Washington Redskins: 5 Radical Changes the Redskins Must Make for 2012

The Washington Redskins are set to miss out on the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. The team is destined to post its fourth losing record in that period.

It remains to be seen whether merely selecting a quarterback in the first round of the draft will be enough to halt this slide.

The dysfunctional characteristics that have plagued the franchise since Daniel Snyder assumed ownership, were supposed to be a thing of the past in the Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen era.

But instead, the Redskins have become been guilty of the same questionable personnel decisions and still found themselves regularly embroiled in controversy.

So what can the Redskins do to rescue their latest attempt to return to glory? Let's dismiss for a moment, the rather dangerous notion that this team is only a rookie signal caller away from competing. Bigger changes could be needed to finally right the wrongs of the past.

Here then are five radical changes the Washington Redskins have to make in order to ensure 2012 is a success.

5. Revert to a 4-3 Defense

Much has been made of the defensive improvement this season. But the reality is that two seasons of multiple personnel changes hasn't even brought the unit back to the standard of their play in 2008 and 2009.

The Redskins should ditch their 3-4 experiment and go back to the 4-3 that was a franchise staple for so long.

A four-man front better suits the majority of the players at the Redskins' disposal. Returning to the scheme would eliminate the need to spend a third straight offseason trying to acquire the right fits to play 3-4.

The 3-4 scheme has not yielded the turnovers this regime seemed certain it would, and the ability to stop the run has deteriorated.

Going back to the 4-3 would allow the Redskins to enter 2012 with a very solid defense in place, comprised of virtually the same personnel they have now.

4. Replace Trent Williams

Replacing the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft would send a clear message that everyone is held accountable for failure and that this regime is willing to admit its mistakes.

Left tackle Trent Williams has struggled to convince as an elite blocker in his two seasons in the league.

The former Oklahoma standout compounded his poor form by allowing his development to be interrupted thanks to a costly four-game suspension.

Demoting Williams avoids the risk of tying the fortunes of the team to a player already at risk of being labelled a bust, just to save face.

3. Cut LaRon Landry and Chris Cooley

Nothing says new era and rebuilding like getting rid of two big-name underachievers. The Redskins should use this offseason to part ways with veterans LaRon Landry and Chris Cooley.

Both players have suffered an alarming number of injuries in recent seasons. They have also unfortunately become almost a protected species.

When fit, both are virtually guaranteed a place in the team, regardless of recent production or the play of others.

Landry in particular is often regarded as a player who can do no wrong. But even when healthy this season, the impact made by the aggressive safety has been minimal.

Cooley is no longer the weapon he once was. He cannot match the downfield threat posed by Fred Davis and seems to lack a clear role in this offense.

An emphasis on youth is the reason most commonly given by this regime for the time it is taking to build a winner in D.C. Releasing two high-profile veterans in favour of younger options is in keeping with this philosophy.

2. Trade Brian Orakpo

As fine a pass rusher as Brian Orakpo can be, he has struggled to adapt his overall game to the nuances of the 3-4.

Trading the two-time Pro Bowler would give the Redskins extra picks and more bargaining power in the 2012 draft.

If the team is intent on sticking with the 3-4, then they could use the additional selections to find more natural fits for their scheme.

In a scenario where the Redskins revert to a 4-3, Stephen Bowen could slide out to end, leaving Barry Cofield, Jarvis Jenkins and Adam Carriker to form an intimidating tackle rotation.

Orakpo has shown flashes of being an elite rusher. But he has failed to put up the kind of numbers many were expecting when he moved to outside linebacker.

As this scheme's primary pass rusher, his performances this season have been largely disappointing. Orakpo should be posting numbers on a par with the best 3-4 pressure specialists in the game.

1. Fire Both Coordinators

The Redskins should replace both Kyle Shanahan and Jim Haslett heading into the 2012 campaign. The play calling of both coordinators has been dubious at best this season.

It seems to be a common theme to suggest that the Redskins don't win thanks to lack of top-level talent. But a closer inspection of the offense and defense refutes this argument.

The Redskins boast capable players on both sides of the ball. Lack of a clear direction and game plans skewed too heavily towards the wrong areas are what has held this team back.

Neither coordinator has managed to transmit their ideas to the players effectively. If the personnel doesn't match, then it is the responsibility of a coordinator to tweak the scheme to suit the athletes he has.

Kyle Shanahan's insistence on letting the pass dictate the offense on a team with a shaky line and a questionable quarterback is baffling.

The tendency becomes even more troubling considering the Redskins can call on a strong running game when needed.

On defense Jim Haslett sticks with a diet of heavy-fire zone blitzes, despite dealing with personnel who are still trying to master a new alignment.

One of the great tragedies of the Redskins 2011 season is that if they had just relied on simpler game plans and played hard, more wins would surely have followed.

It Will Take More Than Minor Tweaks to Turn the Redskins into a Winner

The troubling perception that the Redskins are only a quarterback shy of being a winner, has created a myth that all is right with the rest of the team.

But a new quarterback does not change a defense that couldn't stop a Minnesota Vikings offense missing Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder.

Nor does a new signal caller alter an offensive line that gave up 10 sacks to the usually sack-shy Buffalo Bills.

It also remains to be seen what impact a new passer will have on a coaching staff that somehow took over half a season to give Roy Helu and Evan Royster their opportunity.

In a year when the NFC East has been weaker than at any time in recent memory and the division is set to be won with a 9-7 record, the most the Redskins could muster is five or six wins.

This hardly seems like the hallmark of a team on the cusp of retuning to the postseason. The Redskins may need more than just slight adjustments to right the ship.