Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.The Redskins stormed out of the gate in Jim Zorn's first season as head coach, running their record to 6-2 at the halfway point. The second half of the season, unfortunately, was perfectly symmetrical -- they went 2-6 to finish 8-8.
They could have won three of those games in best-case scenarios, but the best teams come through instead of talking about what could have been. The reality is that the Redskins only played a half-season in '08.
Heading into the offseason, they don't have a ton of holes. Most weaknesses wouldn't be as glaring if they played in a different division. The problem is, the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys don't appear to be getting substantially worse anytime soon.
Overall, the Skins need much more improvement on the offensive side of the ball, but much of that could come through the development of youth in the passing game. They could use depth on defense to maintain their solid standing (4th in yards allowed, 6th in points allowed) as well.
Unfortunately, they won't be able to do much building through the draft, because they coughed up several picks for the services of Jason Taylor -- which amounted to only 21 tackles 3.5 sacks in an injury-riddled campaign.
Free Agents: Unrestricted - Ethan Albright, Ryan Boschetti, Khary Campbell, Demetric Evans, Jason Fabini, Alfred Fincher, Mike Green, DeAngelo Hall, Pete Kendall. Restricted - Reed Doughty, Justin Geisinger, Kedric Golston, Anthony Montgomery, Shaun Suisham, Rian Wallace.
Draft Picks: 1 (13), 3 (16), 5 (14), 6 (13)
Needs
1a. Pass Protection - The Redskins play in a division with three of the top six sacking teams in the NFL. The Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants combined for 149 sacks in 2008, and none of them appear to be getting considerably worse on the pass rush front. The Redskins allowed 38 sacks themselves, in addition to numerous pressures on Jason Campbell. If one of the "big three" tackles -- Eugene Monroe, Jason Smith, Andre Smith -- falls to the Redskins on draft day, expect them to take this route. Grabbing a strong guard couldn't hurt, either, especially if they let Kendall walk.
1b. Pass Rush - Opposite of their NFC East counterparts, the 'Skins only sacked the quarterback 24 times in 2008. That's exactly half the sacks the Eagles had. More importantly, the three opposing quarterbacks -- Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo, and Eli Manning -- must be pressured in order to be defeated. All three can look like All-World passers in the pocket if they have time to progress through their reads. All three also have a tendancy to be mistake-prone when under serious durress. Keeping Andre Carter isn't the answer. The Redskins have to find the personnel to really get after the passer.
2. Wide Receiver development - They drafted Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly last season with hopes they could compliment Santana Moss and slide Antwaan Randle-El into the slot -- where he really belongs. Neither Thomas nor Kelly showed great strides in 2008, but it's not often rookie receivers make a huge mark in the NFL. If they really believe in both young wideouts, they need to develop them. Having one playmaker outside is not near enough to keep the pressure off Clinton Portis and the running game.
4. Defensive backfield depth - LaRon Landry and Chris Horton are good safeties, but they could use a third man in the rotation, especially with how much run support safeties are expected to give in this rough division. At corner, Shawn Springs is turning 34 this year, and who couldn't use another lock-down guy anyway?
4. Linebacker depth - London Fletcher is getting a bit up there in years to be still manning the middle of the field in this physical division. They likely don't want to spend a ton of money here, but instead draft some depth in the later rounds for a possible outside linebacker in anticipation of Rocky McIntosh moving to the middle.
5. Kicker - Suisham was the worst kicker in the NFL last season.
6. Jason Campbell? Well, let's hear it Redskins fans. Here is the most polarizing figure on the team. He's shown flashes to give you the belief he's going to become a productive NFL quarterback, but he's yet to piece together a full season of consistent play. Personally, I think they should shore up everywhere else first, because he's got enough skill to lead a run-heavy offense -- while still mixing in the deep pass. With Zorn, a very adept quarterback coach, as his boss, every chance should be given for Campbell to blossom.
Plus, they have Todd Collins as an able backup and Colt Brennan as the wild card should Campbell go down in flames this season.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-18-2009 @ 4:30PM
Adam said...
I don't think it's very difficult to fix these holes, if the Redskins play their cards right. Problem is, the front office is usually terrible at doing this. There are some easy guys to cut because they're not effective and they take up a lot of cap space, but I'm not sure Vinny and Dan will do it.
The biggest problem are the two front lines. The offense was working well the first half of the season because the line was playing well. But because they're old and ended up battling injuries, they simply cannot hold up for an entire season. The line that blocked for Portis when he got 5 120 yard+ games in a row only saw him get one 100 yard game in the second half. And the line that gave up 16 sacks in the first half of the season gave up 22 in the second.
The sacks on defense is a little misleading, since Greg Blache focuses more on stopping the run and defending the pass, rather than attacking the QB. I don't like it, but when the defensive scheme isn't focused on getting sacks, there probably won't be many sacks.
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2-18-2009 @ 4:36PM
Redskins0492 said...
