The Old Should Be Sold: 'Skins Need to Get Rid of Their Veterans

The Redskins are in the midst of a devastating season, one in which they hold a 4-9 record. Though obviously the firing of Vinny Cerrato will benefit the ‘Skins in the long run, the problem cannot just be tinkered with in the front office; the whole organization needs to be completely re-modeled. Clearly, this would need Dan Snyder’s and Bruce Allen’s consent, but some pieces need to be changed.  

First and foremost, one of the centre reasons for their disastrous season thus far has been the injury plague amongst their roster. This lies within the problem of age; Redskins rank high in the NFL for highest average age. Currently, the Redskins lack any player in the depth of their prime. They may hold many young rookies or sophomores, but they also are crammed with veterans past their major seasons.

To begin the steps for remodeling, numerous changes HAVE to be made:

1.     1. Clinton Portis is no longer an elite running-back in a league where speed runners are higher sought after than ever. Though he led the league for nine weeks last year in rushing yards, Portis has left his prime, and has came to his down-fall. This year, before his concussion, he had immense struggles and held back the team on the field and off. When controversy was already rich in Redskins nation, Portis decided to add more, calling out pro-bowl fullback Mike Sellers on his blocking. We’ve already seen and clarified the past couple of weeks that Rock Cartwright, and new found Quinton Ganther, have potential and fill up the holes at the position. Portis still holds sufficient value to his name, so a trade is not out of question. Yet, though his legacy will always be here, it is no longer Portis’ job to lead the organization out of this tumble.

2.       2. Though their pass defense was ranked number one for several weeks, the truth is the Redskins secondary may need the biggest altering of all. Their secondary consists of Carlos Rodgers, Fred Smoot, Laron Landry, Deangelo Hall, Reed Doughty, and Chris Horton. The ultimate reason for the secondary not allowing many yards is because of the fact that since the Redskins are generally down, opposing never pass nearly as much as they would commonly do. One of the veterans that are becoming worse and worse in due course with their age, is Hall. Nonetheless leading the team in interceptions, Hall consistently misses easy but important tackles, and falls off his man. With his departure, the removal of Landry should also produce. Landry has, without fail, let big gains and touchdowns happen naturally for opponents. Though evidently Landry is not a veteran, he is a primeless player.  Horton, Doughty, and rookie Kevin Barn should all be kept, as they show vast potential. Smoot, at the moment, is the best corner on our team, can play safety, and, out can provide some sort of veteran leadership. Until a better player presents himself to the team, Smoot should be kept.

3.       3. Receivers have recently proved to be one of the major problems of the Redskins disappointing season. But one positive has come out from all these negatives. Fred Davis, Malcolm Kelly, and Devin Thomas have demonstrated that they can play with the big dogs. Davis has perfectly fit into the tight-end roll, getting better statistics than Cooley did in his first couple of weeks this season. With Davis entering what should be his golden season, and Cooley coming off a key injury, a switch in the starting line-up should be foreseen. Cooley has a huge contract on his shoulders, and perceptibly, other teams would favor having him over their currents tight ends. Keep Davis, lose Cooley. Moss, another aging veteran, has not been putting up numbers that identify with his pay-roll. Thomas has been playing very nicely, and, as of lately, has been getting as many, if not more, yards and catches than Moss. Moss and Randle El have both been putting up insignificant numbers this season whilst Thomas and Kelly have been improving nicely, coordinating nicely with Campbell.

4.       4. While changes are undeniably needed amongst are roster, there’s one place where change is the opposite of what is required. Zorn, though struggling in his second season, should be the most viable option for head coach—Shanahan is a great coach, but would only be hurting the team taking the job (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/311355-end-of-cerrato-doesnt-and-shouldnt-mean-end-for-zorn)

With all these changes necessary, the Redskins are indeed a team in the midst of a make-over.

Yet, it is desperately needed. With a new, young, running back, a tight-end entering his prime, a secondary completely re-modeled, and a better crop of receiver, the Redskins should be a ways better next season than the former one.