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.