NFL Preview: Washington Redskins

by Andrew, the Grand National Championships

There is a preponderance of prominent bloggers from the Washington D.C. Area. You know more about the Redskins then you really should. You know about Jason Campbell and his magic balls. You know about Chris Cooley and his hot pants. You know all about the man named Clinton.

But you want to know about what'll happen on the field? Meet me after the jump.

Last year was a mess. An awful, injury prone mess. Clinton Portis and Shawn Springs were the big names, but the defensive tackles were also fighting off nagging injuries. 5-11 was what they got, and 5-11 is what they deserved.

The Offense has the potential to be great. It's year two in the Al Saunders regime, and the cupboard is far from bare. Jason Campbell is a quarterback with solid breakout potential. They have two running backs with skills that can be best described as quality in Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. Santana Moss will bounce back from a down 2006.

The #2 receiver is a crapshoot at best, and they do have to replace Derrick Dockery at guard. But this looks like a team that can move the ball with near impunity. They could put up 400+ points this season. The offense is that good.

The Defense on the other hand? Not great. Outside of Kendric Golston, the defensive line is on their last legs. If somebody didn't trade draft choices, maybe they could get some help, Joe Gibbs.

The Linebackers are much the same. There's more left in the tank, and London Fletcher is a good acquisition. But if Marcus Washington goes down again, there will be big problems here as well. The Secondary got some big help in LaRon Landry, and big comedy help in Fred Smoot.

Am I supposed to make a joke about a sex boat here? No. Okay.

The Special Teams are okay. The kicker and punter are meh. But the coverage is good. And Rock Cartwright? Pimp. Pure pimp.

The Coaching Staff is a tapestry of names you've heard of and names you've kind of heard of. Joe Gibbs is in the midst of a potentially legacy tarnishing comeback as Redskin coach. He is flanked by Al Saunders and the White Ray Rhodes as coordinators. Add to that Joe Bugel and four ex-coordinators, and you have a cachet that can teach. Why they don't win more?

No Depth. Really. They lose a bunch of starters like last year and they are effed in the A. That's the other weakness.

The Cheerleaders, however, have first class talent and depth, also, they were the first team ever with a cheer squad. Hooray!

The Fantasy Impact is in the value bet. If you got Santana Moss in the 5th, Chris Cooley in the 8th, Ladell Betts in the 10th, or Jason Campbell in the 12th. pat yourself on the back. If you drafted Clinton Portis round 4? Worry.

On Final Analysis? This team sets up like the 2005 Redskins. They may start slow, but they'll finish strong. They will fight with the Packers for the final wild card slot. October 14th may be a stealthy battle to decide the playoff picture.

I say the Packers win, but I flipped a coin. Anyway, I digress. They will be solid. 9-7 style.

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