[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

5-11 is a bit of a stretch in my mind. I don't think we'll make the playoffs, but the following factors make me nonetheless optimistic: Gibbs' smarts, work-ethic, adaptability; the rest of the coaching staff (notably Williams, Buges, and Blanche), the defense (Arrington, Daniels and Rogers should offset the losses of Smoot and Pierce); Jansen and Rabach sure as hell help our O-line; the use of more zone blocking and the iintroduction of the shotgun formation; and although we have no true #1 wideout, we have solid depth at WR between Patten, Moss, Jacobs, Thrash, and McCants.

So while we might have only slightly improved on paper, as us Redskins fans know, improving on paper is hardly a deciding factor in a team's W-L record. The intangibles - locker room chemistry (the whiners have left the building and Portis seems to be a real positive force), a good coaching staff (which we certainly do not lack), and a good offensive game-plan (which I am confident Gibbs will create) are the keys to our team.

Moreover, I don't think the Eagles have gotten much better in the offseason, the Cowboys have gotten better (AND much older), and the Giants essentially have a rookie, albeit a talented one, under center. I don't think the NFC East is going to be that much more challenging than it has been.

PS - I think Woody has finally come out of the closet and admitted that he is a crack-smoking, heroine addict. If Ramsey falters, Brunell might come off the bench? Is he f'ing nuts? I will only lose faith in Gibbs if he puts Brunell in if Ramsey falters. Brunell isn't getting any younger and we sure as hell know he can't put together a win. If Ramsey falters, put Rogers or even Tupa or Gardner in....PLEASE don't let #8 back onto the field.