Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2008&week=0&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1]ESPN - NFL Power Rankings - National Football League[/url]

Of course there's nothing much more meaningless than offseason power rankings but it's something to discuss..

We're #14 overall, #8 in the NFC and #4 in the NFC East..

I think we're going to finish better than the Eagles and Giants in the division and be the #5 seed overall in the NFC. Among the teams ranked ahead of us I disagree with are the Eagles, Giants, Saints, Packers and Vikings..

Discuss.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

way to early, maybe too high for us considering our adjustment to the new offense. though our OL is looking much healthier in the first camp and OTA's

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

I saw this earlier in the day & I must say that I agree w/it & w/M.Schlereth's pick of us at 8-8. I agree w/the statement that we're a tough "read," and I respect them for putting us in the middle rather than going up or down.

I think due to recent progress by the team & the use of 10 draft picks, there is greater respect for the skins. A few years ago, if all other things were the same we'd have been put towards the bottom.

I think the Giants are in for a rough season & the iggles will be really tough. Dallas, hate to say, is still the team to beat for the nfc east title.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

#14 isn't too bad, I thought they would place them much lower because Zorn is such an unknown at this point.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;447890]#14 isn't too bad, I thought they would place them much lower because Zorn is such an unknown at this point.[/QUOTE]

I thought we would be in the upper 20's myself but #14 is pretty good considering the circumstances.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

If we win in week 1 against the Giants we'll be ranked in the top 5 and if we lose we'll be ranked 32 and Dan Snyder will be blamed.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

It's a testament to our division that we're the 4th team listed from our division, yet we're still listed in the top half of the NFL.

Gotta love the NFC East. It's so much fun to be a part of.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

Yes, the East is going to be very good this year and it will be fun to watch. Rankings right now are just about as unreliable as someone mocking the 2009 draft already!

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=Paintrain;447882][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2008&week=0&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1"]ESPN - NFL Power Rankings - National Football League[/URL]

Of course there's nothing much more meaningless than offseason power rankings but it's something to discuss..

We're #14 overall, #8 in the NFC and #4 in the NFC East..

I think we're going to finish better than the Eagles and Giants in the division and be the #5 seed overall in the NFC. Among the teams ranked ahead of us I disagree with are the Eagles, Giants, Saints, Packers and Vikings..

Discuss.[/quote]

To be honest. The Saints and Minn have had a very good off seasons and they should be slightly ahead of us IMO. The Giants are the defending SB champs so why wouldn't they be ahead of us?? Makes sense. Right? I can see why GB is ahead of us cause they went 14-2 or 13-3. The only team I can disagree with is Philly.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=skinsfan69;447911]To be honest. The Saints and Minn have had a very good off seasons and they should be slightly ahead of us IMO. The Giants are the defending SB champs so why wouldn't they be ahead of us?? Makes sense. Right? I can see why GB is ahead of us cause they went 14-2 or 13-3. The only team I can disagree with is Philly.[/quote]

I'd agree with this. We've had a coaching change. If you're struggling to rank a couple teams who are close (like us, the Saints, and the Vikes), put the one with the coaching change further down the rankings.

I could see us going 5-11 just as easily as I could 11-5. I've got no clue what to expect this year. Should make it exciting.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

Jets at 21, hmmm gonna have to disagree with that one. Also the Browns, and im not just hating on them because they are the Browns. I just dont see them there at the end of the season. As for us, respectable. I think Philly upgraded their D but didnt do much to the O-line imo. Even a healthy Mcnabb could have problems (as usual).

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=Schneed10;447916]I'd agree with this. We've had a coaching change. If you're struggling to rank a couple teams who are close (like us, the Saints, and the Vikes), put the one with the coaching change further down the rankings.

I could see us going 5-11 just as easily as I could 11-5. I've got no clue what to expect this year. Should make it exciting.[/quote]

It seems this way every year. As fans we're optimistic but i think most skins fans are realistic too. I too could see them as being a very good team and a very bad team if some things don't work out. I'm really unsure of what to expect this year. I can agree w/ being 14th (FWIW) right now.

