Top Storylines For The Redskins Preseason

With all of the moves that the Washington Redskins made this offseason they have become one of the most talked about teams in the NFC. 

Daniel Snyder, one of the NFL’s biggest spenders, is hoping that he finally found the right coach in Mike Shanahan to right the ship in D.C. and make the Redskins a force to be reckoned with in the NFC. 

Can Mike Shanahan Produce Results?

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 13: Head Coach Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins watches the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at FedEx Field on August 13, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

His history as a head coach says yes.  The Redskins play over the past few years puts that in question.  They have a roster that can definitely produce results on the field, all they need is someone that can guide the talent. 

Shanahan should be able to make the Redskins a winning team with playoff potential.

Will Donovan McNabb Be the Answer at Quarterback?

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ASHBURN, VA - AUGUST 06: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins takes part in drills during Redskins training camp on August 6, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb has been one of the most productive quarterbacks this past decade.  He ironically also has better numbers at this point in his career than John Elway did when Mike Shanahan began coaching him. 

McNabb has quality receiving targets in Chris Cooley and Fred Davis, with Santana Moss serving as the big play threat. 

Ultimately McNabb should be everything that the Redskins need at quarterback and may even play better in a city that will welcome him with open arms.

WIll Albert Haynesworth Ever Fulfill The Contract He Signed?

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ASHBURN, VA - AUGUST 06: Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins walks off the field after missing his eighth consecutive day of practice during Redskins training camp on August 6, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McN

Albert Haynesworth has been one of the biggest storylines in the NFL this offseason.  He has held out due to his dislike of Shanahan’s 3-4 defense.  He finally practiced, but then took his time trying to pass the conditioning test.  The last hurdle that he is currently facing is a muscle condition. 

Along with the physical problems, Haynesworth has presented himself as distraction to the rest of the team.  He needs to mature and realize that he needs to get in shape to help this team on defense. 

Will he be able to help the Redskins this season?  It doesn’t seem that anybody knows the answer to that question.  If healthy, Haynesworth more than likely would be a force on the Redskins defense. 

Will Brian Orakpo Improve Upon His Stellar Rookie Campaign?

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 18: Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a sack during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs October 18, 2009 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.The Chiefs won the game 14-6. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

Brian Orakpo had an excellent rookie season recording 11 sacks and 50 tackles.  Although he will move from defensive end to an outside linebacker position, he should still wreak havoc on defense. 

He may take a little while to learn the new scheme, but once he does, he will be fine.

Will the Redskins Backfield Remain Healthy?

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 11: Clinton Portis #26 of Washington Redskins waits through a timeout on the field against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Redskins have put together a formidable backfield that if assembled four seasons ago, teams would be very scared of.  The problem is now Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker, are in the twilight of their careers and have been hampered by injuries. 

If they can stay healthy the Redskins rushing attack should be near the top of the NFC.  They will all be splitting carries which will minimize their workloads.  That should limit the hits they have to take during the course of the season and improve their endurance.

Will the Redskins Trent Williams Fill the Hole Left by Chris Samuels?

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Trent Williams (R) of the Oklahoma Sooners holds a Washington Redskins jersey after Washington selected Williams #4 overall ini the first round during the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (

Trent Williams was selected by the Redskins with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft.  He was a stud at Oklahoma and arguably the best offensive lineman available in the draft. 

He will go through the struggles of learning how to cope with the speed and power of the defensive lineman in the NFL, but his combine results and his college career suggest that he should be a good offensive tackle in for the Skins.

The Defense Should Be One of the Tops in the NFC.

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 21: LaRon Landry #30 of the Washington Redskins is introduced before the game against the New York Giants during their game on December 21, 2009 at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

With Mike Shanahan instituting his 3-4 defense, the Redskins will be hard to score on.  Last season they ranked 10^th in the NFL in total defense, with the 3-4 scheme under the tutelage of Mike Shanahan, expect the Redskins to surpass last year’s ranking. 

London Fletcher is one of the better linebackers in the NFL and should be all over the ball this season.  Their secondary is anchored by LaRon Landry and DeAngelo Hall.  Brian Orakpo, as mentioned above, should be even better this season.

How Will the Redskins Fare in the Tough NFC East?

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

One of the main issues with all of the noise that the Redskins made this offseason is that they did it in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.  Dallas, New York, and Philadelphia are no slouches and that doesn’t make the Redskins task of getting to the top of the NFC easy by any means. 

The Redskins have the roster and the personnel to make a move in the NFC, it is just a matter of coming together under a new regime.