Washington Redskins: The Time Is Now

When the Redskins signed Mike Shanahan just days after the 2009 season ended, fans regained a sense of hope and could not wait for the 2010 season to start. Apparently, neither could the Redskins' problems.

Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth publicly opposed the team's switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense and skipped voluntary offseason workout camps. Then, he showed up to training camp out of shape and failed the player conditioning test multiple times before finally passing it.

Outside of Haynesworth though, things were going well with the organization. Shanahan traded for Pro-Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb, which provided even more optimism for the upcoming season.

Week one came and the Redskins were at home against their biggest rival, the Dallas Cowboys. In a thriller, the Redskins won when a holding call negated a Tony Romo touchdown pass on the last play of the game. The Shanahan-McNabb era was off to a winning start.

The Redskins started the season with a 4-3 record; a good position to make a late-season run towards the playoffs—and safety Laron Landry was an early favorite for defensive player of the year. However, the team went 2-7 in the last nine games to finish the season 6-10. Landry missed the final seven games because of injury and McNabb was benched the last three games for Rex Grossman.

With this disappointing season in the past and a lockout causing a work stoppage, the NFL Draft on April 28 is the only thing teams and fans can be excited about as of now.

The Redskins are the oldest team in the league and need to get younger on both sides of the ball if they want to compete in the foreseeable future. The offense finished 25th in the league in points per game, while the defense finished 31st in yards allowed per game.

With the 10th overall pick in the draft, the Redskins need to draft a player that will make an immediate impact on the team's success. The team's biggest need is at quarterback. Although, it is presumed the top two prospects—Missouri's Blaine Gabbert and Auburn's Cam Newton—will be gone before the Redskins make their selection.

The Redskins also need upgrades at wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line and linebacker. University of Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones has been a player the Redskins are reportedly interested in. He is a big, physical receiver with deceptive speed.

Some mock drafts have the Redskins taking another offensive lineman with their first pick to solidify the line after choosing left tackle Trent Williams in the first round last year.

The last two seasons, the Redskins have finished 4-12 and 6-10—but, despite all the turmoil and disappointment, they seem to be steadily improving. If they draft well this April, it will be another step toward playing winning football for years to come.