What's Considered Success for Next Season?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I've been pondering that question in light of the fact that we're out of the playoffs and many of us on Warpath have begun to discuss the off season and the 2007 campaign.

But what would be considered a successful 2007 season for a team coming off a losing record? Would 8-8 be considered a success? How about if we went 9-7, yet still missed the playoffs?

I'm torn between what I would like the Redskins to do and what I should realistically expect them to do.

Assuming modest upgrades here and there, and Jason Campbell progressing, how do we actually guauge whether this team turned it around.

Please feel free to weigh in, and Mods please feel free to start a poll.

12M

I think this all depends on how they approach the offseason. We have the cap potential to put all of our eggs in the 2007 basket, get some CB and LB help, draft an impact player on the D-Line, and cut guys like Arch and maybe even LLoyd after June 1, or before June 1 using the new rule to treat it like a post June 1 cut, and restructure deals which would put us over our 2008 cap limit with only about 25 players counting towards it. If we did that, we would need at least a division championship and probably a deep playoff run for it to be considered a success.

But we might approach it (hey, anything is possible) with an eye to the future, and be relatively dormant in free agency, trading down to get more picks, NOT dealing our 2008 picks away, making all necessary cuts PRIOR to June 1 and not restructuring many, if any contracts, allowing us to cut the guys who have overstayed their welcome at the point they do. We could go out and get Nate Clements still, but not do anything ridicious in free agency. If we took this route, I would just be looking for some improvement. Be in the playoff race the last two weeks of the season. That would be acceptable.

Though I fully expect us to take the first route, I think it could be successful for us. But when the window of oppertunity is one year, too much can happen to deter a SB run even if we had the best team. Not great foward planning.

[hurrykaine]

Reach the playoffs, or Gibbs will step down

[Hijinx]

I would consider any playoff appearance a success after this season. I am going to go into next season with very low expectations. This season has got to be one of if not THE most disappointing ever.

[The Huddle]

I too am torn between what I would like to see and what I suspect I will see.

On the one hand, 2007 will be Year 4 of Gibbs II. Given carte blanche by Snyder to redesign the team, he has assembled a coaching staff unmatched in both name recognition and years of experience. The roster is populated primarily by players he and his coaches hand-picked. Both are supplemented by payrolls that are either at or near the top of the league.
Everything Gibbs has been asked for he has received, with Snyder quietly sliding into the background.

Considering all that, anything short of an 11-5/12-4 season and a division title should be inexcusable.

In reality, this team will be starting a still-green quarterback, seeking (still) a consistent #2 wideout, and attempting to rebuild a shattered defense with what we can only assume will be at least in a large part the same cast of characters who brought you this year's debacle.

Looking at it from that angle, I think 8-8 is a reasonable mark, maybe 9-7 with a few breaks.

Personally I feel that the Redskins need a counterweight to Gibbs in the form of a GM who has some degree of autonomy (i.e., who can at least appeal to Snyder in the case of a dispute in much the same way Beathard appealed to The Squire back in the good ol' days).

[SmootSmack]

I expect a division title. If the Ravens, Saints, and possibly Eagles can all go from worst to first this year there's no reason the Redskins can't either.

As for what I consider success, 10 wins and a playoff win

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I expect a division title. If the Ravens, Saints, and possibly Eagles can all go from worst to first this year there's no reason the Redskins can't either.

As for what I consider success, 10 wins and a playoff win

Here is the difference. Steve McNair, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Drew Brees, Deuce M. Reggie Bush, Brian Westbrook, Jeff Garcia and Brian Dawkins. All of those guys are leaders and difference makers. Plus all of those teams are WELL COACHED. I love the way Payton coaches.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Here is the difference. Steve McNair, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Drew Brees, Deuce M. Reggie Bush, Brian Westbrook, Jeff Garcia and Brian Dawkins. All of those guys are leaders and difference makers. Plus all of those teams are WELL COACHED. I love the way Payton coaches.

I don't get your point

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I don't get your point

My point is those players have been difference makers for their teams this year. That is why they have gone from worst to first.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

My point is those players have been difference makers for their teams this year. That is why they have gone from worst to first.

Ok, well about Portis then? Or Springs? And you know we'll go out and get one or two difference makers. And a full season of Campbell?

I won't even touch the coaching argument.

[Redskin]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Here is the difference. Steve McNair, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Drew Brees, Deuce M. Reggie Bush, Brian Westbrook, Jeff Garcia and Brian Dawkins. All of those guys are leaders and difference makers. Plus all of those teams are WELL COACHED. I love the way Payton coaches.

Your naming players that were on the team before this season and the team still sucked and each team has one addition none of them have been that big of difference makers if you ask me (with the exception of Drew Brees). And what makes you think those teams are well coached i could argue that brian billick is not that great of a coach at all.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Redskin

Your naming players that were on the team before this season and the team still sucked and each team has one addition none of them have been that big of difference makers if you ask me (with the exception of Drew Brees). And what makes you think those teams are well coached i could argue that brian billick is not that great of a coach at all.

Reed and Lewis were hurt last year. So you bring them back and add McNair and you have a better team. Balt. had a top defense last year, they just had an offense that kept turning it over. Deuce was also hurt last year so you bring him back and add Bush and Bress and a lot of your problems are fixed. Plus they added Colston who is just a stud.

[skinsfan69]

9-7 or 8-8 would be a success. You can't fix all the holes on defense in one year. Plus the division is real tough. It's going to take time.

[12thMan]

Skin and Taf, you both make good points. Other teams have turned it around in a seasons time. But realistically, how much ground can you cover after going 5-11?

[MTK]

Super Bowl.

There's no fun in shooting low.

[jdlea]

They need to be about 10 and 6 and in the playoffs for next year to be a success imo. I have to think this year was a blip on the radar. If they end up sub .500 again next year, I would probably say it was time to give Gibbs the axe. This team has been riddled with injuries, they didn't put Campbell in till late and they played no defense. I don't really expect any of that to happen again next year. The D will have to be better...I don't think it's possible for them to get worse. Clinton will be healthy (if they keep him).

The team should automatically be better next season, but it's scary to think the other 3 teams from the East are in the playoffs. I think the Giants implode next season, maybe the same for the Cowboys. So, by my estimation, they really only have to worry about Philly, but they absolutely play better football.

Finally, Joe needs to get some sort of discipline in this team. Not that they have problems off the field, or even the 15 yarders the G Men rack up, but all the stupid penalties they committ have to decrease. It killed them this year. I think this is part of a coaching problem. I never look at a highly penalized team and think that they are well coached. I have to feel the same away the Skins this year.