Washington Redskins: 5 Burning Questions Facing the Skins in the 2012 NFL Season

Mike Shanahan enters the third season of his rebuilding project with the Washington Redskins having posted only 11 victories during his first two years.

Clearly aware of the pressure and expectation he faces, Shanahan reacted by executing a huge draft-day trade with the St. Louis Rams to land Robert Griffin III as his franchise quarterback.

Griffin's success or failure will define the Redskins' 2012 campaign, and also determine the ultimate longevity of Shanahan's reign in D.C.

The rookie passer won't be helped by a lack of continuity in the backfield and a shaky offensive line that appears no stronger than last season's feeble group.

At least Shanahan ought to be able to rely on a burgeoning defense, provided a makeshift secondary doesn't prove the unit's Achilles' heel.

Here are the five biggest questions facing the Redskins as they get set for a pivotal 2012 season.

Who Will Emerge to Lead the Running Game?

It's about time Shanahan produced a strong running game with the Redskins. For a coach whose best teams were defined by their ability to run the ball, Shanahan has failed to replicate the same formula in Washington.

One of the main problems has been finding a back who can stay healthy enough to develop into the featured runner for the offense. Tim Hightower and Ryan Torain both showed promise in the role, but have been unable to stay on the field long enough.

The answer appeared to present itself late last season, when rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster each chipped in with a pair of 100-yard rushing efforts. However, entering the third week of preseason, the picture is no more clear.

Helu has been hampered by niggling injuries and Royster has thus far been out-performed by 2012 rookie Alfred Morris. In truth, having multiple weapons in the backfield is no bad thing, and Shanahan has often favoured a committee approach.

However, it's hard to escape the feeling that a rookie quarterback would benefit from some continuity in the running game. Hightower's receiving and pass-blocking skills make him the best choice to support Griffin through the growing pains, but he is recovering from an ACL injury that often dooms most running backs.

No matter how Shanahan has shared the carries in the past, the Redskins need a 1,000-yard calibre rusher to ease the pressure on Griffin and give defenses someone else worry about.

Will a Patchwork Secondary Undermine a Powerful Front Seven?

The Redskins have stitched together a working secondary this offseason, but the question is will this rag-tag bunch undermine a defense that features one of the best front sevens in football?

Cornerbacks Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall can both be beaten, with Hall particularly prone to ill-judged gambles and costly lapses in concentration. The third cornerback spot, a crucial position in today's defensive schemes, is in an even bigger state of flux.

Cedric Griffin was rescued from the league's scrap heap after serious injuries and poor form had wrecked his career with the Minnesota Vikings. If the cornerback rotation is a cause for concern for Redskins fans, the safety situation is enough to induce indigestion.

Cast-offs Tanard Jackson, Brandon Meriweather and Madieu Williams are all vying to replace O.J. Atogwe and LaRon Landry. Jackson and Meriweather have both had discipline issues on and off-the-field, and Williams has yet to prove himself as starting material in eight pro seasons.

The issues in the defensive backfield could undermine a powerful front seven that seems primed to apply heavy pressure in every game. However, contrary to popular opinion, consistent pressure doesn't always make a secondary better.

Consider the 2011 Vikings, who tied for the league-lead in sacks, yet ranked 26th overall in pass defense.

Coordinator Jim Haslett faces a tricky dilemma between reining in his multiple-blitz packages and relying on straight coverage, or calling even more exotic plays to try to mask the lack of secondary talent.

Scheme and pass rush can only do so much. Ultimately, it will be down to the Redskins' defensive backs to make plays when it counts.

Will Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan Live Up to Their Big Contracts?

Questions were levelled at the Redskins when they used a significant portion of their available cap space to sign wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan. Both players were given contracts that many feel exceed their abilities.

Garcon and Morgan face the challenge of proving they can live up to the value of their contracts, and the Redskins need one of them to emerge as a legitimate No. 1 target.

