A question for all Redskins fans.....

[Coff]

Our season this year was a tale of two halves. The first half, the close ones got away from us, the second half the close ones went our way. Sometimes a team is a little better or worse than its record; this year our record was a good reflection of our team.

So, what differences next season will affect our success?

1. Injuries. This year we were one of the most injured teams in the league, particularly our defense. A healthier defense would make this team at least two wins stronger. The loss of Garcon greatly affected our ability to score, and subsequently the Redskins didn't win many games when he was out. On the other hand, we can't expect our offensive line to be as healthy next year. And of course, there's the matter of RGIII. If we had to guess, I'd say we'd have to worry more about injuries next year because of RGIII's surgery. That being said, I think we'll have to take wins off the board considering injuries.

2. Schedule- Could be a wash; we'll have a first place schedule instead of a last place schedule which will make it harder. On the other hand, the AFC opponents are coming out of the west instead of the North, which will benefit us. As far as our division opponents, who can say? I don't expect the Giants to improve, however the Eagles are a talented club. Who knows? Schedule- a wash.

3. Roster- unlikely that any draft picks will immediately help the team, since we don't have a high pick. Could add depth, but that would only be if injuries were a problem. Age isn't really a problem, with the obvious exception of Fletcher. Free agency isn't going to help much considering out cap restrictions. A slight addition to the secondary could make a marked difference however, and I'm optimistic we can do something on that front. (Though it is worth noted that during our winning streak, the secondary played very well). Overall, I see this as a slight advantage to the Redskins

4. RGIII experience- look, we all know the importance of RGIII. So how much we he grow in his second year? A better question might be to what extent will opposing defenses better prepare for what they will be facing? Look, this off-season every defensive coach in the league will be making it a priority to figure out ways to limit RGIII, Wilson, Kaepernick, Cam Newton, etc. I think we'll see some big improvements. I anticipate we will see some regression on this front as defenses advance more quickly then the QBs.

Altogether, the Skins could reasonably be better, they could reasonably be worse. If we were to draw parameters, I think we could say that the Redskins will win between 8 and 12 games this year; the big difference is RGIII's health. I'd put the win total for next season at 9.

[SCRedskinsFan]

Originally Posted by Coff

Our season this year was a tale of two halves. The first half, the close ones got away from us, the second half the close ones went our way. Sometimes a team is a little better or worse than its record; this year our record was a good reflection of our team.

So, what differences next season will affect our success?

1. Injuries. This year we were one of the most injured teams in the league, particularly our defense. A healthier defense would make this team at least two wins stronger. The loss of Garcon greatly affected our ability to score, and subsequently the Redskins didn't win many games when he was out. On the other hand, we can't expect our offensive line to be as healthy next year. And of course, there's the matter of RGIII. If we had to guess, I'd say we'd have to worry more about injuries next year because of RGIII's surgery. That being said, I think we'll have to take wins off the board considering injuries.

2. Schedule- Could be a wash; we'll have a first place schedule instead of a last place schedule which will make it harder. On the other hand, the AFC opponents are coming out of the west instead of the North, which will benefit us. As far as our division opponents, who can say? I don't expect the Giants to improve, however the Eagles are a talented club. Who knows? Schedule- a wash.

3. Roster- unlikely that any draft picks will immediately help the team, since we don't have a high pick. Could add depth, but that would only be if injuries were a problem. Age isn't really a problem, with the obvious exception of Fletcher. Free agency isn't going to help much considering out cap restrictions. A slight addition to the secondary could make a marked difference however, and I'm optimistic we can do something on that front. (Though it is worth noted that during our winning streak, the secondary played very well). Overall, I see this as a slight advantage to the Redskins

4. RGIII experience- look, we all know the importance of RGIII. So how much we he grow in his second year? A better question might be to what extent will opposing defenses better prepare for what they will be facing? Look, this off-season every defensive coach in the league will be making it a priority to figure out ways to limit RGIII, Wilson, Kaepernick, Cam Newton, etc. I think we'll see some big improvements. I anticipate we will see some regression on this front as defenses advance more quickly then the QBs.

