Do you agree with this assessment of the Skins?

[sportscurmudgeon]

Do I agree with the assessment? For the most part, yes.

I'm not ready yet to call Sean Taylor a "great" safety. He hasn't even put on pads yet in the NFL. Might that wait until he's played about 10 games before we rush into that description? I would agree that Sean Taylor brings some outstanding credentials to the defensive backfield from a premiere college football program. But, I'll wait on "great" for just a while if I may.

They have an offensive line that damned well better be improved or their two reliable QBs and their premiere running back are going to underachieve. and they better improve by a lot - particularly on pass blocking.

The defensive line got better in the offseason just by getting rid of a few of the gassers that were on the DL last year. If they put a pair of cigar store Indians in at DT this year, they would not be much worse. They signed two "second-tier" free agents to play there but that is a big emprovement over what was there last year. Is it good enough? We'll know about December 1st.

Oh, by the way, Mark Maske is not a columnist; he is a beat reporter. There is a BIG difference. And I don't know that he becomes more knowledgeable or more objective or more insightful just because he says something nice about the team he is coverning or the owner of that team. Having said that, I think Mark Maske is knowledgable about the NFL and is not one of the local press toadies who is in the Skins' hip pocket.

[Cush]

I agree, somewhat. The offense will probably better. They finally have a running back, and Bugel will help the OL.

I'm still not sold on the defense. Coach Williams will help, as will Taylor, but I still see it as a question mark.

[Ghost]

I agree with the assessment with the following exceptions: Smoot is young and might still emerge as a #1 CB, perhaps this season. And as for Parcells making the playoffs in similar circumstances, I'd say the NFC East was a lot weaker last season, thus diminishing his accomplishment just a bit.

On paper I believe this is the best team the Redskins have had in over a decade. We don't know exactly how the pieces are going to mesh yet but you have to like all the upgrades the team has made, especially the change of coaches. With the new players, the new systems, the new coaches, the team might struggle at first but I'm betting they finish strong. If the Skins were in another division, I'd like our odds of a wild card at least. But the old NFC East is back and it's probably going to be a dogfight ... I don't think we should underestimate any team in our division. At a minimum, the upcoming season will be competitive and fun to watch ... and there's a small but realistic chance we'll get to the Super Bowl every season from now until Gibbs retires.

[backrow]

Originally Posted by Ghost

I agree with the assessment with the following exceptions: Smoot is young and might still emerge as a #1 CB, perhaps this season. And as for Parcells making the playoffs in similar circumstances, I'd say the NFC East was a lot weaker last season, thus diminishing his accomplishment just a bit.

On paper I believe this is the best team the Redskins have had in over a decade. We don't know exactly how the pieces are going to mesh yet but you have to like all the upgrades the team has made, especially the change of coaches. With the new players, the new systems, the new coaches, the team might struggle at first but I'm betting they finish strong. If the Skins were in another division, I'd like our odds of a wild card at least. But the old NFC East is back and it's probably going to be a dogfight ... I don't think we should underestimate any team in our division. At a minimum, the upcoming season will be competitive and fun to watch ... and there's a small but realistic chance we'll get to the Super Bowl every season from now until Gibbs retires.

Wow, Ghost! Very deep, and very true. All of that from a guy who isn't all there! (Play on your name) LOL!

And, I agree!

[Beemnseven]

Well said, SC. Everyone assumes the offensive line play will improve. Apparently, all they need to do is call more running plays and the line will be instantly better. I certainly hope it's that easy. We'll see.

I'm as psyched about Sean Taylor as everyone else, but some people were pretty high on Mike Rumph too. Now certainly, Taylor is touted as a much higher prospect than Rumph was. But again, we'll see.

The other aspect I'm mildly concerned about is what dropoff we'll see in pass coverage with Shawn Springs. And Fred Smoot, while a charismatic, dependable and gutsy player, will still have his fair share of passes completed against him.

Maske is correct to point out the defeciencies at D-line, but I still feel many of us are glossing it over and hoping for the best -- which is exactly what we did last year. Phillip Daniels and Cornelius Griffin are improvements to our D-line the same way Republicans are improvements over Democrats. It just isn't much different if you ask me. And there are those who say that our LB's are better -- so that means the pass rush will be just fine! .... Right?

We'll see.

I'm still optimistic, like I am every offseason, but the defensive line could prove to be more of an Achilles Heel than many people expect.