Redskins most balanced team in NFC East?

[Paintrain]

I was having this discussion with some friends earlier.. Make an argument that the Redskins aren't the most balanced team with the least number of question marks going into training camp. Here's my case:
Offense-Brunell is the popular punching bag, but when healthy he was very effective in '05. WR corp was upgraded, line is the best in the division, Portis is proven.

Defense-Ryan Clark and Renaldo Wynn are the only every down starters replaced because Arrington was taken out on 3rd downs and Carter/Archuleta are clear upgrades. The only true question mark is McIntosh at WLB since he is a rookie.

Cowboys question marks-OL, RB health, TO (off field questions aside, he's only played in 16 games once since '99), secondary

Eagle question marks-WR!!!, OL health, secondary, OLB

Giants question marks-QB consistency, secondary, WR consistency

[That Guy]

skins: WLB, QB, OL depth...

[dmek25]

defense wins championships.and the skins do have that.if our line plays above average,and keeps brunell on his feet,the sky is the limit.hell,the ravens won a super bowl with trent freakin dilfer

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by dmek25

defense wins championships.and the skins do have that.if our line plays above average,and keeps brunell on his feet,the sky is the limit.hell,the ravens won a super bowl with trent freakin dilfer

yeah, but that's the exception, and that D was apenuts out of its mind that year.

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by dmek25

defense wins championships.

I'm not picking on your personally dmek, but DAMN I'm sick of hearing that. FOOTBALL TEAMS win FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Defenses don't win championships. Just try leaving your offense and special teams at home and see how well the defense wins the championship.

Argh. Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. Had to vent.

/rant

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by mheisig

I'm not picking on your personally dmek, but DAMN I'm sick of hearing that. FOOTBALL TEAMS win FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Defenses don't win championships. Just try leaving your offense and special teams at home and see how well the defense wins the championship.

Argh. Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. Had to vent.

/rant

You are absolutely correct. What did our #1 ranked defense get us in 2004? Answer -- a 6-10 record. That should settle the debate once and for all.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

You are absolutely correct. What did our #1 ranked defense get us in 2004? Answer -- a 6-10 record. That should settle the debate once and for all.

It really isnt a debate, of course you need good offense and special teams, but its more of a saying. But you guys cant sit here and say defense is not the most important. You cant just keep on slinging on the offensive side and hope to outscore your opponent, look at KC. Basically you can win a championship with a great defense, good special teams, and a weak offense, but you CANT win a championship with a great offense, good special teams, and a weak defense. If you have a defense that can create pressure and turnovers, it can put a bad offensive unit in an easier position to score. There are always extremes in this "debate", but on the whole you have to accept defense is a very important element of the team, if not the MOST important element. The saying is cliche, and I do not take it just at facevalue, but it does carry an element of truth. You def need special teams and the offensive to show up, and a good defense will complement them.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by hooskins

It really isnt a debate, of course you need good offense and special teams, but its more of a saying. But you guys cant sit here and say defense is not the most important. You cant just keep on slinging on the offensive side and hope to outscore your opponent, look at KC. Basically you can win a championship with a great defense, good special teams, and a weak offense, but you CAN'T win a championship with a great offense, good special teams, and a weak defense. If you have a defense that can create pressure and turnovers, it can put a bad offensive unit in an easier position to score. There are always extremes in this "debate", but on the whole you have to accept defense is a very important element of the team, if not the MOST important element. The saying is cliche, and I do not take it just at facevalue, but it does carry an element of truth. You def need special teams and the offensive to show up, and a good defense will complement them.

I don't mean to draw this out but ... screw it. It's the offseason.

The statement, "you CAN'T win a championship with a great offense, good special teams, and a weak defense" is false. Sure you can. Maybe your percentages of winning that way are lower, but it's certainly not impossible. An opposing team's offense might be out of sync or having an off day -- making your weak defense inconsequential to a win, assuming of course your great offense and good special teams are up to the task.