In short, some reasons we could be very good:
JC has shown very good improvement every offseason
Our O line is getting healthy again
RB depth
Some added WR depth
Same D w/ more experience
A more aggressive approach offensively...we're not going to "sit" on leads and lose games that way

In short, some reasons we could be pretty bad:
New coaches, offensive system
O-line age and ability to stay healthy/lack of oline depth
Our WR depth is young, real young
Gregg Williams is gone. I think we might realize what a good D coord GW was.
We have a 1st year coach w/ no coord experience/coaching experience...Will the players have faith in Zorn if we go thru early problems?
If JC regresses/doesn't improve


Should make for an interesting year.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[QUOTE=skinsfan69;447911]To be honest. The Saints and Minn have had a very good off seasons and they should be slightly ahead of us IMO. The Giants are the defending SB champs so why wouldn't they be ahead of us?? Makes sense. Right? I can see why GB is ahead of us cause they went 14-2 or 13-3. The only team I can disagree with is Philly.[/QUOTE]

I probably should have been clearer in my statements, I don't think the Power Rankings should reflect us being ahead of all of those teams now, but I think we are better than they are and the season will bear that out.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

Top to bottom, we are the 4th best team in the East. We are also the oldest team in the league, so staying healthy will be an issue. If we can stay healthy, we do have as good a chance to win the East as any. It's just not a very smart bet.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

I think 14 is a good ranking...and there are many question marks for our team. In regards to other teams, I think the Vikes are ranked too high...they have a mediocre QB and in a division with good defenses (Pack/Bears) he's not going to fare well.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=chrisl4064;447921]Jets at 21, hmmm gonna have to disagree with that one. Also the Browns, and im not just hating on them because they are the Browns. I just dont see them there at the end of the season. As for us, respectable. I think Philly upgraded their D but didnt do much to the O-line imo. Even a healthy Mcnabb could have problems (as usual).[/quote]

I definitely agree on Cleveland - way too high.

They are going to be everyone's sexy preseason pick this year.

Cleveland has talent and had a nice year in '07, but I can see them crashing and burning this year. They're under the microscope with a bunch of prime time and 4:00 national games this year. How they handle that pressure is going to be interesting.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=Mattyk72;447930]I definitely agree on Cleveland - way too high.

They are going to be everyone's sexy preseason pick this year.

Cleveland has talent and had a nice year in '07, but I can see them crashing and burning this year. They're under the microscope with a bunch of prime time and 4:00 national games this year. How they handle that pressure is going to be interesting.[/quote]Also under that pressure will be QB Derek Anderson who is largely unproven and who really struggled down the stretch last season, especially against Cinci in a must win game Week 16, and Jamal Lewis who had YPCs of 3.4 and 3.6 in 2005 and 2006.

Also, they have to play the two toughest divisions in the AFC South and the NFC East. Are they better than the Colts or Jags? The Texans even? I think we'll beat em pretty good.

They look more like a 5-6 win team at this point, but I don't doubt that their long term prospectus is on the rise. People are just going to jump the gun on them too soon, because that's what people do.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

Some other rankings that caught my eye:

Green Bay at #10 - Too high, no Favre = huge question mark if you ask me.

Saints at #11 - Too high, a little too early to predict a big turnaround from that D

Eagles at #13 - Too high, they always seem to have some sort of controversy brewing. With Sheppard still on the roster and McNabb not happy with entering another season without having a star WR, things could be ugly.

Titans at #16 - Too high, I know jsarno will love this, this team will go as far as VY can take them, and right now I don't think it will be that far.

Texans at #20 - A bit low for them. Forget about Cleveland, I think the Texans could be this year's darkhorse.

Jets at #21 - Too high for a team with major QB issues.

Broncos at #23 - A little too low, I think they'll bounce back this year.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

"Too many questions: a new coach, young QB and a pair of rookie WRs. Hard to get a good read. (MM)"

It doesn't get much more vague, and non-commital than that...........but, I would agree with it. TOOOO many q's

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

After the Giants won the superbowl I realized the irony in trying to rank a team at this time of year and feel smart about it.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

Come on guys if anyone should know how are seasons going to be it's us,redskin fans.How do we always due the first year of a new coach 8-8 or less.turner,spurrier,marty,hell even joe gibbs.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

lower than the vikings saints and eagles real nice

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=Mattyk72;447890]#14 isn't too bad, I thought they would place them much lower because Zorn is such an unknown at this point.[/quote]

Lol, I've come to think that with predictions the more speculation surrounding you the better, in terms of harvesting favorable predictions.

For example in the NFL Draft it seems like more often then not, juniors and red shirt softmores that come out early, and in turn have less film available, are rated higher then seniors, even though theres considerably less information available on the potential pro prospects. So with that it seems to me that uncertainty turns into upside.

While with seniors that go back to school, usually that gives scouts more chances to find blemishes that in reality 99.9% of pro prospects have in some way, shape, or form.

My two main examples of prospects that underwent this are Matt Leinart and Jokim Noah, both projected to be top overall picks if they came out early, where following their senior years they both droped 6 and 8 spots to 7th and 9th overall in their respective sports. Same prospect, in fact probably even better prospects since they had another year of experience under their belts, but because scouts had more tape to look at they became uneasy, in part because they were "exposed."

