Some offseason optimism

1. Stability-The dreaded "s" word. For the first time in a long time we're not going into the offseason either installing a new offense or a new defense or someone learning an important position on the job (Campell in '07). We should be able to focus on execution, expansion of the offense and fine tuning the defense.

I think stability is huge and something that this team has not had in the past three/four years.

I'm usually optimistic in the offseason in part because I tend to overestimate how well some young players & free agents will fare.

After this season I'm less optimistic about next year in terms of putting up a winning record. I see the D potentially taking major steps backwards w/age in crucial positions & I fear the wrath of D. Hall, having seen my VT teams fall apart in the past w/many blaming him for locker room discontent. On the other hand, our D has often pleasantly surprised me going back to R. Pettibon's tenure.

If there's reason for optimism I think it's the fact that Zorn will be in his 2nd year & everybody will start to catch on, as others have mentioned. If Thomas & Kelly can become starting caliber wr's, as they should, and some offseason moves improve the O line (I'm for drafting a RT that could start right away) then by mid to late season the offense should start to click. I have faith in JC (J. Campbell :)).

My greatest fear is that this team is in a rebuilding mode and wins 5 to 6 in 09, then Danny gives Zorn the axe. Unless some changes are made, this team is no better than the 2-6 record it finished this year with. If we have to go through some rebuilding so be it, just give JZ a chance to see it through in 2010, that's when I think we should have higher expectations.

I'm usually optimistic in the offseason in part because I tend to overestimate how well some young players & free agents will fare.

After this season I'm less optimistic about next year in terms of putting up a winning record. I see the D potentially taking major steps backwards w/age in crucial positions & I fear the wrath of D. Hall, having seen my VT teams fall apart in the past w/many blaming him for locker room discontent. On the other hand, our D has often pleasantly surprised me going back to R. Pettibon's tenure.

If there's reason for optimism I think it's the fact that Zorn will be in his 2nd year & everybody will start to catch on, as others have mentioned. If Thomas & Kelly can become starting caliber wr's, as they should, and some offseason moves improve the O line (I'm for drafting a RT that could start right away) then by mid to late season the offense should start to click. I have faith in JC (J. Campbell :)).

My greatest fear is that this team is in a rebuilding mode and wins 5 to 6 in 09, then Danny gives Zorn the axe. Unless some changes are made, this team is no better than the 2-6 record it finished this year with. If we have to go through some rebuilding so be it, just give JZ a chance to see it through in 2010, that's when I think we should have higher expectations.

You make some good points there. The 'new Snyder' has shown a little more patience and I believe ordinarily even if we have a rebuilding year (4-12, 6-10) Zorn would be given a 3rd season to make good but with Cowher, Holmgren and Shanahan out there and available I don't see Snyder sitting idle with a disappointing season and that kind of talent available out there.

^^^ agree. But, I think our 2010 challenge can potentially be at Running Back. Not HC imo. I think Zorn will get 3 years min.

Vinny said during an interview that both he and Zorn had TWO years. my one hope is that Zorn and Vinny both prove what failures they are and get the axe and this time next year, we are talking about how glad we are to have Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan as our coach for the next 10 years.

Vinny said during an interview that both he and Zorn had TWO years. my one hope is that Zorn and Vinny both prove what failures they are and get the axe and this time next year, we are talking about how glad we are to have Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan as our coach for the next 10 years.

How on earth after an 8 win rookie season can we be calling Zorn a failure???

I guess your version of offseason optimism is hoping for epic failures from our head coach and front office, prompting yet another sweeping change...

if you blame Z for a 8-8. Then you need to blame him for a OTR win in Dallas and a Eagles sweep. I'll take that for a start.

I hope we pull a move similar to the PATS last year where they traded back thier 1st rd pick and moved back 3 or 4 spots and still added additional picks without falling to far down the board. We need to make sure to focus on both sides of the line, and look for a OLB! Also, if anyone from Redskins park is reading this, NO TE this year please, we have enough!

I say we take either the best LB or OL available with the 13th pick. That could be Eugene Monroe, James Laurinitis, Brian Cushing, Jason Smith, Duke Robinson, Brandon Spikes... I'd be thrilled with any of those guys.

I dont get all the love for duke robinson... he's a guard. You dont take a guard in the 1st round... its just foolish. besides, we've already got Rinehart, Thomas, and Kendall could resign here. Have Rinehart start with either Thomas or Kendall, alongside Samuels, a new center and a new RT, and our offensive line will be fine next year. We can then replace Thomas/Kendall in 2010.

I dont get all the love for duke robinson... he's a guard. You dont take a guard in the 1st round... its just foolish. besides, we've already got Rinehart, Thomas, and Kendall could resign here. Have Rinehart start with either Thomas or Kendall, alongside Samuels, a new center and a new RT, and our offensive line will be fine next year. We can then replace Thomas/Kendall in 2010.

Well, I agree that 13 is probably too high for Robinson. But he's been compared to Steve Hutchinson, who incidentally was a first round pick. Plus a lot of people are saying Robinson could possibly play T at well in the pros, though he's better suited for Guard.

I think if you can trade down to later in the first round, or up into the early 2nd round and pick up extra picks along the way, and Robinson is there...then he's a great pickup.