2007 in Review/2008 Preview

Rather than a longwinded post I'll just ask for some opinions on the season that was... Weigh in on your...

Best on field moment Portis's TD against Dallas. At that moment I knew we were going to the playoffs..

Worst on field moment The dreaded 2nd timeout against Buffalo.

Offensive MVP Cooley was everything he was supposed to be.. Portis is a close 2nd..

Defensive MVP London Fletcher, he brought it all together..

Offensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08Campbell's continued development

Defensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08 Landry becoming a Pro Bowler

Offensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)Good-Stephon Heyer.. I think we have a starter or at least a STRONG back up for years to come.. Bad-Ladell Betts.. He was largely invisible all year..

Defensive Player who surpised you (good & bad)Good-Anthony Montgomery seemed to come from nowhere to have a solid season.. Bad-Kedrick Golston-I was expecting a breakout season and for him to go to the next level but he was pedestrian or inactive too often.

Non Redskin player I'd like to see in a Redskins Uni next year1. Chad Johnson, 1A. Lance Briggs

Redskins player I'd like to see in another uni next yearB. Lloyd

Best on field moment: Stopping Dallas on 4th down to clinch the Week 17 win and go to the playoffs

Worst on field moment: Collins to Trufant Pick-6, where one is not certain what Santana Moss was thinking

Offensive MVP: Clinton Portis. 3rd in the NFC in Rushing Yards, 2nd in TDs, continued pass protection, and added depth as a check down receiver. Cooley is a close 2nd for his efforts in becoming a Top Tier TE.

Defensive MVP: Laron Landry. Did an incredible job as strong safety early in the year, and transitioned into the centerfielder that should be the cornerstone of GDub's defense for years to come. Fletcher is a close 2nd.

Offensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: Jason Campbell. With another offseason under his belt, and the time he watched Collins run the offense, there is no excuse not to let him loose next year.

Defensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: Landry. See if a full year at free safety will put him in the Pro Bowl.

Offensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)
Good: Todd Collins. No doubt, incredible that he was able to knock off 10 years of rust that quickly and lead the Skins into the playoffs
Bad: Casey Rabach. Had probably his worst year as a Pro this year, hopefully he bounces back.

Defensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)
Good: Fred Smoot. His emergence in the 2nd half of the year leads me to believe that this is going to be a stellar secondary next year with Rogers back.
Bad: No one player truly sticks out. This defense really stepped up this year. Maybe John Eubanks, but it's not completely fair to single him out when he's a 5th option at best, and you ask him to cover the fastest man in the NFL.

Non Redskins player I'd like to see in a Redskins Uni next year: Terrell Suggs. Could use a blitzing DE to compliment Carter.

Redskins player I'd like to see in another uni next year: I'd say B. Lloyd but I'd like to see him doing anything but play football...

Best on field moment: Springs' first interception against the Bears. That was just the spark this team needed.

Worst on field moment: Seeing 10 men on the field against Buffalo. It was a touching moment true, but still broke my heart not to see #21 out there where he belongs

Offensive MVP: Clinton Portis. Beyond the stats, the way he took charge amidst the Sean Taylor tragedy (including the painful task of informing everyone) showed me that he's a leader.

Defensive MVP: London Fletcher. One of the best free agent signings of any NFL team this offseason. Maybe even the best

Offensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: Jason Campbell.

Defensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: Shawn Springs. Love to watch him play and I hope it's still in a Redskins uni. I think it will be.

Offensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)
Good: Todd Collins. 'Nuff said.
Bad: Todd Wade. I thought he'd at least be serviceable.

Defensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)
Good: London Fletcher. Didn't think he had a full season of excellence in him
Bad: David Macklin. Why was he even here?

Non Redskins player I'd like to see in a Redskins Uni next year: Julius Peppers...or Aqib Talib

Redskins player I'd like to see in another uni next year: Rick DeMulling

Best on field moment: Todd Collins pass to Todd Yoder just before the first half ended against the Bears.

Worst on field moment: Watching Jon Jansen's leg break against the Dolphins.

Offensive MVP: Clinton Portis. He's by far the best blocking RB, and showed us that he can still run it effectively and catch passes.

Defensive MVP: London Fletcher. He has become a leader on the ENTIRE team. Not just defense. One of the best offseason moves this franchise has made.

Offensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: This is easy. Jason Campbell

Defensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: Anthony Montgomery. I think he made some great strides this year. Now he can focus on his strength and conditioning in the offseason. I can see him being a stud for us next year.

Offensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)
Good: Stephon Heyer
Bad: Todd Wade

Defensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)
Good: Anthony Montgomery
Bad: Carlos Rogers. I know he got injured, but he still was having the same issues as last year.

Non Redskins player I'd like to see in a Redskins Uni next year: Chad Johnson.

Redskins player I'd like to see in another uni next year: Brandon Lloyd.

