Redskins Analysis: Washington Can't Live on Veterans Alone

As the 2008 season approaches, the Washington Redskins, like many teams, have holes to fill.

After a season marred by untimely injuries and underachievement, the Redskins need to solidify their team. The 'Skins have not proven they can develop and maintain cohesion with their existing group and that’s indicative of why they have a new head coach and defensive coordinator.

The Redskins are not the least talented team in the league, in fact (when healthy), they might be one of the most talented the NFL has to offer. One problem that has plagued the Redskins is their top-heavy roster.

In other words, they simply don’t put too much stock in back-up or role players. Usually, when a starter goes down the 'Skins are left with a backup that’s just happy he made the final preseason cut, but certainly not someone that can make an impact.

If the Redskins followed the blue-print, they could rectify this situation in the upcoming draft. As stated before, the major issue isn’t talent, it's lack of youth and depth which is a recipe for disaster in the football world.

Our injury plagued, talent laden, 30-something offensive line is indicative of the fact that we cannot survive on vets alone. Randy Thomas is one of the best pulling guards in the NFL and John Jansen is a solid right tackle.

Thomas and Jansen have both missed most of the past two seasons with injuries which left coaches struggling to find capable replacements.

If I’m a coach or a general manager, I’d rather have solid, serviceable top-tier players and backups with comparable abilities, rather than injury prone, aging stars with future high school coaches backing them up.

In today’s game teams cannot live on vets alone and their survival is contingent upon what they do in the Draft.


Hail To The Redskins!