Why the low expectations from the pre-season mags?

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm still waiting to hear more on that too. Other than Samuel what else did they do that's so impressive?

I don't think anyone thinks that, but when they were all together last year they looked pretty good. They got their act together at the end of the season and finished at 8-8, one more win and they could have had the Skins spot in the playoffs. They improved a little on D and while standing pat on offense (and still not getting a legit receiving threat) they weren't all that bad last season.

I mean, if you look at that team last year they were a few fumbles against Green Bay away from being 9-7. Also, Donovan missed a game against the Seahawks last year, he had a pretty good year, they only lost 24-28 without him, they could have very well won that game and been 10-6.

All that said, it may be an impossibility at this point to expect Donovan McNabb to play 16 games, but that has to be what you base any prediction on. I don't see them having another down year this year, but I see the Eagles and Skins battling it out for second place.

In regards to Dallas, they didn't need to make that many upgrades. They were 11-5 last year. Granted, they're a year older, but that usually means that Romo is going to be better. Unfortunately for them they still don't have much receiving depth past TO and their safeties are liabilities, but if they can pressure the passer the way we all know they can that will take a lot of pressure off of those guys.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I don't think anyone thinks that, but when they were all together last year they looked pretty good. They got their act together at the end of the season and finished at 8-8, one more win and they could have had the Skins spot in the playoffs. They improved a little on D and while standing pat on offense (and still not getting a legit receiving threat) they weren't all that bad last season.

I mean, if you look at that team last year they were a few fumbles against Green Bay away from being 9-7. Also, Donovan missed a game against the Seahawks last year, he had a pretty good year, they only lost 24-28 without him, they could have very well won that game and been 10-6.

All that said, it may be an impossibility at this point to expect Donovan McNabb to play 16 games, but that has to be what you base any prediction on. I don't see them having another down year this year, but I see the Eagles and Skins battling it out for second place.

In regards to Dallas, they didn't need to make that many upgrades. They were 11-5 last year. Granted, they're a year older, but that usually means that Romo is going to be better. Unfortunately for them they still don't have much receiving depth past TO and their safeties are liabilities, but if they can pressure the passer the way we all know they can that will take a lot of pressure off of those guys.

Actually they were 13-3 last year, but that feeds into a point I am going to make. Realistically Dallas and NYG are due to come back to the pack a little. Dallas isn't going to win 13 games again, they will likely cap out at 11.

I don't know anyone who thinks the Giants are better than or even as good as they were last year. They lost 4 defensive starters, have some chemistry issues on offense (Shockey wants out, Plex want more $) and they got hot at the right time last year, I'd be surprised if they were better than 8-8, only 2 off of what they were last year.

Philly is the wildcard. They always worry me, but don't scare me anymore. McNabb, Westbrook and Dawkins need to play 16 games in order for them to be a playoff team IMO. They are solid across the board but great nowhere.

Playing the 'if' game could have put us at 12-4 easily last year (IF Betts didn't trip, IF Moss didn't fumble, IF Campbell didn't throw the INT to Newman)..

Why isn't it August?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm still waiting to hear more on that too. Other than Samuel what else did they do that's so impressive?

Chris Clemons?

[Cowell]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm still waiting to hear more on that too. Other than Samuel what else did they do that's so impressive?

The addition of DeSean Jackson is going to help more than people will think. They have one of the best secondaries in the league.
On top of that Brian Westbrook has really come into his own and is scary good. If Donovan McNabb can stay healthy I think they are going to come in second in the division.

[MTK]

Ok, I understand Dallas and NY...

But what have the Eagles done to improve "tenfold"?

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Ok, I understand Dallas and NY...

But what have the Eagles done to improve "tenfold"?

Certainly they haven't improved tenfold, but Philly will has helped their pass D by adding Samuel at CB (especially if they keep Lito Sheppard around as a nickel). I've always admired their building O-line and D-line depth through the draft, a trend that continued this offseason. Most of all, McNabb will be two years removed from his torn ACL. His mobility was suspect as the beginning of last season, but it was a factor when we met Philly the second time around. As for negatives, they didn't add quality veteran depth at WR, gambling that DeSean Jackson is ready for prime time. Overall, I see Philly in the 9-10 win range, something that will be tough for us to match in year one of a new coach/system.

[MTK]

I think Philly is pretty much on par with us as far as talent goes. I don't see where they have improved themselves that drastically by adding Samuel who is overrated IMO anyway.

[J. Spanky]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I think Philly is pretty much on par with us as far as talent goes. I don't see where they have improved themselves that drastically by adding Samuel who is overrated IMO anyway.

100% agreed

am i the only one that actually draws optimism from the fact the redskins are being written off?

[MTK]

Just to echo what some others have said I really don't care about any preseason predictions or rankings. Wake me up when we get to September and have some real results to talk about.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Just to echo what some others have said I really don't care about any preseason predictions or rankings. Wake me up when we get to September and have some real results to talk about.

For the record neither do I but I needed something Redskins to talk about to get me thru the day!

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

For the record neither do I but I needed something Redskins to talk about to get me thru the day!

I hear ya it's something to talk about

[That Guy]

pre-season predictions don't win games. don't worry too much about them.

[irish]

The big reasons are a new coach and scheme, a QB that has a lot of improving to do, an old o-line, and many others. Its not one big reason its a summation of many little ones. I think 4 losses is way too low but I can see this team havving anywhere form 6 to 9 wins. If JC plays well they will win more, if he plays poorly then its less.

[hail_2_da_skins]

Pre-season predictions are worthless. Key players get hurt, marginal players improve drastically, rookies emerge as major contributors, teams that were predicted to be powerhouses end up being weak (Eagles last year), and teams that were predicted to be pushovers end up being playoff contenders (Browns last year). No one really knows until the season unfolds. Once preseason games are played, you can get a better feel about the impact of the new free agents and rookies.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Same with Dallas. Everyone is acting like Pacman Jones is the missing piece of the puzzle. He doesn't make up for those safeties. Him and Newman can only cover two receivers at once. Their LBs are also a liability in pass coverage, but yet we're still hearing about how THEY'RE the new Super Bowl favorites.

I wish TO was out or suspended most of the season so we can see just how mediocre Romo is without TO taking the coverage that he did.