| Craig Johnson. 8th September, 2006 - 10:36 am
 In the 1980’s Washington Redskins fans called it the “Skins Bandwagon.” Later, into the 90’s we Redskins fans watched the “Gus Bus,” drive head-on into the cellar of the NFC East. Now entering his third year where he was not supposed to succeed thanks to the NFL seemingly passing him by, Joe Gibbs will now have the respect enough for us fans to label it “Joe’s Show.”
The impressive part is that in just two seasons Gibbs had orchestrated a front-line military personality, to scalp the Dallas Cowboys, and march into the playoffs. A place that Washington had not seen in over 80 regular season games. With many key moves in signing quality (did I say quality? I meant big-time) free-agents, letting go of maybe one of the best head-aches to play Linebacker, and the signing of another experienced Coordinator, Gibbs has surrounded his self with every weapon he needs to win the battle of the NFC East.
Coaching Staff: Gibbs will head a group of Coaches with tons of experience. Joe Bugel who is entering his 29th season in the NFL and the 12th with the Redskins, will once again be Gibbs go to guy.
Newly acquired Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders(24 seasons), will be a key component, but if his resume from Kansas City can tell the future, let’s just say that this offense will be rolling.
Back once again on the defensive side will be Gregg Williams (17 seasons) with his multiple schemes and blitzes that will keep opponents always guessing. This is definitely an all-star lineup of coaches and if Gibbs can keep personalities level, this is going to be a great season. Other notable coaches: Don Breaux(25 seasons), Rennie Simmons(25 seasons), Dale Lindsey(20 seasons), Greg Blache(19 seasons) Jack Burns(14 seasons)
Quarterbacks: Mark Brunell will head the offense one more time. At the age of 36, Brunell may not be the swift runner he once was, but he did prove to be vital with many third-down scampers last season. What Gibbs is looking for, is a quarterback to show that he is a leader that can rally his troops. Someone who knows the game. Back-up Todd Collins who departed Kansas City with Saunders will be in Washington to mainly teach the offense to second year Jason Campbell. Though the chances that Collins will see any snaps is slim, one set of boo’s from the Skins fans could call for Campbell to get the nod. Obviously, for the start of the season it’s Brunell’s to lose.
Running Backs: After piling up 1,516 yards last year many people still feel that Clinton Portis (Or should I say Southeast Jerome?) has yet to show his true potential. In just two seasons Portis has already become Washington’s Single Season Rushing Leader, and if he has yet to show his potential then we are in for a treat this season. Saunders, knows how to get backs to play at or beyond their potential, just ask Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson who both became stars under his guidance.
Ladell Betts, who has really been much of an overachiever, will be there to give Portis a breather, but defenses should know that this is not a play off. Betts has the combination of power and speed that can pile some yards of his own. The Rock, as in Rock Cartwright will be back in a Skins uniform. Although, many Skins fans would love to see this guy breakout and get more carries, he will be used primarily on special teams. Chris Cooley who jumps in-and-out of the backfield to make catches has also become a fan favorite. Cooley will be back in the H-back spot with bright hopes of making his first career pro-bowl. Meanwhile, the newly acquired T.J. Duckett has the chance of being the goalline back throughout the season, as they attempt to preserve Portis.
Wide Receivers: With Santana Moss basically the only go-to-guy, Washington had to go shopping and that they did bringing in Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd. Everyone knows what Moss can do when he is doubled-and-tripled team so now he will be able to showcase what he can do in single coverage. Lloyd who is coming off a pretty productive season in a sub-par San Francisco offense, will continue to put up solid numbers seeing that he will be the second receiver. As for Randle El. Well, he will pretty much do it all. He will run for big yards, return punts and kicks for big yards, and have a better season passing than most starting quarterbacks. Should anything really go haywire, Randle El may get the nod regressing back to his college days in Bloomington, at the University of Indiana, where he was the starting quarterback. Last years number two guy David Patten has been battling an injury and will find himself battling for a spot behind always steady James Thrash.
O-Line: With two of the best at the Tackle positions, Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels, the Skins will look for their leadership on a squad really unaware of their potential. Randy Thomas got carted off the field late last season only to give Skins fans a sigh of relief with a smile and a thumbs-up. The broken fibula he suffered is expected to be healed and not keep him from missing any games, but every time he is down we will all hold our breaths. Center Casey Rabach, is also healing an injury, yet this one being a non-football injury that was reported to not be serious, will start once again. The good thing about this line is that they can stay healthy with Rabach, Samuels, Jansen and Guard Derrick Dockery starting and playing in all 16 games. While Thomas got hurt he still started and played in 14 games. The big key here is to stay healthy again.
