PREVIEW: 2008 WASHINGTON REDSKINS

by GMoney, The Money Shot

I'm not breaking any news here, but the 2007 Washington Redskins season ran the gamut of emotions. Obviously, we had the lows of Joe Gibbs managing games like an idiot, numerous season-ending injuries to starters, and the sad and senseless loss of the baddest muthaf*cka on the planet, Sean Taylor. Nobody would have faulted the team for folding up, playing out the rest of the season, and getting their minds right for 2008. But that didn't happen. Todd Collins surprisingly came in and looked like a stud. The Skins won their last 4 games to make the playoffs. And although they were defeated in the first round, the season still felt like a success to at least this Redskins fan. Honestly, and I was in attendance at Super Bowl XXVI for their last Super Bowl win, I've never been more proud of my Redskins in my entire life as a fan.

But those days are over. It was time to move on a long time ago. Without further ado, the 2008 Epic Carnival Preview for YOUR Washington Redskins:

OFFENSE:
What's to like?
--Jason Campbell looks REALLY good. Just ask Peter King. This could be his breakout season.
--Clinton Portis is apparently as focused as ever. He's in an offense that once made Shaun Alexander an MVP, he should be a monster this season.
--Chris Cooley is the coolest (pun intended) player in the league...and he's pretty damn good, too.
--The offensive line is healthy; well, at least it is now.
--The offense is being described as Joe Gibbs running game mixed with the West Coast passing game...could be lethal.

What's not to like?
--The WR's are still a mess. Both rookies are banged up. Santana Moss blows. James Thrash is still around for some reason.
--Jon Jansen has been moving around like a corpse this preseason. It could be the beginning of the end for him.
--While the offense looks in synch thus far, you never know what to expect when going against a first team defense.
--Shaun Suisham is about as erratic as it gets when it comes to kicking field goals and kickoffs.

DEFENSE:
What's to like?
--The pass rush off the ends should be amazing with Andre Carter and Jason Taylor.
--London Fletcher is one of the best leaders in football and is a tackling machine.
--LaRon Landry is quickly developing into one of the best safeties in the league. --Greg Blache is going to continue the style that Gregg Williams ran to near perfection with blitzes from all over the field.

What's not to like?
--The tackles are either inexperienced or injury-prone (Cornelius Griffin).
--Marcus Washington and Rocky McIntosh have MAJOR health problems and that's not good when they are counted on to start as outside linebackers.
--Shawn Springs is getting old and Carlos Rogers is still trying to come back from a blown-out knee.
--They didn't even remotely try to replace Sean Taylor at safety. Reed Doughty just isn't going to cut it. Springs has been getting some reps at safety which could be interesting.
--Chances are pretty good that rookie Durant Brooks will win the punter job and who knows what you will get from a rookie. But he ahs to be better than Derrick Frost, that guy sucked.

EXPECTATIONS:
The Redskins lost ZERO starters from the team that made the playoffs last year while adding one of the best pass rushers in football. While they are still learning the new system, everything coming out of Redskins Park thus far has been extremely positive. The early schedule is tough as they have to go on the road to each rival in the NFC East in the first 6 weeks. But, if this team can stay relatively healthy (which hasn't happened in years) and Jason Campbell is as good as advertised, I don't think that it is a stretch to predict a 10-6 season. A return to the playoffs should be a strong probability as long as Jim Zorn and Company catch a break or two. I think the Cowboys will win the division, but don't be surprised if the Redskins put some pressure on them.

Screw it, I say it every year and I'll say it again..."WE GOIN' TO THE SUPER BOWL!"