Washington Redskins' Offense: Offseason Summary of Recommendations

Quarterbacks

1. Jason Campbell is the starter with much more to learn.

2. Acquire, either by free-agency or trade, a new backup QB that knows the offense.

3. Allow Todd Collins to compete with the new, aforementioned QB, or give him his early release with many, many thanks and gratitude for what he did for this franchise last year.

4. Draft and/or acquire other QBs that will be asked to compete for the third and final roster spot.

5. Require that Colt Brennan earn a roster spot amongst all of the competition above.

Running Backs

1. Draft a young RB that has the ability to become the feature back of the offense.

2. Clinton Portis will be entering his eighth year as a RB in this league. History of players at the position suggests that Portis has already reached his peak. The Redskins need to be mindful of this fact.

3. Find and acquire, via an existing player, the draft, free agency, or trade, a kick-returner to replace Rock Cartwright.

Wide Receivers

1. Release James Thrash and Antwaan Randle-El: Even if Thomas and Kelly don’t step up during the offseason and prepare for a full-time starting role, neither Thrash nor Randle-El offer enough tangible benefits to remain on the roster.

Their intangibles are excellent. In fact, I’d go so far to say, if Thrash is interested, allow him to begin his coaching career right here with the Redskins.

2. Move Santana Moss inside to the slot WR position: I believe, without fear of contradiction, that Moss would be an utter terror to opposing defenses from the slot position. His speed and quickness is still supreme.

If a defensive coordinator has brain freeze and allows Moss to match-up against a linebacker or safety...Lights out; assuming the offensive line can protect the QB.

3. Give Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly whatever support they need this offseason. At the same time, they both need to show that they want the job by working hard for it.

4. Identify and acquire a West Coast offense WR. In a perfect world, both Thomas and Kelly would both earn the starting outside WR positions. In reality, it is always best to hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.

Tight Ends

According to the reader's poll on All Hail Redskins, which asked if Chris Cooley should be traded for draft picks, nearly three-fourths of all voters chose the option to suggest that idea is just plain ignorant.

But, almost a fifth said yes, or to at least think about it. It's an interesting idea if Fred Davis is ready to step up. But, that said, Cooley is perhaps the most popular player on the team, behind Clinton Portis.

The only way a trade would make sense, again assuming Fred Davis is ready to step up, is if the Redskins could acquire a first round *and* a late-round pick. That said, what if the Detroit Lions were willing to trade their No. 20 pick, (which is their second of two first-round picks), along with a late rounder. Would the Redskins deal Cooley in that scenario?

Offensive Line

1. Release Joe Bugel with a whirlwind of gratitude and appreciation for all that he’s done for the organization.

2. Hire a new OL Coach that is well versed in the West Coast offense.

3. Offer Pete Kendall a new contract, yet one that is indicative of his diminishing abilities.

4. Get Chad Rhinehart in a position to win the starting job from Kendall through the Off-Season Training program.

5. Get Chris Samuels healthy to play, but identify and start developing his replacement now from the aforementioned top-tier options in the NFL Draft.

6. Find competition for Randy Thomas in the middle to late rounds of the NFL Draft. Make him earn his starting position for next year.

7. Release Jon Jansen. His physical abilities have diminished.

8. Assuming that Mark Tauscher can be acquired at a reasonable price, and assuming that his knee injury is not problematic, sign him from the Green Bay Packers to compete with Stephon Heyer for the starting RT position.

Special Teams

1. Acquire Oakland Raiders P Shane Lechler. Of course, this suggestion could be flushed down the toilet if the Raiders franchise their punter or re-sign him.

2. Acquire Tennessee Titans K Rob Bironas. The Redskins need to say good-bye to K Shaun Suisham and his subpar kicking and sign a kicker that a coach can count on time and time again.