Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[url=http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/59315/on-the-redskins-worst-to-first-chances]On the Redskins' worst-to-first chances - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN[/url]

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Why not? Every year the NFL is full of stories like this...Lions and 49ers being the latest to make runs coming off poor seasons. Thats why the league is great.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Yes we definitely could go from worst to first. The more RG3 develops, the better the secondary plays, and the way the OLine protects griffin will be the factors deciding if we should be in the worst to first place race this year in the NFC East.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

I think it would be extremely difficult and highly unlikely. Obviously, it is possible, just don't think it will happen. I'll stay positive, though.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

I've been a fan since the '80's and under the Snyder era I don't believe in instant success. There's been consistency with coaches and a good core of guys on team but with the difficult schedule and a rookie QB while it's promising I think it will take some time.
The OL needs to raise their game, but the unit never stays healthy enough to determine that. I also think the defense needs to make more strides. Having an unProven safety situation doesn't bOde well for confidence in creating turnovers.
All in all I dont think it's fair with the schedule, rookie QB, and the fact this team hasn't won the division since...? Training camp like all years has a lot of unproven competition for positions in need of upgrade. But it's looking better, that's not to say with luck and fortune of a colossal collapse of star players within the division, the idea of playoffs can be considered.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=Chico23231;920086]Why not? Every year the NFL is full of stories like this...Lions and 49ers being the latest to make runs coming off poor seasons. Thats why the league is great.[/quote]

49ers simply underachieved in their division and finally added a coach/Los to already stacked team.
Lions really have been drafting better and seized their moment after bears/Vikes fell flat.
NFC east has the SB champs, dream team, and Americas team, which is tough to imagine they'll be made our bitch so soon.IMO

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

I think it takes time for an OL to gel, especially in the ZBS. More time than we've had, especially with the injuries we've had. Love our RB stable. Our WR corps is unproven though.

I like our D-Line, but we're not the gnats, and our LBs and secondary scare nobody.

If our RGIII gamble worked, and we have our franchise QB, we have hope, but not this coming season.

I hope Shanny and Allen get a couple more years to build this team, and go back to rebuilding through the draft like they did 2010 and 2011. Losing the next two first round picks hurts, but Shanny/Allen proved they could do a lot with few picks in 2011.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

orakpo and kerrigan "still take a back seat to the fearsome likes of DeMarcus Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Trent Cole and Jason Babin"?

everyone in the league takes a back seat to ware, but everyone else on that list is debatable

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=los panda;920095]orakpo and kerrigan "still take a back seat to the fearsome likes of DeMarcus Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Trent Cole and Jason Babin"?

everyone in the league takes a back seat to ware, but everyone else on that list is debatable[/quote]Yeah Rak and Kerrigan are good. But overall our defense went from "very bad" to only "above average" last season. It wasn't a world-beating unit, and I wouldn't expect it to be next season.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Not in this division....and as Moss said at the end of the day he's (RG) still a rookie and will make rookie mistakes...
don't have all the pieces around him yet either.
In a couple of years I fully him to be one Dangerous MF'er
........love the optimism

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

well, yes, its possible, but i think worst to middle of the pack is more likely.

a rookie QB is still a rookie QB, with an average at best OL and a shaky secondary (until i see otherwise). I'd love to get sucked into the hype, but i've seen that show before. I'm confident we'll be in every game and won't be unwatchable or whatever, but I'd hesitate before guaranteeing playoffs or the like.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=los panda;920095]orakpo and kerrigan "still take a back seat to the fearsome likes of DeMarcus Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Trent Cole and Jason Babin"?

everyone in the league takes a back seat to ware, but everyone else on that list is debatable[/quote]

I'm not as high on Trent Cole as others are. JPP and Ware are great, the rest are shaky and inconsistent. When was the last time Osi and Tuck played a full season?

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

The Redskins defense is on the rise. There's nowhere for the offense to go but up. They can only get better. I'm not expecting a lot from Robert Griffin in his rookie campaign, but what I am expecting is the overall offense to perform much better than it did in 2011. I'm expecting more scoring, more yards on the ground, better pass protection, and I'm hoping that either Garcon, Hankerson, Moss, or Morgan emerges as a 1,000 receiver.

