The possibilities
Most Valuable Network NFL Outsiders is running previews of all 32 NFL teams, written by bloggers covering those teams, last week MVN invited Curly R to submit a preview for the Redskins in 500 words or less, I am pleased to say after many revisions I came in just under the wire at 496 words:
New head coach Jim Zorn said 'stay medium', so the 2008 Washington Redskins did with an 8-8 record. How would an offense built by Joe Gibbs for smashmouth running and playaction passing continue adjusting in the 2009 offseason to a west coast offense premised on finesse?
The answer is, it really wouldn't, choosing undeniably to focus on improving what was already a top five defense in 2008. The result should be shorter opponents' possessions, better field position for the Washington offense and more room to develop for Jim Zorn's still-evolving offense.
Oft-injured and expensive CB Shawn Springs was finally released and was immediately replaced by DeAngelo Hall, a 2008 midseason signing after being released by Oakland eight games into a long term contract. If DeAngelo can keep his head and not go psycho prima donna, this will be a good signing, DeAngelo makes a good complement to opposite CB Carlos Rogers.
Then, three tenths of one second after the start of free agency, Washington landed their prize: Titans DT Albert Haynesworth. Albert is simply a dominant force, a gravity well around which offenses collapse and he will be a game changer. Assuming he can stay on the field for 16 games which he has only did once before. And control his rage. And not go to jail or miss too much time on trial for driving recklessly and hurting people. Or get suspended for colluding with Washington before free agency started. Or go into the big money slump. So yeah Albert could be good I guess.
Washington also made a free agency splash on offense, signing boomerang Redskin left guard Derrick Dockery but that was not so much splashing as toweling off and recovering from the 2007 loss of ... Derrick Dockery. Pete Kendall was an excellent stop gap but at 36 the team needed to get younger at LG.
Then Jay Cutler almost came to Washington blah blah the team worked real hard to alienate QB Jason Campbell etc etc Mark Sanchez yada yada since when is QB that important anyway?
When the draft rolled around in April, Washington, despite two OT in their 30s, selected DE/LB Brian Orapko out of Texas in the first round and a bunch of other guys that may some day be of consequence, with most of 2008's draft class still learning to lace em up we will have to wait on that. Cut Jon Jansen and throw in a couple of retread tackles, a 400 pound man and a supplemental draft pick, also on the defensive side of the ball and you have capped the Redskins 2009 offseason.
The bottom line: Jim Zorn told owner Dan Snyder he did not need top shelf offensive players or young tackles to make his offense work. Dan Snyder is taking coach Zorn at his word and if the team does not turn in a winning record you can expect to see someone else coaching the Redskins next season. Curly R prediction: 8-8.
It is true, I do not expect great things from this team. I hope to be proven wrong and if so I will write about it. The Committee for Schedule Banding has not critically reviewed the 2009 schedule for our expected range of performances, something we will do on the eve of the first regular season game.
So, my feelings and impressions may change between now and then, camp performance, who is in and who is out (Brian Orakpo!) and how the scheduled opponents look in their camps. Readers are invited to drop their early camp predictions for the Redskins 2009 season in comments.
Albert Haynesworth framed by Redskins headquarters in Ashburn Virginia: uncredited image from here (probably by Matt himself).
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