Bleacher Report - Articles by Colin Semler

Washington Redskins Fans: There's No Crying In Football

Colin Semler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:17:25 -0500

One of the most ridiculous things I've ever witnessed in my adult life is a mid-season switch by a football fan. My buddy, we'll call him Kevin because that's his name, a former Redskins fan, made a mid-season switch to the New York Giants the year they won the Super Bowl.

How can he call himself a real Giants fan? Furthermore, how can he call himself a real man?

Yes, the state of the Washington Redskins is abysmal to say the least. No, there's not much hope in the near future. But, as Redskins fans flee from fandom like a herd of antelope eluding a pride of lions, they're missing the point of being a fan.

It's a roller-coaster ride. There are ups and downs. But the agony of defeat only makes the thrill of victory all the more worthwhile.

I passed another Redskins fan in the grocery store yesterday. We both donned 'Skins hats despite the ridicule we've undoubtedly received from the rest of the football nation.

As we passed, we made eye contact and exchanged a simple, solemn nod. Ah, a true fan, the pain was evident in his eyes.

As the resident sportswriter amongst my peers, I'm often called upon to offer some hope for the coming weeks. "What's wrong with the (insert expletive) Redskins?"

I wish I could be more comforting, but I'm a realist. There are so many issues that need to be addressed. Jason Campbell is not a franchise quarterback. The offensive line is too old, too beat-up, and too much resembles a sieve.

Some big physical receivers would be nice to complement Santana Moss. Portis lacks the vision to make cuts when a rare hole is there. Let's face it, he's done. But hey, if Chris Cooley was healthy, they'd be in pretty good shape at tight end.

Defensively, the Redskins aren't as lacking. Haynesworth simply wasn't worth the money, nor DeAngelo Hall. There is a lack of depth at linebacker where London Fletcher seems to be the only Redskin that plays with heart every Sunday.

But on the bright side, Brian Orakpo has shown that he has the makings of a future perennial Pro-Bowler. Hey, there's a plus!

Here's what we know. At the end of this season, where four wins would be a surprise, changes are imminent.

Jim Zorn is gone. Poor guy wasn't given much of a chance, but allowing him to finish the season as merely a figurehead was a gesture of good faith from owner Dan Snyder. "Gee, thanks Dan, you (insert another expletive, maybe two).

Snyder will go after a big name to take the reins. He seems to have pissed off Mike Holmgren enough to alienate him from the job. Jon Gruden is the most likely candidate because former Broncos coach Mike Shannahan would want control of the front office, something Snyder refuses to relinquish. Hmmm...interesting.

Campbell is hitting the free agent highway. I'm not sure he'll ever have another starting job in the NFL. Todd Collins is ancient. So, there will be a new face behind center next year.

Knowing GM Vinny Cerrato, Washington will draft a quarterback next year, followed by a couple of unnecessary skill players on the defensive side. Ah, now we're getting to the crux of the problem.

The only time Cerrato has drafted an offensive lineman in the first or second round of an NFL draft was in 1999 when Jon Jansen was scooped up as an early second-rounder. Somebody needs to tell this man that the battle is won in the trenches.

Snyder wants his fans to believe that he is doing everything he can to help this team win. If only he would shut up and listen for a second. Dan, take note.

The Miami Dolphins were 1-15 in 2007. Enter Bill Parcels and Tony Sparano. The Miami Dolphins went to the playoffs last year.

I admit, the immediacy of the turnaround is very unusual, but one can't possibly argue against the impact that those two men had on that franchise. There is a bright future in Miami.

If Dan Snyder really wants to win, if he's really true to his word, then he will find the right man to run the Washington Redskins, someone who can build a culture that breeds success. Then, he'll sit back, listen, and watch the franchise return to its former proud self.

Until that day, Redskins fans will continue to suffer each and every Sunday, and sometimes on Mondays.

But, there's no excuse to leave the fandom. Be a man. Stand by your team. Wait out the storm. And remember, there's no crying in football.

Washington Redskins Will Benefit from Competition at Cornerback

Colin Semler — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:34:07 -0400

It’s hard to really determine how good the Washington Redskins secondary was in 2008. The word solid comes to mind—Washington ranked seventh in the league in passing yards, giving up just over 193 yards per game, and allowed only 16 touchdowns through the air.

