Washington Redskins: A New Season Brings Hope for This Loyal Skins' Fan

I don't know why I do this to myself ever year. Despite all of the logic in the world, I convince myself the Washington Redskins will finish the season 16-0 and as Super Bowl Champions. 

I have little to back this up, but mostly it's just the undying loyalty to the team and the hope that this year is the long awaited "Next Year".

Of course my prediction will take a hit when the team has its inevitable first loss (probably coming in Week One, since it's at Giants Stadium), but my hope for a Super Bowl will not fade.

People look at me quizzically when I tell them this. I know they probably think I have issues, but I don't. I'm a fan, a die-hard fan. I believe that every year my team has a shot, and you knowhow that ends.

At this point in the season, 32 teams are undefeated. We can all have the same blind hope that everything is going to come together for our team and that this year it will click. Of course 31 teams are going to be disappointed at the end of the season, but right now, at this very moment, there is only hope. 

It's like Christmas Eve. In that big box, is it a Wii or is it a sweater from grandma?

I will, however, give you the little logic that I do have to backup my hopes. First, I'll start on the defensive side of the ball. Last year the Skins had a top 10 defense, despite not taking the ball away enough or sacking the quarterback. There were no real losses and some good acquisitions.

Albert Haynesworth has a lot to prove now that he's a 100 million dollar man, but he is a good player and will attract double teams, which will hopefully free-up Andre Carter.  One would hope now that he has his money "Pride" will keep him playing at the level he played at last season. 

He also has injury issues which can't be ignored, but lets face it, this is football, players get hurt. A guy who never misses a start can get hit with a freak injury. The threat of him getting hurt is there, but that looms for all players. I think Haynesworth's presence will help the Skins' D-Line, which has been weak for the better part of a decade.

Also the midseason signing and offseason resigning of DeAngelo Hall is a plus for the Skins' take away department. He may get burned once and a while, but what this team could have used last year was a pick or two taken to the house. This team was literally two or three big plays from being a playoff team. Hall certainly gives them that opportunity. He's had his off the field problems in Atlanta and Oakland, but you have hope he sticks to his word this year that all of that stuff is behind him. 

Like Haynesworth, we'll see.

Now on to the offense. Here I see nothing but positives because after last year, I don't think they can get much worse. I have to believe that Campbell being in a contract year will show the NFL something. Even if he isn't a Redskin next year he may be auditioning for a starting job elsewhere.

Then you have Kelly and Thomas, two rookie wide receivers who couldn't get on the field last year. According to reports from camp, they are grasping the offense and will see more playing time. This should help the Skins in the redzone.  Now Campbell will have two wide-outs over six feet tall to throw to, instead of the Smurfs.

The real big question mark I see for the Redskins is their O-Line. Can they keep Jason upright long enough to throw down the field? They had problems doing that last year and with the exception of signing Derrick Dockery, they didn't really address the line. Maybe Joe Bugle can work some magic there.

Also realistically looking at the NFC East, I only see the Giants as being a power house.  I think not having Jim Johnson and Brian Dawkins in Philly will hurt the Eagles' defense, especially when it comes to leadership. 

As far as Dallas is concerned, I've never been sold on Tony Romo as the second coming of Troy Aikman, hell, I don't think Romo is as good as Danny White. I think without T.O., Whitten won't be as open and Romo won't have his safety blanket to dump off to when he gets into trouble.

I'm stating it right now, Romo's TD/INT ratio will be close to even.

So as far as the division goes, I think the Redskins can go 3-3 or even 4-2 and steal a win on the road. Outside of the division the Skins play St. Louis, at Detroit, Tampa, at Carolina, KC, at Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans, at Oakland, and at San Diego. The only tough opponents are Atlanta and San Diego. Now that Cutler is gone I don't think Denver will finish better than 4-12.

In the course of this article I've already swayed from my 16-0 record by conceding a few Divisional loses, but overall, I still have high hopes for my team. From where I sit now I realistically see them at 10-6 with a Wild Card. 

Who knows though? An injury here or there they could be 4-12, or a surprising player or injury in Dallas, Philly, or NY and Washington could be 13-3 and Division winners. 

Honestly no one knows what is going to happen this season, we are all optimistic that this year is the year and for a luck few, it will be. 

As Week One quickly approaches, keep thinking that, "Next Year is this Year!" 

Go Skins!