What Is RIGHT with the Redskins?

I know that we wouldn't really be Redskins fans if we didn't act like we haven't won a game in 35 years and the team is comprised of Oompa Loompas. I'm not blind to the team's struggles, I'm just as upset as anyone else over our sloppy performance the past two weeks and I know there certainly are areas that need improving (go figure, every team can say the same thing). Three that stand out for me are improved special teams play, giving the young guys more playing time on offense (particularly the linemen) to build their confidence and the coaches' confidence in them, and a more stout run defense from our linebackers.

But let's step back for a minute and look at what's right with the Redskins. Perhaps better said, what we can build on. Because there actually do exists positives on this team, this team that currently holds a winning record, that has been to the playoffs two of the last three years with a win.

I know it will be damn near impossible for some of you to try to look at some positives (and without being sarcastic), but they do exist.


-A young QB that several thought was a top MVP candidate at the midpoint of the season. Given time and protection, he has shown he can lead the team to victories, even comeback victories

-Colt "The Truth" Brennan waiting in the wings

-One of the most complete running backs in the game in Clinton Portis

-A steady, reliable young pass catching tight end

-One of the best LT's in the game in Chris Samuels

-A playmaker in Santana Moss, along with two young stud receivers who just need the time and opportunities in Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly (if you've already given up on them, I feel sorry for you)

-Arguably the most underrated player in the game in London Fletcher (although, to be fair, I want to start seeing more consistency out of Blades sooner than later)

-A top 5 defense

-Young playmakers in the secondary-ball hawk DeAngelo Hall, lock down corner Carlos Rogers, freak of nature Laron Landry, 7th round steal Chris Horton

-Young depth on the interior of the defensive line with Golston, Montgomery, and Alexander

-An owner wiling to do whatever it takes for his team

-A young developing OT in Stephon Heyer who should have the starting RT spot locked down for years to come by this summer, if not sooner

There are definitely plenty of positives to focus on, but right now it's hard for people to see. Good thread SS.

My only beef with your take is on Heyer. I'm just not sold that he has a future as a starter.

And I think it's these very positive things you point out is the reason why so many fans are frustrated with this team. We're loaded with both talent and potential, and yet we still manage to let games get away from us.

Another thing, had we started out the season something like 1-4 or 2-5 or whatver, I think it would be a different tone coming from the fans right now. The fact that we started so strong andnow seem to be fizzling, it has people scratching their heads and finger pointing.

But yes, these are "bright spots" as I like to call them.

Laron Landry FINALLY started hitting with wreckless abandon. I about jumped out of my chair when he didn't destroy Heap on that long floater that Flacco threw in the first half, but after that, Landry was a one man wrecking crew. I would love to see more of that.

Sellers played a little more.

My only beef with your take is on Heyer. I'm just not sold that he has a future as a starter.
At this point, he's no worse than Jansen...and with Jansen's injury, we may see Heyer get another chance to prove himself at RT. He played pretty well in the 1st 3 games of the year. I'm biased because I followed him while he was a Terp, but I think Heyer has what it takes to be a solid RT for years to come.

The pieces are there, but it's going to take a valiant effort all around to right the ship. I think they are on the right track, just need to fill the holes and execute better. I hope that this year is a catalyst for much more success down the road.

I know I have been pretty harsh on the team about making the playoffs, and while I do believe they wouldn't do much in the playoffs, I do hope the team makes it for the sake of giving Campbell some playoff experience. It would be great for his development to have one playoff game under his belt.

Smoot, good job in pointing out the positive aspects of this team. I think this team has a lot to build upon. All of us got our hopes up this season and forgot that Zorn is a rookie coach. I think he is learning a lot this season and hopefully he takes that knowledge into building a better team next season. Here are my two cents on how to improve the positives you've pointed out.

JC - Campbell will benefit from having the rookie wideouts in camp. He needs to trust them, and that trust will come in training camp as he develops a rapport with them. This will make JC less predictable, since this season he seems to lock on either Moss or Cooley. Also, JC will not be learning the offense, just mastering it this off season.

Offensive Line - I'm not sure how Samuels will rebound from his injuries, but if we have him at full strength next season, along with a more experienced Heyer, we will have a strong foundation to our offensive line. Rinehart will hopefully develop into the talented player that we hope for him to be. A smart offseason with draft picks and young free agents should solidify our line. Our team will be as talented as our offensive line, this should be the team's top priority this offseason.

Defensive Backs - We have a very talented secondary and I believe D. Hall is earning his opportunity to be a Redskin for a long time. Along with Rogers, Landry and Horton, we should have one of the top secondary units in the league. I think this unit needs to learn how to play without Shawn Springs. Springs is a talented players, but his injuries cancel out his talent. Rogers and Hall are the future of this team and I think they will compliment each other well

Defensive Line - I think our interior d-line has quietly underperformed this season. With Carter and Jason Taylor's lack of production, people forget that the interior tackles haven't done much either. While Golston and Montgomery are good young talents, we need a dominant DT that can push the line. Good defensive units like Minny (the Williamses), NYG (Coefield), Titans (Haynesworth), and Baltimore (Ngata) have strong DTs that push the line, helping the outside rushers get to the QB. I wouldn't mind for the team (if the salary cap permits it) going after someone like Haynesworth.

Running Backs - Clinton Portis is a great running back, but if he is our only offense he is going to wear down (if he hasn't already). RBs can deteriorate quickly (see Shaun Alexander) and we can't waste CPs best years with a one-dimensional anemic offense.

Wideouts/TEs - Santana is a great playmaker but he needs help. Thomas and Kelly need to have a good training camp in order to become effective weapons. They have talent and they need to become a threat and take the heat away from Santana. Also, we drafted Fred Davis for a reason, and he needs to be out there with Cooley in passing situations.

Attitude - Our team needs to be critical of itself and realize that winning by less than a TD is not a good sign, especially when playing against inferior opponents. It is very easy to get complacent (sp?) after a win, but beating teams like Cleveland and Seattle in the last drive and by a few points, shows that you are just an average team that can lose anytime against anyone. Now, I'm not saying that we need to run up the score on teams like the Patriots did last season. But our team needs to stop playing down to inferior opponents.

Clinton P is having a superb season even with an O-Line that is horrible! But he's a banged up machine. Ove the course of his career he has had both knees done and his body has sustained a punishing season this year as well as last.
While I love him to death.....I feel he is on the short side of his career(7yrs) and I'm not sure how much longer he will be a a true asset as a starter for us. I'm sure we'll ride him till he can't go anymore & I hope that is for a few more years at least!
I will say I am quite happy with the way we've implemented big Mike Sellars. Of course he's been in the league 9yrs now

Deven Thomas seems to be getting a little better with each game. When he is not getting the ball he seem to be flying around throwing blocks and anything else he can do. Even woth his slow start I think he going to start showing why he was a great draft pick.

At this point, he's no worse than Jansen...and with Jansen's injury, we may see Heyer get another chance to prove himself at RT. He played pretty well in the 1st 3 games of the year. I'm biased because I followed him while he was a Terp, but I think Heyer has what it takes to be a solid RT for years to come.

The pieces are there, but it's going to take a valiant effort all around to right the ship. I think they are on the right track, just need to fill the holes and execute better. I hope that this year is a catalyst for much more success down the road.

Heyer didn't know a run play from a pass play last night. He was pass blocking instead of run blocking. I'm by far from sold on Heyer.

CP
Cooley
Sellers
Fletcher
Horton
Rogers
LL

That's about all i can think of right now.