32 Teams in 32 Days. Team #6: The Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are quite the team. No matter how bad they do people always want to watch them. They get very good national television ratings despite what their record may be. They struggle to make things happen, but when they do the crowd erupts as if they just won the Superbowl. I must admit I too enjoy watching the Redskins. Its odd that a team with as many playmakers as they have can’t win more games. They did make the playoffs last year, but lost to the Seahawks in the first round. They will be looking to make it back to the playoffs this year, but there are things they need to work on.

First of all, these players have got to stay healthy. Santana Moss missed a lot of games last year and that did not help the Skins at all. I believe they were the team with the least amount of touchdowns by Wide Recievers. The only pass catcher that was able to make an impact for them last year was Tight End Chris Cooley. This year, once again we will see Santana Moss on one side and Antwaan Randle El on the other side. Chris Cooley will line up at tight end and try to make things happen. The Redskins, who had no first round draft picks this year drafted 2 wide recievers in the second round. Devin Thomas out of Michigan State and Malcolm Kelly out of Oklahoma. Perhaps these two additions can help the Skins produce more points by Wide Recievers. They really need to make plays in the air. Chris Cooley can not be the only threat in the passing game.

The defense is not that bad. They have some pretty decent players. Of course we all remember the tragic loss of Sean Taylor. He was a star for their defense and unfortunately he lost his life during a break in at his house. The defense crumpled last year, but I think they will re-group and come out with passion this year. Not only for the memory of their fallen teammate, but for the thrill of the game and the desire to win. They may not be able to stop everyone in the league, but they are going to hit hard. They are going to make every team earn every inch.

In the backfield, Clinton Portis will again lead the charge. He is a terrific running back, who when healthy can contend with the elite backs in the game today. Last year, he totaled 1,262 yards and 11 touchdowns. He will look to improve upon those numbers this year and try to help his team get back to the playoffs. He’s just got to stay healthy. Ladell Betts will be relieving Portis from time to time. I think Betts is a great backup for any team and he can provide spark when his number is called. The running game has always been good in Washington, but that needs to translate into wins.

At the quarterback position is where the real problems lie. The Redskins have made it very clear that Jason Campbell is their quarterback, but during his tenure, he hasn’t at all looked like the quarterback of the future. He’s had very few moments of brilliance and any that he does have is overshadowed by his lousy play. When Campbell was injured last year. Todd Collins came in to relieve him. Collins played miraculously in his short time with the Skins and I think he may force a quarterback controversy in Washington. Campbell may be QB1 now, but after seeing how good Collins can be, Campbell may be in trouble of losing his starting job. The Skins have a new head coach now. Joe Gibbs is gone and in comes Jim Zorn. Zorn may not have as much faith in Campbell as Gibbs did. What also makes things interesting is the fact that the Redskins drafted star quarterback out of Hawaii Colt Brennan. Could his drafting be a sign that Campbell’s days as the Redskin’s QB1 are numbered? We’ll just have to wait and see.

The Redskins play in the tough NFC East. A division that features Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys, Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles, and Eli Manning and the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. Its not an easy division, but the Skins can compete. If they can win a few game in their division, they have a real good shot at making the playoffs. They don’t have a terrifically hard schedule. I see a lot of games they can win. The Redskins want to make the playoffs again and the only way to do that is win. They must win the games that they should win and they have to try to steal those they aren’t supposed to. I think it will be a fun year of Redskin’s football. I hope you enjoy it. I know I will.