Redskins Off-season Review

[CRedskinsRule]

With the next 5 weeks being among the most boring of the NFL season for us fans, Rich Tandler put together a good summation and review of the important dates and transactions over the past few months. I thought maybe a poll of which change (excluding the actual hiring of BA/MS) will affect our team the most in the upcoming season, or if no poll, then just a final discussion before Training Camp.

Tandler: Reviewing a Wild Offseason

Friday, June 18, 2010 9:30 AM

By Rich Tandler
Redskins Blogger
CSNwashington.com
...

Team switches to 3-4 defense, late January 2010

Redskins cut 10, March 4, 2010

Trade for McNabb, April 4, 2010

Three offensive linemen drafted, April 22-24, 2010

Haynesworth demands a trade, June 15, 2010

Trade for Jammal Brown, June 19, 2010

I will say for me the most euphoric moment for me still was the firing of Vinny that cold December morning. The joy and happiness that took over the Warpath and Skins fans in general was almost equal to winning SBXVII.

As for the events listed above, I would say the trade for McNabb will have the largest impact on the season. I think how he performs and if he can avoid throwing ground balls to the TE's in Kyle's offense then we will see an offense unlike anything we have seen since '91. He will have to prove he can take this team on his shoulders without choking, and I believe the first game against Dallas will set the tone for his leadership this season.

[Chico23231]

McNabb trade is probably the biggest move because you can never go wrong getting a probowl calibre QB. BUT the focus of upgrading the O-line cannot be overlooked. 3 lineman in the draft, adding proven vets like Artis Hicks and past probowler Jammal Brown immediatly upgrades to the worst Oline over the last couple years. Stories coming into the preseason will be the Mike Williams vs Artis Hicks battle at guard, the rookie showing he can start Left Tackle and watching Jammal Brown comeback from injuries...F Albert Lamesworth, its still all about the O Line with the Skins IMO

[NYCskinfan82]

Basically the whole off season from DM to JB the FO never showed their hand and got bargain deals. IMO

HTTR

[ethat001]

Originally Posted by NYCskinfan82

Basically the whole off season from DM to JB the FO never showed their hand and got bargain deals.

I agree. This is huge - everything we've done has taken me by complete surprise. That's EXACTLY what I want. Once you telegraph your moves, then the market prices go up & people plot against you.

Also, I love that they brought in competition for established players. Portis, Campbell, Randle El, etc. -- no one was untouched. Makes the players concerned for their job security, and makes them work harder. Started with simple things like running back to the huddle, but hard to miss Shanahan's authority.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by ethat001

I agree. This is huge - everything we've done has taken me by complete surprise. That's EXACTLY what I want. Once you telegraph your moves, then the market prices go up & people plot against you.

Also, I love that they brought in competition for established players. Portis, Campbell, Randle El, etc. -- no one was untouched. Makes the players concerned for their job security, and makes them work harder. Started with simple things like running back to the huddle, but hard to miss Shanahan's authority.

Plus Shanny believes in ALOT of competition. If you don't push yourself he has a bunch of other guys that will do it and you will be left out. I love that. Another guy I would love to add for some competition is Bobby McCray.

ESPN: Saints release DE McCray

[rbanerjee23]

The firing of Vinny was by and away the biggest move of the offseason...getting rid of that cancer which has plagued us for the last 11 years cannot be understated.

I thinking drafting T. Williams and acquiring J. Brown were the two biggest moves. Behind this line JC could have shown his mettle and McNabb should get plenty of time.

[tryfuhl]

McCray isn't bad but he'd be pretty light for a 3-4 end around the 260ish mark. He'd be another guy likely moved to LB.

[Longtimefan]

We have pieced together a conglomerate of players providing competition at just about every position, added a competent g/m and h/c as well. The secret now is to blend these talents and mold them into a team that's expected to win now.

The team has undergone a transformation from top to bottom, the likes of which I've never witnessed before. A lot of things have to come together quickly for this team to reach the heights many expect. I do believe they're headed in the right direction.

httr

[wolfeskins]

i think the biggest move of the off season was bringing in bruce allen. he'll be here longer then any player on the roster and imo, he'll be here longer then shanny.

bringing in shanny was the second biggest move, then mcnabb, then building the o-line.

that what me thinks anyway.

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

Plus Shanny believes in ALOT of competition. If you don't push yourself he has a bunch of other guys that will do it and you will be left out. I love that. Another guy I would love to add for some competition is Bobby McCray.

