The difference between 10-6 and 6-10

Being a playoff team 2 of the last 4 years proves we're talented.

Then what happened in 2006? Having talent and going to the playoffs don't necessarily go hand in hand. It's certainly tough to make the postseason if you don't have talent, but talented players can underperform (Santana Moss is Exhibit A), injuries can take a toll, and then there's coaching.

Do the national publications have a point when they express doubt that there will be a seamless transition from the Hall of Fame legend Joe Gibbs to the completely unproven Jim Zorn? Couldn't it be argued that we as Redskins fans aren't giving enough credence to this fact?

Also, consider that there have been no significant upgrades on either side of the ball; Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntosh are coming back (we hope) from devastating injuries; and we just saw aging, battered, limping and hobbling offensive line get shuffled around week after week with only the hope that nothing like that will happen again, because, as many people seem to say, Murphy's Law just CAN'T be as bad this year .... right?

Call me a pessimist, and some no doubt will question my status as a "real fan", but is it impossible for anyone else to see how the 2008 season can totally blow up in our face? To me, there are very legitimate concerns everywhere for this team.

Then what happened in 2006? Having talent and going to the playoffs don't necessarily go hand in hand. It's certainly tough to make the postseason if you don't have talent, but talented players can underperform (Santana Moss is Exhibit A), injuries can take a toll, and then there's coaching.

Do the national publications have a point when they express doubt that there will be a seamless transition from the Hall of Fame legend Joe Gibbs to the completely unproven Jim Zorn? Couldn't it be argued that we as Redskins fans aren't giving enough credence to this fact?

Also, consider that there have been no significant upgrades on either side of the ball; Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntosh are coming back (we hope) from devastating injuries; and we just saw aging, battered, limping and hobbling offensive line get shuffled around week after week with only the hope that nothing like that will happen again, because, as many people seem to say, Murphy's Law just CAN'T be as bad this year .... right?

Call me a pessimist, and some no doubt will question my status as a "real fan", but is it impossible for anyone else to see how the 2008 season can totally blow up in our face? To me, there are very legitimate concerns everywhere for this team.

Can't agrue w/that IMO & I think Paintrain essentially speaks to that w/the title of the post. There's often not too much difference between 6-10 & 10-6. Add to that, the div. is really tough this year. I believe it'll be improved over last year w/Philly coming back strong.

Schlereth's pick on espn of 8-8 due to "too many questions" is about as safe yet fair as can be. I feel good overall about our offense for some reason, maybe just because zorn is an O guy, but our D has some age & injury issues.

This team has some things going for it & we've got to be excited about the youth, but you're right, 08 could be a really tough one. Let's give Zorn some time.

For me it all starts in the trenches. I know it's cliche, but check out the Skins history. The staple of their 3 Superbowl wins was the OL and DL. If the OL stays healthy it could be dominant (aging starters or not, Buges is the master at maximizing talent). The DL should be much improved and appears to have some decent depth (watch out for Montgomery and Wilson this season). The line controls the game on both sides of the ball. For me, THAT is the difference between 10-6 and 6-10.

For me it all starts in the trenches. I know it's cliche, but check out the Skins history. The staple of their 3 Superbowl wins was the OL and DL. If the OL stays healthy it could be dominant (aging starters or not, Buges is the master at maximizing talent). The DL should be much improved and appears to have some decent depth (watch out for Montgomery and Wilson this season). The line controls the game on both sides of the ball. For me, THAT is the difference between 10-6 and 6-10.I love our DL as much as I love your sig! This year will be, "I love my cornerback". [sniff sniff].

I'm not much for the West Coast Offense except to say that it severely diluted what Art Monk accomplished in 1984. Thank God that has been rectified.

I will be looking for that run game to spite the dink 'n dunk passing game. Something along the lines of what Sean Alexander was in '03-'05 until we ended his career. I think that is what will make Zorn a good to great coach. In fact, it would be cool if he could develop an effective heavy package, using those big receivers, JC could option into when short yardage was all that was needed.

It all starts up front my friends. If the offensive line stays healthy this year we will make the playoffs. If not we won't.

I know that I'm stating the obvious, but if Landry is going to be our playmaker on defense, he needs to stop getting those taunting/late hit penalties and grow up. He does have the talent to be that playmaker that can change the game.

I'm not much for the West Coast Offense except to say that it severely diluted what Art Monk accomplished in 1984. Thank God that has been rectified.

I will be looking for that run game to spite the dink 'n dunk passing game. Something along the lines of what Sean Alexander was in '03-'05 until we ended his career. I think that is what will make Zorn a good to great coach. In fact, it would be cool if he could develop an effective heavy package, using those big receivers, JC could option into when short yardage was all that was needed.
I'd rather see a jumbo light package with 2 TE (Cooley, Davis, Yoder) and 3 RB (Portis, Betts & Sellars), that'd screw the defense up.. They'd send in the goal-line defense, then Cooley and Davis could split out wide, Portis and Betts in the slots and Sellars at TE.. Talk about a D. coordinator crapping his shorts with his LB matched up in space with that corp? A coach would burn a time out instantly!

Dyslexia?

I think it all depends on how quickly Jason Campbell learns the system