Why Washington Redskins Fans Should Feel Good About 2012 Season

The Redskins are on the brink of yet another lousy season. The current quarterback situation is easily recognized as one of the league's worst. Injuries have literally hit the team like a plague and have attacked from every angle. Fans are furious, the on-field product is less than average and the Washington Redskins are treated as more of a floor mat than an opponent. 

But it's not so bad. Right?

Precisely. I'm that burgundy and gold screwball that's here to lighten the load a little bit. After suffering for years as a Redskins fan and having to deal with the Dan Snyder era for the last 11 years just like everyone else, I'm confident in the fact that the Redskins are in good hands with Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen. 

In fact, although nowhere close to predicting a Super Bowl, I'm willing to bet that 2012 will be much different for the Redskins. That's right, perhaps even a little room for excitement as a Redskins fan. 

Recovery

Although we're all aware that injuries are a part of the game and that all teams are forced to adjust, even a Cowboys fan would have a little bit of sympathy for the Redskins and the way the injury bug attacked the team this season. 

I'm not trying to sound like a crybaby with it or anything, but it seemed like one injury after another for the Redskins this season—all at key positions. 

Running back Tim Hightower blows out his knee, safety LaRon Landry hasn't been right since last season, left guard Kory Lichtensteiger blows out his knee, tight end Chris Cooley drops to IR, wide receiver Anthony Armstrong is set back early, rookie Jarvis Jenkins blows out a knee, rookie wideout Leonard Hankerson begins to shine and he hits IR, safety O.J. Atogwe gets a rough start while recovering and the list goes on. It almost didn't seem fair. 

The only good news that can come from such injuries is the fact that all of these guys had time to heal over the course of the season (if they went down early) and the upcoming offseason to heal and prepare for next season. 

Again, I'm not blaming a 5-11 or 6-10 record on injuries alone. But I'm also not denying that it makes a season exponentially harder. And to add fuel to the fire, dummies like Trent Williams and Fred Davis don't help the situation by earning suspensions for a quarter of the season. 

Face of the Franchise

As if it hasn't been long enough, the Redskins are in dire need of a franchise quarterback. And while the 2012 NFL Draft Class appeared to offer more than enough attainable talent for the Redskins at the quarterback position, Matt Barkley's decision to return to Southern Cal for his senior season really threw a wrench into the situation. 

Regardless of who declares for the draft and who decides to chase a national championship, the Redskins' need at the quarterback position remains the same. 

At this point, Baylor's Robert Griffin appears to be the favorite behind top prospect Andrew Luck. But I wouldn't count out a serious run by Mike Shanahan to trade for the first-overall pick and draft the Stanford quarterback if pieces fall right during the last week of the regular season. 

With still plenty of time to go before draft day and numerous other draft routes, it's entirely too hard to predict how the Redskins address the position. But, however it gets done, you can guarantee that we'll see a quarterback next season that at least glimmers with some slight potential. 

Consistency

When it comes to coaches, I believe that consistency is key. 

Although some coaches can come in and succeed right away, it's their consistency over the course of a given sample size that really matters. And when you're talking about a new coach, there has to be ample time for the new coach to implement his staff, address his personnel and instill his culture. 

For all of the Redskins fans that have called for Shanahan's head after just two seasons, please understand that 32 games is not enough to judge. 

Shanahan is the best football mind this franchise has seen in more than a decade. Since his arrival, Shanahan has implemented a defense that works, his evaluation of players has already succeeded his predecessors and players are buying into the direction that he's trying to turn the team. 

Next season will mark Shanahan's third year in Washington, and I think it's realistic to expect some major improvements for the team. Assuming Shanahan gets the quarterback he needs/wants/must have, the Redskins should show huge improvements in terms of team play and familiaritywhich ultimately results in a decent record. 

New Additions

Before last April, Redskins fans probably forgot about what it meant to have a solid draft. 

Under Vinny Cerrato and his draft board dictatorship, the Redskins suffered through numerous disappointments and a number of useless drafts. 

Last season, under the direction of Mike Shanahan, the Redskins drafted 12 players in seven different rounds. And to make it even better, 11 of those 12 draft picks have made notable contributions to the team this season. 

Being a Redskins fan, I can't wait to see what Shanahan does this upcoming April. 

What positions does he address first? How soon could we see the new guy? What are his thoughts on depth?

All good questions, and all very reasonable. But even with a very impressive draft class last season, Redskins fans shouldn't think that Shanahan doesn't still have it in him. So much so that I'm getting excited for rookies we haven't even identified yet. 

Graduation

While on the topic of rookies, why not get excited for the fact that they'll all be one year older next season and have more experience as a professional player?

So far this season, we've seen guys like Ryan Kerrigan, Roy Helu, DeJon Gomes, Niles Paul, Leonard Hankerson, Willie Smith, Maurice Hurt, Evan Royster and Truck Neild make significant contributions.

Now imagine all these guys with experience and a year under their belt within Shanahan's offense or defense. See how easy that makes things?

Last year entailed such an impressive draft class for the Redskins, and I can't wait to see how much better the already-effective rookies can be with an added year and full offseason as sophomores next year.