MVN - Most Valuable Network

Redskins: What if; what’s next?

I wonder what would have happened if Sean Taylor’s dad implored the Washington Redskins to win out and make the Super Bowl instead of just make the playoffs? The team with a mission achieved Chief Taylor’s objective in an energy fueled rush to close out the season, but could not survive the first playoff round.

Not that I criticize the Taylors for anything. Neither Sean Taylor’s father nor Taylor’s memory could lift the Redskins beyond what they are: an average, middling NFL team just good enough to make the playoffs, but not elite enough to go all the way, nor even win a division title. This team has a ways to go to reach that level.

Yet, the Redskins have made strides four seasons after the Return of the King. In 2003, the Redskins were pretending Trung Canidate was a NFL running back. Danny Wuerffel was to be the engine of a “fun ‘n’ gun” offense that more resembled a “pass ‘n’ gas” comedy show. The team was top-heavy with stars, leaving no room for quality depth. Those pre-Gibbs II teams were built on hype — all show and no substance. Daniel Snyder had the right idea about an attack offense, but naive to expect a college coach to deliver.

Finally, some depth 

Maybe the Redskins were so far gone when Gibbs returned, that it took four seasons to undo the damage and build a team with depth. Distressingly, Gibbs seemed to buy into Daniel Snyder’s exposed ”win now” approach rather than modify it. The 2006 season was an orgy of free agent excess. But, 2007 saw roster discipline and better scouting homework. It’s amazing what no salary cap can do for a cash-rich team.

Don’t you feel better knowing that Chris Wilson is developing as a defensive end? What would we have done if Reed Doughty couldn’t play strong safety when LaRon Landry seamlessly slid over to play deep free agent? Everything about Landry’s play says the Redskins made the right move selecting him in the draft. Who knew we would need him now more than ever.

Anthony Montgomery is as good a defensive lineman as billed. Randell Godfrey is no Warrick Holdman and Leigh Torrance is no Mike Rumph. When London Fletcher-Baker steps down in a year or two, there’s H.B. Blades to slide in the role.

The defense got a lot of attention last off-season. The offense needs the same treatment in 2008. Enough of the stop-gap measures on the O-line. This unit needs attention. Jon Jansen and Randy Thomas will be back next season, but they are getting up there in age. Next season may be the year where the unit runs out of gas.

With all the free agent emphasis on skill players, the Skins have been starving the offense, especially the offensive line, of draft picks. Undrafted free agent Stephon Heyer was a find, but it was on the cheap and it hurts in the post-season. As Dan Lucero at MVN’ Power of 12 wrote:

“Were Redskins fans really thinking that a rookie undrafted free agent right tackle could contain [DE Patrick] Kerney? Um, I don’t think so. Kerney was in the backfield all game long no matter how many Redskins were assigned to him.”

Well, yeah we did. The Redskins’ roster approach works somewhat for the regular season, but we aren’t ready for prime time. We aren’t ready for Al Saunder’s offense, either. We too often need Heavy Jumbo to plug offensive blocking weakness. Saunders needs those bodies to be receivers. 

For that to happen, the Skins need linemen who can handle a pass rush without help. They need to draft a linemen of the calibre of Chris Samuels [first round draft pick, 2000]. Chris Samuels talent doesn’t fall from the undrafted free agent tree.

What if?

Todd Collins is evidence that old age and cunning can trump youth and strength sometimes. Youth will be served, so Campbell will be the starting quarterback to open the 2008 campaign. Todd Collins has earned the right to compete for a starting position, here or somewhere. His performance was an eye-opener for a lot of teams in need, Baltimore for instance. The Redskins have some hard decisions to make about unrestricted free agent Collins.

People are asking whether Collins or Campbell should be the starter next season. I’m wondering how the ‘06 season may have been different if Collins were the starter instead of Mark Brunell or Jason Campbell? Tell me again why this guy didn’t get serious consideration back then.   

The Redskins lost five games that they were leading at half-time. What if they won three of them? A 12-4 finish wouldn’t have won the division, but might have had the Redskins facing Tampa Bay in round one. Sure, we lost to the Buccaneers this season, but I’ve seen enough of the Seahawks. I’d rather that we taken our chances in Tampa. 

What’s next?

Jason LaCanfora at The Washington Post put it succinctly:

“Washington’s first order of business will be to restructure the contracts of a bevy of top veterans to make them more salary cap friendly. The Redskins are $20 million over the cap but according to numerous league sources who have studied their situation, the team can still create ample cap room by reworking the contracts of veterans such as Portis, tight end Chris Cooley, tackle Chris Samuels and linebacker Marcus Washington. The Redskins annually renegotiate 10 or so contracts and this year appears to be no exception.

“Several league sources believe the Redskins will heavily pursue Chicago free agent linebacker Lance Briggs, whom Washington attempted to land in a trade last offseason. The Redskins have long pursued a stable third wide receiver as well, and potential free agents such as Drew Carter and Bernard Berrian are possible targets. They would like more youth along the offensive line and in the secondary as well, but have tempered their sweeping pursuit of free agents.”

Hog Heaven will keep you posted on off-season moves the Redskins make and should make. So keep it here from now ’til September. 

This entry was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 4:02 am and is filed under Redskins, Washington Redskins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.