2009 Washington Redskins Outlook: Do or Die for Zorn, Campbell, & Co.

Realistic expectations for the 2009 Washington Redskins season are that it will closely resemble Coach Jim Zorn’s first effort with the club from a year ago.  In 2008 the team surprised most observers by jumping out to a 6-2 start that included road wins over Dallas and Philadelphia.

Yet inconsistent play from quarterback Jason Campbell and the offensive line, coupled with the lack of a third down/red zone weapon other than Chris Cooley, doomed the team to an 8-8 finish. 

This year should be no different.  Given the second easiest schedule in the league, I expect the Skins to catapult towards another quick start, only to fade down the stretch as injuries and age catch up to the veteran club. 

In order to exceed these expectations and make the playoffs, the team must avoid injuries and continue to develop both offensively and defensively.  Health concerns are always a league-wide issue, but they could be particularly devastating to a Redskins squad lacking depth and/or experience along both the o-line and defensive front seven. 

Jason Campbell will need to have a career year, and there are several reasons to believe he will do just that.  This season the Redskins will be in the second year of Zorn’s west coast attack, and that familiarity is a luxury Campbell has not been accustomed to in his collegiate or professional career. 

Combine this with the aforementioned strength of schedule and the fact that Jason is in a contract year, and Campbell & Co. should be much more effective. 

The defense, already a top five unit under first year coordinator Greg Blache last season, appears even better on paper with the additions of Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo. 

Haynesworth is the key, as his ability to command double teams should free up Orakpo and fellow end Andre Carter to more effectively rush the passer, and benefit a secondary that lost veteran Shawn Springs to free agency.

As Washington attempts to secure its second playoff berth in the past three seasons, several key obstacles stand in their way.  

Losses to the Rams, Seahawks and Bengals last year proved the Redskins tend to play down to the level of their weaker opponents.  With early season games against St. Louis and Detroit, it will be essential for the Skins buck this trend if they want to continue playing past Week 17. 

Injuries will obviously be a factor, as will player complacency.  DeAngelo Hall and Derrick Dockery both signed lucrative deals in the offseason, but the reason they were available is because they didn’t live up to the expectations of their last contracts.

Motivating these two and others, including $100 million man Haynesworth, will be quite the challenge for Zorn and his assistant coaches.

Speaking of Zorn, it seems only fitting that the preacher of “staying medium,” will produce another middle of the pack team.  Several key additions have helped to boost the club’s outlook for the upcoming season.  Yet with so much money tied into a select group of players, the Redskins are walking a tightrope of risk and reward. 

If the Redskins reach the postseason, Zorn will be brought back and Campbell resigned, and perhaps some true continuity can be had in the nation’s capital. 

However, should the Skins finish out of the playoffs for a second consecutive year, Zorn’s fate as a head coach will mirror the rise and fall of the teams he lead during his two seasons at the helm.  2009 is a make or break year for the Redskins, and their two most important Sunday signal-callers.