NFL Whirlwind Previews: Washington Redskins

It's at times like this that Washington Redskins fans wish the nation's capital could just be transplanted. Not that there's anything wrong with the physical location of D.C.; more like it forces them to be a part of one of the NFL's toughest divisions, the NFC East.

Geography might be the biggest obstacle in getting to the playoffs this coming season for the 'Skins, as they've got a solid group but face a massive challenge in finishing better than fourth and remaining in Wild Card contention.

Oh, to play in the AFC West...

Offense: Play to Your Strengths

Offensive coordinator Sherman Smith has the right idea about things; by following that mantra in the above subheadline, increasingly introducing West Coast concepts to the Redskins offense, and actively employing his experience as a running backs coach, he's molding the Washington unit into one that could serve a contender.

The ground game will remain the focus. While Clinton Portis is surely going to wear down fast at the rate of carries he's getting, boy picked up darn near 1,500 yards last season and marched to the Pro Bowl. Ladell Betts brings experience and a different style as the backup, and both play well enough behind an aging line.

Ah, the line. The general attitude towards center Casey Rabach reveals a lot about the group: He's a good guy, solid if unspectacular. For seasons, there have been more glaring needs than replacing him or anyone else of the five, and so...

The team is content to play out another campaign with minimal changes. Still, we will see Derrick Dockery back at guard; you didn't miss his re-signing amidst all the other free agent talk, did you? Guy has excellent mechanics and is ready to deal with both rushes and run-blocking assignments.

And what about that area of great debate and much import—they call it the "passing game," I believe—how will it fare?

It's a matter of going to it. As I said earlier, Sherman seems to know his personnel very well and is aware that he must make gradual transitions; here's hoping that means he's going to go to the air a bit more this year.

I mean, why not, right? With a top-notch big target at tight end, Chris Cooley, and two stars for wide receivers in Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, shouldn't the ball be flying in D.C.? Doesn't everyone trust quarterback Jason Campbell?

Oh.

Well then, shame on you. I'll get a little editorial here, but hey, it's my article and that's my prerogative: The former Auburn Tiger is a good (if not great) signal-caller. The more time he spends under center, the more sure you can be about him.

Campbell will never be in the discussion of the best pure QBs in the league, but in my mind, he's quickly becoming one of those guys who just won't lose you the game. He won't wow you with a single big play, and besides, the smart Washington playcalling does not favor such feats. No, he'll instead wow you with consistency and his ability to seek out the best of his options on each down.

Yes, Sherman will continue to emphasize the rushing attack because Portis is the man, after this receiving corps (note that young third receiver Devin Thomas says he's fully recovered) and arm went so underutilized in '08 (Jason had 13 passing touchdowns! 13!), I expect him to shift a bit, continue working in new short passing plays, and improve the production.

Defense: I'd Like to Welcome to the Stage...

Some dude named, uh, "Albert Haynesworth"?

Oh, so you know about the beast and his massive contract. Well then, do you know about the rest Redskins front four?

It's a super-experienced bunch that features the ferocious Andre Carter, massive Cornelius Griffin, and reliable Phillip Daniels as starters plus terrific backups Kedric Golston, Anthony Montgomery, and the now-healthy Alex Buzbee.

They like to spread the stats around, so citing numbers isn't going to necessarily impress, but take into account the lifetime production of just the three starters besides Haynesworth and you'll get the idea. No, they can't hang with the Giants D-line, but they'll put up a heck of a fight.

As for the linebackers, I could do basically the same for them and just list the names: London Fletcher and his 96 solo tackles aren't going anywhere, and neither are partner-in-crime Rocky McIntosh and his 60 solo. They welcome rookie Brian Orakpo—that's right, he did fall to 13th overall, right in the Redskins' lap—who is moving easily from the end position he played in college.

But you want a bit more than enumeration, I bet. Well, consider the way defensive coordinator rotates his 'backers (by location, situation, and down) and his pedigree with the Bears, Colts, Packers, and Fighting Irish, and you might develop some faith in his schemes.

Oh yeah, he's also got Alfred Fincher and H.B. Blades at his disposal off the bench. And that leaves us with just the secondary, which is cohesive to the point that one can feel confident yet will still spark debate.

So if you knew about Haynesworth, you might have caught wind of the large sums tossed DeAngelo Hall's way. Yes, it was a lot to give a guy cut by the Falcons not long ago, and yes, some attitude problems have popped up in his past. But don't be one of those people who seemingly forget his playmaking capability, overall athleticism, and youth (he's only played six seasons).

With what he's produced to this point and with the number of years he could have ahead of him, I think Washington's going to look pretty smart down the road. Besides, he won't feel so alone in the backfield as he did in Atlanta and Oakland; in fact, the pressure of playing alongside names like Carlos Rogers, LaRon Landry, and Chris Horton must be practically moot.

Those fellas were three of the team's top five tacklers last campaign and combined for seven picks!

Overall Outlook: See What I'm Saying?

I mean, is it just me, or are the Redskins pretty stacked? Coach Jim Zorn had them on the upswing in 2007 and managed an 8-8 '08 despite ridiculous divisional comp; like I stated before, if Washington were for some reason moved to the California coast and the Hogs could shift divisions...

Oh, and before you think I've forgotten special teams, I did see where the team picked up excellent punter Hunter Smith (who never got a chance in Indianapolis), and I'm fully aware of the tapestry that Rock Cartwright wove last season returning kicks (1,307 yards!).

In short, these Redskins have or are rapidly developing answers to most of the questions, but they might just be doomed because of where they play.