I don't like Campbell at all, but if he is given time, I think he'll be a lot better. Jon Jansen isn't the tackle he used to be, so we definitely need to draft a replacement for him. Jason Taylor started the season injured, and was injured throughout the season, so I think he's going to have a great year next year.
Devin Thomas is going to be a superstar, but Malcolm Kelly is going to be a huge bust. We should definitely have Fred Davis ahead of Todd Yoder on the depth chart, and we should come out in 2 TE sets more often.
Suisham is shit, and there are plenty of free agent kickers this year.
I personally think we're set on defense besides a more consistent pass rush. If we can get that, the Redskins defense will be one to be reckoned with. One more thing is that we should start Anthony Montgomery over Kedrick Golston. He's a much better run stopper, and he's better.
We really need to release Cornelius Griffin. He's the 3rd highest paid DT, but doesn't play like that at all.
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2-18-2009 @ 4:59PM
lazyindiankid4 said...
Ok I am definitely going to agree with both of you as you previously stated. However the redskins are an A grade football team which just doesnt have the right front office and leadership. We need to draft solid players in this draft and atleast develop them into great players such as other clubs do.
At quarterback, Campbell needs to be given another chance to show himself. I mean lets be practical, he has played in literally a new offensive system every YEAR! Let him adapt better, I agree he isn't the greatest but trust me he has potential when he has a healthy RB and a solid or an average O-Line.And all of you colt brennan lovers, I am also one of you guys but we need to understand he has his weaknesses and he was playing good in the preseason because he was playing against 3rd or 4th stringers! Our O-line needs to get younger, so in the draft i don't see any point in bringing in defensive players because we are stacked pretty much on D. As for our WR's.. They need to get more productive, I wouldn't mind if we can sign a good solid WR in the free agency. As for our kicker..SUISHAM JUST SUCKS! i bet you we can get a better kicker from high school. Get a new kicker, a new O-line, and improve our talent, and I wouldn't be surprised if we go deep in the playoffs next year..all said
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!
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2-18-2009 @ 5:26PM
bowlofchili07 said...
The redskins have alot to do this offseason. Their defense line has to get better. Keeping J.T. would be a huge mistake because he takes up way to much cap room for very little production. jansen is old, as well as randy thomas. Keep samuels and rabach and let kendall walk and ditch the other two. Campbell is ok and should have more time to develop. But if he dos'nt why not let colt in? The skins should lock up hall and rodgers and keep smoot as a third DB and release springs. Kareem Moore showed to be that third man in the safty rotation. Marcus washington takes up way too much cap space and he should be released. The wide recievers are good and will be way better this year but they cant get the ball if campbell is sacked so much. Give him a solid line and the offense will open up.
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2-18-2009 @ 5:42PM
drreynaldo said...
1a. skins definitely should put all offseason resources toward revamping O-line. injuries have decimated otherwise good players each of the last few years, and age is certainly working against them.
1b. agree with post by Adam. blache doesnt stress pass rush, and based on last season, i think his approach works well. defense kept us in every game, dominating some, despite lack of sacks.
2. hard to tell what kelly and thomas will ultimately produce but must be patient and find out. avoid spending big money on WR this offseason.
3.4. defensive depth needed most on the line, not LB or DB. especially if we lose montgomery, golston or both to free agency.
5. thank god they already cut suisham, hopefully can find someone decent. cant recall a consistent kicker in my lifetime as a redskin fan.
6. Campbell should have ONE last year to prove he is the franchise QB. if he is mediocre again or worse, draft high at this position in 2010.
p.s. Cornelius Griffin is worth the money, he makes everyone around him much better.
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2-18-2009 @ 9:15PM
kbvt20 said...
The Redskins make the playoffs next year, Jason Campbell goes on to earn all Pro honors, and London Fletcher earns his first all pro honor. Get over it all you Skins haters. Believe!
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2-19-2009 @ 8:48AM
kirby said...
drreunaldo: "thank god they already cut suisham"
and what dream world are you living in? Suisham hasn't gone anywhere (yet).
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2-19-2009 @ 9:16AM
Hello Larry !!!! said...
add offensive and defensive lineman through the draft (1 each), find an undrafted free agent for both and put on the practice squad, and sign a free agent for both.
dump the salaries for Carter, Taylor, Griffin. If Hall wants to stay here, his salary falls in line with everybody else - he isn't worth what he was getting in Oakland.
go find a new punter. Suisham is fine for another year - replace him next year.
the problem is this: finding replacements for everybody as mentioned requires a skill, and our front office has shown that in however long they have been here, they can't get it done....they can't. We need a young outside linebacker who can cover a tight end and play the run rather than sit 8 games a year...Cerrato won't find em..
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2-19-2009 @ 9:47PM
Braves On The Warpath said...
Ever heard of Chip Lohmiller?
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2-23-2009 @ 6:41PM
Bo said...
Concentrate on the o-line in the draft. We need younger talent there. Give Campbell a solid line and we make the playoffs. Maybe the front office should hire Art Monk as a wide receiver coach to help develop the younger guys.
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