Where Do the Washington Redskins Go from Here? The 2010 Preview Starts Now

Nothing is certain in the National Football League, especially for the Washington Redskins.

However, two things seem to becoming clear each week.

The first is that Jim Zorn will probably not be the head coach next year here in D.C.; in fact, I'll be shocked if he makes it to the end of this season.

Then you have the Jason Campbell question.  This is the guy the team tried to trade twice in the offseason, and thus far he has under-produced. 

Like Jim Zorn, it is becoming obvious that he will not be here next year as well.

So, where does this team go?

First off, if what I think is going to happen happens then the Redskins are going to need a new coach.

As of right now there are a lot of sexy picks out there.  Mike Shannahan, Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, and Tony Dungy.  All four former head coaches have Super Bowl rings and all four could build another championship team.

But could they do it in D.C.?

Maybe.

But would they want to come to D.C.?

I don't think so, but money sometimes talks.

With the exception of Cowher, I don't think the others are right for this team.  The Skins need an old school coach.  They need a guy who will yell at the pampered, pompous, spoiled players.

Cowher would be the best fit, but there will probably be a coaching vacancy that needs to be filled in Carolina, and Bill will more likely go there since he lives there now.

So who should Snyder try to get?

How about a Hog?

Russ Grimm has been interviewed in the past several seasons for head coaching jobs with the Bears (2004) and Steelers (2007).

As an assistant head coach, he's been to two Super Bowls (one win with the Steelers, and a loss with the Cardinals), and, best of all, he remembers what it was like when players took pride in being a Washington Redskin.

He is the type of old school, blue-collar guy who I believe could whip this roster into shape and excite the brooding fan base.

Grimm is the type of guy who would most likely delegate responsibility among his coaches.  Being an offensive lineman, I would expect him to work with the O-line and probably keep Joe Bugel on staff.

Under his guidance, I can see the Redskins returning to what their strength was in the '80s—a solid line.  Of course, this would all depend on owner Dan Synder and Vice President of Player Personnel Vinny Cerrato.  They would have to buy into Grimm and go after the players he would want and need.

This brings me to the second problem facing the Redskins this offseason: what to do about Jason Campbell?

As stated above, I believe Campbell is in his last year with the Redskins.  His contract is up at the end of the season, he's done nothing to suggest he's worth more the money or time, and they've already tried to trade him twice.

So where does the team go from here?

Well, I think, first and foremost, they need a coach before they go out and decide on a quarterback. 

So, whether that is Jim Zorn, Russ Grimm, or someone else.  They are going to need a quarterback that fits their (or his offensive coordinator's) scheme.

Please, Snyder, no more of this “piecing things together” before you have a coach.  It didn't work for Jerry Jones in Dallas with Wade Phillips, and it has certainly failed for you with Jim Zorn here.

I feel the best course of action for the Redskins is to draft a quarterback that the coach wants, and to have him sit behind Todd Collins for a season.

Sure Todd isn't really starter material,but lets face it, the Redskins need to rebuild.  They need to cut a lot of the dead weight and high contracts and start almost from scratch.

Collins has been in the league long enough to where he can weather the storm for the first season of rebuilding, and teach who ever the team drafts how to run an offense in the NFL.

After the Redskins have secured their quarterback of the future they need to shore up the line with some young talent that can learn from Bugle, Grimm, and some of the veterans like Chris Samuels.

If ownership can accomplish these few minor things, I think the future will once again be bright in D.C. 

It looks like 2010 will probably look similar to 2009, but 2011 or 2012 could look a lot like 1982, '87, or '91.  I'm not promising Super Bowls, but I feel, under the right guidance, this team in three years time could be a contender.