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07-22-2010, 10:45 AM
Washington Redskins 2010 Season Preview - The Fifth Down Blog - NYTimes.com (http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/washington-redskins-2010-season-preview/)
July 22, 2010, 6:00 AM
Washington Redskins 2010 Season Preview
By ANDY BENOIT
Contrary to popular belief, the Washington Redskins are not driving down a different road in 2010. They’re driving down the same Dan Snyder highway – they’re just in a faster, fancier car. At least this time Snyder minion Vinny Cerrato isn’t behind the wheel. But once again, the Skins enter a season with a new high-profile coach. Things didn’t work out with offensive maharishi Steve Spurrier, and results were lukewarm under multi-Super Bowl champion Joe Gibbs. (And the Jim Zorn era managed to live down to expectations.) So, this time, they’re trying a mix: offensive maharishi and multi-Super Bowl champion, Mike Shanahan.
Shanahan has final say on all football operations, but he works closely with new G.M. Bruce Allen. Upon being hired last December, Allen, in a nod to the past, said, “The future is now.” (Allen’s father, George, took over the Redskins as coach in 1971 and immediately began trading future draft picks for proven veterans, many of whom had played for him in Los Angeles. At one of his first press conferences, he said, “The future is now.”)
In recent years, the Redskins have been masters at seeking the quick fix. This means surrendering piles of draft picks and cash to acquire new veterans. It’s a formula ripe for failure; veteran players generally aren’t available unless they’re flawed. Most of the time, the flaw is old age. Some of the time, it’s character. By now, the Redskins should understand that better than anyone.
Allen and Shanahan actually began the off-season dumping some $13 million worth of declining veterans, like Randy Thomas, Chris Samuels (retired), Rock Cartwright, Ladell Betts, Todd Collins, Antwaan Randle-El, Fred Smoot and Cornelius Griffin. Put after the purge, Allen and Shanahan eagerly followed the franchise’s traditional quick-fix blueprint.
Their most notable move, obviously, was the trade for Donovan McNabb. The Skins gave up a 2010 second-round pick and a conditional third-or fourth-round pick next year to acquire the 33-year-old quarterback. There’s no question McNabb is an upgrade over Jason Campbell (Campbell was traded to Oakland for a fourth-round pick in 2012). But that doesn’t mean he instantly makes this team a contender. Ask yourself, is McNabb’s situation in Washington better than his situation was the past two years in Philly? McNabb doesn’t have a 10-year history with this coach and this playbook. He’s not throwing to nearly as much talent here. And he’s relying on a ground game that boasts perhaps the three most worn-out star running backs in football: Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker.
Still, Shanahan thinks the offense – including the run game – can click. His zone blocking system was able to make any Joe Schmoe a 1,000-yard rusher in Denver. (Remember Olandis Gary? Mike Anderson? Reuben Droughns? Tatum Bell?)
Almost as important as the McNabb acquisition were the changes made at offensive tackle. Washington used the fourth pick on Oklahoma’s Trent Williams, who immediately became the starter on the left side. Two months after the draft, the Skins acquired Saints two-time Pro Bowl tackle Jammal Brown in exchange for a 2011 mid-round pick. Factor in the addition of utility backup Artis Hicks and this feckless front five is suddenly adequate – if not formidable.
Still, at best, the Skins will have a proficient but non-explosive offense. What has made believers in Washington is the defense. New coordinator Jim Haslett inherits a unit that has ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed five of the past six seasons. Haslett is rolling the dice by installing the first 3-4 scheme in this franchise’s history. It’s the ultimate twist that the scheme hinges on defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth.
For the first time in the Snyder era, the Redskins may have actually concocted a veteran-laden roster capable of instant success. Yet, they’re at the mercy of the one veteran who embodies every mistake this franchise has made. Haynesworth is talented beyond belief. But he’s a selfish reprobate who seemingly only competes when there’s money to be made. Despite already banking $32 million from this club, Haynesworth eschewed off-season team activities – including a mandatory minicamp – and publicly derided his two-gap role in Haslett’s scheme. (He also complained about his role last season in now-retired coordinator Greg Blache’s scheme.) The Redskins knew what they were getting when they made the ex-Titan the highest-paid defensive player in N.F.L. history. Now, they can’t get rid of him.
The only choice is to carry on. After all, the future is now. Unless, of course, the past is too much to overcome.