Last preseason NFL analysts were predicting the Redskins to win the NFC East. But reality set in by the 6th or 7th week of the season. The Redskins are definitely better now, and if the offensive play can match that of the defense then there's no reason why the Redskins can't win the NFC East division title.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

I would not be a bit surprised, they have a very good young team and some of the backups gained some very valuable experience last year adding depth to the roster. I predict playoffs this year.

I could see us being this years version of Tampa from 2010. Have a young offense with unnamed wrs that step up big. I think if we can stay a top 12 defense 9 wins isn't unrealistic

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Not this year.

BUT, it should be fun because our schedule opens up much easier than then it ends, so there's a chance we could be near the top of the division by the midpoint. Could be, but even that I'd say is unlikely. New QB, new WRs, bad secondary, old MLB, shaky Oline...

The bet I'd rather make is for 2 years from now, when I think (if RG3 is legit) -- we could be a top 10 team for the next decade.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=SkinsHulk;920092]49ers simply underachieved in their division and finally added a coach/Los to already stacked team.
Lions really have been drafting better and seized their moment after bears/Vikes fell flat.
[B]NFC east has the SB champs, dream team, and Americas team, which is tough to imagine they'll be made our bitch so soon.IMO[/B][/quote]

The thought gave me goosebumps

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

That was a pretty fair evaluation in the article, I'd say he's right that a lot would have to go wrong for the other teams. It's still a tough division even if records were poor last year. Obviously, the SB champs are in it, Philly under Reid is never bad in back to back seasons and they came on at the end of the year, and Dallas may have shored up its secondary big time.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Well, even if the Redskins finish 8-8, which would still be an improvement, that's still positive. The funny thing about the Redskins is this. The defense is fine. Until the offense catches up and starts gaining yards and making TDs, then this team will continue to be average or below average. If the offense can get over the hump then the Redskins can certainly have a winning record.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Anything is possible.
Chances that it happens?? Unlikely.
We are not in the a cream puff division like the 49ers were last year in the NFC west or the Texans were in the AFC South. NFC East is now tough top to bottom.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

I say we make Dallas our little bitch. Keep kicking the Giants ass, and take names when we go to philly. We go 5 of 6 in the division and do it off running the ball the letting RG# pick them apart.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Winning the division would be Christmas come early. I think the article gives a pretty fair assessment, although I'd like to think Griffin could be the 2nd best QB in the division. I think he could be better than Romo and Vick immediately. Our WR corp is likely to hold us back though as Moss is the only legit talent who knows the system/playbook already.

Defensively, it's tough to say where we stack up. Hope much will Jenkin's contribute? Can Morris work magic on the secondary? I could see us be a top 10 defense (like 9 or 10 overall), but were not going to be elite.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=The Goat;920253]Winning the division would be Christmas come early. I think the article gives a pretty fair assessment, although I'd like to think Griffin could be the 2nd best QB in the division. I think he could be better than Romo and Vick immediately. [B]Our WR corp is likely to hold us back though as Moss is the only legit talent who knows the system/playbook already.[/B]Defensively, it's tough to say where we stack up. Hope much will Jenkin's contribute? Can Morris work magic on the secondary? I could see us be a top 10 defense (like 9 or 10 overall), but were not going to be elite.[/quote]

still?

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=Chico23231;920256]still?[/quote]

I mean I'd like to think Garcon picks it up right away and contributes consistently and Hankerson picks up where he left off last year. Morgan could make an impact too. But between injuries and/or learning a new system/playbook these three guys are likely to be somewhat inconsistent right?

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

I am going to make a prediction that we do, in fact, with the NFC East. We will need a lot of luck, but that is virtually always true of the team that wins our division. But I think our offense will be noticeably better, with improvements at WR, QB, and another year for our RBs. O-line is probably no worse than last year, and if we can stay healthy, we could be better (and if Silverback can keep it together).