The word opportunistic does not come to mind, however. The Redskins accumulated a measly 18 turnovers last year. That number could have been marginally higher if it were not for a case of the drops in the secondary. Some of those drops could have been game changers.

On the flip side, it’s only fair to point out that the secondary operated without much help from a pass rush. It doesn’t take a defensive mastermind to understand that the pass rush generates turnovers and turnovers lead to wins.

The Redskins organization understands this; thus the acquisition of Albert Haynesworth and the drafting of Brian Orakpo. They also grabbed Jeremy Jarmon in the supplemental draft. The offseason gains will drastically improve the pass rush.

That may be the necessary component to catapult the Washington defensive backs from solid to dominant. They should have plenty of help from the safety position as well.

Chris Horton was a certifiable stud as a rookie last year and LaRon Landry continues to make strides towards becoming one of the elite safeties in the league—it’s a shame Sean Taylor can’t still be there to alligator-arm receivers across the middle.

Nevertheless, a good pass rush will allow the corners to play aggressive, physical man-to-man defense, something they weren’t able to do effectively minus a menacing pass rush.

There shouldn’t be any speculation as to who the starting cornerbacks are. The Redskins spent a bundle to keep DeAngelo Hall in town, signing him to a six year, $54 million contract. Hall’s reputation had him billed as a problematic player after his release from the Raiders organization.

His time with the Redskins last year was apparently a test in which he passed—the question is: Will he continue to perform at a high level after signing the major deal?

Hall has playmaking ability, there’s no question about that. It will be interesting to see what he is capable of playing for a defense that is loaded with talent all over the football field.

Carlos Rogers has shown the ability to be one of the better cover corners in the league; however, his play has been inconsistent at times. Picking off passes is not his forte either; he has only six interceptions in his four-year career.

But if Rogers can stay healthy, he is perfectly capable of being a shut-down cornerback, even more so with the upgrade to the pass rush.

With Shawn Springs’ departure, the third spot on the depth chart is up for grabs, although all indications point to veteran Fred Smoot as of now. His playing time declined slightly last year, but Smoot is a fan favorite and a leader in the clubhouse, not to mention one of the best trash talkers in the game. But age may be sneaking up on him.

Kevin Barnes should challenge Smoot for the nickel corner spot. There has already been some mild, hopefully friendly trash talk between the two. The Skins’ third-round pick out of Maryland has been impressive in OTA’s, markedly with his ability to get his hands on the football, and more importantly, hang onto it.

Good hands is not his only major asset. At 6’0”, 190 lbs, Barnes can match up well with some of the more physical receivers in the league. If he continues to progress, there’s no question that he will compete for playing time this year, and may overtake Smoot on the depth chart.

Justin Tryon, the Skins’ fourth-round pick out of Arizona State last year, is in the mix as well. He didn’t see the playing field last year but has track-star speed and a chance to compete for a top-four spot on the roster. At only 5’9”, he will really need to impress in camp and preseason in order to outmaneuver Barnes.

Byron Westbrook and Doug Dutch are both undrafted free agents who hope to make a roster spot. Westbrook has spent the last two years on the practice squad, but could sneak his way on with his special teams play.

Dutch is a converted wide receiver rookie out of Michigan. With the talent ahead of them, both will need to garner serious attention with their play to rise up the depth chart.

Fierce competition in training camp can only be a good thing for the Washington Redskins. Barring serious injury, the cornerback position is deep and talented. If competition serves its purpose appropriately, the level of play should make this one of the best secondaries in the NFL.

Washington Redskins Will Benefit From Playing in NFL's Toughest Division

Colin Semler — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:20:08 -0400

The 2009 season marks the ten year anniversary of the last NFC East title for the Washington Redskins. Through eight games last year, ending that drought looked possible, promising even.

A near-epic collapse ensued and the ‘Skins now find themselves back at the drawing board.

Six games against hated rivals in a 16 game season can take its toll. It creates a long and arduous road to the playoffs. While the journey down that road presents a daunting task, it also provides the opportunity to become battle-tested, a tremendous quality for a playoff team.

The Redskins finished a respectable 3-3 in the division last year. They somehow swept the Eagles, should have swept the Cowboys, and were totally dominated by the Giants.

Whether it involved shipping out big names or bringing big names on board, no NFC East team had a quiet off-season. Successfully addressing needs in March and April ultimately decides where a team is come January.

