(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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The Redskins, and in particular owner Daniel Sydner, went back to his roots to kick off the 2009 offseason by signing Albert Haynesworth to a $100-million dollar contract with $41 million of that guaranteed.
They then followed that up by giving cornerback DeAngelo Hall $54-million with $22.5 guaranteed and guard Derrick Dockery $26-million with $8.5 guaranteed.
They also entertained the idea of acquiring Jay Cutler from Denver or moving up in the draft for Mark Sanchez, leading many to believe the days of Jason Campbell as a starting quarterback in the District of Columbia are running out.
Since they were unable to do either thing, the Skins will once again hand the keys over to the former Auburn quarterback, and the usual gang of suspects will once again be in the Redskins lineup.
They also entertained the idea of acquiring Jay Cutler from Denver or moving up in the draft for Mark Sanchez, leading many to believe the days of Jason Campbell as a starting quarterback in the District of Columbia are running out.
Since they were unable to do either thing, the Skins will once again hand the keys over to the former Auburn quarterback, and the usual gang of suspects will once again be in the Redskins lineup.
Clinton Portis hopes to regain the health he had in the first half of the season and pick up from there, and it's safe to say this team will go as far as he can take them. Backup Ladell Betts is a fine change of pace back, but far from the same type of talent as Portis.
Campbell will have Santana Moss at wide receiver yet again, and should figure to see more of young WR's Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly in 2009. Tight End Chris Cooley will also be a pivotal part of the Redskins offense in both the run and passing game as he is as excellent a run blocker as he is a weapon in the passing game.
The offensive line, as mentioned previously, will see Derrick Dockery come back to the Redskins after leaving for a mammoth deal with the Buffalo Bills a few seasons ago, and Dockery will be joined by tackle Chris Samuels on the left side of the Redskins line. Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas will be the main pieces on the right side of the line and Mike Williams makes his return to the NFL in hopes of seeing some playing time at either guard or tackle for the Skins.
Defensively, all eyes will be on the Redskins big-money nose tackle Albert Haynesworth, a player that can completely dominate an offense if he is on top of his game. The rest of the Redskins line looks very good on paper with Andre Carter and first round pick Brian Orakpo manning the defensive end positions and Cornelius Griffin playing alongside Haynesworth.
In the Redskins linebacking corps, London Fletcher will again be the man in the middle with outside linebacker Rocky McIntosh also figuring to be a major part of the Skins attack.
The Skins secondary will be headlined by playmaking safety Laron Landry, along with corners DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers. Hall had a disastrous stint as an Oakland Raider but played fairly well as a Redskin. Still it will be interesting to see how both he and Albert Haynesworth play following their huge paydays in this offseason.
2009 Schedule:
Campbell will have Santana Moss at wide receiver yet again, and should figure to see more of young WR's Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly in 2009. Tight End Chris Cooley will also be a pivotal part of the Redskins offense in both the run and passing game as he is as excellent a run blocker as he is a weapon in the passing game.
The offensive line, as mentioned previously, will see Derrick Dockery come back to the Redskins after leaving for a mammoth deal with the Buffalo Bills a few seasons ago, and Dockery will be joined by tackle Chris Samuels on the left side of the Redskins line. Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas will be the main pieces on the right side of the line and Mike Williams makes his return to the NFL in hopes of seeing some playing time at either guard or tackle for the Skins.
Defensively, all eyes will be on the Redskins big-money nose tackle Albert Haynesworth, a player that can completely dominate an offense if he is on top of his game. The rest of the Redskins line looks very good on paper with Andre Carter and first round pick Brian Orakpo manning the defensive end positions and Cornelius Griffin playing alongside Haynesworth.
In the Redskins linebacking corps, London Fletcher will again be the man in the middle with outside linebacker Rocky McIntosh also figuring to be a major part of the Skins attack.
The Skins secondary will be headlined by playmaking safety Laron Landry, along with corners DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers. Hall had a disastrous stint as an Oakland Raider but played fairly well as a Redskin. Still it will be interesting to see how both he and Albert Haynesworth play following their huge paydays in this offseason.
2009 Schedule:
| Sun 9/13 | at NY Giants |
| Sun 9/20 | St. Louis |
| Sun 9/27 | at Detroit |
| Sun 10/4 | Tampa Bay |
| Sun 10/11 | at Carolina |
| Sun 10/18 | Kansas City |
| Mon 10/26 | Philadelphia |
| bye | |
| Sun 11/8 | at Atlanta |
| Sun 11/15 | Denver |
| Sun 11/22 | at Dallas |
| Sun 11/29 | at Philadelphia |
| Sun 12/6 | New Orleans |
| Sun 12/13 | at Oakland |
| Mon 12/21 | NY Giants |
| Sun 12/27 | Dallas |
| Sun 1/3 | at San Diego |
2009 Prediction
The Redskins certainly grabbed a lot of attention early in the free agent signing period with their mammoth contract given to All-Pro Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth, but for much of the Daniel Sydner era, more noise has been made by the Redskins in March than it has been in the fall and winter.
It's hard to see how this will not be the case yet again in 2009, as when you look at the rest of a very strong division, the Redskins seemingly were content with adding the big named Haynesworth and not much else.
It's hard to see how this will not be the case yet again in 2009, as when you look at the rest of a very strong division, the Redskins seemingly were content with adding the big named Haynesworth and not much else.
And even though Haynesworth was one of the most dominant players in football a year ago, the serious question will remain with him for the next several seasons in that how much of Haynesworth's dominance came as a result of his talent, and how much came as a result of him wanting to get paid.
In any other division, the recipe of a solid rushing attack with a stingy defense could be enough to net the Redskins a playoff berth or a division title, but not in a division like the NFC East.
Predicted Finish: 7-9, 4th NFC East
In any other division, the recipe of a solid rushing attack with a stingy defense could be enough to net the Redskins a playoff berth or a division title, but not in a division like the NFC East.
Predicted Finish: 7-9, 4th NFC East
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Hassellbeck - VSN Writer
www.virtualsportsnetwork.com
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