NFL.com's Redskins Season Preview

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Well, we haven't exactly seen that yet.

Yes, they seem to be more involved this preseason. But if Kelly or Thomas can't supplant Randle Friggin' El, then we're back to square one.

So the point remains, we're counting on the same guys who couldn't produce last year to find another gear that nobody's seen.

Wasn't the team pretty good before the O line started falling apart? Even if the talent was exactly the same as last year, as long as the O line stays healthy, Samuels in particular, the Skins should at least be as good as they were during the 6-2 start.

And if the Defense is better and gets more turnovers and sacks and actually scores every now and again, the Offense will benefit and the points per game will go up. If the Skins averaged 3-5 points per game last year, they would have been in the playoffs. The Offense only needs to be marginally better then they were last year, and even if they're only as good as they were during the 6-2 start, they're still a playoff team.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Well, let's be honest with ourselves -- we finished up as an 8-8 team. And we did basically nothing to upgrade the obvious weakness, which was offense.

They gave us props for our D, so there's that. But we're counting on the very same players who gave us an offense that got outscored by the Lions -- hoping that just some more time with the playbook will make all the difference.

I figure we're in for another 8-8 season, maybe 9-7 if things really fall into place. The "experts" probably aren't that far off with those predictions unless our offense wakes the hell up and gives us something we can't even imagine.

Exactly. 8-8 last year. No real changes to the offense which was dreadful last year. Yes, we're hoping some young players step up, but that's hoping at this point. We're hoping JC turns into a top level QB, but that's hoping.

I think we could be better than that, but if I were a non skins fan i would most likely predict 8-8 too.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by redsk1

Exactly. 8-8 last year. No real changes to the offense which was dreadful last year. Yes, we're hoping some young players step up, but that's hoping at this point. We're hoping JC turns into a top level QB, but that's hoping.

I think we could be better than that, but if I were a non skins fan i would most likely predict 8-8 too.

I would say it's more than just hope with the younger guys. I'm sure Zorn and the coaches are expecting the young guys to step up and contribute. I'm expecting it to happen too.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I would say it's more than just hope with the younger guys. I'm sure Zorn and the coaches are expecting the young guys to step up and contribute. I'm expecting it to happen too.

I think Thomas and Kelly should be MUCH improved this year. I too expect them to be much better. They are however unproven in games. So right now, we're hoping they bring it in the regular season. Stating the obvious here but they + the oline are keys to this offense.

[MTK]

The experts take last year's standings and basically rinse and repeat. Does anyone go out on a limb anymore?

Skins 10-6

Mark it down

[Jay Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The experts take last year's standings and basically rinse and repeat. Does anyone go out on a limb anymore?

Skins 10-6

Mark it down

agreed....I've looked over there schedule numerous times and came up with this optimistic assessment

[53Fan]

If they picked us to go 16-0 would it make any difference? I can see us going 11-5 / 12-4 just as easy as 8-8. A lot depends on how the o-line holds up and whether the receivers keep progressing.

[Beemnseven]

The offensive line is what really worries me. Looks like the stab in the dark that was Mike Williams isn't going to work out. And while Dockery is younger, does he really present an upgrade over what we had with Pete Kendall?

You just cannot dismiss the wear and tear these guys take going into November and December.

8-8 won't save Zorn's job, and unless JC has a Pro Bowl year, both of them are as good as done in Washington.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

The offensive line is what really worries me. Looks like the stab in the dark that was Mike Williams isn't going to work out. And while Dockery is younger, does he really present an upgrade over what we had with Pete Kendall?

You just cannot dismiss the wear and tear these guys take going into November and December.

8-8 won't save Zorn's job, and unless JC has a Pro Bowl year, both of them are as good as done in Washington.

Well so far the offensive line had held its own against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England. And although this was preseason, well this situation is better than them being completely killed in the preseason. Durability should be a concern, but I think we should take into consideration that our back ups are more experienced and could potentially replace some of the older linemen.

While I will be realistic and say that if JC or Zorn don't produce they will most likely be gone, here is the other side of that coin....

Zorn and Campbell's success in the next season could translate into success for the team in the next couple of years. Think about this:
- We have a talented bunch of young receivers (Kelly, Mitchell, Davis, and Thomas)
- Two talented young defensive ends (Orakpo and Jarmon)
- A young secondary (Hall, Landry, Horton, and Barnes...maybe Tryon)
- We have a couple of veterans in their late 20s who could contribute at a top level well into their mid 30s (Haynesworth, Rogers, Rocky, Cooley, and maybe Portis)

With a good draft next year of LBs and offensive lineman, our team could be set for the next 5 or 6 years. My point in all of this is that the team has been building throught the draft over the past two/three years. And Jason Campbell's success this season is key to our team. Should Jason fail next season, we are looking at starting once again with a new starting QB, and wasting away some good seasons while a new QB develops (unless the team happens to get lucky and pick up a veteran that can pick things up right away).

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Well so far the offensive line had held its own against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England. And although this was preseason, well this situation is better than them being completely killed in the preseason. Durability should be a concern, but I think we should take into consideration that our back ups are more experienced and could potentially replace some of the older linemen.

While I will be realistic and say that if JC or Zorn don't produce they will most likely be gone, here is the other side of that coin....