In a division where three teams should make the playoffs, staying out of the cellar becomes a chance to play a 17th game. The question is: Can the Redskins avoid finishing dead last in the league’s most brutal division?

Head Coach Jim Zorn said he believes the team is finally on the same page and headed in the right direction; however, its unfortunate existence in the NFC East is its biggest obstacle towards a playoff push.

The New York Giants

Early on in 2008, the Giants looked more than capable of defending their Super Bowl title…Exit Plaxico Burress…Exit offensive balance…Exit league dominance.

After the 11-1 start, the G-men faltered down the stretch, dropping three of their last four and earning an early playoff exit with a home loss to Philadelphia.

Burress kept defenses honest last year. Without him, there was no depth to the passing game, allowing teams to key on stuffing the box to slow up Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw.

In the last five games of the 2008 season, including the playoffs, Eli Manning threw four interceptions to just two touchdowns. Without some appearance of balance, the Giants’ offense struggled, and they became a slightly better than average football team.

Despite the disappointing finish to the 2008 season, New York is still a football team that knows its identity. The Giants want to pound the football (led the NFL in rushing last year) and pound the quarterback (sixth in the NFL in sacks last year).

New York addressed its glaring need at the wide receiver position in the draft, grabbing Hakeem Nicks, a talented wide receiver out of North Carolina, with the 29th overall pick.

Anyone who watched Nicks showcase his skills in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against West Virginia last year knows that this guy has major play-making ability.

The Giants also drafted Ramses Barden, a 6’6”, man-child of a receiver out of Cal Poly. His size and physicality should give Manning an opportunity to eventually forget about the departure of Burress.

Derrick Ward also parted ways with the Big Blue. He provided the home run hitting ability in the Giants’ running attack last year. Andre Brown, a fourth round steal out of N.C. State, will most likely challenge to be the third leg of the triumvirate of talented backs.

There is no reason to think the Giants won’t lead the NFL in rushing again next year, and if Eli Manning can be efficient in the passing game, this team will chew up clock and finish off drives with the human tank that is Brandon Jacobs.

Defensively, the Giants should be even better next year.

They ranked fifth in the NFL in total defense in 2009. They were sixth in the league in sacks (42), and that was without Osi Umenyiora. His return is a frightening development for the rest of the NFC East.

DE Christ Canty was also acquired from the Dallas Cowboys, adding depth to an already stellar defensive line.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo left to take the head coaching job with the St. Louis Rams, but his absence shouldn’t be a concern; linebackers coach Bill Sheridan will take over the coordinator duties and there shouldn’t be any major changes to what the Giants want to do defensively.

They will put a plethora of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and in doing so, will generate plenty of turnovers.

The Giants will be the most balanced football team in the NFC East. The Redskins, who struggled offensively for most of the season, did so particularly against New York, scoring just seven points in each contest.

New York also controlled the football for more than 35 minutes in both games, primarily because the Washington offense couldn’t convert on third downs, going a combined 7-26 (27 percent).

The Redskins have dropped five of their last six in this rivalry which continues in Week One at the Meadowlands. The Giants will likely take the first meeting and will occupy a playoff spot in the NFC.

A split for Washington would be a bonus and would likely mean that the ‘Skins are playing their best football at the right time, in December.

The Philadelphia Eagles

As previously mentioned, the Redskins inexplicably swept the Eagles last year. The Week 16 loss at FedEx field seemed to be a wake-up call for Philadelphia, who then steamrolled over Dallas in Week 17 en route to an eventual trip to the NFC Championship game.

Because of their success last year, it’s unsettling to think the Eagles may be the most improved football team in the NFC East this year.

Yes, Brian Dawkins resides in Denver now, and leaders of that caliber don’t exactly grow on trees. But his departure was a sign that the organization is cleaning house a bit.

Dawkins, at 35 years old, is no spring chicken. Quintin Demps had a year to learn under Dawkins’ tutelage and should form a pretty good tandem with veteran Quintin Mikell.

The addition of ex-Patriot Ellis Hobbs to compliment former teammate and Pro-Bowler Assante Samuel shores up the Eagles secondary.

In 2008, the Eagles finished third in total defense and fourth against the run. There just isn’t any reason they won’t be one of the NFL’s best yet again in 2009.

