Wash Post, Wash Times, DC Sports Bog and top Redskins blogs make predictions

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Lotus

So who predicted that the Falcons would go to the playoffs last year?

Predictions...bah, humbug.

PS no offense Matty. You were doing as asked. My comments were aimed at the Debbie Downers.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Guess I'm smoking the pipe too.

I agree. Think about it logically. We have gotten better and all the other teams have made a few changes but have relatively stayed the same. We had a rookie head coach and QB who was entering his first season as the starter. We went 8-8 and if not for two games, that we should have won, we would have been in the playoffs. So we are expected to lose more than 8 games? The additions we made this past offseason should at least garner us another 2-3 wins. We have improved on a number 4 defense by adding arguably the top lineman in the entire NFL. We've added Orakpo and Jarmon.

I've been impressed with what I have seen from the WRs so far. Running game is always solid.

I am definitely smoking the pipe and packing it again. lol

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Not sure if that was a serious query or sarcastic but I'll play along anyways. Assuming 9 wins (because anything less to me means a complete housecleaning of coaches) as the benchmark, and taking each scenario out of 100% here goes..


Cerrato (in his current capacity), Zorn, Campbell - 20%
Cerrato and Zorn - 15%
Cerrato and Campbell - 60%
Zorn and Campbell - 30%
Cerrato only - 100% (he's back regardless)
Zorn only - 0%
Campbell only - 60%

Serious question, each scenario out of 100% as you did.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Serious question, each scenario out of 100% as you did.

Same question to you, what percentages would you give each of happening?

[KLHJ2]

Whatever was in that pipe was some good s**t. I am predicting a changing of the guard in the NFC East for the long term future. This is the year that our offense finally steps up. The window of opportunity will finally close on the Eagles. The Giants will finally know what it is like to try and win a game with no WR's. The Cowboys will be watching the playoff picture develop from the Jerryton in November.

No one else gives us a glimmer of hope in the NFC East. It's us against the world and that is just the way that I like it. In the famous words of Marty Schottenheimer "There is a gleam men, there is a gleam" whatever the hell that means.

[NYCskinfan82]

We must remember this thread because a lot of reporters will be eating/changing there words at the end of the Season. Saying i knew they'd make the playoffs and win the SB. HTTR.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What percentage would you assign to each of the following return next season?

Cerrato (in his current capacity), Zorn, Campbell -- 60%
Cerrato and Zorn -- 75%
Cerrato and Campbell -- 60%
Zorn and Campbell -- 60%
Cerrato only -- 5%
Zorn only -- 30%
Campbell only -- 10%

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Same question to you, what percentages would you give each of happening?

What are you, Greg Blache?? I'm the one asking the questions, don't throw it back at me!

I'm pretty awful at these types of questions, but I'll try my best.

I think if they win 8 games, Zorn and Cerrato are both back. If they win 9+ and a playoff game, then Snyder won't hesitate at all to give Campbell a big contract. Losing season, Campbell is gone. Winning season and/or winning season with a playoff appearance (but no win), then we could see prolonged discussions with Campbell.

I've thought that in 2010 or 2011, Cerrato would be elevated (moved) to a less football operations and more business operations role within Snyder's empire. But I'm less inclined to think that these days. For one thing, while some pieces are still missing, he's putting a pretty solid team together, including the front office team. Why not let him continue?

So anyway...

Cerrato, Zorn, Campbell: 100% (assuming winning season and playoff win)
Cerrato and Campbell: 25% (if they let Zorn go it will be because they failed to win this year, and if that happens I can't see Campbell staying as well)
Zorn and Campbell: 25%. (If they both come back, no reason not to keep Cerrato)
Cerrato and Zorn: 85% (VC brought Zorn in, they are pretty closely tied in my opinion)
Cerrato: 85%
Zorn: 100% (assuming winning season and playoff win); 45% (8-8); 10% (losing season)
Campbell: 100% (assuming winning season and playoff win); 45% (8-8); 10% (losing season)

[GTripp0012]

I think Zorn is the safest by far. Vinny's job, I think, is directly on the line though not as publicly as Campbell's. Campbell doesn't have a contract to keep him around past this year, and while I don't see a scenario where he wouldn't be offered an RFA tender next offseason, if he's in a legit competition for his job at this time next year, I think he gets cut if he loses. So he's got to have a big year to avoid the competition stigma.

Zorn's limited job security seems to be a media fabrication. Snyder might have fired Marty in 2002, but I don't think he's necessarily allured by a big name coach over any other coach. Mike Shanahan is a super bowl winner, so would he cast Zorn to the side for Shanahan? Maybe. But not for just anyone. What if Mike Shanahan doesn't want to work for Dan Snyder? It's not a "replace Zorn, hire anyone but Zorn" deal, so barring a complete locker room breakdown, Zorn is probably safe for 2010.

So Vinny and Campbell both need to have promising years to hang around, whereas Zorn merely has to give the illusion that the team is moving in the right direction.

That's also why I don't necessarily think that Campbell is "gone" if the team doesn't make the playoffs this year. Just that either he ears a large contract or he gets "competition". And competition almost never, ever favors the incumbent.