...
click here for rest of article (http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/washington-redskins-2010-season-preview/)
Not much new, but a good (and fair) summary..
July 22, 2010, 6:00 AM
Washington Redskins 2010 Season Preview
By ANDY BENOIT
Contrary to popular belief, the Washington Redskins are not driving down a different road in 2010. They’re driving down the same Dan Snyder highway – they’re just in a faster, fancier car. At least this time Snyder minion Vinny Cerrato isn’t behind the wheel. But once again, the Skins enter a season with a new high-profile coach. Things didn’t work out with offensive maharishi Steve Spurrier, and results were lukewarm under multi-Super Bowl champion Joe Gibbs. (And the Jim Zorn era managed to live down to expectations.) So, this time, they’re trying a mix: offensive maharishi and multi-Super Bowl champion, Mike Shanahan.
Shanahan has final say on all football operations, but he works closely with new G.M. Bruce Allen. Upon being hired last December, Allen, in a nod to the past, said, “The future is now.” (Allen’s father, George, took over the Redskins as coach in 1971 and immediately began trading future draft picks for proven veterans, many of whom had played for him in Los Angeles. At one of his first press conferences, he said, “The future is now.”)
In recent years, the Redskins have been masters at seeking the quick fix. This means surrendering piles of draft picks and cash to acquire new veterans. It’s a formula ripe for failure; veteran players generally aren’t available unless they’re flawed. Most of the time, the flaw is old age. Some of the time, it’s character. By now, the Redskins should understand that better than anyone.
Allen and Shanahan actually began the off-season dumping some $13 million worth of declining veterans, like Randy Thomas, Chris Samuels (retired), Rock Cartwright, Ladell Betts, Todd Collins, Antwaan Randle-El, Fred Smoot and Cornelius Griffin. Put after the purge, Allen and Shanahan eagerly followed the franchise’s traditional quick-fix blueprint.
Their most notable move, obviously, was the trade for Donovan McNabb. The Skins gave up a 2010 second-round pick and a conditional third-or fourth-round pick next year to acquire the 33-year-old quarterback. There’s no question McNabb is an upgrade over Jason Campbell (Campbell was traded to Oakland for a fourth-round pick in 2012). But that doesn’t mean he instantly makes this team a contender. Ask yourself, is McNabb’s situation in Washington better than his situation was the past two years in Philly? McNabb doesn’t have a 10-year history with this coach and this playbook. He’s not throwing to nearly as much talent here. And he’s relying on a ground game that boasts perhaps the three most worn-out star running backs in football: Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker.
Still, Shanahan thinks the offense – including the run game – can click. His zone blocking system was able to make any Joe Schmoe a 1,000-yard rusher in Denver. (Remember Olandis Gary? Mike Anderson? Reuben Droughns? Tatum Bell?)
Almost as important as the McNabb acquisition were the changes made at offensive tackle. Washington used the fourth pick on Oklahoma’s Trent Williams, who immediately became the starter on the left side. Two months after the draft, the Skins acquired Saints two-time Pro Bowl tackle Jammal Brown in exchange for a 2011 mid-round pick. Factor in the addition of utility backup Artis Hicks and this feckless front five is suddenly adequate – if not formidable.
Still, at best, the Skins will have a proficient but non-explosive offense. What has made believers in Washington is the defense. New coordinator Jim Haslett inherits a unit that has ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed five of the past six seasons. Haslett is rolling the dice by installing the first 3-4 scheme in this franchise’s history. It’s the ultimate twist that the scheme hinges on defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth.
For the first time in the Snyder era, the Redskins may have actually concocted a veteran-laden roster capable of instant success. Yet, they’re at the mercy of the one veteran who embodies every mistake this franchise has made. Haynesworth is talented beyond belief. But he’s a selfish reprobate who seemingly only competes when there’s money to be made. Despite already banking $32 million from this club, Haynesworth eschewed off-season team activities – including a mandatory minicamp – and publicly derided his two-gap role in Haslett’s scheme. (He also complained about his role last season in now-retired coordinator Greg Blache’s scheme.) The Redskins knew what they were getting when they made the ex-Titan the highest-paid defensive player in N.F.L. history. Now, they can’t get rid of him.
The only choice is to carry on. After all, the future is now. Unless, of course, the past is too much to overcome.
...
click here for rest of article (http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/washington-redskins-2010-season-preview/)
Not much new, but a good (and fair) summary..