NFL Network: 32 in 32 Redskins

freddyg12

That last game v. SF might be foreshadowing; JC led the team down to a game tying td, but the defense couldn't hold SF.

I'm not penciling in this defense to carry the team as it has in the past. I think they'll have big games, but I also think the 4th overall ranking was a bit misleading by the end of the year. They're not a dominant unit & a couple injuries can derail them quite a bit. I know AH is obviously a big addition, but I think the expectations of the pass rush are a bit optimistic by many here. Orakpo is still a rook, expect a rookie like season not 10+ sacks.

I think the O will improve but not be able to score td's against the tougher defenses. I think JC is gonna 'fight his guts out' & really step up as a leader, but I don't know that the pieces are in place for this unit to be above avg. Not knowing what we have at RT yet is a big part of that.

Overall, 17 is very fair & objective at this point. This team has a lot to prove.

an23dy

I am very worried about Zorn. Maybe since he had limited time last year is why everything looked the way it did, but it seemed like we had a very limited playbook and when we played tougher defenses at the end of the season it seemed like they figured it out. I mean when I think of Zorn I think Campbell hike, fake pass, hand-off to Portis working the first few games and then never working again. I wish I saw another play off that, like a fake pass, play action. I remember a lot of bubble screens to Moss and HB screens to Portis and them being much less effective after the first few games. The thing I'm most worried about next season is not Haynesworth or Campbell or any player it's Zorn. I really don't know about him and whether he can make the offense work. I want him to be the guy, but I have no clue if he will be.

53Fan

I don't think Zorn could install as much of the offense as he would have liked last year. Everyone was learning a new system including the coaches. He made mistakes which is to be expected for a rookie HC, but I expect the offense to expand this year and run smoother.

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Mattyk

I'm fully expecting the defense to carry it's weight even more than it has in prior years. Haynesworth will tie up multiple blockers which will only help everyone else along the d-line in getting after the QB. And he's not too shabby in getting after the QB himself. I think his impact will be huge.

Rookie or not, Orakpo has the ability to make an immediate impact in the pass rush.

With an improved pass rush it should help take pressure off the secondary and it should also lead to more turnovers.

A defense that was already solid should be more of an impact D this year.

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freddyg12

Hope you're right but at the end of last season I saw a defense that probably was overachieving. AH should be huge & should impact the pass rush, but to what degree? Will they get 5, 10 more sacks? 20% more hurries? The pass rush might improve but I don't look for AH to make an extreme difference in that regard. Somebody has to emerge as a legit pass rusher on the edge.

Both end spots are still questionable w/Rak being a rookie & AC not having a great year pass rushing in 08 (he has improved v. the run). LB still remains a concern too, though I give them credit for addressing it in the offseason.

dmek25

im not sure how to respond to an actual football thread?

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Mattyk

With Haynesworth in the mix I don't think it's crazy to think Carter can't return to form and get close to double digit sacks. I guess I just have more confidence in Orakpo than some too. I think he will be a legit pass rush threat from the word go.

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44Deezel

We had the same talent the year before, so the excuses about personnel don't fly with me. The telling game for me was the last game of the season against San Fran. With absolutely nothing on the line and playing against a very mediocre defense, the offensive stats were pathetic. I get that our O line was dinged up, but we weren't playing the Steelers Or Ravens. I believe Campbell had 156 yards passing? I would rather have seen him force passes into to coverage and throw 5 INTS than see him throw for 156 yards.

I just hope the 2-6 finish wasn't because Zorn got figured out. I like Zorn, but it's not unreasonable to think he might just be a bad head coach. After all, it ain't the easiest job in the world, and even Gibbs struggled in his second stint.

Lotus

Yup. In an article on another thread here JC claims that last year we had only about 50 passing plays because everyone was learning a new system. JC says that we now have about 130 pass plays.

