The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Ok we all know that Jason Campbell is at the top of this list, so let's just cross him off and move on. Who else needs to step up this year to help get the team back to the playoffs? I'm going to start by identifying 3 players that I think are critical to this year's success.

1. [B]Santana Moss[/B] - When healthy and focused he's a gamebreaker. He needs to get on track early on and establish a good rapport with Jason Campbell. If he can recapture some of that 2005 magic the offense is in for a big year.

2. [B]LaRon Landry[/B] - We started to see some glimpses of what he's capable of at the end of last season. When he took over FS for Sean Taylor he almost seemed like a clone of ST... flying around, making the big hits, and coming up with 2 big INTs in the playoffs against Seattle. He needs to take over where Sean Taylor left off for this defense. Big shoes to fill indeed, but I think he's capable of being a game changer at safety.

3. [B]Clinton Portis - [/B]WhilePortis certainly did not have a bad year in 2007, he has plenty of room for improvement. Now in an offense that will use more of the zone blocking schemes that he likes, we need to see a more explosive Clinton Portis and less of the 3 yards and a cloud of dust we saw last year. Heading into this season in better shape should help him get off to a better start.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

The Offensive Line.............Period!!!!!!!!!! lets move on

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Shaun Suisham: He needs to be a consistent, reliable force both on field goals and kick-offs

Kedrick Golston: He seemed to regress a bit last year, but with Daniels out, Griffin aging, and Montgomery battling a borken hand now, Golston is going to have to step up.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Good post and good thread. I like your list, but I'll add a few more guys.

#1. Rogers. Carlos Rogers struggled in 2005 and 2006, but started to really develop in 2007. I realize that he's coming off a major injury, but he needs to show us by the middle of the season that he was worthy of being selected 9th overall in the 2005 draft.

#2. Anthony Montgomery. Montgomery was just a 5th round draft pick, so it's hard to complain about his production. However, with so many people talking about his amazing abilities, it's about time that his ability starts translating into solid production. He looked decent enough in 2007, but he didn't look like the potential Pro Bowler than people think he can be.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=SmootSmack;459896]Shaun Suisham: He needs to be a consistent, reliable force both on field goals and kick-offs

Kedrick Golston: He seemed to regress a bit last year, but with Daniels out, Griffin aging, and Montgomery battling a borken hand now, Golston is going to have to step up.[/quote]

Speaking of Golston I just read that Blache says that he is seriously competing with Montgomery for the starting DT job. Personally I think Blache is just doing that to keep that fire lit under Monty's ass, but the article also says that Golston has slimmed down to 298, down from 320 last year. Perhaps the extra weight hurt his play last year.

[url=http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=37214]Battle Brewing at Defensive Tackle[/url]

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Portis, Jansen and Thomas. If those three have strong seasons then the QB will have a great shot at making the next leap forward.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

1. Jason "Oops that one got away from me" Campbell - has got the be #1 on this list by a mile.
2. Jon "my body hurts" Jansen - needs to get back to where he was 3-4 years ago.
3. Rocky "Road" McIntosh - injuries aside, we gave up a lot to get him and he needs to have a coming out party.
4. Carlos "2 seconds 2 late" Rogers - showed potential last year before getting hurt; once healthy, this is the year that he needs to prove that he's our true #1 corner.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

I think Andre Carter should be on this list. He had a great year last year (dont know how he didn't make the probowl) but with the greatly improved d line (addition of J Taylor) putting less pressure on him, he needs to show that he can be a terror game in and game out to opposing quarterbacks.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Santana and Randle El big time. Santana will produce if he stays healthy. We need more than 1 touchdown from our number 2 reciever.

Our corners.

Pretty much everyone! Jason Campbell, Portis, the D Line, the O Line.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=DarkKnight;459895]The Offensive Line.............Period!!!!!!!!!! lets move on[/quote]


Took the words right out of my mouth.... ditto.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=Ade Jimoh Fan Club;459908].
4. Carlos "2 seconds 2 late" Rogers - showed potential last year before getting hurt; once healthy, this is the year that he needs to prove that he's our true #1 corner.[/quote]

... he could also try removing the led from his shoes...

