Let's start from the top, shall we?
Jason Campbell has been given a vote of No Confidence from his team, though he has been a pretty decent Quarterback over the past few years- yes, he has yet to pass for more than fifteen touchdowns in a season, but he also has dropped his interception totals, and with Clinton Portis in the backfield, he is required to do less. But if he doesn't show something early, the Redskins may throw the starting job to one of the three other quarterbacks on their roster: Todd Collins, Colt Brennan, or Chase Daniel. The real issue, though, is production. The Redskins were 28th in total points last season- if they intend to do something, anything this year, they need to improve dramatically on offense. And that seems like a tall order for a team that drafted all defensive players till the seventh round, and didn't add any skill position players in free agency. Something magical must happen if they are to emerge from the depths of mediocrity. I just don't think Jason Campbell has it- maybe he makes a leap this year, but it will be hard with the declining Santana Moss and Antwaan RandelEl and the inexpirienced Malcom Kelly, the former OU standout, who showed nothing in his rookie year. Even Chris Cooley, who in 2007 caught 8 touchdowns, saw his TD production drop to 1 last year. Jim Zorn's offense is stagnant, and they have shown no ability to improve on last year. Things look bleak.
On the defensive side of the ball, however, the Redskins look as formidable as ever. With the addition of Albert Haynesworth, the Redskins hope to improve their D-Line and hopefully allow the gigantic mountain to occupy the middle, allowing their edge rushers and linebackers to get some pressure on the quarterback. LaRon Landry leads a secondary that includes DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers, one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL (even if Hall is not the shutdown corner he thinks he is). Either would start anywhere in the league, and this is the real strength of the defense.
But I just can't see the Redskins winning too many games this year. They have a pretty tough schedule, and besides some cupcake games against the Lions, Chiefs, Raiders and Rams, it is hard to make a case for them to finish with a winning record. They were only 4-4 at home last year, with a pitiful loss to the Rams, and it's tough to see a reason to predict any more success this year. Not a real rebuilding year for the Redskins either, as they used the off season to improve a good defense. But it's not the Baltimore Ravens circa 2001. They need to improve their points total if they have a chance of succeeding in the NFC East.
Predicted Finish: 4th
Predicted Record: 5-11
Predicted Outcome: Misses the Playoffs
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