Washington Redskins' Top Five Issue in 2009

The Washington Redskins, my favorite team since growing up watching John Riggins, Art Monk, Carter and of course the Original Hogs.

As a fan we have endured the ups and downs, as well as, the great decisions like "Prime Time" Sanders and the plethora of veteran players who came to Washington to complete their death march in Washington.

Now that the 2009 season is here, what is in store for Washington fans? Who will emerge as a leader? Who will carry this team and who will hamper them? What are the Top Five issues that must be dealt with in 2009?

Here are my Top Five issues facing the Washington Redskins!

1. We need a Quarterback!
2. Haynesworth.  Is he for real? Or just another has been?
3. Portis. Can he stay healthy?
4. Defensive backs. DeAngelo Hall? Smoot?
5. Jim Zorn sophomore Blues?

Quarterback- Let's face it skins fans, Jason Campbell is NOT working out.  Yes he has been through four offenses in five years. Yes, he has had multiple coaches and yes he had to learn a 9,000 page play book (I know, more like 700) from Williams.

With all the excuses and opportunities he has had, it is time to face facts and call it what it is.  He has experienced the Patrick Ramsey Syndrome! Time for him to leave and we need something with more passion. 

REDSKINS are a passionate team and to have Campbell leading our troops is like sending our military into battle with Yanni pumping them up.  Give us Garcia, Warner, or even McNabb. At least they have passion.

Haynesworth-If history proves itself, then this must have been a great move to sign Albert for $100 million. Will he produce? Probably. Will he have a major impact? Who knows. 

But to err on the side of caution, our free-agency signings in the past years (mostly defensive ends) have not amounted to much at all. Jason Taylor, Bruce Smith just to name a few have been complete busts in Washington. Not taking anything away from them, Bruce is an Icon in Buffalo and Taylor in Miami. 

They just did not work out in DC. Could the 'Skins be a two-edged sword? If Texas can sign Mario in the first round and he has proved his worth and if Demarcus Ware from (I cannot say the team name, sorry) has the same impact for them, then why not Washington? Time will tell.

Portis- Can he stay healthy? He has not made it through unscathed yet! I do not understand how we can take a great outside runner and try to make him into a bruising back like Brandon Jacobs. He is not a pounding back. His strength is on the outside and open field running. 

If Portis stays healthy we should have no worries. But, I do not see that happening. Not if, but when he goes down; who will carry the load? Campbell? Betts? Time to start planning for the future and look at viable backs. Could it be time to trade him to get market value and prospect? That is a great question.

Defensive Backs- I must remember Sean Taylor here! Our backfield had not been the same since his untimely death. What could have been....Back to reality, we re-signed DeAngelo Hall. Good move, but what should we expect from D Hall? I pray it is not another T.O saga. 

We do not need that kind of distraction. Smoot is over rated and gets beat on the simple plays and makes spectacular stops in useless situations or games. He cannot close and compete in tight games. I am still shaking my head about releasing Shawn Springs.

Are you serious? That would be like us letting someone like Champ Bailey go....Oh wait, we did that already!

Jim Zorn- Second year as coach.  Great start last year, but then reality sets in and you end up in the hot seat.  Can or will be rebound? How many years or month will Snyder give Zorn the opportunity to win a Super Bowl? 

If he can lean on his staff, seek counsel, and regain confidence with the fans...He has great potential. Can he avoid the sophomore blues? Do head coaches have sophomore blues? I hope not.

Outlook for 2009.  It is hard for me, being a true fan, to expect nothing less than a Super Bowl win. They have to corpse elements and have made very good free agent signings, but will they stay healthy? Can Haynesworth, D Hall, Campbell, Portis and the O line stay healthy? Welcome back Derrick Dockery!!!

That was another great signing. All in all, I give them the possibility of playing for the NFC East title against (I cannot say their name). It would be great to get back to the old days of Washington and Dal...( I tried but I just cant say it) to be on top and grinding it out on the field?

Maybe that is what this country needs in these unsure financial times. A GOOD OLD RIVALRY AND SMASH-MOUTH FOOTBALL GAME!!!