Kudos to Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Slingin Sammy 33:

I'll pass on the Kool Aid if you don't mind.

When this off-season began with Gibbs' resignation and the FO went through a Keystone Kops routine to find a new head coach, I really didn't think things would look this good in July. I thought that Danny Boy and Vinnie Boombatz would find a way to sh*t the bed.

But they didn't!! They kept a playoff level team - not a Super Bowl level team but a playoff level team - together; and they added solid prospects that could shore up some of the weaknesses in this playoff level team. Had you asked me in January to make a prediction of the "State of the Skins" on July 4th, my predictions would have been far more negative than what we see in front of us now.

So, I offer congratuations. If people want to think that I'm only offering congratuations because the FO didn't sh*t the bed, you are free to think that. I think this has been the best off-season performance by the Redskins since Daniel Snyder bought the team.

Let me ask you this. Right now, do you think we're the worst team in the NFC East? Cause I do.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Slingin Sammy 33:

I'll pass on the Kool Aid if you don't mind.

LOL

So, I offer congratuations. If people want to think that I'm only offering congratuations because the FO didn't sh*t the bed, you are free to think that. I think this has been the best off-season performance by the Redskins since Daniel Snyder bought the team.

I agree with you, and as I stated before, good thread & good posts by you.

[memphisskin]

Originally Posted by redsk1

I'm really not trying to downgrade the credentials of Blache as much as trying to make a point about GW.

Did a little more research:

1999 29th ranked D
2000 16th
2001 15th
2002 25th

Great points, and yes GW has had higher ranked defenses than GB. But that's the thing about stats, they don't tell the whole story. Let's take 2001 for example. The Bears had the 2nd ranked run defense in the NFL, allowed only three rushes of 20 yards or more all season, and had the top-ranked scoring defense in the league (12.7 points a game). Just trying to be balanced....

[724Skinsfan]

Blache did an excellent job as Bears coordinator given the amount of injuries they suffered.

[MTK]

What did Philly do to leapfrog over the Skins?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

What did Philly do to leapfrog over the Skins?

IMO, it's what they didn't have happen to them... a head coaching change.

I agree with the premise of this thread, that the Skins had a good offseason. But that was in light of making the best of a bad situation: the best coach this team has ever had just retired.

I cannot see how Gibbs retiring can result in a better record for us next season. I just can't. It would make no sense.

Now give Zorn a year and if he's any good, he might have an Andy Reid or Mike Holmgren offense up and running around here. Assuming the defense stays solid, we may be in a better place in 2009. But for 2008, you have to figure the learning curve will hurt us.

We had a good offseason because we made very level-headed moves and made a smart coaching hire. But even the best coaches USUALLY need some time for the learning curve. I think we're in for a basement finish this season. I'm just looking for signs that we'll do real well in 2009.

That said, I'm still praying that Zorn ends up like Sean Payton circa 2006.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

IMO, it's what they didn't have happen to them... a head coaching change.

I agree with the premise of this thread, that the Skins had a good offseason. But that was in light of making the best of a bad situation: the best coach this team has ever had just retired.

I cannot see how Gibbs retiring can result in a better record for us next season. I just can't. It would make no sense.

Now give Zorn a year and if he's any good, he might have an Andy Reid or Mike Holmgren offense up and running around here. Assuming the defense stays solid, we may be in a better place in 2009. But for 2008, you have to figure the learning curve will hurt us.

We had a good offseason because we made very level-headed moves and made a smart coaching hire. But even the best coaches USUALLY need some time for the learning curve. I think we're in for a basement finish this season. I'm just looking for signs that we'll do real well in 2009.

That said, I'm still praying that Zorn ends up like Sean Payton circa 2006.

From a leadership perspective I agree, but from an offensive point of view I can easily see us being much better. And isn't that what always seemed to hold the team back under Gibbs?

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

IMO, it's what they didn't have happen to them... a head coaching change.

I agree with the premise of this thread, that the Skins had a good offseason. But that was in light of making the best of a bad situation: the best coach this team has ever had just retired.

I cannot see how Gibbs retiring can result in a better record for us next season. I just can't. It would make no sense.

Now give Zorn a year and if he's any good, he might have an Andy Reid or Mike Holmgren offense up and running around here. Assuming the defense stays solid, we may be in a better place in 2009. But for 2008, you have to figure the learning curve will hurt us.

We had a good offseason because we made very level-headed moves and made a smart coaching hire. But even the best coaches USUALLY need some time for the learning curve. I think we're in for a basement finish this season. I'm just looking for signs that we'll do real well in 2009.

That said, I'm still praying that Zorn ends up like Sean Payton circa 2006.

But Schneed, consider how many head coaching changes there have been after a "successful" season. Most head coaching changes are as a result of management fed up with the results of the previous coaching staff. Gibbs retired with the blessings of the owner, remnant coaching staff and the players, relatively speaking. We're not just some team in turmoil that is turning to Zorn to right the ship. This ship just completed her fairly successful maiden voyage after being dry-docked for a few years. [What's with the naval references?]
We lost two obviously critical pieces: the DC and the OC. As far as the OC position goes, Zorn himself will be calling the plays, I think, so not much of a conflict there. Blache may not be the genius that our other guy was but he does have previous DC experience (#1 in points alllowed in 2001), plus he's familiar with the current players.

