Optimism / Pessimism

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I'm cautiously optimistic for several reasons:

#1. I am a Redskins fan and, therefore, optimism is embedded in my DNA.

#2. The offense has enough playmakers between Portis, Betts, Cooley, and Moss (not to mention Sellers, ARE, and Lloyd) that it has the potential to be very explosive. Saunders' history seems to indicate that his offenses show marked improvement, to say the least, in their second year.

#3. The O-line took a hit when Dock left, but it's still in good shape after having led the offense to the league's 4th best rushing attack and allowed the 3rd (?) fewest sacks in the league.

#4. Campbell started to look pretty damn good the past few weeks of the season. He shouldn't book a ticket to Honolulu yet, but he's showed enough promise for anyone to be optimistic.

#5. I simply refuse to believe that our defense will get any worse, it can only get better and I think GW can make it dramatically better. Our offseason moves on defense have certainly helped (Fletcher, Smoot, and a D-lineman with #6).

#6. Our special teams are in good shape, or at least better shape than last year. ARE is always a threat to take it to the house on punt returns. Frost has shown consistent improvement and proven to be a decent punter. Suisham is an unknown, but he's bound to be better than our kickers last season (who seemed like they were nailing a whopping 60% of their FG attempts).

#7. Joe Gibbs is at the helm, so anything can happen.

#8. It's the NFL, teams that are horrible one year always surprise people (e.g., the saints).