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Yeah Carlos needs to become our top corner or I'd officially label him a bust.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

player wise, i think everyone has covered all the bases. but Jim Zorn, and the rest of the staff has to step up. i love coach Gibbs to death, but lets face it, he had a free pass around here. the guy all but blows the buffalo game with a major league gaffe, and hardly anyone says a word. what its going to be like the first time Zorn goes for it on fourth down, and the skins don't convert? you know he isn't getting the same luxury that Gibbs was.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

The number of players mentioned by various people in this thread is just further evidence of the fact that football is such a team sport.

Really, everyone needs to step up for us, everyone needs to play well.

Keys:

- [B]Randy Thomas[/B]; few guards in the league can pull like him. We need him to pave the way for our run game. I think he will, and Portis should take things up a notch because of it. I love this guy.

- [B]Tryon or Torrence[/B]; one of them needs to take the nickel spot. Rogers' knee injury was nasty, I can't believe he's going to be himself this season.

- [B]The WRs[/B]; the whole lot of them. With Saunders we kinda sorta got away with having only 2 decent ones. In Zorn's offense we need more than that. We need all of the WRs to contribute.

And because this is a team sport, we can't take certain things for granted. Samuels is so consistent, he's like a rock in pass protection. If we lost him to injury, that would crush us. Jason Taylor needs to hold up against the run adequately. Rocky needs to be healthy, or our backup LBs need to step up. And Sellers needs to truck some dudes or this season just won't be as much fun!

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=dmek25;459918]player wise, i think everyone has covered all the bases. but Jim Zorn, and the rest of the staff has to step up. i love coach Gibbs to death, but lets face it, he had a free pass around here. the [B]guy all but blows the buffalo game with a major league gaffe, and hardly anyone says a word.[/B] what its going to be like the first time Zorn goes for it on fourth down, and the skins don't convert? you know he isn't getting the same luxury that Gibbs was.[/quote]

Not sure where you were but there was alot of people saying plenty of things after that, most of it not so nice either. I'm sure we had a couple of "Joe must go" discussions going on after that.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

good thread and thoughts for this time of the season.

reed doughty - i dont think laron needs to "step up" as much as keep his play equal to last season so im going with reed needing to "step up" to keep those long balls that plagued our D in '06 from happening. when we relinquished the long passes it really screwed with g williams ability to run his true D scheme b/c he had to constantly compensate for those long balls. so heres hoping the secondary in general holds up well with injuries and play to allow us to bring pressure on the qb.

jason taylor - would like to see what a stud d-lineman looks like in real life since charles mann.

i agree with everyones assessments above, knowledgeable group of skins fans here.

go skins!

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

I think that Jason Taylor and Andre Carter are going to make the secondary look like all-Pro's by making the QB's make ill-advised passes.

I also think LaRon is going to have at least a half-dozen sacks this year with blitzing up the middle.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

The WR's must be more productive this year. They went the first half season without a TD last year. That's almost inconceivable with today's rules giving receivers a decided edge over defenders.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=SouperMeister;459949]The WR's must be more productive this year. They went the first half season without a TD last year. That's almost inconceivable with today's rules giving receivers a decided edge over defenders.[/quote]

... yeah, and that was directly related to our QB play...

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=hesscl34;459952]... yeah, and that was directly related to our QB play...[/quote]

Not necessarily. Cooley caught 8 TDs so it wasn't all on the QB.

I might be reading too far into this but I think you might have some sort of axe to grind with JC. Is it because everyone piled on your boy Brunell, and now you're revolting against the majority with your JC bashing?

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

I'd have to go with '[I]Anyone intent on climbing a ladder or one of those step stool things[/I]'.

