did a couple of years ago, everything will click easier.[/quote]

For me this statement says it best! It all starts up front. O-line and d-line will determine our success. But it seems that the o-line is the most important. Without them Jason Campbell could have Art monk and Jerry Rice to throw too but not have enough time to find them!

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

long-snapping

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[quote=Schneed10;448332]I'd have to disagree, and Easterbrook is a moron.

Coaching has a huge affect on the game. Coaches can overcomplicate schemes, they can put players out of position (Archuleta), they can clash with each other on philosophy (Saunders vs Gibbs & Bugel), they can inspire a team (Gibbs' December record), etcetera. Most of all, coaching comes into play when a new system is being put into place. When you're running a new system, how you perform in year one is all about the ability of the coach to teach and translate the playbook message onto the field.[/quote]Tagging GW as a genius would be to ignore his flaws, and the results those flaws caused.

In a single game situation, tactical coaching is pretty important. I mean, a few plays here and there can change who wins and loses a game.

But here's the thing: can you name even one instance where going into the game you were able to say, "Team A is more talented than team B on paper, but Team B's coach is 100 times smarter than coach A and will never loose this game" and be right?

Of course not. It's just as easy for the perceived "dumb coach" to get lucky and totally outscheme the opposing "genius". It happens all the time. Spurrier outschemed Belichiek. It happens, and it happens every week in the NFL.

Therefore, over the long haul, Easterbrook is correct. Williams may have outschemed his opponent one week, and then got beaten the next. No coach is hired to coach a single game, so it's safe to say that these guys know each other well enough that they give no significant edge over the course of the season.

If you disagree with this, I implore you to name some geniuses in the NFL, and I'll be happy to point out instances where they totally got their lunch handed to them by the opposing coach.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;448324]injuries[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GoSkins!;448316]I going with the performance of the offensive line. If they stay healthy, protect Jason, and open up the running game like they did a couple of years ago, everything will click easier.[/QUOTE]

Everyone is mostly saying JC but I think JC would have already became who we all want him to be, but is being held back by an unhealthy O line year after year. If our stud O line stays healthy, JC will just need to get the ball in the air and one of our many many WR's will come down with it. Also, if our O line holds, our All Star Pro Bowl RB will get behind his 300lb FB and potentially two (or at least one that we know of on the strong side) solid TE's and rush for 2000 yards. Defense wins championships and we have proved that our defense can hang. We can close down games and even make that elusive comback every now and then if we have a healthy O line.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[quote=GTripp0012;448370]Tagging GW as a genius would be to ignore his flaws, and the results those flaws caused.

In a single game situation, tactical coaching is pretty important. I mean, a few plays here and there can change who wins and loses a game.

But here's the thing: can you name even one instance where going into the game you were able to say, "Team A is more talented than team B on paper, but Team B's coach is 100 times smarter than coach A and will never loose this game" and be right?

Of course not. It's just as easy for the perceived "dumb coach" to get lucky and totally outscheme the opposing "genius". It happens all the time. Spurrier outschemed Belichiek. It happens, and it happens every week in the NFL.

Therefore, over the long haul, Easterbrook is correct. Williams may have outschemed his opponent one week, and then got beaten the next. No coach is hired to coach a single game, so it's safe to say that these guys know each other well enough that they give no significant edge over the course of the season.

If you disagree with this, I implore you to name some geniuses in the NFL, and I'll be happy to point out instances where they totally got their lunch handed to them by the opposing coach.[/quote]

Your point is well taken but that still doesn't in any way negate the opinion that coaching is extremely important & a major factor in a teams performance over the long haul. Yes, in any game you might see the nobody beat the "genius" but the measure of coaches is over seasons & in playoff games. Spurrier beat Belicheck & the Skins were 3-1 in 03, but later that year he lost control of the team & they all looked foolish v. the cowpokes when Hassellback had a 0.0 rating & crack dealer T. Hambrick had like 173 yards. By the end of the year there was no question that Spurrier was literally out of his league & he knew it too.

One of the best examples in pro sports of the impact of coaching IMO is Phil Jackson's first year w/the Lakers. He's often criticized as always having talented players, but go back & look at that team when Kurt Rambis was coaching them. They had Kobe, Glen Rice & Shaq yet they couldn't get out of the first round of the playoffs. Phil takes over & they go on to win 3 straight titles.