So what happens? In the NFL junior QB Vince Young comes out and gets selected ahead of Leinart, and in the NBA Jokim Noah is passed up after the big 2 get selected for his teammate Al Horford (which wasn't exactly a bad pick, but still the point of being hurt for staying an extra year is made).

On a side note, I pray that Devin Thomas is an Al Horford instead of Jokim Noah.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

There is a reason why there isnt a little number next to NFL teams like in the NCAA. Its because you cant really rank the teams in the NFL overall, at least not until the end of the season. Its the records that matter, and who you beat that determines your rank and seed # in week 17. I really do not care what the "experts" say and think. We could be ranked 32 by them and I wouldnt care at all. Thats all I have to say about that.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=Stuck in TX;447973]There is a reason why there isnt a little number next to NFL teams like in the NCAA. Its because you cant really rank the teams in the NFL overall, at least not until the end of the season. Its the records that matter, and who you beat that determines your rank and seed # in week 17. I really do not care what the "experts" say and think. We could be ranked 32 by them and I wouldnt care at all. Thats all I have to say about that.[/quote]

Lol, I agree on the point that these rankings don't mean anything, but then again I would be a little concerned if the "exerpts" ranked the Skins 32 overall.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;447928]Top to bottom, we are the 4th best team in the East. We are also the oldest team in the league, so staying healthy will be an issue. If we can stay healthy, we do have as good a chance to win the East as any. It's just not a very smart bet.[/QUOTE]

We are STILL the oldest team in the league!?!?!

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

To me, at least, it seems like Power Rankings are the one place in sports where the ONLY intelligent system of ranking the teams would be an objective one--a heavily statistical-based one.

Seriously. You are ranking 32 teams in order from best to worst. It's not something that you have to do. It's not going to change the outcome of any game, or the perception of any players. If the goal isn't to be as precise as possible, then IMO, the authors are wasting their time.

Which is why comments like this are so perplexing:

[B]"Hard to get a good read."[/B]

[B]"This is certain: QB play is key."[/B]

[B]But there are no guarantees with Tommy John surgery.[/B]

[B]If WR Chad Johnson sits out, the Bengals will suffer.[/B]

[B]This is an unpredictable team in the wake of the retirement of Brett Favre.[/B]

We don't know. We don't know. We don't know. Of course you don't know, it's May! I think their predictions would be more accurate if they had some (any) system to go by, and then I wouldn't feel so bad for reading this.

I think they have the Redskins in a logical spot. But it would be nice if they said "this team ranks only 14th because they are aging on defense and their quarterback and head coach still have a lot to prove, and may be a year or two away. Our system likes the Eagles, Browns, Saints, and Vikings more." as opposed to [B]"Hard to get a good read."[/B]

That's why I can't read this stuff anymore.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=Joe Ribbs BBQ;448001]We are STILL the oldest team in the league!?!?![/quote]Yeah. Our draft probably slid the average age of player on our team under 30, but we are still a good .5 years older (on average) then anyone else.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[QUOTE=Joe Ribbs BBQ;448001]We are STILL the oldest team in the league!?!?![/QUOTE]

How can that still be? This year remember we decided to resume participation in the NFL's annual draft??

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=GTripp0012;447933]Also under that pressure will be QB Derek Anderson who is largely unproven and who really struggled down the stretch last season, especially against Cinci in a must win game Week 16, and Jamal Lewis who had YPCs of 3.4 and 3.6 in 2005 and 2006.

Also, they have to play the two toughest divisions in the AFC South and the NFC East. Are they better than the Colts or Jags? The Texans even? I think we'll beat em pretty good.

They look more like a 5-6 win team at this point, but I don't doubt that their long term prospectus is on the rise. People are just going to jump the gun on them too soon, because that's what people do.[/quote]

Or you can look at it this way. Clev added two solid d-tackles, D. Stallworth and Anderson has a full off season and training camp as the unquestioned starter. Add all that to Blaylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Joe J., Jamal Lewis and you've got a pretty impressive set of skills guys. We'll see what happens but I like Cleveland over Balt, Pitts and Cinn.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=skinsfan69;448027]Or you can look at it this way. Clev added two solid d-tackles, D. Stallworth and Anderson has a full off season and training camp as the unquestioned starter. Add all that to Blaylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Joe J., Jamal Lewis and you've got a pretty impressive set of skills guys. We'll see what happens but I like Cleveland over Balt, Pitts and Cinn.[/quote]


Well i guess we will see, Clevelands road is not easy at all. Their first two games are Dallas and Pittsburgh.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=skinsfan69;448027]Or you can look at it this way. Clev added two solid d-tackles, D. Stallworth and Anderson has a full off season and training camp as the unquestioned starter. Add all that to Blaylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Joe J., Jamal Lewis and you've got a pretty impressive set of skills guys. We'll see what happens but I like Cleveland over Balt, Pitts and Cinn.[/quote]But with the schedule they are playing, if their defense (hypotetically) jumps into the top ten in the NFL, they are still only an 8-8 team. And that's a lot to ask from the 30th ranked defense last year.

