The 2008 "Who needs to step up" thread

I think the O-line and D-line. Not saying these units were bad for you guys, but this is where it all starts for everybody else.

The O-line steps up, Cambell and Portis looks great, which makes the WRs look great.

The D-line steps up, LB's can do their job easier, and the DBs spend less time covering and can catch a rushed pass for a pickle every now and then. They now look great.

Without these units stepping it up, you're in for a long year.
This goes for any team, but I think more so for the Skins, being in a new mode this year.

I think they will step up to the challenge.

I just started to wonder whether Khary Campbell will play an even bigger role than I thought (as of yesterday). I guess Rocky's knee injury from last season is the opposite knee that has been degenerating since his college years (I know i've read this a few different places but couldn't come up w/ a link off hand). Previously I was under the mistaken impression he still had "one good knee" so to speak.
I think this looks like a lousy scenario for Rocky and the team. He was progressing awesome IMO w/ second most tackles for the team last year. But two bad knees shortens a career drastically for most players. Hopefully he does not rush back and the trainers do everything possible to strengthen his knees, but that means Khary will have to step up big time for now. If he has any wits he's been busting ass all off-season, knowing Rocky will take time to recover and the fact our FO didn't go get a LB.

If by 'step up' you mean take their game to a level significantly above last year or levels they've reached before then I'd go with:

1. Moss-He needs to become a bonafide #1 WR. I'm talking 75 catches, 1200 yds, 10 TD type of receiver. I think he can be that guy when healthy and given the opportunity to get the ball in positions to maximize his strengths. I can't tell you how frustrated I'd get watching him catch 5 yard outs and go out of bounds. The WCO should put him in space more and give him opportunities to make big plays from RAC.

2. Jansen-I know he's coming off of a pretty major injury and is up there age wise, but if he has a Pro Bowl season (although he should have gone a couple times before) left in him, we need to see it this year. He can't be getting run over or blown up in the running game. We know Samuels is going to be a stud, the interior will be solid, Jansen can be the key between a good OL and a great one.

3. Doughty-He's going to get his opportunity at SS, let's see him maximize it. With a pass rush that should be much improved and Landry patrolling the field at FS, Doughty should be able to make an impact with bone crushing hits and making plays on errantly thrown balls. He doesn't have to become the next John Lynch, but he needs to round out a secondary that should be a strength of our defense.

3a. Rogers-I'll temper it a little since he is coming off a major injury, but I want to see 2 things from him. First of all, CATCH THE BALL!! How many game changing plays has Rogers missed over his first 3 years? The difference between a good defense and a great defense is making plays that change field position in your team's favor. Secondly, he's got to stop making game killing mistakes. The awful attempted tackle at GB on the long early completion that led to a TD. Completely misplaying the ball and then the man against Plaxico in week 2. A couple years ago at Tampa getting killed by Joey Galloway on the game winning TD. He doesn't have to become elite THIS YEAR, but he was a top 10 pick, it's time he started playing like one.

3a. Rogers-I'll temper it a little since he is coming off a major injury, but I want to see 2 things from him. First of all, CATCH THE BALL!! How many game changing plays has Rogers missed over his first 3 years? The difference between a good defense and a great defense is making plays that change field position in your team's favor. Secondly, he's got to stop making game killing mistakes. The awful attempted tackle at GB on the long early completion that led to a TD. Completely misplaying the ball and then the man against Plaxico in week 2. A couple years ago at Tampa getting killed by Joey Galloway on the game winning TD. He doesn't have to become elite THIS YEAR, but he was a top 10 pick, it's time he started playing like one.

I coudn't have said it any better!!! I totally agree!!!!!

Rocky McIntosh is both 1a and 1b. He's simply got to fill the one potential hole in the pass defense, not to mention be able to tackle the ballcarrier on plays to Jason Taylor's side.

1c is LaRon Landry, but I don't really have any doubts that he'll be able to fill his role just fine.

2. I would say that Santana Moss is the clear cut No. 2. ARE had a career year last year, and I don't think he can repeat that performance. Malcolm Kelly looks like a pretty good option as a No. 2 target, but not so much as a No. 1. Therefore, Moss gets one last shot to prove he can be a legit No. 1.

3. This one is going to be Jason Taylor. As far as people who need to "step up", Taylor has to be on the list. We certainly didn't toss a second rounder at him for sub-pro bowl level production (I hope). He's got the track record, but now he's got to take his game here.

Monty just has to keep doing his thing. He was excellent last season for a young guy, though they didn't ask him to play on passing downs (and now that we have Taylor, still probably won't). Fletcher is slipping in pass coverage just a tiny bit, so maybe HB Blades should get an honorable mention on this list, but for right now I'll leave it at the four aforementioned players.

1. Taylor Jason The whole defense is based on pass rush. If we can get to the Quarterback the secondary will look like Sean Taylor was never here.
1B Jason Cambell could easily be #1 on this list. This is a boom or bust year for him.The whole season arguably rests on his arm, health and knowledge of the west coast.
2. The wide receivers( manly Moss because he really has done nothing after his pro bowl year in 05 and the rookie Wideouts Thomas and Kelley.
3. Reed Doughty or Stuart Schweigert no matter what you cannot replace or erase what Sean Taylor brought to the redskins. He made everyone on that defense better. With that said Doughty or Schweigert must complent Landry to allow him to play centerfield and stop the run.

If Randle El would just make some things happen as a punt returner I'd be happy. He's been ho-hum as a returner since Day One as a Redskin. Also, give him the slash type role that everyone thinks he can excel at -- just to make things chaotic for the opposing D.

Jason Taylor needs to step right in and make some noise early. Don't go Dana Stubblefield on us.

C. Griffin needs to stay healthy, if he goes down for any length of time our run defense would be hurtin'.

Doc Walker had an interesting point on Jon Jansen. Since he's missed two complete seasons to a ruptured Achilles and a broken leg, that's two years of wear and tear the rest of his body hasn't taken. So he should actually be fresher than most of the O-linemen his age who haven't had season ending injuries.

To me Randle El really doesn't need to step up cause he's only a #3 WR to begin with. He's never been nothing more then that his whole career.
True, he is only a #3 wideout perpetrating as a #2, but he needs to be more productive. They need to earn the salary that they are getting. And IMO they haven't been. Their lack of touchdowns last year was pretty pathetic. And Randle El really didn't light it up receiving punts either.

1B Jason Cambell could easily be #1 on this list. This is a boom or bust year for him.The whole season arguably rests on his arm, health and knowledge of the west coast.


I would not necessary say JC is a bust if he fails to follow up with the hype this year.. This is his 3rd offense in 4 years career; this is not very easy to do.. However I do expect him to control and win the game, that's all he needs to do this year.. Nothing more.. If he does more that, then that's great..

1B Jason Cambell could easily be #1 on this list. This is a boom or bust year for him.The whole season arguably rests on his arm, health and knowledge of the west coast.


It may be the easy answer but I cannot believe that JC is not top of everyone's list. Clearly this is a team game and no one man can do it all without help but the Skins season rests more on how JC performs than any other individual. I don't think it's boom or bust but he needs to build on last season. He's shown plenty of promise and has the physical tools, now is the season for him to step up. If he doesn't, we are heading for bottom of the East. If he does then the playoffs and then who knows!

Otherwise, Rogers needs to prove himself as at least a good no.2 CB and ideally a no.1 CB. In his case, this season really is boom or bust.

The worrying thing is that the team and specifically JC has to hit the ground running as with the opening schedule we have there is no time to have few wobbly games getting up to speed, otherwise we might find ourselves 1-4 and 0-3 in the division.