Bottom line, you need some of all three phases of the game, and a little help from your opponent won't hurt either.

[number21isabadman]

yeah but ill tell u what with the amount of time our guys have been together and bringing in younger unselfish talented players like mcintosh look out for this defense to be one of the best in the league.

[SkinsLove24/7]

the ravens won a super bowl with trent freakin dilfer

Pretty much enough said right there.

[#56fanatic]

I would argue that the G-men and the skins are pretty close in terms of overall balance. Brunell when healthy could lead us deap. that pretty much sums up any weakness in the offense. the defense, losing arrington may hurt, but I believe we have enough talent at LB to fill the need. Whether its a veteran stepping in(holdman, clemens, mccune) or McIntosh. the Giants have everyone back with some big upgrades on D. LaVar coming in with pierce and signing Brandon Short as a backup. plus they signed Will Demps, RW McQuarter, Sam Madison, I think they made HUGE strides on that side of the ball. and when healthy last year, the D was pretty damn good. I dont think TO signing is going to be that good, but Dallas did lose 3 or more games by a field goal and they signed Vanderjack so that gives them instant credit in terms of special teams. The Eagles will be pretty good. Donavan healthy, Westbrook healthy will make average receivers look good. plus the TE LJ Smith will be better this year. the D always plays good. Overall, I would have to give the balance edge to...................... THE SKINS!!!! of course.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by #56fanatic

I would argue that the G-men and the skins are pretty close in terms of overall balance . . . the Giants have everyone back with some big upgrades on D. LaVar coming in with pierce and signing Brandon Short as a backup. plus they signed Will Demps, RW McQuarter, Sam Madison, I think they made HUGE strides on that side of the ball.

I don't know, it seems like I've been hearing about those guys for YEARS. McQuarters and Madison might be upgrades over what they had, but really, it reminds me of us signing Stanley Richard and Mark Carrier -- guys who were good in their day, but their tanks are about a quarter full if that.

I'll give the Giants a big advantage at quarterback. As much as I would enjoy witnessing it, I just don't see Eli Manning taking a step back. He's only going to get better folks.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I don't know, it seems like I've been hearing about those guys for YEARS. McQuarters and Madison might be upgrades over what they had, but really, it reminds me of us signing Stanley Richard and Mark Carrier -- guys who were good in their day, but their tanks are about a quarter full if that.

I'll give the Giants a big advantage at quarterback. As much as I would enjoy witnessing it, I just don't see Eli Manning taking a step back. He's only going to get better folks.

I posted something akin to this in another thread about the G men. I said they remind me of a less flashy version of us in 2000. If healthy all those guys can contribute a lot, perhaps they amount to an overall upgrade, but its not like Madison & McQuarters are shut down guys at this point, as you note there best years are behind them. If we can protect brunell against the giants, we can burn them in the air. And I do believe we'll give it to CP off tackle in lavar's direction, he's never been good taking blocks straight on.
I would say the Cowboys have the D we need to worry most about. They've got some young developing talent & if they get one of those guys to play free safety well, there d backfield is solid.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

If we can protect brunell against the giants, we can burn them in the air.

In addition to quarterback, I'd have to give the Giants the edge on pass rush. You have to wonder though, this is Michael Strahan's 14th year. At some point, we have to bestow the "Gramps" title on him, don't you think? He still had 11.5 sacks last year. Then they've got 4th year man Osi Umenyiora who's a nice complement at the other end. Plus they drafted for the future with Boston College's Mathius Kiwanuka.

On paper at least, our pass rush improved with the addition of Andre Carter. And if Philip Daniels can recreate the fire he had against Dallas in the second game last season, it could be quite a tandem at DE for the Skins -- though still a notch or two down from the G-men.

[number21isabadman]

I agree coming in year three as quarterback look for him to be alot more comfortable back there, they also now how a similar playmaker to santana moss because its his brother sinorice, now i dont feel that he will come right out and make an impact but just his speed should draw defenses to play a little softer and he is a definant complimant to plaxico burress.