Reasons to believe...
 

Every year there are at least one or two surprise teams that come in with a mediocre or losing record, and end up at least making a run for the playoffs or better when they weren't "supposed" to. Here are a few of them off the top of my head (I'm sure there have been more):

'99 Rams
'00 Ravens
'01 Patriots
'03 Cowboys (yuck!!)
'03 Panthers
'04 Chargers
'04 Steelers

'05 Redskins????

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

Don't forget about the '99 Redskins

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

Hopefully, LaVar can spark something like that this year...

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

I'm optimistic--I think we're a lot closer than the pundits think. Given that, and the overall weakness of the NFC (who, besides Philly, is all that good?), I think we can make a run at the playoffs. Also, our schedule goes from harder to easier this year, as opposed to last year. And we've got the same coaches and largely the same players.

And it's about GOD DAMN TIME!!!!!!

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

It's really do or die at this point since there's not much more tinkering that can be done. Eventually, if we keep falling short the team will have to be blown up. I really think if we only win 5 of 6 games this year we might see Gibbs step down. It will certainly sting to have to send a top draft pick to denver - we have to make the playoffs for that trade to begin to make sense.

All that being said, I'm still guardedly optimistic and I'll remain on record as predicting 10 wins.

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

As far as being realistic and from a "paper" perspective which means jack shit, I say 8-8. From a "true believer" perspective, I see us making the wildcard slot with 10-6.

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

I really think are offense will step it up this year. The Rams weren't that great in Dick Vermills frist season back. But since then He has been one of the better coaches in the NFL.
I really do believe in or coaches. Gibbs will get it right.

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

We will definitely be improved from last year. The question is, how much. I don't see us having a worse record than 8-8. We could have very easily had an 8-8 record this past year...and if our D remains as good as they were last year, and our offense improves at least a little bit....10-6 is definitely not out of the question.

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

some of those teams on that list did bad the next year, does that possibly mean that the steelers or chargers might not be all so great. I hope we beat the chargers that is a hard division we have to play, possibly the best. I think our division is second best, so we play the top two divisions next year. That is not a easy schedule

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

I think the Eagles will fall off this year. They had their shots and now they have players holding out.

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

I believe they will do better than 10-6. Recently I was watching games from last year and saw where there were alot of dropped balls (50/50 & Coles) in tight situations that could definitely have changed the outcome of the game. Do you remember how many games where we had a touchdown called back on some B/S penalty call. And then the game ends with the other team winning by LESS than 7 points. Our season last year should have ended better. But that is how the cards fell. With the addition of some "sure handed" receivers who WANT to be here, I feel very confident the season will end up being vastly different than last year. The defense will be stronger and more solid than last year. The team is going into camp knowing who their quarterback is going to be. Overall most of the players have been doing those little things as a group to come together. I think both the staff and the players are very excited about what they have here in place and what this coming season will entail. Again I am very excited about the direction Gibbs is taking this ball club!! I believe in him. He and this team WILL be successful.

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!! HAIL VICTORY!! BRAVES ON THE WARPATH!! FIGHT FOR ALL DC!!

GO SKINS!!!

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

Welcome to the board TigersPaw!

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

Thanks !!!

Re: Reasons to believe...
 

[QUOTE=SkinsRock]Every year there are at least one or two surprise teams that come in with a mediocre or losing record, and end up at least making a run for the playoffs or better when they weren't "supposed" to. Here are a few of them off the top of my head (I'm sure there have been more):

'99 Rams
'00 Ravens
'01 Patriots
'03 Cowboys (yuck!!)
'03 Panthers
'04 Chargers
'04 Steelers

'05 Redskins????[/QUOTE]

(Are you a fan of Hugh Ross.....if you don't know whom I am talking about that's okay.)_ Although the Cowboys were a huge surprise I think it was a mirage which was proved when they made the playoffs and were demolished and last year they came back to earth and were as "good" as we were :)
Chargers were impressive................and Big Ben was a nice surprise......