The Redskins are a mystery to me. Two years ago, we were a 10-6 playoff team. Last year, we were a 5-11 team that had no identity for much of the season, suffered many injuries, and had a defense that just crumbled.
This year it is hard to tell what will happen. I can see us being anywhere from 11-5 to 5-11. Almost every play will be unpredictable. There is talk of the 'Skins looking to trade/find a good DL that would be available. We'll see if that pans out. Still, we seemed to have strengthened the LB corps and the secondary and the D-line should be better just because they are healthy. Still, there is talent issues on the D-line but again, I think they will be improved just because they will be healthy. I also think the defense will benefit from a tough, long training camp. Gibbs has said that he wants to become more physical like they used to be on defense. We seemed to forgot to do the bare essentials and fundamentals of tackling, positioning, and gap control last year. I expect all of those things to be addressed in training camp as well as conditioning.
I don't see much of an issue on the offensive side of the ball. We were solid down the stretch last year and I expect us to pick right up where we left off and continue with the "Redskin football." The NFC East is up for grabs. Dallas seems like the front runner but all in all, it's up for grabs.
The Bears are coming off of a great year and should be right there at the top of the NFC again. However, they aren't going to sneak up on anyone this year. We'll see if they play with the same kind of passion as last year or if success has brought about egos and selfish play. Will Briggs play? If so, will he be a distraction? The same with Tank "thug" Johnson. When he gets out of the clink, will he be able to step in and play effectively? Rexy is inconsistent. He is coming up on a contract year and he has to have a good year to prove to the Bear brass that he is the Bear QB for the future. If not, he will be gone and they will have to turn the reigns over to someone else. Is Cedric the man? Will he start crying if he doesn't produce/get enough carries?
Whatever happens, I love the NFL and we'll see how things shake down. However, nothing would make me happier than a successful Redskin season, coupled with a disappointing Bears one resulting in a sad RobObs.
6 comments:
Redskins - D-line is weak, O-line is weaker than last year, cornerbacks remain a problem (I am assuming they will cut Springs), QB is still raw.
JC only completed 53.1% of his passes and had 6.3 yards/attempt - very weak. Now, I don't say he isn't THE MAN - but he still has a long way to go to prove it.
BEARS - Not worried at all. I liked their draft, am not worried about Tank and Briggs. The Bears have depth at those positions and I expect both will play this year anyway. Another year of experience for Rex should help, and the Bears are installing the shotgun because he is comfortable with that.
Rex is in a contract year and he only completed 54.6% of his passes for 6.7 yards/attempt last year. I fully expect him to take another step and get closer to 60% completions and 7 yards/attempt. If he makes a marginal improvement and cuts down on the 20 interceptions he threw last year, the Bears will be just fine. I don't see any reason not to expect that from Rex. He is 26 (will be 27 when the season starts), and has just come off of his first year as a starter.
As a comparison, Peyton Manning has a 65% competion percentage and 7.9 yards/attempt. Drew Brees had a 64.3% completion percentage and 8.0 yards/attempt.
Redskins - as mentioned, d-line is weak but should actually be better than last year. Nearly every team's O-line will be weaker due to age. Still, the O-line is better than most teams. Secondary should be much improved. A healthy Rogers, Taylor, Landry, and Springs and/or Smoot is a HUGE upgrade from Wright, Taylor, Rumph, Vincent/Arch Deluxe/Fox. QB play was solid from Campbell.
JC is coming in firmly entrenched as the starter. I'm sure the offense will play more to his strengths as opposed to Brunell who couldn't throw downfield. I expect him to be more confident and develop into a very good player. Given his situation last year, he played very well. He made certain plays when there was none.
Bears - Their draft was mediocre at best and that is sad given how many picks they had. Good luck with the 170 lbs. RB. Tank will be out of shape. Briggs will be disgruntled. Other players will want to know if they will be getting paid. QB is inconsistent.
Rexy had better get off to a good start or he will definitely hear it from the Bear fans and the media. I'm sure he will be a big story given that Chicago has Super Bowl aspirations and they won't want Rexy to muck it up for them. Yes, he is in a contract year and needs to prove that he is the Bear QB for the long haul. So far he has only proven that if you give him enough rope, he will hang himself.
Cedric will cry and they have a VERY old O-line. Rexy will need the shotgun given the O-line's age. The shotgun may actually hurt the aging O-line more as speedy DEs can get around the old men straight for the QB. Rexy doesn't know how to go through his progressions and will lock in on his receiver and throw bad balls. They should pretty much stick with their best play. Send Berrian deep, have Rexy throw it, and then Berrian does his flop for a hopeful interference call.
I'm curious, why do you think the Bears draft was mediocre? The got a tight end (which they needed).
I still believe Briggs will play, but they got a linebacker who will compete with Jamar Williams (their third round pick from last year who was injured) for Briggs' spot.
They drafted a very solid defensive end prospect, which makes Alex Brown expendable in a trade. (Perhaps the Redskins would give up some picks for him.)
Garrett Wolfe has been the most productive Division 1A football player the last three years. His size makes him more of a third down/change-of-pace back, but he should be a major contributor.
They drafted the guard out of BC who may very well start for them this year.
Then they got some secondary and another O-lineman.
My guess is that Olsen, Bazuin (defensive end), Wolfe, and Beekman (BC guard) will all be major contributors/starters. They will also get good special teams play and some contribution from at least 2 of their other picks.
If that happens as I expect, then this will be a great draft for them.
Compare that to the Redskins. Only Landry will play, and I would not be surprised if none of the other guys make the active roster. If those other guys make the team, I doubt they will contribute much.
Maybe I'm the eternal optimist or maybe I'm just plain stupid, but the closer we get to the '07 season, the more I think the 'Skins will surprise all of us and have a very good season. I see Campbell being more of a liability than the D-line. I saw an interesting stat in a blog to back up my claim. During the first 4 games last season when the starters on the line were healthy, we were only giving up 79 yards rushing per game. It was the secondary that was pitiful. When healthy, the line isn't bad. With upgraded linebackers, I think the D can return to '04 and '05 form.
Campbell will gain a lot from working with the 1st team during the offseason. In an interview on SportsTalk 980, his QB coach said he's starting to see things click in Campbell's head. He's becoming quicker and he's seeing things develop a lot faster than he was last year. All of this is encouraging and leads me to believe the 'Skins will challenge for the NFC East crown. 9-7. They'll lose in the wild card round.
My prediction for the Bears is simple. They will win their division, but struggle in the process due to a weakened running game and inconsistency on defense due to Tank and Briggs being out for extended periods. Losing TJ will result in added pressure on Rexy and he will prove this year that Florida QBs have no place in the NFL. 10-6...They'll lose in the NFC divisional round.
The Patriots are clearly the team to beat. Moss is going to have a huge season if he stays healthy. Having a QB as good as Brady will provide the spark to motivate him to 15 TD receptions this year.
Interesting. It's based on a lot of assumptions, but SI.com has an '08 mock draft with the following pick by the Bears:
27. Bears: Chris Long, DE, Virginia - Howie's kid.
I'd love to see the 'Skins go after Howie's kid next year. The guy would fill a huge need. He is relentless and having a Wahoo on my team would just be gravy.
I think I have been smoking the same ganja Deepie has and believe the 'Skins are going to surprise some people as well.
It all comes to a head in December when the 'Skins demolish the Bears and I teabag RobObs in the process.
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