Despite 70 receptions and 947 yards in 2011, few believe Garcon has the credentials to be a featured weapon in the passing game.

He has made five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown so far in preseason. Washington's offense needs a productive, big-play target to make Griffin's job easier, and Garcon is under pressure to deliver after receiving $20.5 million in guaranteed money.

Morgan seems more suited to the third receiver role, but he is coming back from a broken leg and faces strong competition from stellar veteran Santana Moss. Four receptions for 49 yards is a decent start. Morgan needs to emerge as a credible weapon in the slot this season.

The Redskins have invested a lot in this pair, and given the franchise's recent history with high-priced free-agent flops, Garcon and Morgan need to hit the ground running once the season begins.

Both improve the size, physicality and speed at the wideout position and fit the mould of Shanahan-type receivers.

However, for Garcon, this is his first time as the designated featured target and Morgan has made only 32 starts in four pro seasons.

Can a Suspect Offensive Line Hold Up?

The spotlight will be on Griffin from start to finish this season. However, he will only go as far as his offensive line allows, which is why it's surprising Shanahan didn't significantly upgrade the group that struggled throughout last season.

The line yielded 41 sacks in 2011, and things don't appear any better as the 2012 season rapidly approaches. The group was dominated by the Chicago Bears' veteran pass rush in Week 2 of the preseason.

Injuries, indiscipline and poor form contribute to most of the problems. Left guard Kory Lichtensteiger is a key performer, but has been unable to stay healthy during his time in D.C. His absence often throws the blocking schemes into chaos.

Tackle Trent Williams is capable of dominance, but is inconsistent and has already incurred a league suspension for drug abuse.

The right side inspires even less confidence.

Jammal Brown is injury-prone and has yet to prove he can master the switch from left tackle. Chris Chester arrived from the Baltimore Ravens in 2011, but has done little to solidify the front.

Center Will Montgomery is too easily overpowered to anchor the interior. The problem is that, like every position on the line, there is little quality depth.

Nobody amongst young group Tom Compton, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Josh LeRibeus and Willie Smith has yet proved they can emerge as surprise starters and boost the front five. That leaves the Redskins counting on improvements from every member of 2011's unit.

That means more maturity and more consistent mechanics and technique from Williams. It also means durability from Brown and Lichtensteiger, and Chester living up to his free-agent contract.

Can RGIII Make a Quick Transition to the Pro Game?

The answer to this question will determine how the season will be judged. Griffin has an enormous level of expectation to live up to. The Redskins have been desperate for a true star at the quarterback position for 20 years.

As if that's not enough, Griffin has to justify the hefty price Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen paid to get him. A second-round pick and consecutive first-rounders is a bounty that leaves no doubt about what's expected from Griffin.

And it's expected sooner, rather than later.

Of course, it's now natural for fans and pundits to expect rookie quarterbacks to enjoy instant success. The likes of Andy Dalton, Joe Flacco, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan have changed the expectations for first-year passers.

Aside from the issues in the running game and pass-protection, Griffin's transition could be hindered by the process of learning a rigid pro offense after operating a spread scheme in college.

Thankfully, the Redskins have already included elements of the spread offense to ease Griffin's transition.

Newton and Sam Bradford have destroyed the old stigmas regarding spread quarterbacks adapting to the pro league. Pocket presence could be the most interesting aspect of Griffin's game to watch during his rookie season.

He endured some early struggles with decision-making during camp, and didn't react well to the pressure the Bears put on him. Finding the right balance between relying on his athleticism to avoid trouble and trusting his instincts in the pocket and the play-calling will determine how quickly Griffin transitions to running a pro offense.

Shanahan and the Redskins are betting big on Griffin. By giving up so much, they are implying that he is the decisive factor between the franchise winning or losing.

Whether Griffin thrives under the pressure, or Shanahan's gamble backfires, the face of the Redskins franchise will look a lot different a year from now.