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[QUOTE=hesscl34;459952]... yeah, and that was directly related to our QB play...[/QUOTE]

I thought JC played pretty well, regardless of the fact that he was essentially a 1st year starter. His decent production is even better when you consider the oline was woefully banged up, his #1 WR was injured for much of the season, his #2 (i.e., ARE) is really a #3 WR, he didn't have a good #3 WR to speak of, and his only real/healthy receiving threat went to the Pro Bowl.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=over the mountain;459940]good thread and thoughts for this time of the season.

reed doughty - i dont think laron needs to "step up" as much as keep his play equal to last season so im going with reed needing to "step up" to keep those long balls that plagued our D in '06 from happening. when we relinquished the long passes it really screwed with g williams ability to run his true D scheme b/c he had to constantly compensate for those long balls. so heres hoping the secondary in general holds up well with injuries and play to allow us to bring pressure on the qb.

jason taylor - would like to see what a stud d-lineman looks like in real life since charles mann.

i agree with everyones assessments above, knowledgeable group of skins fans here.

go skins![/quote]

My thinking on LaRon is yes he played well as a rookie last year, but he needs to continue to develop and take his game to that next level. I'd like to see him "step up" and be the unquestioned leader of the secondary.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=hesscl34;459952]... yeah, and that was directly related to our QB play...[/quote]

Not necessarily. I could remember a couple times last year in that 8 game no wide receivers touchdown streak where a wideout came close to getting into the endzone but didn't. Remember the Lions game where Randle El got tackled at the 1 yard line after that huge gain?

But I do agree the wide receivers need to step up this year, with the depth we have at wideout we should be seeing more production. I'm not expecting Kelly or Thomas to be game breakers but they are better than what we had at the position last year.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;459972]I thought JC played pretty well, regardless of the fact that he was essentially a 1st year starter. His decent production is even better when you consider the oline was woefully banged up, his #1 WR was injured for much of the season, his #2 (i.e., ARE) is really a #3 WR, he didn't have a good #3 WR to speak of, and his only real/healthy receiving threat went to the Pro Bowl.[/quote]
Well those excuses are fine but we had a bench warmer come pull us out of a slump. I know, he knows the system better and with the death of ST the team came together. JC has to step up this year because if he does not its a waist if the team around him plays good.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=Mattyk72;459956]Not necessarily. Cooley caught 8 TDs so it wasn't all on the QB.

I might be reading too far into this but I think you might have some sort of axe to grind with JC. Is it because everyone piled on your boy Brunell, and now you're revolting against the majority with your JC bashing?[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]JC has a habit of throwing the short ball.. often, to his TE. He is not good at checking down field and throwing down field (at least not last year). That is what I saw with my own eyes [B]last year[/B] and it has NOTHING to do with any axe to grind. I just get very sick of waiting for him to prove himself and most of you always blaming everything around him, but him. I don't consider my opinion of why the WR didn’t perform [B]last year[/B] JC "bashing" at all.. it's just an opinion that I've formed by watching games, an opinion that most of you don't agree with. However, I’ve also said in other threads that I’m hoping Zorn will improve his game and he’ll finally step up [B]this year[/B]. I'll be the first one to sing his praises if he gets it done on the field.[/FONT][/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]None of my comments are based on emotions, or my like for Brunell, and none of them should be construed as “bashing”. Don't take my opinion about JC so personally. Just take it for what it is - I want the Skins to win, period. [/FONT][/COLOR]
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Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;459897]Good post and good thread. I like your list, but I'll add a few more guys.

#1. Rogers. Carlos Rogers struggled in 2005 and 2006, but started to really develop in 2007. I realize that he's coming off a major injury, but he needs to show us by the middle of the season that he was worthy of being selected 9th overall in the 2005 draft.

#2. Anthony Montgomery. Montgomery was just a 5th round draft pick, so it's hard to complain about his production. However, with so many people talking about his amazing abilities, it's about time that his ability starts translating into solid production. He looked decent enough in 2007, but he didn't look like the potential Pro Bowler than people think he can be.[/quote]

Just about agree w/this 100%. can't think of 2 guys that haven't reached their potential like those 2.

