Are We a Contender?

[GoSkins!]

So, who thinks we are playoff contender? Wildcard? Divsion Champ? Can we make it to the NFC title game?

(Don't forget we were only a few points away from being there just two years ago)

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

So, who thinks we are playoff contender? Wildcard? Divsion Champ? Can we make it to the NFC title game?

(Don't forget we were only a few points away from being there just two years ago)

We ARE right where we need to be, NO PRETENDERS.....THIS YEAR!

GO DEEP!

[redskin37]

sure, wild card contender.

[Jamaican'Skin]

I think if everything falls into place at the right time, then we have to be playoff contenders. Comparing the 2005 season, to the season just past, both teams share a large percentage of the same personnel. We improved the D, and have upgraded the O, as we are in the 2nd year of the 700+ page Offense, so I think we are SB contenders......on paper

[724Skinsfan]

Super Bowl or bust for me, as always. Really no reason not to have the highest of hopes. I've learned to handle disappointment.

I always like to compare us to that ridiculously lucky Giants team that made it to the SB in 2001(?). If they could make it then, we can make it now.

[GMScud]

I have a lot of confidence in our offense. I think the rushing attack will be close to the best in the league, and that will only open things up for the passing game. It's all about defense. If they play well, then we are playoff caliber for sure. Super bowl contenders?? No.

[offiss]

I beleive we will, if our d-line can play legitamately which we have to believe they will [according to the coaches there were a lot of health issues last season], with the new additions I think we can be a pretty good defense.

As for the offense? I think we will be leaps and bounds over anything we have had since Gibbs return, this season will prove just how awful Brunell has really been, Campbell doesn't have to play like a pro bowler but he will make plays, and he will hang in the pocket and look downfield with the arm to get it fown field without making the ball look like it was punted, we never had that with Brunell, opposing defenses will now have to respect that ability which should allow more room to run the ball as evidenced when Campbell stepped in last season and betts reeled off 6 100 yd games in a row. In all we should finally put a legitamte offense on the field with Campbell, which in turn will keep our defense fresh.

[KLHJ2]

I believe that our problems last year were Lack of chemestry on offense, and injuries on defense. Our team is one year removed from the playoffs. I believe that we have the capability of being a solid playoff team if those issues are fixed, but we are still a little way off from being a Superbowl threat.

[Newjerseyredskinfan14]

hell yeah i think were a huge contender

[RobH4413]

I think the biggest question this year is how our defense can hold up.

GW needs to prove last year wasn't a fluke. All this faith in our defensive line needs to be well merited. Our secondary has to show up, and stay healthy and that swagger must arrive in full swing.

We need that cocky attitude, a certain "je ne sais quoi", that's french. (Theismann, anyone? never mind).

Prediction - If we can produce turnovers like the second half of 2005 consistently throughout the season... we go 11-5. From there it's anyones guess.

[GusFrerotte]

Too early to say man!!!!!!! To many variables and BIG FAT IFS regarding this team. Will Lloyd and Randle El be able to get the ball more? Will Washington be like his old self? Will Rocky be true starter calibre? Will a rested and healthy D line be able to finally get a pass rush. Will Landry truly be able to help in the pass rush dept? And most importantly, is JC the real deal, or is all this great talk about him working hard in the offseason going to end up nothing but a lot of hot air.

[hooskins]

Yes we are.

[Crazyhorse1]

Originally Posted by BeastsoftheNFCeast

I say we are definately contenders. It is very unlikely because there are so many conditions that would have to be met for us to actually get to the super bowl (or even the playoffs for that matter)
We could win the super bowl if.....
-Jason Campbell is the real deal and has really stepped up his game as much as the reports say he has
-Our D-Line steps up and turns out to be decent
-LaRon Landry turns out to be a stud and impact player his first year
-Shawn Springs stays with the team and stays healthy and good
-Carlos Rogers or (maybe and) Fred Smoot step up their game
-Rocky McIntosh turns out to be a solid LB, or Marshall has a good year
-Brandon Lloyd is utilized much more effectively, and is much more productive
-Our running combo of Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts fills out its potential and is a destructive force
-Sean Taylor regains his ability to play the pass real well
-Santana Moss stays healthy and good
-Carter continues on the momentum that he had at the end of last year
-Injuries do not screw our team

So basically, I change my answer to no because all these things will not happen, but if they do, then we have a shot. We also might have a shot if all the other teams get food poisioning before every game we play.

I agree that almost all of the above must happen if we are to be contenders and also that that's not likely to happen.
It's very likely that Lloyd will not step up, Portis will be injured and ineffective, the DL will continue to be a problem for lack of a stud, and weak side linebackers, as well as Smoot, will be ineffective.
I also worry that Moss' weak stats last year are more reflective of his ability and attitude than were his stats of a couple of years ago.
No, I don't think we'll be a contender for the Super Bowl and will probably fail to make the playoffs.
At this point, I have very little faith in management. It still seems absurd to me that we didn't address obvious problems on the DL, inspite of statements from management to the effect that poor sack totals were caused by poor coverage in the secondary.
It sounds to me like somebody's excuse to pick up Landry

[chrisl4064]

lets just hope we can be NFC East contenders this year....

our D-line is horrid, im not going to sugar coat it, we will struggle with it all year. we knew it was bad but yet made no adjustments, not through the draft or free agency.

[Rajmahal33]

Since I am posting at 2AM on a thursday nite, u better believe we are contenders. Every team starts with a clean slate and given the fact that we haven't made any huge mistakes this offseason, i'd say we have just as good of a shot as anyone. If i had to make a prediction though I'd say wild card berth with maybe a playoff victory.