Offensively, the word explosive comes to mind. Brian Westbrook, when healthy, is the most versatile back in the league. He does it all.

Until last year, Westbrook was the only real threat the Eagles possessed offensively. Then DeSean Jackson came along to provide another show-stopper.

The 2009 draft gave Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb a few more toys to play with.

Jeremy Maclin, the 19th overall pick out of Missouri, has drawn comparisons to “Action Jackson;” however, at 6’0”, and nearly 200 lbs., Maclin will be more physical, and perhaps equally explosive.

Maclin should make an immediate impact, giving the Eagles another deep threat as well as a sturdy slot option.

LeSean McCoy, the Eagles’ second pick, will replace RB Correll Buckhalter who joined Dawkins on a flight to Denver, another case of out with the old and in with the new.

Tra Thomas, arguably the best left tackle to ever don the Eagles jersey, is gone too. So, the Eagles went out and got another Pro Bowl-caliber tackle in Jason Peters in a trade with Buffalo. In doing so, they got a guy seven years younger than Thomas.

They also signed Stacy Andrews, formerly of Cincinnati, via free agency to replace aging veteran John Runyan, putting a very solid offensive line in place.

Philadelphia addressed each and every need this offseason, and by doing so, will win the NFC East outright this year.

Washington’s improbably sweep of the NFC’s runner-up last year was only the second time in twenty years it had bested Philadelphia twice in the regular season. It just can’t happen in back to back years.

Splitting the season series would keep the Redskins afloat in the division.

They only have to avoid the bottom of the barrel and Dallas seems ready to step into that role.

The Dallas Cowboys

Maybe it’s the Redskins fan in me, but nothing would please me more than to see Dallas start the new era in its $1.25 billion stadium with a dead-last finish in the NFC East.

The Cowboys were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender last year. They finished 9-7 when 10-6 would have put them squarely in the playoffs.

With its season on the line in Week 17 at Philadelphia, Dallas went out with a whimper, losing 44-6 in a no-contest.

That is not the sign of a team that has any fight in it. Wade Phillips, the “marshmallow with headphones,” as Colin Cowherd refers to him, has no control of that locker room.

Yes, Terrell Owens was a distraction. His exodus to Buffalo will certainly lessen the constant turmoil that infected the organization last year.

In an offseason where each NFC East team made a splash, Owens’ exit was the only splash made in Dallas. The Cowboys didn’t have a first or second round pick to bolster their roster in the draft.

Their failure to counter the moves made by New York, Washington, and Philadelphia may leave them the odd man out.

It’s not for a lack of talent, however. Offensively, the Cowboys are chock full of weapons, even without T.O. Marion Barber is a beast, Felix Jones is a freak, and Tashard Choice turned out to be a solid little running back.

Jason Witten is the best pass catching tight end in all of the land. Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin make up a pretty good corps of wide receivers.

If Tony Romo stays healthy, he does have weapons at his disposal. Had he been healthy last year, Dallas would have almost certainly made the playoffs.

Defensively, Dallas was eighth in the NFL in total defense last year. That was good enough for worst in the division. If you were looking for a testament to how good the NFC East actually was in 2008 that should suffice.

Dallas also led the NFL in sacks last year by a considerable margin (59 was eight more than Pittsburgh). Demarcus Ware had 20. Somebody say,” that guy’s a freak.”

I’d look pretty silly if I said this wasn’t a playoff-caliber football team because it is one.

But the lack of unity in the locker room won’t be solved by removing one loud-mouth, show-boating, pop-corn eating receiver.

It starts with the head coach. Look around the league. Some coaches demand team continuity, demand respect. Wade Phillips demands neither, and the Cowboys will suffer while he is at the helm.

Here’s the long and short. Dallas is the only NFC East team not to win a playoff game this decade. That’s hard to wrap your head around, especially in a decade where they rattled off 14 wins in 15 games against the Redskins.

But, I’m making my declaration: The playoffs will be represented by three NFC East teams in the 2009 season; America’s Team will not receive an invitation.

The Road to the Playoffs

I’ve already examined the outlook for Washington in the 2009 season.

Yes the team made some huge acquisitions, literally with the signings of DT Albert Haynesworth and G Derrick Dockery.

It countered moves made by the Eagles and Giants.