On D, the loss of Landry and Otogwe might seem bad, but it isn't as though either of them stayed healthy or lit it up. Our D line ought to be better with Jenkins in the fold, and with Kerrakpo having another year to gel together. The CBs ought to be at least as good as last year (which isn't saying much), but with a better pass rush, they may well perform better.

As to the Giants, I have alway s thought them overrated, and we handled them -- really handled them -- twice last year. Those games were not close -- we owned them. The Eagles -- who knows what you get with them? If Vick is not healthy, and he's surely had issues, they are a very different (and weaker) team. The Cowboys? They don't scare me very much. Romo is a choker, and they're thin at RB and while their secondary ought to be better, they had a lot of room for improvement. Heck, we should have at least split with them last year, and we had a chance to sweep. Also, their O-line was not exactly a strength last year either.

Of course, I am so desperately hopeful to see the Redskins return to relevance that I am probably not thinking clearly. Wouldn't be the first time.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=calia;920267]I am going to make a prediction that we do, in fact, with the NFC East. We will need a lot of luck, but that is virtually always true of the team that wins our division. But I think our offense will be noticeably better, with improvements at WR, QB, and another year for our RBs. O-line is probably no worse than last year, and if we can stay healthy, we could be better (and if Silverback can keep it together).

On D, the loss of Landry and Otogwe might seem bad, but it isn't as though either of them stayed healthy or lit it up. Our D line ought to be better with Jenkins in the fold, and with Kerrakpo having another year to gel together. The CBs ought to be at least as good as last year (which isn't saying much), but with a better pass rush, they may well perform better.

As to the Giants, I have alway s thought them overrated, and we handled them -- really handled them -- twice last year. Those games were not close -- we owned them. The Eagles -- who knows what you get with them? If Vick is not healthy, and he's surely had issues, they are a very different (and weaker) team. The Cowboys? They don't scare me very much. Romo is a choker, and they're thin at RB and while their secondary ought to be better, they had a lot of room for improvement. Heck, we should have at least split with them last year, and we had a chance to sweep. Also, their O-line was not exactly a strength last year either.

Of course, I am so desperately hopeful to see the Redskins return to relevance that I am probably not thinking clearly. Wouldn't be the first time.[/quote]

Woodside, CA another NorCal skins fan!! Skins will be 10-6 this year and playoff bound.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

There's enough talent here to make a difference. It's not particularly likely, but we're not going to sit through another 2011 season where the Redskins score three points in seven quarters.

I think at a bare minimum, the Redskins would need to pull 4-2 in divisional play to have a legitimate shot to win the NFC East (which I suspect is going to be the easiest way to make the playoffs). The good news is that they don't play in the division until October, so the Redskins have five games to get their act together.

Of course, this also means that team depth is going to be a big factor in the NFC East, and the Redskins are well behind the Eagles in that category still.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

I honestly do believe the Redskins are going to break their streak of finishing in last place this season.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

there is a lot of room for improvement on offense. our defensive line is grand, our linebackers are spooky, but our secondary is satisfactory. put the cowboys in the basement this season

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

Also, the Giants are likely to experience some post SB complacency. That defense was inconsistent last year but finished strong. The offense outplayed it's talent in some respects. And Coughlin just earned a two year extension. I think they have a similar reg season as '11 but without the magic at the end.

Eagles are bigtime under pressure. The media scrutiny there will be a distraction, as it will in Dallas. Also at this point who expects Vick to stay healthy all year facing the NFC East defenses?

This year could be a great opportunity for us :)

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=The Goat;920253]Winning the division would be Christmas come early. I think the article gives a pretty fair assessment, although I'd like to think Griffin could be the 2nd best QB in the division. I think he could be better than Romo and Vick immediately. Our WR corp is likely to hold us back though as Moss is the only legit talent who knows the system/playbook already.