I'm not writing off those defensive acquisitions here, but they also traded their best cover corner, maybe the best cover corner in that division (Bodden), to Detroit in the Rogers deal and they will be replacing him with the great...Gary Baxter. They are really going to be asking a lot from that front seven to improve 4 "wins"** worth just to keep them competitive in a tough division.
[I]
**My argument here is that last year's Browns roster playing this year's Browns' schedule would win 6-7 games. I have numbers to back up this theory, but for simplicity's sake, I'm just posting it as an opinion.[/I]

I will give you that Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are playing the same difficult schedule that Cleveland is, that much is certain, however I feel that those teams are far more prepared to play those tough opponents than the young Browns are AND they are just probably better teams overall. I don't think Cleveland is going to be relevant come December--unless a bunch of guys have career years.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;447890]#14 isn't too bad, I thought they would place them much lower because Zorn is such an unknown at this point.[/QUOTE]

I rather be out of the national spotlight anyway. Whenever the media had low expectations for us we rocked and surprised teams we normally wouldn't have. Yet when they expect us to win the division we don't measure up. I like where we sit. i think its not high enough where i would like but respectful enough not to go 20th and down because of our rich history.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

The redskins do have tons of questions, generous ranking.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[QUOTE=djnemo65;448023]How can that still be? This year remember we decided to resume participation in the NFL's annual draft??[/QUOTE]

We need about five more years to catch up with everyone else.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=djnemo65;448023]How can that still be? This year remember we decided to resume participation in the NFL's annual draft??[/quote]

I think guys like Collins, Albright, and Daniels and throwing off the curve.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

This is a middle of the pack team so the power ranking fits.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=GTripp0012;448031]But with the schedule they are playing, if their defense (hypotetically) jumps into the top ten in the NFL, they are still only an 8-8 team. And that's a lot to ask from the 30th ranked defense last year.

I'm not writing off those defensive acquisitions here, but they also traded their best cover corner, maybe the best cover corner in that division (Bodden), to Detroit in the Rogers deal and they will be replacing him with the great...Gary Baxter. They are really going to be asking a lot from that front seven to improve 4 "wins"** worth just to keep them competitive in a tough division.

[I]**My argument here is that last year's Browns roster playing this year's Browns' schedule would win 6-7 games. I have numbers to back up this theory, but for simplicity's sake, I'm just posting it as an opinion.[/I]

I will give you that Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are playing the same difficult schedule that Cleveland is, that much is certain, however I feel that those teams are far more prepared to play those tough opponents than the young Browns are AND they are just probably better teams overall. I don't think Cleveland is going to be relevant come December--unless a bunch of guys have career years.[/quote]

The schedules really don't mean anything cause we are going off teams records/performances from last year. But there is no way you can put Cinn over Clev. Clev had a better record last year and they had a better off season.

Re: Redskins #14 in ESPN Offseason Power Rankings
 

[quote=skinsfan69;448355]The schedules really don't mean anything cause we are going off teams records/performances from last year. But there is no way you can put Cinn over Clev. Clev had a better record last year and they had a better off season.[/quote]Cincinnati's offense looks a lot better. A lot. I mean, who is going to take Derek Anderson's ability over Carson Palmer's? Moreover, I'd bet more heavily on a good season from Rudi Johnson than I would from Jamal Lewis. If Passing+Running=Offense, and I don't see how it doesn't, Cincinnati seems like the better offense in 2008.

And last year, their defense was actually better than Cleveland's (and was the worst it had been in the Lewis era). I'm not saying that will be the case again, just that the offense will be better.

I also dont get why we can't go off teams records from last season, but then I can't put Cinci over Cleveland in part because Cleveland had a better record last year?

[B]Cleveland had a poor off-season[/B]. It's possible that adding Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams helped them, but Rogers is a chronic underachiever and I don't think it offset the loss of their top CB. I expect their D to improve over last year, but they are going to get blown out (lose by 10+ points) in [B]at least[/B] seven games this year. They may do well in close games, and should beat the Ravens twice, but I still don't like them for any more than 6-7 wins.