Overall Offense: Gibbs is definitely set up here to be King of the NFC East and potentially the entire NFC. If Brunell returns to the same form as last year, he will put up pro-bowl numbers with the receivers he has this year. Whether it be Moss, Lloyd, Randle El or Cooley, they will combine for huge yards. With the passing game intact, that will lead to many coverage schemes from defenses which will lead to many home-run, runs from Portis and vice-versa. The glue that will hold all of this together is of course the O-Line, but the play-calling will be exciting. I think the offense has what it takes to start another run of letting the defense lead the way.
Gregg Williams will be entering his third season in Washington with the hopes of repeating the same success as last year. The various schemes and blitzes that terrorizes opposing offenses accounted for 31 sacks, 11 interceptions and recovered 16 fumbles. The bad thing for the rest of the league is that on paper, they only appear to be stronger. Many big key free-agent moves will have this defense holding the pressure and giving the opportunity for the offense to guide them right back to the playoffs.
Defensive Line: The biggest addition to this always improving squad is the signing of Andre Carter. Carter was a stand-up player in San Francisco, but will now get the chance to do what he really excels at; rushing the quarterback. On the other end will be the run stopping Renaldo Wynn, but with him coming off an arm injury there’s a good chance that Phillip Daniels will get the majority of the snaps. Playing in the middle will be one of the league’s best in Cornelius Griffin who has a great first step and good ability to time the snap. Joining Griffin will be the heady Joe Salave’a who had real good showings at times when the defense needed a spark last year. Salave’a will most likely split time with Ryan Boschetti who many feel has the talent but just hasn’t broken through yet. With the likes of Carter many opposing quarterbacks will get flustered. The number of sacks recorded will be up from last year.
Linebackers: With the departure of LaVar Arrington many Skins fans aren’t sure whether to be upset or reap the benefits of not having to go through the headaches. Although Arrington will be missed (especially twice a year), this crew has nothing to be ashamed of. Key man, Marcus Washington will now step into the lead role. Washington has great pass rushing ability, can snoop out plays and even drop into coverage. Expect another pro-bowl season from him. LeMar Marshall (a college defensive back), will move to the middle this year where he will get to play more of a cover guy. Marshall showed his skill last year with four interceptions and will now get a chance to improve on those numbers. The second round draft pick (35 overall) out of Miami, Rocky McIntosh is expected to start and be an impact immediately. McIntosh has explosive speed and is always in seek of ball carriers yet he has one downfall. Just coming off knee surgery is not exactly what fans want to hear from the guy who is supposed to be taking Arrington’s place as the playmaker. If McIntosh slips and falls Chris Clemons and Warrick Holdman will be fighting for that spot.
Defensive Backs: With the signing of Adam Archuletta this unit may have the best combination at safety than anyone else in the league. Archuletta had a few up-and-down seasons with the Rams, but with the right coaching and his ability to blitz the quarterback, the duo of him and Sean Taylor will amaze. Taylor who continues to deal with off-season problems has the potential to be the greatest at his position. The only problem is trying to keep him out of the court room and on the field. Coach Gibbs has already had many sit down talks with Taylor and many believe that this is the year he lets it all out on the field. Always steady Shawn Springs returns along side youngster Carlos Rogers at the cornerback spot where both played well last year. Springs has improved immensely on the run stopping and Rogers will start without having to look over his shoulder. Expect another great season from these two. With the signing of Kenny Wright, out of Jacksonville, and the overachiever in Ade Jimoh, the nickle-and-dime corners would be starters anywhere else. Also fighting for a spot on this ball club is the rookie Reed Doughty. Doughty is well liked by these coaches and has signs of a heady-hard hitter.
Special Teams: Last year this team looked great in punt and kick coverage and absolutely disgusting in returns and the ability to get the ball off the foot. With a much needed improvement this team got their savior in Atwaan Randle El. Randle El will get a lot of return duty alongside Ladell Betts who got his first kickoff return for a touchdown last year. Kicker John Hall, who was injury plagued last year will have one more shot to show he’s still got it. Punter Derrick Frost showed that just maybe being a punter is the hardest thing to be in the NFL. If he doesn’t step up his game then he will give way to just about anyone that will do better. Rock Cartwright, Mike Sellers and Khary Campbell will be key factors on this unit where all of them excelled last year.
Scratching and crawling their way to the Super bowl is not out of the question, but the defense will have to prove they are as tough as expected. The first real tests come on September 17, when they travel to Dallas and then five weeks later when they travel to the RCA Dome to play Peyton and friends. Good success there and these Skins may have the confidence to prove the experts right. This is the year! I just know it!
Other news from the first day of practice was that rookie Reed Doughty met face-to-face with Rock Cartwright and stood him straight up. More play like that and Doughty will become a fan favorite.
Craig may be reached via email, craigrealgm@yaho.com. |