Defensively, it's tough to say where we stack up. Hope much will Jenkin's contribute? Can Morris work magic on the secondary? I could see us be a top 10 defense (like 9 or 10 overall), but were not going to be elite.[/quote]

Dude you need to let the WR thing go.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=The Goat;920253]Winning the division would be Christmas come early. I think the article gives a pretty fair assessment, although I'd like to think Griffin could be the 2nd best QB in the division. I think he could be better than Romo and Vick immediately. [B]Our WR corp is likely to hold us back though as Moss is the only legit talent who knows the system/playbook already.
[/B]
Defensively, it's tough to say where we stack up. Hope much will Jenkin's contribute? Can Morris work magic on the secondary? I could see us be a top 10 defense (like 9 or 10 overall), but were not going to be elite.[/quote]

Isnt the purpose of OTA's and mini camps and training camps to learn the system and playbook?

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

hankerson could have a rod gardner sophomore season
garcon could break 1,000 for the first time in his career
morgan could catch over 3 tds for the first time in his career
moss could make the team
the possibilities are endless

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

37% on 3rd down conversions last year placed us in the middle of the pack(15th). We averaged just over 5 3rd down conversions per game last season. The best teams in the league averaged just over 5.5 3rd down conversions per game. If our new look offense can get us up over 45% and in the top 5 with Pittsburgh and New England, than 2 good things will happen.

1. We'll have an opportunity to score more than 18 points per game(26th in the league).

2. Our [I]very[/I] suspicious secondary will be on the field less in a division littered with above average quarterbacks.

I think that fully illustrates the difference having a quarterback that can make that 1 extra play per game for your team, and having Rex Grossman who threw 1.23 interceptions per game.

[B]So, do they go worst to first? Probably not, but they could go worst to 2nd, and make the playoffs.[/B]

Please reference: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fjDS0jKiE]Jim Mora Playoffs! - YouTube[/ame] about 15 seconds in.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=los panda;920304]hankerson could have a rod gardner sophomore season
garcon could break 1,000 for the first time in his career
morgan could catch over 3 tds for the first time in his career
moss could make the team
the possibilities are endless[/quote]

If the possibilities are unlimited, then the Redskin offense could explode like in 1999 when Brad Johnson took over as quarterback. The Redskins have their weapons. On paper it all looks very good. We won't know how good the offense really is until midway through the 2012 season.

We are 100 percent going worst to first. We may win every super super bowl for the next 10 years. Maybe longer.

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=The Goat;920299]
Eagles are bigtime under pressure. The media scrutiny there will be a distraction, as it will in Dallas. Also at this point who expects Vick to stay healthy all year facing the NFC East defenses?

This year could be a great opportunity for us :)[/quote]

So you think that Vick and the Eagles are under more pressure by the media then the Skins?No team in the East will put more pressure on their QB then the Redskins fans.I like the kid I think he'll be a good one but just look at the threads here and tell me there aren't unreal expectations of this guy in his first year?My other question to you is ..if the NFC East defenses can stop Vick why won't they be able to stop RGIII?

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=Giantone;920499]So you think that Vick and the Eagles are under more pressure by the media then the Skins?No team in the East will put more pressure on their QB then the Redskins fans.I like the kid I think he'll be a good one but just look at the threads here and tell me there aren't unreal expectations of this guy in his first year?My other question to you is ..if the NFC East defenses can stop Vick why won't they be able to stop RGIII?[/quote]

This is a great post. The eagles and Vick are under a different kind of pressure because they have a competitive team year in and year out, and maybe were truly good QB play away from being superbowl threats. I think Vick gives them that possibility that they are in the superbowl hunt if he stays healthy.

But pure pressure from the media will be on the skins this year. New QB, new players, etc... If the skins choke this year and win only 5 or 6 games, I could see Snyder losing his patience and firing Shanahan. Shanahan i think has done the best he could with what he has. He got here an inherited probably one of the worst teams in the NFL, and you can see him slowly putting together what we need.

It will be an exciting season for sure!

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

[quote=GTripp0012;920296]I honestly do believe the Redskins are going to break their streak of finishing in last place this season.[/quote]

Who are we going to surpass?

Re: Could the Skins go worst to first?
 

worst to first isn't a real possibility. i still don't see who we're better than in the nfc east.