What to expect of the offense in '09?

[Skinny Tee]

Until our offensive line is addressed we should expect the same offensive product that we had last year. Replacing Kendall with Dockery is more maintaining than improving our line.

Our skill players are in place. We have capable skill players so QB, RB, TE, WR should not even be mentioned in improving our offense.


OL should be the first and only concern. And by the way it still has not been addressed so as of right now we shouldn't expect a change in our production this coming season.

[saden1]

Score more points. I don't really care how, just give me more TDs and do try to win games.

[GusFrerotte]

Biggest question is whether Campbell can really start to show some real improvement in '09 and give us all a glimmer of hope. The thing is any decent QB needs a decent supporting cast to help him out and there are too many question marks out there to say he will even be allowed to improve. That is why this QB crap is so annoying. We might never find out if JC is really a pro bowl calibre QB til we actually build a real offense around him, and then we still might find out he is just average.

It is nice to hear Thomas working out with Moss, but why didn't they show up to Redskins Park? Unless Thomas really steps it up we will again be screwed in the passing game. ARE and Thrash need to go bye bye. Kelly was MIA last season so I am willing to give him another season of leeway, but I am still banking on either one of these guys(Thomas, Kelly) to end up being a bust. Pray both aren't busts!!!!!

The line is of course the biggest ? variable in the mix. How many games can we go with a healthy line? How long til it is in tatters and reliant on rooks or scrubs to hold it together. IF they are healthy, Clinton will really shine, if they get really banged up before say week 3-4 it will be a long season.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by Skinny Tee

Until our offensive line is addressed we should expect the same offensive product that we had last year. Replacing Kendall with Dockery is more maintaining than improving our line.

Our skill players are in place. We have capable skill players so QB, RB, TE, WR should not even be mentioned in improving our offense.


OL should be the first and only concern. And by the way it still has not been addressed so as of right now we shouldn't expect a change in our production this coming season.

I agree for the most part, but we really do need to upgrade our WR corp in the 2010 draft. ARE and Thrash are tremendously overpaid for their production, and their ability. The rooks get another year or two to grow into the game and become contributors. If they don't pan out after the 2010 season, better draft one in the first two rounds of 2011.

[T.O.Killa]

I expect Portis to have a career year and Jason Campbell to have his best year. I am also looking for Heyer to show that he is a Right tackle.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I expect Portis to have a career year and Jason Campbell to have his best year. I am also looking for Heyer to show that he is a Right tackle.

I agree with everything except Portis because I hope we use another back a little more often this year. But I do expect Portis to have a great year.

[Ruhskins]

I think there are people on this team that will have additional motivators to do better this year in the team.

- Campbell and Rogers: they are in contract years, so if they want to get an extension or be competitive in the free agent market, they need to bring their A game (it's common sense).

- Rookie Wideouts: Bad offseason, typical rookie production (you do know that rookies typically don't have Pro Bowl stats their first year, right?), health issues (Kelly), and commitment issues (Thomas) plagued their first season with the team; if they expect to start on this team, they'll need to step it up big time.

- Zorn: His job is safe for now, however a good showing this year should keep his job safe for a couple of years. With the likes of Mike Shanahan, Gruden, and Cowher not employed as head coaches, the last thing Zorn needs to have at the end of the '09 season to have is questions about his job security. A trip to the playoffs should take care of that.

- Cerrato: I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the same situation as Zorn.

- Heyer/Jensen: Heyer needs to prove that he can be a starter, and Jensen has been talking about being in starting form, so he needs to put his money where his mouth is.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

1) I predict good health for Kelly, and that he makes a moderate impact this year. I don't think anyone is unseating Randle El as the No. 2 just yet. I think Fred Davis will handle whatever role we ask of him with great success, but his ultimate success or failure here is based heavily on his usage pattern. I don't see much more for Thomas than another 12-15 catches this year.