Best on field moment: Portis summersaulting into the endzone against Dallas.

Worst on field moment: double TO fiasco

Offensive MVP: Portis

Defensive MVP: Fletcher

Offensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: Campbell

Defensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08: Landry

Offensive Player who surprised you (good & bad): Good - Randle El. Bad - Wade.

Defensive Player who surpised you (good & bad): Good - Montgomery. Bad - Macklin.

Non Redskin player I'd like to see in a Redskins Uni next year: Not sure yet.

Redskins player I'd like to see in another uni next year: Lloyd

Offensive Player who surprised you (good & bad)
Good: Todd Collins. No doubt, incredible that he was able to knock off 10 years of rust that quickly and lead the Skins into the playoffs
Bad: Casey Rabach. Had probably his worst year as a Pro this year, hopefully he bounces back.


Really? I didn't see Rabach struggling mightily. I actually think you're pretty far off the mark here. Not to saw JLC is the best football guy in the world, but he obviously watches this team pretty closely and here is what he said:

"So, with everything wrapped up, thought I would give out some MVPs:

Offense: Casey Rabach. Thought about Samuels and Collins here, but went with the center. Held a patchwork offensive line together for the most part and fought through a crazy painful groin tear in remarkably short order. Had he missed more time I don't think there's anyone they can even make this playoff run. The guard play was pretty suspect at times and I thought Casey was the glue guy on that side of the ball."

I don't know if I'd go so far as to make him the offensive MVP, but what JLC says jives much more with what I saw on the field than saying that Rabach "had his worst season as a pro."

Sunday Afternoon H-Back - Redskins Insider (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/01/sunday_afternoon_hback_1.html#more)

Really? I didn't see Rabach struggling mightily. I actually think you're pretty far off the mark here. Not to saw JLC is the best football guy in the world, but he obviously watches this team pretty closely and here is what he said:

"So, with everything wrapped up, thought I would give out some MVPs:

Offense: Casey Rabach. Thought about Samuels and Collins here, but went with the center. Held a patchwork offensive line together for the most part and fought through a crazy painful groin tear in remarkably short order. Had he missed more time I don't think there's anyone they can even make this playoff run. The guard play was pretty suspect at times and I thought Casey was the glue guy on that side of the ball."

I don't know if I'd go so far as to make him the offensive MVP, but what JLC says jives much more with what I saw on the field than saying that Rabach "had his worst season as a pro."

Sunday Afternoon H-Back - Redskins Insider (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/01/sunday_afternoon_hback_1.html#more)

Yeah I didn't see Rabach struggling either. He's always pretty solid.

I agree with JLC's point about Rabach being the glue that held the line together during some tough times.

Yeah, I read what Jasno wrote about Rabach after writing this...

To me (and I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time) Casey seemed to struggle a bit down the stretch. For some reason the penalties he received stick out to me more than anyone else on the O-Line. It surprised me that he struggled a bit since he's always been a rock on the line.

But like I said, I could be coming way out of left field...I can't wait for Rabach to anchor next year's line.

Best on field moment Collins to Moss @ Seattle. I couldn't have been happier at that moment.

Worst on field moment Failing to do anything after Landry's 2nd INT @ Seattle.

Offensive MVP Chris Cooley

Defensive MVP London Fletcher

Offensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08 Clinton Portis. I love the guy. I love his game. I want so badly to see him play a good chunk of games with a healthy, talented OL.

Defensive Player I'm looking forward to watching in '08 LaRon Landry. He showed a similar skill set to Taylor against Seattle. He can cover as much ground as a center fielder as Taylor, just doesn't hit quite as hard.

Offensive Player who surprised you (good & bad) Good - Todd Collins. I assumed he'd be an okay backup, but I couldn't have imagined him playing that well when we needed him most. Bad - Santana Moss. I love him. I think he has so much ability. But, he had arguably his worst game of his career (GB) and just couldn't stay healthy. I miss the 2005 Moss.

Defensive Player who surpised you (good & bad) Good - LaRon Landry. I figured he'd be okay, but he was excellent. Bad - Carlos Rogers. I'm losing faith that he'll ever live up to his draft position.

Non Redskin player I'd like to see in a Redskins Uni next year Roy Williams...the WR, not the pitiful Cowboy S. There have been rumblings that he wants out of Detroit.

Redskins player I'd like to see in another uni next year Brandon Lloyd. Not sure how there can be another answer here.

Yeah, I read what Jasno wrote about Rabach after writing this...

To me (and I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time) Casey seemed to struggle a bit down the stretch. For some reason the penalties he received stick out to me more than anyone else on the O-Line. It surprised me that he struggled a bit since he's always been a rock on the line.

But like I said, I could be coming way out of left field...I can't wait for Rabach to anchor next year's line.

I honestly don't even recall him picking up any penalties. I'm sure he did get flagged a few times this year, but nothing sticks out to me at all.