KFFL Redskins Pre-season assessment.

Washington RedskinsLast year's return of Joe Gibbs to the Washington Redskins did not go exactly as planned. Even with the addition of premiere RB Clinton Portis, the Redskins struggled through much of the 2004 season, winning just one game within their division before finishing with a disappointing 6-10 record. This year, the Redskins, as usual, have made a fair amount of noise during the offseason by reworking their WR corps and drafting QB Jason Campbell and CB Carlos Rogers.

Should the Redskins' struggles continue into 2005, some might start to doubt if Gibbs can return the team to its former glory.

Despite stating that QB Patrick Ramsey was their No. 1 QB for the coming season, the Redskins selected QB Jason Campbell in a somewhat surprising first round selection in the 2005 Draft. One has to wonder how long of a rope Ramsey has to get the team back on track. Ramsey will probably need time to get comfortable with his WRs since the team traded WR Laveranues Coles for New York Jets WR Santana Moss and brought in former New England Patriots WR David Patten in hopes of reviving a passing game that ranked in the bottom five in passing yards last season. Getting the passing game going will be key to the success of the team's running game. Though Portis was able to record 1,315 yards rushing last season, he posted a career low 3.8 yards per carry.

For the second straight season the Redskins lost a top level cornerback as they watched Fred Smoot depart for the Minnesota Vikings. The Redskins are looking to replace him with rookie CB Carlos Rogers, and Rogers is currently listed as the team's starting right cornerback. But Smoot was not the only key loss on defense as the New York Giants were able to pry away last year's leading tackler, the aforementioned LB Antonio Pierce. Furthermore, FS Sean Taylor, coming off a strong rookie season, is currently trying to resolve aggravated assault charges and has been trying to force the team to negotiate a new contract. In addition, LB LaVar Arrington is unhappy with the organization because he feels he was rushed back from his knee injury last season, resulting in extended time off.

If the offense doesn't click, and the key losses on the other side of the ball, the team may not be able to lean as heavily on their defense as they have in seasons past to bail them out.

I don't like the addition of "trying to force the team to negotiate a new contract". Unless they mean get some of his money back by him going to jail.

I know it's journalism, but you have to operate on SOME facts or at least assumptions.

I believe the moves that the redskins made this offseason have been surprising yet keys to the success of the team. we needed a new center, faster receivers and replacement for our starting cb. we really have fulfilled everything except the tightend and speed rusher off of the edge of our d-line. i stilll believe we will fill those needs before the preseason.

i don't know about that, but i don't think lavar's contract issues will cause him to miss any games or anything like that. i was happy just because snyder didn't open his wallet like in offseason's past.

It sure would be nice to hear more postive news, tough to be a loyal fan this off season.

Honestly, we are focusing more on the bad than the good. We've had plenty of good news too.

"Should the Redskins' struggles continue into 2005, some might start to doubt if Gibbs can return the team to its former glory."

Like that hasnt happened already?!?!

I love how people expect immediate turnaround. I'll admit that when Gibbs took over I was "hoping" playoffs, but I knew deep down this team was kind of far gone.

I also disagree with most of the assessment.

It sure would be nice to hear more postive news, tough to be a loyal fan this off season.

Being that KFFL is mainly a fantasy site, why would they try to sugar coat Redskins news. Besides their D, which did take key losses which they wanted to let people know, what Redskins player is going to definitely put up numbers for you? Maybe Cooley? I'd like to say Portis, and while he had decent yardage on his jillion touches, he didn't get what counts for fantasy, touchdowns. So basicly they're saying just like the past 10 years, be weary of drafting a skin.

Let's also remember fans have much more optomism about a team than an outsider looking at what we have and what we've done as an organization for years. The Patriots lost two coordinators, possible a MLB, some WR's, and a DE is holding out, yet I bet their assessment is far better just because of their track record.

Thats an opinion page article. And I never have liked other people's opinions very much. Particularly when they refuse to provide both sides of the argument.

My opinion carries as much weight as that girl. And I would like to share some of it now:

"KFFL's mom is a whore!"