Rugged Redskins

The Washington Redskins open up the 2009 football season at The Meadowlands against the New York Giants. The NFC East team will have to deploy their weapons on defense and derive points from three Pro Bowl offensive studs. The blasé Redskins organization made a splash during off-season free agency. Dan Snyder, the team’s name-loving owner, added All-pro tackle Albert Haynesworth this winter. The $100 million defensive tackle is unfazed by the Giants. He was practically dismissive of the NFC East rival when asked about the challenge of tackling Big Blue running back, Brandon Jacobs. DeAngelo Hall, a November pickup, was also signed to add some zip in the secondary. The ‘Skins also drafted the best defensive end available, Texas’ Brian Orakpo. Washington’s offense will be boosted by tight end Chris Cooley, fullback Mike Sellers and running back Clinton Portis. All three made the Pro Bowl last year and return to shine in Jason Campbell’s shaky offense.
Campbell was the subject of various trade rumors during the off-season. The Redskins tried desperately to trade him for Jay Cutler and considered drafting Mark Sanchez as his replacement. They landed neither quarterback, and now Campbell is expected to be consistent or he is out in 2010. Head coach, Jim Zorn, has Todd Collins as a backup if Campbell falters. The 37 year old veteran doesn’t reap confidence or reliability, however. Santana Moss is a fine receiver and Antwaan Randle El is a former superstar with proven talent. If Moss, Randle El and Portis can develop perfect chemistry with Campbell, the Redskins will have stellar symmetry on offense.
The trite Washington offense will get a dose of reality in week one against the Giants’ defense. Portis will carry the load running the ball and be relegated as the top back. Clinton was an MVP candidate in 2008 before injuring his knee and ribs and verbally sparring with Zorn. Portis produced 523 yards and just two touchdowns in 2008. As long as Portis is not on the shelf for most of the year, he should be able to top Hall of Famer John Riggins’ team rushing record. Portis will have to plow through the Giants with a heavy dependence on an untested but durable line. Starting left tackle, Chris Samules and right tackle, Jon Jansen, returned to the roster last year after battling ailments. They put up respectable, All-Star-like numbers. Guard Randy Thomas is also a viable lineman on the right side for Campbell. He can create holes for Portis and Sellers. But the 33 year old missed camp because of surgery. Center Casey Rabach is the rock of the line that did not allow any of their preseason opponents to get to their quarterback in 35 dropbacks. Journeyman Jeremy Bridges and on-the-mend Mike Williams are backups. Right tackle, Stephon Heyer has improved tremendously according to his head coach. The 25 year old has enormous upside. Cooley is an insufficient blocker at the tight end position but still a legitimate Pro Bowler at the top of his game. Backup Todd Yoder is a reliable blocker, and Fred Davis is a second year pass-catcher who could be impactful with more time. A punishing blocker could give Cooley more freedom to roam. Moss, the 30 year old receiver out of Miami, recorded over 1,000 yards with six touchdowns in 2008. In three seasons with the ‘Skins, he’s averaged just over 15 yards per touch. Malcolm Kelly made a statement in the preseason as the number two receiver and compliment to Moss. Zorn expects Kelly and second year wideout, Devin Thomas, to step up and improve the offense. Marko Mitchell also made the team this year and Randle-El is coming off a promising showing in camp. The seventh round pick has great hands and scored twice for Washington during the preseason. Randle-El is better considered for the slot in three-receiver sets. Ladell Betts could change the complexion of the running game in certain situations if the speedy back is utilized.
Campbell is no automatic playmaker and still has plenty to prove despite being named the captain. The Redskins also named Samuels, Cornelius Griffin, London Fletcher, Sellers and Rock Cartwright as captains. The Redskins are coming off a subpar season and are projected by most to remain competitive in one of football’s toughest divisions. An 8-8 record seems reasonable for Washington in 2009. The Redskins finished last in the NFC East with a rookie head coach in 2008. They hope to make a postseason run this year with keen and critical play. Washington will have to conquer the Giants in week one and their success could depend on how much Portis has left. Portis is the team’s consistent cog because Campbell doesn’t have a strong enough line in front of him to pass all the time. Haynesworth won’t fly under the radar, and the Redskins will use his immense presences to dominate games. The paper-thin patience of Snyder will be the motivation as the Redskins present a team poised to make the playoffs. Washington assembled a solid defense but did little to address the line in the offseason. Zorn’s players now have a full year in his system, so that plays do his advantage. He did not have the personnel to execute his West Coast offense last year, but the maturity and health of the players should not be as detrimental in 2009.

Parting Points: Listening to Leona Lewis is always to my liking.