The defense will be tightfisted enough to carry the load.

The offense will be more effecient in Jim Zorn's second year.

The bad news for the Redskins: the fierce competition in the NFC East. The good news for the Redskins: the fierce competition in the NFC East.

Their existence in the NFL's most brutal division will do one of two things: knock them to the canvas or make them battle-tested for their next fight, the playoffs.

Washington Redskins Need Offensive Efficiency To Compete in Brutal NFC East

Colin Semler — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:27:50 -0400

It doesn't take a rocket scientist, or perhaps more appropriately, a sportswriter, to identify where the Washington Redskins were lacking last year.

The opening night loss to the New York Giants, where the Redskins' offense looked borderline incompetent, may have been a tell-tale sign of where the 2008 season was actually headed.

However, when Washington rattled off four consecutive wins following the 16-7 loss in the Meadowlands, including improbable road victories at Dallas and Philadelphia, people began to talk about them as a force to be reckoned with in the NFC East.

First year head coach Jim Zorn seemed to have all of the answers and the Redskins looked like a legitimate playoff team.

But as ESPN's Chris Berman often quips, "Not so fast, my friend." The lowly, winless St. Louis Rams came to FedEx Field in week six and brought Washington and its fan base back down to earth.

Long story short: After a 6-2 start, the Redskins lost six of their last eight to finish in the cellar of the NFC East.

In my mind, one saying that rings true, year-in and year-out, is "defense wins football games." So, when a football team finishes the season fourth in total defense, yet misses the playoffs, you have to find a place to point your finger.

In this case, it's easy: The Washington offense finished 28th in points scored, just a few behind the Detroit Lions, who you may know, didn't win a single football game last year.

Defense can only do so much, and it just wasn't enough to overcome the absolute ineptitude of an offense that mastered the art of the three-and-out.

So, with the near-epic collapse in 2008 behind them, where are the 2009 Redskins headed?

As a fan, I'm hopeful. As a sportswriter, I'm cynical.

So, here we go.

Can the Defense Be Even Better This Year?

I believe it can and will be. People say Washington overpaid for Albert Haynesworth. Well, allow me to answer that with a question of my own. How valuable is a dominant pass rush?

Just ask the 2007 New York Giants—the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.

We've already established that the Redskins' defense was very good last year. Add a world-class pass rusher to the equation and we're talking about a potentially dominant defense. Believe me, there's a huge difference between very good and dominant.

If Haynesworth plays as advertised, defensive ends Andre Carter, and an aging, hopefully healthy Phillip Daniels, will benefit greatly.

The Redskins had only 24 sacks last year. That number could double with the addition of Haynesworth.

Brian Orakpo, the 'Skins first-round draft pick, is a scary talent who is billed as a DE/LB hybrid. The hope is that he will provide more play-making ability on an already stacked defense.

The linebacker corps is highlighted by London Fletcher and his play-making ability. He's 34-years old but flies around the football field like a rookie with something to prove.

Rocky McIntosh has been consistent, but hasn't lived up to the high expectations of the No. 35 overall pick from the 2006 draft. He could be geared for a breakout year.

With the departure of Marcus Washington, depth could be an issue at the LB position; thus why Orakpo may be undergoing a position change, but barring serious injuries, Fletcher and company should be solid.

The secondary now has a pass rush; that should make their job a whole lot easier, and turnovers should be a primary benefit. Fred Smoot, Carlos Rogers, and DeAngelo Hall make up the best triumvirate of cover cornerbacks in the NFL.

LaRon Landry is one of the hardest hitting safeties in the game and has improved steadily in his young career. Chris Horton was a seventh round steal last year. It is scary to think how good he might be with a full season under his belt.

Washington has a playoff-caliber defense, there is no argument there. They will keep this team in games in 2009 and may even win a few on their own; however, it takes a complete football team to make the playoffs in this league, and the Redskins need vast improvement on the other side of the ball.

Can the Offense Be Efficient and Opportunistic?

Well, if it isn't, there are two certainties: Jim Zorn will be out of a job and Jason Campbell will be hitting the free agent highway.

Washington has to improve immensely from last year's offensive debacle. The good news is they can't get much worse. The bad news is not much has changed.

Everybody knew the offensive line was a major concern that needed to be addressed in the off-season. The re-acquisition of Derrick Dockery was a step in the right direction, but failing to use any draft picks on the o-line was a bit of a head scratcher.