I know it's a half-full way of looking at it but I don't think Zorn is here to correct a screwed up situation as is the case for most head coaching changes. He's here to not screw up an already good thing, which is a bit easier.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

But Schneed, consider how many head coaching changes there have been after a "successful" season. Most head coaching changes are as a result of management fed up with the results of the previous coaching staff. Gibbs retired with the blessings of the owner, remnant coaching staff and the players, relatively speaking. We're not just some team in turmoil that is turning to Zorn to right the ship. This ship just completed her fairly successful maiden voyage after being dry-docked for a few years. [What's with the naval references?]
We lost two obviously critical pieces: the DC and the OC. As far as the OC position goes, Zorn himself will be calling the plays, I think, so not much of a conflict there. Blache may not be the genius that our other guy was but he does have previous DC experience (#1 in points alllowed in 2001), plus he's familiar with the current players.

I know it's a half-full way of looking at it but I don't think Zorn is here to correct a screwed up situation as is the case for most head coaching changes. He's here to not screw up an already good thing, which is a bit easier.

Great point.. 3 of the more 'questionable' hires last offseason were Wade Phillips, Norv Turner (and talk about a screwed up process) and Mike Tomlin0a first time HC with less coaching experience than Zorn. How did that work out for all of them?

I've worn out the keys on my keyboard with this statement, but Zorn is taking over a team with 22 returning starters, changing only the passing game, returning 90% of the coaching staff and have players in key positions that are solid or on the rise. Of our key playmakers, an argument can be made that only Springs, Fletcher and maybe Moss are on the decline. I don't see the reasons for such pessimism.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

What did Philly do to leapfrog over the Skins?

I didn't think we were better than them last year. I'd say we were about even. Now we've lost #21, they've added Samuel, plus we're learning a new offense and all the old guys that we're really counting on are a year older. And right now they've got a better QB.

[memphisskin]

After a good night's sleep and a big glass of Kool-Aid (what happened to the Kool Aid avatar btw?) here's my new view on D&V.

You know what, screw it. The right side of our line is back, Zorn is going to find a way to get Portis and Betts involved in the passing game, and Campbell has another year under his belt. Maybe the FO did need to take a reprieve and let the jet cool for a summer. The one thing D&V deserve kudos for is that they have done nothing to overshadow Coach Zorn, they are letting him do his thing and they went out and got him the weapons he needs to run his offense.

Smootsmack, you are absolutely right on James, he could be a steal and if not he only cost us a 7th round pick next year so its worthwhile. I have been anti-VC for so long that I am just accustomed to panning everything he does, I will give him and the team a chance. And they do deserve kudos for not trying to win their 8th consecutive Summer Super Bowl title. I see the o-line being a force, Jason Campbell spreading the ball, and Clinton Portis running buck wild. I'm officially on board!

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by memphisskin

After a good night's sleep and a big glass of Kool-Aid (what happened to the Kool Aid avatar btw?) here's my new view on D&V.

You know what, screw it. The right side of our line is back, Zorn is going to find a way to get Portis and Betts involved in the passing game, and Campbell has another year under his belt. Maybe the FO did need to take a reprieve and let the jet cool for a summer. The one thing D&V deserve kudos for is that they have done nothing to overshadow Coach Zorn, they are letting him do his thing and they went out and got him the weapons he needs to run his offense.

Smootsmack, you are absolutely right on James, he could be a steal and if not he only cost us a 7th round pick next year so its worthwhile. I have been anti-VC for so long that I am just accustomed to panning everything he does, I will give him and the team a chance. And they do deserve kudos for not trying to win their 8th consecutive Summer Super Bowl title. I see the o-line being a force, Jason Campbell spreading the ball, and Clinton Portis running buck wild. I'm officially on board!

On a slightly related note, Clayton picked Portis as the NFC East's Most Improved Veteran in 2008. I don't really even know what he meant by that. But it sounds pretty awesome!

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I didn't think we were better than them last year. I'd say we were about even. Now we've lost #21, they've added Samuel, plus we're learning a new offense and all the old guys that we're really counting on are a year older. And right now they've got a better QB.

I think it's fair to say the Eagles have their share of question marks as well. McNabb's health being the main one. He's already missed some time this offseason with a sore shoulder.

-They have some potential drama brewing with Sheppard still on the roster.

-They still don't scare anyone at WR.

-Westbrook is a gamer but he's also inching towards 30 and with his workload a breakdown could come at any time.

[DIRTEE]

Norv Turner was handed a playoff team last year and he did farely well with them. From an offensive perspective, I definitely see the passing game becoming respectable. I mean, a defense won't be able to just cover Moss and Cooley and look for Portis in the backfield.

[djnemo65]

Where did this idea come from that a playoff team getting a new coach starts over from square one?! Last year two coaches inherited playoff teams: Wade Phillips and Norv Turner. Phillips significantly improved the regular season performance of the team while equaling his predecessor's playoff record, while Turner, after a rocky transition, took this group of Chargers players to their first two playoff victories and a narrow one score championship game loss to the undefeated Patriots. Additionally, Mike Tomlin took over a playoff caliber roster and brought home a division championship.

So I don't agree that a new coach inheriting a completely intact playoff roster necessarily equals a regression. In fact, recent history suggests the contrary.