which player has more to prove

[Hogskin]

Excellent question, Jason - and a bit tricky. I think the only answer that comes close to right is "all of the above!!". Every one of those guys (for the obvious reason in each case) has a great deal to prove. One or two sub-par seasons, rookie, overcome negative press, age... You can't take anyone OFF your list, and none stands out clearly above the others.

Now, if you asked which is more important for the REDSKINS that he prove himself - totally different question with many possible answers.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by jrocx69

top of list: #1 is lavar... he has to prove he is the highest paid lb in football. he has the athletic ability yet i think he needs to use his head more in games. and gibbs will make sure its there. he isnt worth the highest paid lb yet, and this year will tell us being that he is under a proven defensive mindmaster and a HOF coach

#2 would be springs... he has to much to prove being that he dropped form #1 cb in SEA to #3 in one seasons time. and the other prob to overcome would be injuries.

the springs transaction made me a little nervous knowing antoine winfield was on the table and he is very very very agressive and played for williams last year. doesnt take the spotlight with ints but really knows how to keep the ball out of opposing players hands which i would prefer cuz the percentage is much higher of a deep ball caught by just going for the bat down

The fact that Williams didn't push to acquire Winfield speaks volumes though. I would think that if Williams wanted him, Snyder would have gotten him. The coaches reviewed film on all available CB's and they graded Springs out to be the best available option.

[SKINSnCANES]

Originally Posted by huntz

I'll tell you who has a lot to prove. THE COACHING STAFF!!! All eyes in the NFL will be on Joe to see if he can duplicate the magic. He doesn't really have to prove he can do it for us; the true burgundy and gold legion. But everyone else will need proof he and Bugel can still win.

good poing. We've got one of the biggest, and definitly highest paid staff. We all know what Gibbs did, hes got a lot to prove and I know he wouldnt want to tarnish his image. Another ring should take care of all the doubts though

[Darock]

Well the rest of the league will be looking at Brunell and Portis. Me, I will be expecting alot from Samuels and Gardner.

[jrocx69]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

Because of his injuries Springs played some nickelback last year, essentially meaning he was third cornerback. Jrocx, are you equating that with being third string?

Canes, as per your question I don't think John Hall has much to prove

after springs was healthy enough to play again ... they still liked trufant much better then what springs brought to the table the past two seasons when he was healthy and therefor holmgren kept marcus in. i also have a few friends in seattle that live by the seahawks and they would tell you the same. as well they would tell you they are happy he's gone.

i would love to see what he's got here though, dont get me wrong, but like i said, im just nervous about the aquirement

[SKINSnCANES]

it wouldnt be the first time we took a risk on a injury prone player and got burnt for it. The thing that got me was his contract, we paid a lot of money for him, it didnt seem to me that there would be a lot of interest in Springs because of all the other corners that dont have injury problems. Yet we jumped out and paid a lot to make sure we got him. Snyder always get who he wants and pays to have the privledge, its backfried quite a few times though. I do think springs has the most talent of any of the corners that was available, if he stays healthy he could have great year.

[Defensewins]

In my opinion these three players or positions have the most to prove and are the keys for the Skins to have a winning season.

1) Cornelius Griffen and the rest of the D-line: DT C. Griffen needs to become a leader for the D-line, which is seriously lacking a leader. A leader that leads by his level of play. Obviously all of them need to play better than last year. This position is
top priority for improvement.

2) QB position: I don't care if it is Ramsey or Brunell.... but one of them needs to play consistently well, get rid of the ball and not take sacks or make turnovers. Consistency is will be the measure for improvement over last year. Learn fast as well because of the new offensive system takes a while to dominate.

3) Shawn Springs and the rest of the D-backs: S. Springs needs to be injury free; Sean Taylor needs to play big right off the bat; Bowens/Ohalete need to play well.

Note:
I did not include the offensive line because I have confidence that Joe Bugel's coaching and scheme will whip then into shape. Plus with the huge talent they have on that line, they better respond or players will lose their jobs.
The rest of the offense RB and WR will also respond favorably to the improved coaching and scheme/system.