I think if anything what is often overstated about coaches is the "genius" line while what is overlooked is simple; motivation. Good coaches are good leaders & know how to motivate players. GW got his guys to play hard & he prepared them like few in the nfl can IMO. We will definitely miss Gregg Williams.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

To me this one is pretty simple if we can avoid a major case of the injury bug to our starters will be the key to success. I don't think we will see much change on defense with Blache. And I think JC and the rest of our team are plenty smart enough to understand and have the talent to execute the system Zorn will install.

I would be pleased with forward progress from where we left off last season and seeing this team living up to there potential.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

All teams could say injuries. So I'll leave that out. That leaves...
Coach
QB
Offense
Defense.

I truely believe the Coach will turn out fine. He might have some set backs like Gibbs had his first yr but I think he will be fine.

Many people are making a big difference about JC and the WC offense. He played in that system in college and did well in it. I'm sure there will be a learning curve with the "Play Calling" but the system should be similar. He has played in the NFL for a few seasons also so getting up to "Speed" with the NFL is already there. Learning to read Defenses is already there. I think its all about knowing the plays called and finding the open WR which I think he has shown improvement each yr in already.

Then theres the Offense. Again if everyone stays healthy then the line will be fine. The running game can only improve with the new WR causing teams to have to sit back and wait to see where the ball is going instead of loading the box. I'm betting that Mix will shine with JC both being in the same system they had in college. Adding the other two tall WR's along with Moss and Randel El, Cooley, Davis(TE), and using the RB as a WR out of the back field is enough to confuse defenses.

So now my prediction. I think it is the Defense. Why? Well....it goes back to us not having any pass rush, a CB injured, will Doughty step up further, and the biggie is whether Blache can get as much out of the guys as GW did. Also I'm not sure Blache had a great time with the Bears. Didn't they fire him for another coach? Wasn't his defense mediorcre? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he learned something from GW. Maybe making the defense simpler will keep help out a lot. but all my questions lean toward how Blache will do with the defense. I don't think GW was anything special other then to get more out of what he had.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

For me the keys will be...

1. Injuries, if we can upgrade our strength and conditioning coaches then the little injuries are more avoidable, if not then we will be in the same situation as earlier seasons.

2. Depth, while our WR's, RB, FB, TE's are all well and we have talented depth behind the starters, my concern is the DB's, and the OL. While guys like Heyer, and Fabini stepped in and played well above expectations, if a starter goes down then we may be on the shorter end of the Win Loss Column.

3. And finally, when the Offense will "Click". Now JC having played a similar system in college and the knowledge of Zorn, I believe once he works on the smaller aspects he'll be fine, my concern is the timing and route running of the WR's. We all know what they can do after the catch, but the real question will be how well they get open.

Overall, I will be patient with the offense, cause I truely believe that once it gets going it will be a very successful system. And we definately have the talent to do some damage. The Defense barring serious injury should be able to pick up where they left off last season, and hopefully bring in some vets to provide depth and knowledge.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Personally, I'd go with coaching because of the inexpirence that so much of the staff has.
I would hate to see us doing some of the same dumb things we've done in the past like burn a TO because the play clock is winding down and it's 4th and 10 from our own 35 and the punt team is still on the sideline.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

The running game (namely Clinton Portis). The Redskins are going to lean very heavily on the running game at least early on in the season (Zorn has said as much) so having a strong running game is going to be key if we hope to start strong out of the gate and have a successful season.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;448417]The running game (namely Clinton Portis). The Redskins are going to lean very heavily on the running game at least early on in the season (Zorn has said as much) so having a strong running game is going to be key if we hope to start strong out of the gate and have a successful season.[/quote]

I agree, especially given that 3 of our first 5 games are on the road vs divisional opponents. It's going to be very important to control the clock in those games and keep the D as fresh as possible.

I would say the health of the offensive line is a major factor, too. It also directly coincides with a strong rushing attack.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

we have seen glimpses of JC's playmaking last year. I think Health of OL will make him better. so its on the OL.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Health of the o-line for sure!

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

winning.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

luck

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Outscoring the other team.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Jason Campbell is the key to the Skins season. Period.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Jason Campbell is a huge piece to the puzzle, but just as many others have said, it all begins with health. No team in the NFL can win when their team is destroyed by injuries.

Re: What single factor is key for the Skins this year?
 

Cheerleaders