[GTripp0012]

For example, if the Redskins choose to throw a 2nd round pick next year at, say, Matt Hasselbeck in a trade, Campbell isn't winning that QB competition. But it will be a "competition" that lasts into the preseason.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I think Zorn is the safest by far. Vinny's job, I think, is directly on the line though not as publicly as Campbell's. Campbell doesn't have a contract to keep him around past this year, and while I don't see a scenario where he wouldn't be offered an RFA tender next offseason, if he's in a legit competition for his job at this time next year, I think he gets cut if he loses. So he's got to have a big year to avoid the competition stigma.

Zorn's limited job security seems to be a media fabrication. Snyder might have fired Marty in 2002, but I don't think he's necessarily allured by a big name coach over any other coach. Mike Shanahan is a super bowl winner, so would he cast Zorn to the side for Shanahan? Maybe. But not for just anyone. What if Mike Shanahan doesn't want to work for Dan Snyder? It's not a "replace Zorn, hire anyone but Zorn" deal, so barring a complete locker room breakdown, Zorn is probably safe for 2010.

So Vinny and Campbell both need to have promising years to hang around, whereas Zorn merely has to give the illusion that the team is moving in the right direction.

That's also why I don't necessarily think that Campbell is "gone" if the team doesn't make the playoffs this year. Just that either he ears a large contract or he gets "competition". And competition almost never, ever favors the incumbent.

Good question. Based on his history, I don't see Shanny putting himself in a position where he doesn't have complete control over personnel. And sadly, with Danny around, no one else in the organization has complete control over personnel, although Danny is getting to be better behaved.

[GTripp0012]

An up-to-the-second list of the true UFA quarterbacks next season:

Kyle Boller
Charlie Batch
Mark Brunell
Jon Kitna
Josh McCown
Patrick Ramsey
Chris Redman
Brian St. Pierre

Basically, competition costs us a draft pick (or two) in some way or form.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

An up-to-the-second list of the true UFA quarterbacks next season:

Kyle Boller
Charlie Batch
Mark Brunell
Jon Kitna
Josh McCown
Patrick Ramsey
Chris Redman
Brian St. Pierre

Basically, competition costs us a draft pick (or two) in some way or form.

See, that's one of the reasons I think that if JC plays even a tick above last year he will get a mid level extension. There's no better QB out there and I doubt Snyder is really ready to go the rookie QB route again.

If Jay Cutler never became available then I don't think there would have been any consideration to trade Campbell or trade for/draft a new QB in the offseason. He would simply be playing for a new contract along with Rogers and McIntosh and it wouldn't have been such a big story.

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I think Zorn is the safest by far. Vinny's job, I think, is directly on the line though not as publicly as Campbell's. Campbell doesn't have a contract to keep him around past this year, and while I don't see a scenario where he wouldn't be offered an RFA tender next offseason, if he's in a legit competition for his job at this time next year, I think he gets cut if he loses. So he's got to have a big year to avoid the competition stigma.

Zorn's limited job security seems to be a media fabrication. Snyder might have fired Marty in 2002, but I don't think he's necessarily allured by a big name coach over any other coach. Mike Shanahan is a super bowl winner, so would he cast Zorn to the side for Shanahan? Maybe. But not for just anyone. What if Mike Shanahan doesn't want to work for Dan Snyder? It's not a "replace Zorn, hire anyone but Zorn" deal, so barring a complete locker room breakdown, Zorn is probably safe for 2010.

So Vinny and Campbell both need to have promising years to hang around, whereas Zorn merely has to give the illusion that the team is moving in the right direction.

While I agree that Snyder's coach chasing reputation is overblown in the media, I think this is a Cutler-esque scenario coming up in the offseason. Shanahan, Gruden, Holmgren are all coaches that have the Super Bowl pedigree, run the same WCO that we've been in the past 2 years and have the reputations for high scoring offenses. It may not be a 'fire Zorn because he sucks' deal, more so a 'I had to make a move for a better, more proven coach' thing. Also, Shanahan and Gruden both have history and solid relationships with Vinny so there would be a way for him to stay in the organization in some capacity.

Finally, on Vinny, I agree with SS, he's done a decent job of building a pretty good roster over the past 2 years. I firmly believe that next season he will focus all draft and free agent efforts towards rebuilding the OL, LB and RB groups. If he succeeds, then he would have completely remade the offense and defense in the span of 3 years.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Good question. Based on his history, I don't see Shanny putting himself in a position where he doesn't have complete control over personnel. And sadly, with Danny around, no one else in the organization has complete control over personnel, although Danny is getting to be better behaved.

I thought the same thing but remember, this training camp he visited the Steelers and Patriots organizations to get some best practices for his next go round. One thing they both have in common? Both of their coaches are just coaches, not a one man gang.

[Mechanix544]

I think we get everyone back next year, as we light up the NFC East to the tune of 11-5 and a visit to the NFC championship game......... 50 - 50 there.

Vinny will definitely focus on two areas next offseason. Our first round pick will be the most talented and fastest OLB that is available. Then, look for him to pick up a quality Tackle, with Snyder again dipping into the FA market to get a top 10 guard to replace Dockery, who I think is the weak spot on the line, he will be a backup next year.