Reason for Optimism?

it cant get any worst than last year hopefully. At least the starting QB is a upgrade over last year.

Well, Campbell has given me hope since he began to play. And I agree about Saunders and his offense getting better over time. We know it's complex, etc.

The big issue, IMO, is do we have enough options to really improve our D. Seems like we've had a fair number of bandaid fixes for key positions, with the attitude being that we can turn anyone into a good player with this system. My hope is that GW and Co. get over that and recognize the need for talent, and for fitting the system to the talent, not vice versa. Don't know if that's sunk in fully with GW, who is famously pretty stubborn. He's going to get some good players out of this offseason, but will he use them to the best advantage?

The reason why everybody should be opptimistic is for the running game. The last 6 games was really impressive when you consider the fact that everyteam we played had 8 in the box. If that can carry over to next year we'll be in better shape.

Not only am I feeling optimistic but I have already put my money where my mouth is.

When the playoffs started I bet $100 on the Colts to when the Super Bowl at 8 to 1. The day after the SB I collected $700 and let $100 ride on the Skins winning it all next year at 50 to 1!

I know it is a long shot but looking at the odds I thought that they had more of a shot than anyone else receiving those kind of payouts. Here's hoping for a really happy February of 2008! Wish me luck!

how does schneed and the word optimistic get in the same sentence together? i think most peoples outlook on the 2007-2008 redskins will be vastly different then how the team actually ends up. i look forward to a playoff run. I'm not ready to write off coach Gibbs just yet

LOL.

I find it interesting that I have gained a reputation for being pessimistic around here. In my daily life I tend to be optimistic.

In this case, I'm just trying to be realistic.

The NFL is a world of overreaction. A team goes 12-4 and suddenly people are talking Super Bowl next year, and like a playoff berth is already a cinch. And when a team goes 5-11, people start writing that team off like they've got no chance. This is the NFL, the line between winning and losing is very small. Turnarounds happen all the time.

Last year, we started the season with a QB who wouldn't threaten the deep part of the field (either because he couldn't, or because he wouldn't, or because the coaches wouldn't let him). Now we have a more mobile QB who will threaten deep.

And as has already been said, I view our defensive season in 2006 as an anomaly. I think we'll rebound. How much we rebound is the question. Our fortunes largely ride on Campbell, a QB that is making me feel good about saying that.

Barring injury to JC, this O will be something to watch. Please hope we sign Dock!
Defensively, this team has so many questions at this time, but I do agree in general that there was a dropoff last year that was an anomaly for all sorts of reasons. That doesn't mean however, that we're guaranteed improvement if we just get a couple new starters. Its more likely this D will be mediocre than good, but that can be enough to win.
I think the greatest anomaly was our nfl record for fewest turnovers. If CR & co. catch just a few of those int.s last year we may have finished .500. Turnovers are the biggest momentum changers in the game & when you can't get any your D is on the field a lot more.

somebody remember this day, me and schneed actually agree :)

I'm optimistic because FA is starting, and we have the NFL Draft to look forward to! Oh, wait............................. bother!

Reason I'm optimistic:

Because no one is going to congratulate you on being the one fan who knew the team was going to suck all along. It's not the stock market. There is no money in selling short. Irrational exuberance is what we as fans should be all about.

Greg Williams had a "Suck A" defense. He didn't quit, resign, interview for another job or anything else of that nature, which leads me to believe that he's got a plan to right the ship and won't let himself be embarrassed again two years in a row. Also, if he were to struggle two years in a row, his chances of being a headcoach for us or anyone will start becoming very slim. In 2007, he'll be coaching for his future paychecks.