It's a slow time in the sports world, so I figured I'd do some quick NFL previews. We'll start with probably the strongest division in football, the NFC East. Just for kicks, I'll go in reverse order-of-finish from 2009, so we'll start with the Washington Redskins.
Washington Redskins
2009 Record: 4-12 (4th in NFC East)
Head Coach: Mike Shanahan
Significant Additions: QB Donovan McNabb, RB Larry Johnson, RB Willie Parker, WR Bobby Wade, OT Trent Williams, OT Jamaal Brown, DT Maake Kemoeatu, DE Vonnie Holliday, CB Phillip Buchanon, P Josh Bidwell
Significant Losses: QB Jason Campbell, RB Rock Cartwright, WR Antwaan Randle El, OG Randy Thomas, DT Cornelius Griffin, CB Fred Smoot, P Hunter Smith
Major Offensive Issue: Offensive line. The o-line was ravaged by injuries last season and as a result was utterly horrific. The retirement of All-Pro LT Chris Samuels, release of G Randy Thomas, and season-ending injury to G Mike Williams means a lot of new faces along the offensive line. The key will be the play of the two new tackles, top draft pick Trent Williams and former Saint Jamaal Brown. Donovan McNabb is a significant upgrade at quarterback, but he desperately needs the line to give him enough time to find his targets. And the Redskins veteran running back trio of Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker desperately need good blocking as they lack some of the explosion and elusiveness they once possessed earlier in their careers.
Major Defensive Issue: Anytime a team switches from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense, changes have to be made. Despite the national hullabaloo over where defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth fits in on the team, the key to the success of the Redskins defense lies in how the linebackers adjust to the new defense. 3-4 outside linebackers are really a hybrid between linebackers and defensive ends and spend a lot of time rushing the passer. For that reason Brian Orakpo, who registered 11 sacks as a rookie last season while splitting time between OLB and DE, should thrive in a 3-4. Andre Carter, the other projected starting outside linebacker, also tallied 11 sacks last season, but has spent his entire 9 year career at defensive end. Can he continue to rush the passer while also holding his own in pass coverage? Meanwhile London Fletcher has routinely been near the top of the list of the NFL's leading tacklers in his long career as a middle linebacker in 4-3 defenses. But Fletcher's smaller frame makes him less suited for a 3-4, where middle linebackers have to take on more blocks from offensive lineman and have less freedom. And how will he react to sharing the middle with converted OLB Rocky McIntosh. Talent-wise, linebacker is probably the deepest position on the entire roster, yet the adjustment to new roles across the board as a result of the change in defense makes it the area to watch.
Major Current Storyline That Should Have Little Effect On The Actual Season: The whole Albert Haynesworth saga is great for the media. And yes, his refusal to participate in the Redskins' offseason workouts was selfish. But he's under contract and the Redskins aren't going to trade him (and there aren't many teams that are willing to take on his huge contract given his attitude problems). Once he eventually passes Mike Shanahan's conditioning test seemingly designed for Haynesworth to initially fail and face public embarassment, expect Haynesworth to keep quiet and play. And if healthy, he will be an immense asset (no pun intended) to the defensive line, especially if he is able and willing to play both defensive end and nose tackle.
Key Schedule Stretch: Weeks 4-6 (@ Philadelphia, vs. Green Bay, vs. Indianapolis). The Skins should emerge from the first three weeks of the season (vs. Dallas, vs. Houston, @ St. Louis) no worse than 2-1. The next three games feature Donovan McNabb's return to Philadelphia, followed by visits from Aaron Rodgers and the Packers (the favorites in the NFC North if Brett Favre is actually retired) and Peyton Manning and the Colts, the latter on Sunday Night Football. The remainder of the schedule is quite favorable, so if the Skins can emerge from that stretch 4-2 or even 3-3 they should be in good shape to make a run at the playoffs.
Best Player Name: I figured I should throw something fun in here, and what better for a guy named Wheat to do then scour teams' preseason rosters for the coolest-named player? NT Maake Kemoeatu has the best name of the defensive players in a landslide. OG Kory Lichtensteiger is a another strong candidate for the honor. But I'm going to have to give the nod here to OT Selvish Capers, the Redskins' 7th round draft choice out of West Virginia.
Predicted Pro Bowlers: QB Donovan McNabb, TE Chris Cooley, OLB Brian Orakpo
Final Record Prediction: After studying the schedule, I've vacillated between 9-7 and 10-6. I'll go with 9-7 for now. And here's one more prediction for you: the season finale January 2 between the Redskins and Giants at Fed Ex Field will be for a Wild Card spot in the NFC.
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