ESPN: Saints release DE McCray

We're not going to add him, if we add an OLB it'll be Adalius Thomas, or Leonard Little being moved to there.

If we add a DE, it'll be Charles Grant.

Again, all ifs.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

We're not going to add him, if we add an OLB it'll be Adalius Thomas, or Leonard Little being moved to there.

If we add a DE, it'll be Charles Grant.

Again, all ifs.

I would be fine with McCray moving to LB. At 28 he is a lot younger than Thomas 32, Little 35, or Grant 31. Why do you think they would be a better addition than McCray? We all know this 3-4 transition has put us in a hole at LB.

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

I would be fine with McCray moving to LB. At 28 he is a lot younger than Thomas 32, Little 35, or Grant 31. Why do you think they would be a better addition than McCray? We all know this 3-4 transition has put us in a hole at LB.

Well I know Adalius Thomas would be better than McCray, because he is a proven pro bowler at the 3-4 OLB position, having played there in NE and Baltimore.

I said we should put Charles Grant at 3-4 DE, because he's really big--too big for 3-4 OLB. And he's athletic enough for that DE position.

I mention Leonard Little, because he and Haslett are buddies, having played for him for a few years. Also he is a former LB in college so I feel he could be one still.

I'm pretty sure McCray has always been a DE, he just to me looks like he would be too stiff and out of place in this defense at OLB, and way to small for DE.

[SBXVII]

I just don't know how you guys can't pick the cutting of Marco Mitchell as being the biggest off season move?

LOL. just kidding.

for me it was the firing of Vinny. The owner was not going to sell the team so the next best thing that could happen was for whole sale change from the second highest spot on down.

To think I was actually contemplating rooting for another team because there was no way DS would get rid of Vinny. I could see more of the same ole BS. I honestly didn't have a clue who I was going to root for but I was tired of the BS being put on the field every yr, year in and year out getting the same results.

DS sold me on his one move by getting rid of Vinny. Time will tell how Allen will do but I like what I'm seeing with the changes he's making. Bringing in the Shanahan's might be the second biggest coup.

Has Shanahan lost to Dallas? Ever? It seems his record against the Eagles was 50/50 also. I can see the Skins surprising many people this year. Maybe to include myself. One can only hope the changes made will be the beginning of something special.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

Well I know Adalius Thomas would be better than McCray, because he is a proven pro bowler at the 3-4 OLB position, having played there in NE and Baltimore.

I said we should put Charles Grant at 3-4 DE, because he's really big--too big for 3-4 OLB. And he's athletic enough for that DE position.

I mention Leonard Little, because he and Haslett are buddies, having played for him for a few years. Also he is a former LB in college so I feel he could be one still.

I'm pretty sure McCray has always been a DE, he just to me looks like he would be too stiff and out of place in this defense at OLB, and way to small for DE.

Very true. I was looking at it from an age point of view but the other guys you mentioned definitely have more experience in the role we would be looking for from them in the 3-4. Heck, let's just sign all of them and see how things pan out. Shanny is all about competition after all...

[skinsnut]

Here are my thoughts.

Biggest Skins problems prior to changes

1. Owner (can't change)
2. Need a legit GM (done!)
3. Need a legit Head Coach (done!)
4. Need to fix Oline (improved from disaster to average +)
5. Need to get legit WR's (not done..hoping on 3rd yr guys)

The need for a new QB and RB competion were not high on my list.
However, the front office was certainly looking to make a scapegoat out of someone and they made this known a year ago by shopping for a new QB. McNabb was not neccessary, however, his upgrade is fairly obvious...so, I am totally onboard with that move. Competition for Portis is fine too, but that is only a depth move with no real threat to the lead RB role.

Defensive scheme was certainly not on this list as the 4-3 was fine...in fact it generated more sacks in years...anyways...Haslett is arguably no better than Blache historically...and the scheme shift along with the ruckus it created with our big baby may inevitably hurt our teams greatest strength...Defense...we arguably should have left it alone.

But here's the big point...many LONG TERM redskins issues were resolved.
A LEGIT GM!!!
A LEGIT HEAD COACH!!
A new Front office.
And a potential change in attitude with our owner who has been quite hands on....possibly due to lack of true faith in Cerrato.

Players and schemes change...but what the Skins needed was a total overhaul in Front office structure. That was the change that was needed...
So say what you want about Zorn...but his crappiness led to these big moves that will pay dividends for a decade or more