I disagree w/Matty's top 3 in the sense that I expect those guys to play well again. Sure, Santana had some bad games (GB) but he came on once healthy last year & made big plays.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=freddyg12;459983]Just about agree w/this 100%. can't think of 2 guys that haven't reached their potential like those 2.

I disagree w/Matty's top 3 in the sense that I expect those guys to play well again. Sure, Santana had some bad games (GB) but he came on once healthy last year & made big plays.[/quote]

Moss hasn't put together a quality season since 2005 now.

Landry is a 2nd year guy, he needs to continue to improve.

Portis is a gamer don't get me wrong, but he's got room to take things to another level.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=hesscl34;459982][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]JC has a habit of throwing the short ball.. often, to his TE. He is not good at checking down field and throwing down field (at least not last year). That is what I saw with my own eyes [B]last year[/B] and it has NOTHING to do with any axe to grind. I just get very sick of waiting for him to prove himself and most of you always blaming everything around him, but him. I don't consider my opinion of why the WR didn’t perform [B]last year[/B] JC "bashing" at all.. it's just an opinion that I've formed by watching games, an opinion that most of you don't agree with. However, I’ve also said in other threads that I’m hoping Zorn will improve his game and he’ll finally step up [B]this year[/B]. I'll be the first one to sing his praises if he gets it done on the field.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]None of my comments are based on emotions, or my like for Brunell, and none of them should be construed as “bashing”. Don't take my opinion about JC so personally. Just take it for what it is - I want the Skins to win, period. [/FONT][/COLOR]
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Just calling it like I see it, that's all. If I'm wrong fine.

You just don't seem to have much patience with JC at all. I'm not absolving him of all blame by any means and I don't think anyone here is, he certainly needs to play well this year and as I started this thread with he's at the top of my list for guys that need to step up. But given the circumstances I think he deserves until the end of this year before anyone can definitively say if he's a franchise type of QB or if we should be looking elsewhere.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=Mattyk72;459999]Just calling it like I see it, that's all. If I'm wrong fine.

You just don't seem to have much patience with JC at all. I'm not absolving him of all blame by any means and I don't think anyone here is, he certainly needs to play well this year and as I started this thread with he's at the top of my list for guys that need to step up. But given the circumstances I think he deserves until the end of this year before anyone can definitively say if he's a franchise type of QB or if we should be looking elsewhere.[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Calling it like you see it? .... no, you are reading into it.[/FONT][/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]It's ok that you want to defend him because you have so much faith in him, but it's also ok for me to doubt him based on his previous performances. [/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=hesscl34;459982][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]JC has a habit of throwing the short ball.. often, to his TE. He is not good at checking down field and throwing down field (at least not last year). That is what I saw with my own eyes [B]last year[/B] and it has NOTHING to do with any axe to grind. I just get very sick of waiting for him to prove himself and most of you always blaming everything around him, but him. I don't consider my opinion of why the WR didn’t perform [B]last year[/B] JC "bashing" at all.. it's just an opinion that I've formed by watching games, an opinion that most of you don't agree with. However, I’ve also said in other threads that I’m hoping Zorn will improve his game and he’ll finally step up [B]this year[/B]. I'll be the first one to sing his praises if he gets it done on the field.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]None of my comments are based on emotions, or my like for Brunell, and none of them should be construed as “bashing”. Don't take my opinion about JC so personally. Just take it for what it is - I want the Skins to win, period. [/FONT][/COLOR]
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We went to the first Giants game and I guess there was 10 or so playes were we had WR's 15 20 to 25 yards down field wide open and JC dumped the ball off. My wife even commented on how JC was missing some wide open plays (that cost us that game). The following couple of weeks I watched him close and it seemed some games he was scanning the entire field and other he lock on to players. Not sure whay he would in some games more than others.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=hesscl34;460006][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Calling it like you see it? .... no, you are reading into it.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]It's ok that you want to defend him because you have so much faith in him, but it's also ok for me to doubt him based on his previous performances. [/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

