After finishing a dismal 4-12 in the 2009-2010 season, one would not take too much heat in saying the Washington Redskins will not be in Super Bowl XLV, much less make the playoffs.

I would probably agree, unless Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and head coach Mike Shanahan take a few more important steps this offseason.

Let us get something straight: The Redskins have a defense. It finished 10th in yards per game in 2009, and for several weeks their pass defense ranked first in the NFL.

Questions on defense were almost exclusively in the secondary. Safety LaRon Landry, despite playing out of his mind in his rookie season (even at free safety when he replaced the late Sean Taylor), struggled in 2009. 

I suggest the Redskins forget about defining strong safety vs. free safety (like the Pittsburgh Steelers). Just let the safeties play based on the down and the offense's formation. 

Veteran Reed Doughty is solid, and soon-to-be third-year player Chris Horton (who was placed on IR early last season) is a potential star in my opinion after showing great ball-hawking skills during his rookie campaign, despite almost being Mr. Irrelevant in the 2008 draft. The Redskins have good safeties; they just have to be utilized correctly. 

As for the cornerbacks, there is talent, but it is underachieving. 

DeAngelo Hall went to two Pro Bowls as a Falcon, but he has not played up to that level since. 

Carlos Rogers is better in coverage than people give him credit for (He has defended a whopping 36 passes over the last two years.), but he cannot catch a ball for his life, and he is guilty of blowing it on the big play too often. 

Recently, veteran Phillip Buchanon was signed to compete with third-year player Justin Tryon and second-year player Kevin Barnes for the nickel and dime spots.

So, all in all, the secondary is decent, but not much more than that. However, if the following offensive changes take place in the coming weeks, decent will be good enough for the secondary.

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1. Sign free agent left tackle Flozell Adams.

It is a mystery to many why the Dallas Cowboys released him even at age 34. He is still quite talented, and the Cowboys don't have a viable replacement. 

Right now, the Redskins have two-thirds of an offensive line. Center Casey Rabach is coming back for another year. He's getting up there in years, but he is still very solid. Left guard Derrick Dockery is 29 and still playing well. Recently signed guard/tackle Artis Hicks will likely start at right guard. People forget he started in the Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. 

That leaves right and left tackle to be addressed. Adams can fill either position for one or two years, and fill it well.

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2. Draft Oklahoma State offensive lineman Russell Okung or Oklahoma offensive lineman Trent Williams depending on whom the Detroit Lions take second overall. 

There ya go. The Redskins now have a fully operating offensive line for one or two years. Shanahan can declare an open competition for the left tackle spot, so either Adams or Okung/Williams takes that spot. The other takes right tackle. 

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3. Trade with the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

I'm usually never a fan of giving up first round picks, but Marshall really is that talented. He broke Terrell Owens' record for most receptions in a single game with 21. He has caught at least 100 balls for three straight years, and he just turned 26 at the end of March. 

One might say the Redskins are full at wide receiver regardless of talent. The roster currently includes Santana Moss, Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Marko Mitchell.

Moss is still very good, but he needs help. Thomas had his first 100-yard game at the end of last season while showing fantastic ability to get yards after the catch. Kelly has great size (6'4") and elite hands. Mitchell was a rookie last year and is a project.

Here is my trade scenario: Malcolm Kelly and a 2011 first round pick for Brandon Marshall.

Marshall knows Shanahan, and he knows the system. He will fit right in, and quarterback Donovan McNabb will have a Terrell Owens-type receiver that he had in 2004 when he went to the Super Bowl with the Eagles.

I personally think the Broncos would bite on this trade. Kelly is almost identical physically to Marshall, and I think he is talented enough to at least contribute in 2010. 

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Now let's look at tight ends. Chris Cooley injured his ankle early last season and was placed on IR. What happened? Second-year player Fred Davis stepped in and played like a Pro Bowler. He was a monster for me in fantasy football, reeling in six touchdowns and 509 yards in 10 games.

Cooley is a two-time Pro Bowler, and Davis, entering his third year, is already showing signs of serious talent. 

After these moves, the Redskins now have a receiving corps consisting of:

Brandon Marshall, Santana Moss, Devin Thomas, Chris Cooley, and Fred Davis. 

Imagine Moss running free while Marshall takes on the best corners and double teams. Imagine two starting-caliber tight ends (I would argue better than starting-caliber) running routes at the same time.

Then throw in the running game. Sure, it's full of old veterans, but hear me out.

Clinton Portis has had no work ethic since coming to Washington. He has frequently sidestepped the coaching staff and failed to enter training camp in shape. That will certainly change under Shanahan, and it already has. I think he has one decent year left in him. 

Larry Johnson showed much improvement after signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009, yielding his first 100-yard game since the prior season. His carries will come on the goal line and in short yardage situations. McNabb has never had a running back like this, and he will benefit from it.

Willie Parker has faced injuries the last two years. Thing is, he has only had three 1,000-yard seasons in his career. He hasn't taken near the beating that a Portis or LaDainian Tomlinson has. If he stays free of injuries, he may have somewhat of a comeback for the Redskins. 

Every position on the offense is now solidified. Receiving corps is elite, quarterback well above average, running backs solid, and offensive line above average. 

Throw in some luck that any good team needs to make the Super Bowl (Did anyone else see the Saints vs. Redskins game last year?), and Washington is a legitimate contender.