Stepping Up in 2009

[Ruhskins]

So now that free agency is dying down, I wanted to take a look at our team and what we are bringing from last year and ask the question....who needs to step up to make this team a success? We've added/kept youth with the Dockery, Haynesworth, and Hall signings. We could potentially pick up a young stud of a player with our #13 pick as well. And granted we expect these young players to step up and play to their potential. But what other areas of the team need to do the same thing, here are my thoughts.

Player: Kelly and Thomas. Very obvious one, however once the season start they will have one year of being around the league, and an entire training camp (knock on wood that they stay healthy). By the end of training camp this year I expect them to be comfortable with the offense, and develop their skills to make Campbell feel confidence in them. I think the biggest expectation will be on Malcolm Kelly, hopefully his knees are healthy, but given that he didn't play much (and is seem as having the most talent) I expect him to step up big in '09.

Coaching Staff: Defense. I mentioned many times that the Redskins defense was good but not an elite defense. I think they need to step up to the elite level. They have an impact player at the d-line with Haynesworth, three seasoned veterans in Carter, J. Taylor, and Fletcher. A young talented safety duo in Landry and Horton, and what I hope becomes one of the best CB tandem in the league with Hall and Rogers. I think it is on the defensive coaching staff to take these talented/experienced players and turn them into an elite defense. Not just ranked 4th (yards allowed), but get to the quarterback, create turnovers, and turn some of those turnovers into points.

[bigm29]

Jason Campbell... But maybe he is already good and the oline/recievers/playcalling is the problem. I'm ready for next season, I'm tired of speculating already.

[dirtythirty]

OL needs to step up in pass protection. Thomas ans Kelly need to produce. I also think the D needs to get more turnovers. Hall should be a big help.

[CRedskinsRule]

1st - Kelly/Thomas - most of our season will hinge on one or both of these players having a big year opposite Moss. If they develop the rhythm with JC that comes from experience our offense should explode.

2nd DB's I think the loss of S Springs is going to noticed alot against the bigger receivers of the league. Hall will need to step up to the plate now that he has gotten (over) paid again.

3rd Special Teams IF ARE is the return man(Lord forbid) then he needs to have a sit down with Santana and re-learn what explosive returns are. Punting/FG/Kick offs units all need to step it up.

[4mrusmc]

For me the choice is clear: Jason Campbell

I am tired of the Campbell apologists making excuses for his subpar play. I have said this so many times that this guy needs to play with a sense of urgency. Sorry, but this guy just looks lost out there. He just doesn't inspire confidence in me with his play on the field.

[MTK]

I love how if you try to present some logical reasons as to why JC struggled in the 2nd half of last season (as did the entire offense, but let's just ignore that) you're an "apologist".

Ok, we'll see how he plays with an improved OL and the benefit of being in the same system for 2 years in a row. I'm betting on marked improvement.

[4mrusmc]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I love how if you try to present some logical reasons as to why JC struggled in the 2nd half of last season (as did the entire offense, but let's just ignore that) you're an "apologist".

Ok, we'll see how he plays with an improved OL and the benefit of being in the same system for 2 years in a row. I'm betting on marked improvement.

Agreed. I'll admit that JC did not have sufficient time in the pocket to look for his receivers. It was pretty pathetic that as soon as the ball was snapped that JCs' pocket had already collapsed around him.

My main dig on JC is that when I look at him on the field trying to orchestrate the game winning drive, that he just looks unimpressed with the whole situation that is before him. If I'm in that huddle and I see my qb looking like that, I question if this guy has his heart in it. I want to see a confident warrior, give me a look of, we are going to take this ball and shove it up in there sideways on them.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I love how if you try to present some logical reasons as to why JC struggled in the 2nd half of last season (as did the entire offense, but let's just ignore that) you're an "apologist".

Ok, we'll see how he plays with an improved OL and the benefit of being in the same system for 2 years in a row. I'm betting on marked improvement.

I think JC showed such a sizable improvement last year, that there is no way he hit his ceiling in terms of potential. Like you mentioned, the entire offense struggled, so we can't put all the blame on JC. He certainly has some blame there, but when other teams figured us out, it was only natural that JC had difficulty. He WILL be better this year. So yes, I'd put him on the "step up" list, but I KNOW he will.

[freddyg12]

In short, most of the young guys will at some point have to be able to play quality minutes & produce. The vets on this team, as always, are solid but not great across the board, and depth is still an issue.

Thomas & Kelly as well as JC are obvious. At some point they're gonna have to count on one or more of these guys:
Rinehart
Heyer
Fincher
Blades
Buzbee/Jackson/Wilson
Tryon

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

In short, most of the young guys will at some point have to be able to play quality minutes & produce. The vets on this team, as always, are solid but not great across the board, and depth is still an issue.

Thomas & Kelly as well as JC are obvious. At some point they're gonna have to count on one or more of these guys:
Rinehart
Heyer
Fincher
Blades
Buzbee/Jackson/Wilson
Tryon

Fincher is a UFA

Redskins Free Agency Monitor Promotion

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Angry

Fincher is a UFA

Redskins Free Agency Monitor Promotion

Good catch. I figured he'd be a guy they'd re-sign to a modest deal. If not him, then some other rookie or free agent is gonna have to play some significant minutes at OLB this year. Aside from Rocky, who's not known for durability, it's pretty slim pickins for that position.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Good catch. I figured he'd be a guy they'd re-sign to a modest deal. If not him, then some other rookie or free agent is gonna have to play some significant minutes at OLB this year. Aside from Rocky, who's not known for durability, it's pretty slim pickins for that position.

I kind of want Fincher to return myself, but I do not think that the coaching staff is as high on him as we are. I am starting to believe that the only reason that he made the squad last year was due to

1. His performance in the Final preseason game

2. Lack of Depth at LB

[WaldSkins]

Im going to go with Blache. I think he better come up with some new schemes on defense in order to pressure the quarterback. Haynesworth was the prize of the offseason and Danny is gonna wanna see some sacks in order to warrant the 155 million he spent on Hall and Haynesworth.

[SmootSmack]

Well apart from the obvious (receivers, Campbell) I'll also say Dockery. He was starting to develop some here under Bugel, went for the money in Buffalo and practically regressed. He'll need to step it up in 2009.

Also, Andre Carter and Jason Taylor (understanding that he had a major injury last season). Haynesworth's signing first and foremost is supposed to allow our pass rushers to do their thing. So the better

And finally...Shaun Suisham. Make more field goals. Not only does that put more points on the board, it helps our field position and makes thing easier on our defense.

[celts32]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well apart from the obvious (receivers, Campbell) I'll also say Dockery. He was starting to develop some here under Bugel, went for the money in Buffalo and practically regressed. He'll need to step it up in 2009.

Also, Andre Carter and Jason Taylor (understanding that he had a major injury last season). Haynesworth's signing first and foremost is supposed to allow our pass rushers to do their thing. So the better

And finally...Shaun Suisham. Make more field goals. Not only does that put more points on the board, it helps our field position and makes thing easier on our defense.

God I hope Suisham is not our kicker