Altogether, the Skins could reasonably be better, they could reasonably be worse. If we were to draw parameters, I think we could say that the Redskins will win between 8 and 12 games this year; the big difference is RGIII's health. I'd put the win total for next season at 9.

I keep hearing how defensive coordinators will figure out how to defense our scheme in the off season and how that will be a negative for our prospects in 2013.

I submit that our offensive gurus will not be resting on their laurels and will develop schemes the other guys haven't seen yet. So I don't buy the gloom and doom of our offense being "figured out" somehow. I think by the end of next season teams will be trying to copy our defense once again, à la DirtyBirds and 49ers, and we will continue to be in the driver's seat.

With the Wilson/Kapernick adulation the media seem to have put us on the back burner. I say good -- we'll be on their front burner again soon enough... It's amazing to think that we were but one Ngata hit away from making it to the Super Bowl. Good times are here to stay!

HTTR

[NYCskinfan82]

Originally Posted by SCRedskinsFan

I keep hearing how defensive coordinators will figure out how to defense our scheme in the off season and how that will be a negative for our prospects in 2013.

I submit that our offensive gurus will not be resting on their laurels and will develop schemes the other guys haven't seen yet. So I don't buy the gloom and doom of our offense being "figured out" somehow. I think by the end of next season teams will be trying to copy our defense once again, à la DirtyBirds and 49ers, and we will continue to be in the driver's seat.

With the Wilson/Kapernick adulation the media seem to have put us on the back burner. I say good -- we'll be on their front burner again soon enough... It's amazing to think that we were but one Ngata hit away from making it to the Super Bowl. Good times are here to stay!

HTTR

I would have to agree with you.

[Coff]

Originally Posted by SCRedskinsFan

I keep hearing how defensive coordinators will figure out how to defense our scheme in the off season and how that will be a negative for our prospects in 2013.

I submit that our offensive gurus will not be resting on their laurels and will develop schemes the other guys haven't seen yet. So I don't buy the gloom and doom of our offense being "figured out" somehow. I think by the end of next season teams will be trying to copy our defense once again, à la DirtyBirds and 49ers, and we will continue to be in the driver's seat.

With the Wilson/Kapernick adulation the media seem to have put us on the back burner. I say good -- we'll be on their front burner again soon enough... It's amazing to think that we were but one Ngata hit away from making it to the Super Bowl. Good times are here to stay!

HTTR

I hope you're right; the NFL is a chess game and can be very back and forth. And I have confidence in our coaches to keep up with design, but the competition out there is stiff.

There are other elements to consider of course: how much more conservative with the Shanny's be considering the fear of another RGIII injury? On the other hand, how much of the playbook did they not open up last year because he was a rookie? It really could go either way. I'm not predicting that opposing defenses will figure out ways to limit our offense, but is a concern.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Coff

I hope you're right; the NFL is a chess game and can be very back and forth. And I have confidence in our coaches to keep up with design, but the competition out there is stiff.

There are other elements to consider of course: how much more conservative with the Shanny's be considering the fear of another RGIII injury? On the other hand, how much of the playbook did they not open up last year because he was a rookie? It really could go either way. I'm not predicting that opposing defenses will figure out ways to limit our offense, but is a concern.

Im completely on the other side, I think its an advantage. Sure pistol read option brought something new to the game for D cordinators to work on, but we ran it flawlessly. It does nothing but put significant stress on defenses in every way, game planning and executing on the field. Im blown away how people are putting a negative spin on this.

Do people seriously think this is the only offense RG3 can run?

Becoming a more pocket passer is a natural progression for any rookie, young QB in the league. Reading defenses, getting timing and rhythm with recievers, advance throwing techniques such as the back shoulder, pocket awareness, etc...all these will improve with experience. Its not hard to see RG3 has the capacity and drive to improve. We will see obviously more pocket passing this year.

Also across multiple threads I keep reading as if RG3's injury is career ending. The guy will come back next year, please chill on this sh*t. Injuries are a part of the game.