Pete Kendall and Jason Fabini are gone and retirement is not in the too distant future for Chris Samuels, Jon Jansen, and Casey Rabach.

Enter Stephon Heyer and Devin Clark. Both are young, talented guys with potential. They need to step up to steady the ship in 2009.

Jason Campbell is in dire need of some confidence and good protection could help. It didn't help, however, that Dan Snyder tried to replace him twice in the off-season, but he can't dwell on that.

This is Campbell's second year in Zorn's offensive system and if they can get on the same page, improvement is imminent.

Run the football. Get it to play-makers. It seems so simple.

Chris Cooley and Santana Moss need to touch the football early and often. Jason Campbell has to stretch the field so that defenses can't stack the box on the aging Clinton Portis. These aren't magnificent revelations.

Washington got receiver-happy in last year's draft, and it would be nice if either Malcolm Kelly or Devin Thomas could make an impact this year.

Although Thomas showed flashes of capability in 2008, my money is on Malcolm Kelly, assuming his knee is back to full strength.

At 6'4", 227 lbs., Kelly possesses the physicality that the Redskins haven't had in a wide receiver in quite some time. He also has tremendous hands and if he can be another weapon, Campbell's job will be a little easier.

The offense doesn't have to be special, it needs to be efficient and opportunistic. They have to move the football and take advantage of the field position that their defense will provide for them.

That's not asking too much, and if the offense can do their job, the defense will shoulder the load, and this will be a dangerous football team.

2009 Prediction

It doesn't help that the Redskins happen to play in the toughest division in the NFL. Playing the Eagles, Cowboys, and G-Men six times is brutal.

Washington has to take care of business at home. They did draw road games against Carolina, Atlanta, and San Diego, all daunting tasks; however, the out-of-conference schedule is relatively forgiving outside of that.

If this team plays up to its potential, they'll surprise a lot of people, just like they did in the first half of the season last year. The question is: Are the Redskins capable of finishing?

10 wins should be good enough to sneak into the playoffs, and, with admittedly lofty ambitions, that's where I have the 'Skins in 2009.

Anything short of that will earn Jim Zorn a free flight out of Washington, courtesy of Dan Snyder.

Jason Campbell Is Not Jay Cutler: It's a Good Thing for Redskins Fans

Colin Semler — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:11:29 -0400

Quarterback Jason Campbell found himself in the same precarious situation Jay Cutler faced when each quarterback discovered that they were indeed expendable. Luckily, for Washington Redskins fans, Campbell is no Cutler.

Executive Vice President Vinny Cerrato and owner Daniel Snyder openly and aggressively pursued the disgruntled Denver gunslinger, making it perfectly clear Campbell was not their quarterback of the future.

He could have thrown a tantrum. He could have refused to talk with his head coach. He could have demanded a trade.

Instead, Campbell handled the situation like a man. He answered phone calls from Jim Zorn and met with Cerrato and Snyder.

It could have been a potentially nasty situation had the young quarterback followed Cutler's footsteps. Now the Redskins can get back to the business at hand, which is to win football games.

I have been hard on Campbell at times. I have often referred to him as a "deer in headlights" on my radio show, and perhaps rightfully so. The Washington offense was anemic at times last year, and much of that accountability has to be placed on the quarterback.

I was intrigued by the idea of going after Cutler. I'll admit it. The kid has a cannon and could potentially be a great quarterback in this league. Realistically though, he's still unproven in the NFL. I wouldn't call a 17-20 record as a starter spectacular, and Cutler has yet to lead his team to the playoffs.

The ‘Skins would have given up a lot to acquire Cutler. In essence, they would have given up on their work-in-progress, in Jason Campbell, to get another work-in-progress in Cutler. That doesn't strike me as a great trade for Washington, especially if they would have dealt Carlos Rogers as part of the deal.

This will be the first time Campbell will have had the chance to play in the same offensive system in consecutive years since, what, high school? Let's concentrate on tightening up that offensive line to give the man some protection. Re-signing Derrick Dockery was a good start.

I'm not saying Campbell is capable of leading the Redskins deep into the playoffs, but I certainly won't say he is not capable. Not yet.

