What's Considered Success for Next Season?

[hurrykaine]

Reach the playoffs, or Gibbs will step down

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

Exactly.

With the talent we have on this team, thats gotta be a minimum. We have the talent to win in this league, and against the teams we play. I only really saw us outmatched once and that was against Indianapolis and the first game against Dallas/Philly; other than that there isnt a game I can look at and say we shouldnt have won.

I agree with you that only a few times this season we were significantly outplayed, although I would add the first New York game to that list.

In spite of everything that has happened to us, injuries, playcalling, subpar performance, midseason QB change, inability to force turnovers, there is still no real reason why this team doesn't have 7 wins. Looking at the six close losses; Minnesota, Tennessee, @ Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and @ St. Louis, and even throwing in close wins like Dallas and Jacksonville...our record was 2-6 in those games. In a fair world, should we not be 4-4 in those games? If you just look at those 8 games, we weren't outplayed at all (on the average) by our opponents in those 8 games. So how else can you explain us only winning 25% of those close games other than it not being our year?

The very simple answer is this: We got better than expected efforts from most of our opponents this year. We had a lot of games with teams coming off their bye or teams with their backs against the wall. Tennessee was 0-5. They are 8-2 since playing us. Philly had lost 3 in a row going into the Week 11 matchup with us. Atlanta and Tampa Bay were both on losing streaks.

It gives me hope for next year because even if we play no better than this year (something that shouldn't be too hard), if things even out and we go 6-2 in close games next year, that puts us in great shape to go 10-6 with no improvement. And I fully expect us to improve.

[The Huddle]

I too am torn between what I would like to see and what I suspect I will see.

On the one hand, 2007 will be Year 4 of Gibbs II. Given carte blanche by Snyder to redesign the team, he has assembled a coaching staff unmatched in both name recognition and years of experience. The roster is populated primarily by players he and his coaches hand-picked. Both are supplemented by payrolls that are either at or near the top of the league.
Everything Gibbs has been asked for he has received, with Snyder quietly sliding into the background.

Considering all that, anything short of an 11-5/12-4 season and a division title should be inexcusable.

In reality, this team will be starting a still-green quarterback, seeking (still) a consistent #2 wideout, and attempting to rebuild a shattered defense with what we can only assume will be at least in a large part the same cast of characters who brought you this year's debacle.

Looking at it from that angle, I think 8-8 is a reasonable mark, maybe 9-7 with a few breaks.

Personally I feel that the Redskins need a counterweight to Gibbs in the form of a GM who has some degree of autonomy (i.e., who can at least appeal to Snyder in the case of a dispute in much the same way Beathard appealed to The Squire back in the good ol' days).

[Hijinx]

I would consider any playoff appearance a success after this season. I am going to go into next season with very low expectations. This season has got to be one of if not THE most disappointing ever.

[SmootSmack]

I expect a division title. If the Ravens, Saints, and possibly Eagles can all go from worst to first this year there's no reason the Redskins can't either.

As for what I consider success, 10 wins and a playoff win

[skinsfan69]

9-7 or 8-8 would be a success. You can't fix all the holes on defense in one year. Plus the division is real tough. It's going to take time.

[12thMan]

Skin and Taf, you both make good points. Other teams have turned it around in a seasons time. But realistically, how much ground can you cover after going 5-11?

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I expect a division title. If the Ravens, Saints, and possibly Eagles can all go from worst to first this year there's no reason the Redskins can't either.

As for what I consider success, 10 wins and a playoff win

Here is the difference. Steve McNair, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Drew Brees, Deuce M. Reggie Bush, Brian Westbrook, Jeff Garcia and Brian Dawkins. All of those guys are leaders and difference makers. Plus all of those teams are WELL COACHED. I love the way Payton coaches.

[MTK]

Super Bowl.

There's no fun in shooting low.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Here is the difference. Steve McNair, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Drew Brees, Deuce M. Reggie Bush, Brian Westbrook, Jeff Garcia and Brian Dawkins. All of those guys are leaders and difference makers. Plus all of those teams are WELL COACHED. I love the way Payton coaches.

I don't get your point

[jdlea]

They need to be about 10 and 6 and in the playoffs for next year to be a success imo. I have to think this year was a blip on the radar. If they end up sub .500 again next year, I would probably say it was time to give Gibbs the axe. This team has been riddled with injuries, they didn't put Campbell in till late and they played no defense. I don't really expect any of that to happen again next year. The D will have to be better...I don't think it's possible for them to get worse. Clinton will be healthy (if they keep him).

The team should automatically be better next season, but it's scary to think the other 3 teams from the East are in the playoffs. I think the Giants implode next season, maybe the same for the Cowboys. So, by my estimation, they really only have to worry about Philly, but they absolutely play better football.

Finally, Joe needs to get some sort of discipline in this team. Not that they have problems off the field, or even the 15 yarders the G Men rack up, but all the stupid penalties they committ have to decrease. It killed them this year. I think this is part of a coaching problem. I never look at a highly penalized team and think that they are well coached. I have to feel the same away the Skins this year.

[Redskin]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Here is the difference. Steve McNair, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Drew Brees, Deuce M. Reggie Bush, Brian Westbrook, Jeff Garcia and Brian Dawkins. All of those guys are leaders and difference makers. Plus all of those teams are WELL COACHED. I love the way Payton coaches.

Your naming players that were on the team before this season and the team still sucked and each team has one addition none of them have been that big of difference makers if you ask me (with the exception of Drew Brees). And what makes you think those teams are well coached i could argue that brian billick is not that great of a coach at all.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Redskin

Your naming players that were on the team before this season and the team still sucked and each team has one addition none of them have been that big of difference makers if you ask me (with the exception of Drew Brees). And what makes you think those teams are well coached i could argue that brian billick is not that great of a coach at all.

Reed and Lewis were hurt last year. So you bring them back and add McNair and you have a better team. Balt. had a top defense last year, they just had an offense that kept turning it over. Deuce was also hurt last year so you bring him back and add Bush and Bress and a lot of your problems are fixed. Plus they added Colston who is just a stud.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I don't get your point

My point is those players have been difference makers for their teams this year. That is why they have gone from worst to first.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

My point is those players have been difference makers for their teams this year. That is why they have gone from worst to first.

Ok, well about Portis then? Or Springs? And you know we'll go out and get one or two difference makers. And a full season of Campbell?

I won't even touch the coaching argument.