I'm not defending him based on faith, I'm defending him based on the logic that says we haven't seen enough of him yet to determine what kind of player he is.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=Mattyk72;460015]I'm not defending him based on faith, I'm defending him based on the logic that says we haven't seen enough of him yet to determine what kind of player he is.[/quote]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]OK!!...and I'm not bashing him, I'm voicing my skepticism based on what I have seen... TRUCE?? Now let's hope for the best and let the games begin!!![/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

We need at least 20 TDs from the receiving corps, not including TE's.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Maybe I'm too optimistic but I don't have any question about Landry and CP this year. LL is a phenom and I don't doubt his progression to elite status by mid-season. CP had it rough last year because he was running behind Jason "truckstop" Fabini most of the season (and a generally an out-of-sync line). I think CP will dominate this year. On the other hand I don't have a lot of faith in Moss. His attitude seems to slowly get worse and his hands IMHO were f'ing terrible last year. That said, I would love for him to make all of us doubters look foolish!!!

My top step-up prospects:

1) A. Montgomery: GW said this kid should dominate, period. GW reserved that kind of praise for guys like Sean and London. Monty needs to get there.

2) A rookie WR. Can't say whether Thomas or Kelly is more likely to fly but one of them should. Both guys could have gone in the 1st round, there should be enough talent to make an impact even as a rook. IMO one of these guys has to fly for the offense to fly. Defenses know what to do against Moss, ARL, and even somewhat w/ Cooley, so there needs to be another variable, another threat on the field to shake things up.

3) Khary Campbell: he will have to fill in for Rocky early on and possibly later if Rocky can't stay healthy (already his knees are deteriorating). Campbell needs to be a monster at weak-side to keep the LB corp competitive.

(Like everyone else said, JC is the easy answer.)

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

Santana Moss!!!!! He needs to stop getting these nagging little injuries and start getting back to his 05 form. If he can't then the writing is on the wall with the drafting of Kelly and Thomas.

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[quote=Soup's Uncle;459913]Santana and Randle El big time. Santana will produce if he stays healthy. We need more than 1 touchdown from our number 2 reciever.

Our corners.

Pretty much everyone! Jason Campbell, Portis, the D Line, the O Line.[/quote]

To me Randle El really doesn't need to step up cause he's only a #3 WR to begin with. He's never been nothing more then that his whole career.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=skinsfan69;460094]Santana Moss!!!!! He needs to stop getting these nagging little injuries and start getting back to his 05 form. If he can't then the writing is on the wall with the drafting of Kelly and Thomas.[/quote]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]If it makes you guys feel any better when I saw him in training camp I was in awe!! That guy has speed that is unmatched, and he can catch anything. He's a true pro-bowler that has all the talent in the world (IMO). His injuries, and the lack of opportunity, I think contributed to his poor play last year. I'm so thankful he's a skin. That man has some serious skills. [/FONT][/COLOR]

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[QUOTE=skinsfan69;460095]To me Randle El really doesn't need to step up cause he's only a #3 WR to begin with. He's never been nothing more then that his whole career.[/QUOTE]

I see it that way too. ARL is not blessed w/ the talent Moss has but shares the same small stature, so I never thought ARL would be a huge force. Still, w/ big threats out there I think he can be a surprise guy, picking up yards when defenses are focusing on Moss, Thomas, and/or Kelly.

Re: The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread
 

[quote=The Goat;460103]I see it that way too. ARL is not blessed w/ the talent Moss has but shares the same small stature, so I never thought ARL would be a huge force. Still, w/ big threats out there I think he can be a surprise guy, picking up yards when defenses are focusing on Moss, Thomas, and/or Kelly.[/quote]

Again, another man I saw do great things in practice. He caught a throw in the endzone and touched it down perfectly (toes reaching). If he has nothing else, he has as a great disire to score and make plays. But of course he does have something else.. He's Randel El.. :)