The acquisition of Albert Haynesworth, although costly, should make the defensive line a lot better. Guys like Andre Carter and Anthony Montgomery will benefit from his presence.

The secondary will have a trio of great cover corners in Rogers, Fred Smoot, and DeAngelo Hall, along with two of the best young safeties in the game: LaRon Landry and Chris Horton.

London Fletcher is a playmaking machine at the linebacker position, while H.B. Blades and Rocky McIntosh are starting to come along nicely. The defense will undoubtedly be the backbone of this team next year.

With that being said, any consistency offensively will make the Redskins contenders in the NFC East. Campbell still has a lot to prove on the field; however, he has shown that he handles off-the-field situations with a great deal of class.

He is the Redskins' starting quarterback, again. He will have the opportunity to lead this team with the quiet fire he possesses, which is sometimes mistaken for a lack of leadership. Campbell has earned the much-deserved respect of his coaches and teammates.

So, back to the business at hand: Win football games.

Final Four Sleepers Who Could Wake Up for the Dance

Colin Semler — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:29:57 -0500

They lay there quietly, their eyes tightly closed in a light but sound sleep. Thoughts of cutting through nylon high atop the world ruminates in their dreams. Suddenly an alarm clock sounds, and they awake from their slumber. It's tournament time, and the sleepers can sleep no more.

In a college basketball season marked by turmoil at the top, the toughest thing about putting together a bracket is trying to find the sleeper of the dance. The big guns are beatable this year. The Final Four will not be reminiscent of last year. Top seeds will fall just as they have done all year long.

Sleepers can come from just about anywhere. I'm not talking about your Western Kentuckys and Creightons of the world. I'm talking about a different kind of sleeper; a team that can win the whole darn thing. Remember Syracuse in 2003? They didn't necessarily come out of nowhere. They were a good basketball team, but you didn't hear Bilas and Digger picking them for a title run.

A sleeper can't be a one or two seed, obviously. It's gotta be a team that has been outside of the top ten for most of the year. In essence, they are on the map but off the radar.

First, you have to identify some necessary qualities for a good sleeper. Senior leadership is huge during March Madness. There is no tangible quality that transcends a senior's desire to play one more collegiate game.

Another attractive quality for teams poised to make a covert run is great guard play. Look for the Andre Millers and Dwayne Wades of the world. Neither won a championship, but nor was a championship out of reach. It certainly can't hurt to have a reliable guard handling the rock during crunch time.

Next, show me the big man. Streaky shooters can go cold. Big fellas have to be dealt with in the paint. There has to be a play maker on the inside when the offense needs a score. He doesn't have to account for a huge chunk of the offense, but he gets the "big buckets" that may go unnoticed.

Finally, look for a team that can knock down shots from the charity stripe. Games get tighter during tournament time. How many buzzer beaters would have been erased if a guy hadn't just missed the front end of a one-and-one with a couple of seconds remaining? Proficiency at the free throw line is gigantic.

So Here's my 2003 Syracuse: the Villanova Wildcats.

You don't really hear anyone talking about Villanova being a team that can win it all. Primarily, it's because they are overshadowed in a loaded conference. Unless they take home the Big East tournament title, they will most likely grab a three or four seed. The Wildcats are dangerous enough to cut down the nets in Detroit.

Senior leader Daunte Cunningham has emerged as one of the premier big men in the Big East. He leads Nova in scoring at 16.3 points per game and rebounds at 7.3 per game. Fellow forward and Senior Dwayne Anderson chips in 7.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Together they provide both the Senior leadership and the accountability in the paint.

You'll be pressed to find similar depth and talent at the guard position anywhere else in the country compared to Villanova. Scotty Reynolds is about as good as it gets. If you stop right there, you're doing fine. Add Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes, and Reggie Redding into the mix and things get serious. During crunch time, Scotty Reynolds gets the nod, but any of the other three can light you up at any time.

As a team they shoot 74 percent from the free throw line. Reynolds and Fisher shoot around 83 percent. It Doesn't get any better than that. If Memphis would have shot anywhere near 74 percent from the line last year, they would have taken the title from Kansas with relative ease.

Now, as a disclaimer, Villanova could be an early exit that causes me to scratch through my bracket with a painful sigh. You have to take some risks to win your bracket. That's the nature of the beast. It sure beats taking four number one seeds to Detroit. Where's the genius in that?