2) Really, this depends on how we address C and T in the draft and the months leading up to training camp. As is, we are simply an injury prone group that is thinner than it needs to be.

3) No reason to be down on Zorn. Man is a student of the game, and as long as he has the tools, we'll see a multi-dimensional attack next year.

Well he may be a student of the game but that doesn't mean he's a good offensive coordinator or play caller. Everyone on offense needs to do a better job, including Zorn.

[skinsfan69]

I expect the offense to be a little better but not drastically better.

[Zerohero]

Really looking forward to the receivers improving because i don't see Portis being able to last the whole year if they ride him the first 8 games again.

[Redskin Jim]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

I think there are people on this team that will have additional motivators to do better this year in the team.

- Campbell and Rogers: they are in contract years, so if they want to get an extension or be competitive in the free agent market, they need to bring their A game (it's common sense).

- Rookie Wideouts: Bad offseason, typical rookie production (you do know that rookies typically don't have Pro Bowl stats their first year, right?), health issues (Kelly), and commitment issues (Thomas) plagued their first season with the team; if they expect to start on this team, they'll need to step it up big time.

- Zorn: His job is safe for now, however a good showing this year should keep his job safe for a couple of years. With the likes of Mike Shanahan, Gruden, and Cowher not employed as head coaches, the last thing Zorn needs to have at the end of the '09 season to have is questions about his job security. A trip to the playoffs should take care of that.

- Cerrato: I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the same situation as Zorn.

- Heyer/Jensen: Heyer needs to prove that he can be a starter, and Jensen has been talking about being in starting form, so he needs to put his money where his mouth is.

Well said, Ruhskins....

[Eknox]

I expect an attacking offense , and not one that looks tentative and confused. And of course more touchdowns..

[Dirtbag59]

What needs to be happen:

1. That RT spot needs to get settled. Weather it be through a first round pick or Stephon Heyer learning to bend his knees and dominate at the POA.

2. Ladell Betts needs to find a way to be more effective in limited time. I've always said he needs about 10 carries to get a feel for the game, but he needs to find a way to make the most with what he's got.

3. In helping point 2 Portis needs less carries so he'll be healthier by the time the end of the season roles around.

4. The 3 amigos (sleepy, lazy, and peg leg) need to develop. Jason Campbell seems to have a little Eli Manning in him in that he's probably very effective when he has more big targets to throw to. You know the type that just need to be around the ball to make a play rather then guys like ARE who need percission passes.

As long as Campbell gets protection he's on the same level as Cutler and with a defense that figures to possibly be the best in the league they'll have more help then ever. God knows we have better offensive weapons then the Titans.

[Skins4L]

My expectancy is a little low for the offense going into this season.. The show they put on last year the second half of the season really scares me.

I still feel like we need a replacement for Betts (the watered down Portis). We need a change of pace there... But then again we have so many other position needs. Its obvious Portis needs more cover coming into the season for injury risks, but we might not get someone.

And Campbell needs to be protected. A FULLY HEALTHY SKINS LINE WOULD BE HELPFUL..

We should step it up.

[GTripp0012]

Vinny Cerrato doesn't mix words defending the Thomas selection:

Cerrato: "We liked Eddie Royal, Doc. What it came down to is, Eddie Royal is about 5'9", okay? Santana [Moss] and Antwaan [Randle El] are both that size. We wanted bigger guys. We did not want another little guy because we already had two. We wanted bigger guys. We wanted a couple bigger guys, so that is why we went in that direction. We weren't looking for another little guy because we had Santana and we had Antwaan and we wanted bigger guys. We already had that mold and we didn't have the big guy. In the west coast offense, there are a lot of slants and a lot of those things and having a bigger presence was what we were looking for."

I saw two Redskins games yesterday, including Cowboys-Skins on NFLN, and I've got to say, Thomas actually looks good as a blocker. Can't run routes, can't line up in the right spot, but he can absolutely block any DB who covers him.