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SBXVII

I disagree. Everyone is riding Philli's jock right now. Talking about how McNabb is healthy, how he has some weapons now, everyone has them listed as the #1 team to beat this yr or atleast everyone (media and mags) are listing Philli as #1. McNabb was healthy last yr and couldn't do anything. Their RB Westbrook is constantly getting injured each yr due to over use because they have no WR's. Yes they had one good WR Desean Jackson (rookie) last yr who avoids contact. Put a CB on him or Safety that likes to hit and he wiffs. Yes they picked up a WR, TE, and CB this yr. So simply because the Eagles picked up a new WR the team now has weapons? Look what happened to our WR's Kelly was injured prior to season but take a better look at Thomas. He was healthy and still barely was used. What makes everyone think one WR Maclin (rookie) will solve their problems and make them SB bound? Mark my words Maclin will have to adjust no different then all the other WR's that have ever come out. Give him two yrs. This yr may be Jackson's decent yr but he will need help no different then Moss needs help. Their TE Ingram (rookie), will have an adjustment period also. Cooley is one of the best and he even had trouble his first yr in the league learning all the routes, blocking, and speed of the game. Now if you want to talk about their ability next yr or the yr after then they might be a contender. They don't scare me. We beat the Eagles twice last yr. I see two more wins this yr.

Dallas, They lost 2 ILB; Burnett and Thomas, 2 Safeties; Davis and Williams, 1 DE Canty, 1 CB Henry (I'm not counting Pac-Man), and their best offensive weapon 1 WR Owens. If anyone thinks a bunch of rookies are going to come in and fill these gaps and make them a SB bound team is mistaken. Magazines have Dallas listed as #3 for the season. Ok they picked up 1 ILB Brooking, 1 DE Olshansky, and 1 SS Sensabaugh. If anything I would have picked Dallas to give the Giants a better run for their money over Philli.

Giants, The Giants had some key losses on offense 2 WR's Toomer and Burress and yet they made most of their non draft additions on defense? go figure. Besides the WR they lost 2 Safeties Butler and Knight, 1 PR McQuarters, and 1 RB Ward. Everything offensively was picked up in the draft 2 WR's, 2 CB's, 1 TE, and 1 RB. I have not listed all the additions for every team from the draft but the essential ones. I think the Giants will struggle with the WR issue. To be honest I see either the rest of the division catching up or the Giants falling off their pedistal.

So let me drink from the Skins cool aid water bucket. We have not lost any major key people. We have kept most of our players. We should have a better understanding of the offensive scheme Zorn is implimenting. We will have 2 WR's Thomas and Kelly who will be in their second yr and have a better understanding of the offense. In other words they will contribute more then last yr. Our TE Davis will be better for the same reasons and will leave us with 2 pass catching TE's. We brought in Dockery who will shore up the left side and Samuels will not have to worry about assisting the Guard position in his blocking duties. Our only question is the right side of our line. I think Williams will supprise, Heyer will be better, and have brought in Bridges. Our #4 defense will be a lot better with AH taking on some double teams, and Orakpo will be better help then Taylor was. Our secondary is a lot better then any of the other teams in our division and talk has been made that our WR corps is better also. Yet we are listed as last for this yrs division. I think the Skins will supprise. Just my drunkeness from the cool aid.

stu_nna

That's good stuff. Especially the points about Philly. I still remember a smug McNabb saying that it was a fluke that they lost.

SBXVII

The only bad things people...media and mags can say about the Skins is 4 key issues and honestly 2 should not be on the list. They talk about our pass rush ability....ok, they are right. In my opinion we shored up that issue with AH and Orakpo. Next they talk about our WR issues and not having a viable WR to compliment Moss. They are correct. but do they honestly think the two WR's we picked up last yr who were both projected to be 1st rounders are busts? I have to immagine one will step up and honestly I feel both will. As long as we don't have any more injuries. The last two are the ones I have issues with. They mention that either JC is not a decent starting QB, which if I'm not mistaken was already proven last yr when he went 8 games and was on his way to be MVP and had no interceptions. I'm not calling him a Peyton Manning yet but he's servicable as long as he has protection and has more plays to utilize. Plus a 2 min. drill. I'll even over look his issues with reading the defense. and our last issue is Zorn. They think he had trouble his first yr he will have trouble his second. Maybe, but he implimented only half of his play book. One has to think it was better then handing the players a 700 page play book. So the team goes from 50 plays to 130 as of now and maybe more by season start. Honestly having one if not both WR's stepping up, having more plays to pick from and a better understanding of what's happening on the field the team will be better then 8-8. I was not a Zorn fan but I will go out on a limb and say I think this is Zorn's yr to shine. As a whole I think Zorn, JC, and the team will be better. How much is the question? I like to think we would do better then one extra game. In other words better then 9-7 but the team has supprised me before.

GTripp0012

Good post, I'll even add one thing.

If you told me that a consensus above average team would have one of the easiest five schedules in the league...and would not make the playoffs, I would instantly question your credibility. Alas, this logical misstructure is quite commonplace in the national media.

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