Zorn and Campbell's success in the next season could translate into success for the team in the next couple of years. Think about this:
- We have a talented bunch of young receivers (Kelly, Mitchell, Davis, and Thomas)
- Two talented young defensive ends (Orakpo and Jarmon)
- A young secondary (Hall, Landry, Horton, and Barnes...maybe Tryon)
- We have a couple of veterans in their late 20s who could contribute at a top level well into their mid 30s (Haynesworth, Rogers, Rocky, Cooley, and maybe Portis)

With a good draft next year of LBs and offensive lineman, our team could be set for the next 5 or 6 years. My point in all of this is that the team has been building throught the draft over the past two/three years. And Jason Campbell's success this season is key to our team. Should Jason fail next season, we are looking at starting once again with a new starting QB, and wasting away some good seasons while a new QB develops (unless the team happens to get lucky and pick up a veteran that can pick things up right away).

I'm not concerned about skill with the O-line. As you said, the issue is durability. I just think it's a huge roll of the dice to assume good health with these guys going into the last quarter of the season. And the backups? Rinehart, Bridges, Mike Williams (assuming he even makes the cut), and anyone else who makes the final roster are big, big question marks. If we have to depend on any of them we're cooked.

I agree about the apparent infusion of youth at the other spots though.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Well so far the offensive line had held its own against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England. And although this was preseason, well this situation is better than them being completely killed in the preseason. Durability should be a concern, but I think we should take into consideration that our back ups are more experienced and could potentially replace some of the older linemen.

While I will be realistic and say that if JC or Zorn don't produce they will most likely be gone, here is the other side of that coin....

Zorn and Campbell's success in the next season could translate into success for the team in the next couple of years. Think about this:
- We have a talented bunch of young receivers (Kelly, Mitchell, Davis, and Thomas)
- Two talented young defensive ends (Orakpo and Jarmon)
- A young secondary (Hall, Landry, Horton, and Barnes...maybe Tryon)
- We have a couple of veterans in their late 20s who could contribute at a top level well into their mid 30s (Haynesworth, Rogers, Rocky, Cooley, and maybe Portis)

With a good draft next year of LBs and offensive lineman, our team could be set for the next 5 or 6 years. My point in all of this is that the team has been building throught the draft over the past two/three years. And Jason Campbell's success this season is key to our team. Should Jason fail next season, we are looking at starting once again with a new starting QB, and wasting away some good seasons while a new QB develops (unless the team happens to get lucky and pick up a veteran that can pick things up right away).

Good post Ruh!
I was thinking some of the same things; that the team is essentially under construction. Call it rebuilding or whatever, I think Vinny has a 3-4 year plan. This is year 2. I think 2010 will be when Vinny's plan sinks or swims. By then some of the young guys should be starters & JC (if he's here) will be a reliable qb.

I know it's easy to speculate that Zorn will be gone by year's end if the team doesn't make the playoffs, etc., but I think Zorn stays if he's in the 7 to 9 win range, playoffs or not. I think Vinny will lobby that he needs Zorn to remain in order for his plan to come to fruition. In 2010, LBs & O linemen like you said, will be priority in the draft. Also, the uncapped year possibility, that adds another dimension.

I can't disagree too much w/the "expert" picks. 8-8 is very fair since that was our record last year. They should at least point out that last in the nfc east is like 1st in the AFC west.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Well so far the offensive line had held its own against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England. And although this was preseason, well this situation is better than them being completely killed in the preseason. Durability should be a concern, but I think we should take into consideration that our back ups are more experienced and could potentially replace some of the older linemen.

While I will be realistic and say that if JC or Zorn don't produce they will most likely be gone, here is the other side of that coin....

Zorn and Campbell's success in the next season could translate into success for the team in the next couple of years. Think about this:
- We have a talented bunch of young receivers (Kelly, Mitchell, Davis, and Thomas)
- Two talented young defensive ends (Orakpo and Jarmon)
- A young secondary (Hall, Landry, Horton, and Barnes...maybe Tryon)
- We have a couple of veterans in their late 20s who could contribute at a top level well into their mid 30s (Haynesworth, Rogers, Rocky, Cooley, and maybe Portis)

With a good draft next year of LBs and offensive lineman, our team could be set for the next 5 or 6 years. My point in all of this is that the team has been building throught the draft over the past two/three years. And Jason Campbell's success this season is key to our team. Should Jason fail next season, we are looking at starting once again with a new starting QB, and wasting away some good seasons while a new QB develops (unless the team happens to get lucky and pick up a veteran that can pick things up right away).

Ahhh, wasting away good teams w/ an under performing qb. Reminds me of the MB days. Super Bowl caliber D, but couldn't move the damn ball.

I think JC is going to be fine this year, then it's decision time for VC.

[Redskin Warrior]

i really feel that there are two areas that will determine whether we win or lose. Those areas being offensive line play and defensive secondary play. J. Campbell has proven last year and this preseason that with time he can make all the throws. We can't give up big plays in the secondary we have upgraded our defensive line and Orapko & Haynesworth should wreak havoc on QB's this season.

[CultBrennan59]

Let's let the season play itself out, cause last year the Titans weren't expected to do much, and for a while they ended up being one of the best teams in the league

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

Let's let the season play itself out, cause last year the Titans weren't expected to do much, and for a while they ended up being one of the best teams in the league

Yea, and at one point last year we were one of the best teams in theNFL.