[SmootSmack]

I think all my teachers hated me back in the day because I used to get a lot of Bs

ESPN's Post-Lockout Grades (Matt Williamson)

Washington Redskins

Key additions: Barry Cofield, Santana Moss, Josh Wilson, Stephen Bowen, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown (re-signed), Jabar Gaffney, Tim Hightower, Donte' Stallworth, Kellen Clemens
Key losses: Albert Haynesworth, Donovan McNabb, Carlos Rogers, Casey Rabach, Maake Kemoeatu, Phillip Daniels, Jeremy Jarmon, Vonnie Holliday


Analysis: I said on Twitter that if I were in charge of rebuilding the Redskins, I would have attacked the defense and put a few bandages on the offense -- making that next year's project and allowing coach Mike Shanahan to see what he could get from below-average offensive personnel. That is exactly what Washington did. Rebuilding this team is a huge project, and it couldn't all be done in one offseason.

Defensively, a key for the Redskins with the Cofield signing is Anthony Bryant, the big body needed for early downs at nose tackle who was quite impressive to finish the 2010 season. If that progression continues, Cofield can be used in many effective ways. If not, I don't expect him to be able to handle the pounding on the nose, which really isn't what he is equipped for.

Bowen is young and was extremely impressive for the Cowboys in limited snaps. Wilson isn't a well-known corner, but he excelled in Baltimore last season. It also can't be overlooked that Washington signed O.J. Atogwe before the lockout began. Atogwe is a terrific complement to LaRon Landry and should allow the Redskins' strong safety to really roam and make even more plays going forward. This secondary is much-improved.


Although I commend what Washington did on defense, I still don't fully understand why it needed to add so many new running backs and wide receivers with hopes that just a few of them step up. Outside of bringing back Moss, the wideouts and running backs are a jumbled mess. That situation needs to be sorted out.


Grade: B