Washington Redskins
2010 record: 6-10
Last playoff appearance: 2007, 9-7, L 35-14 SEA
General Manager: Bruce Allen (2009-Current)
Head Coach: Mike Shanahan (2010-Current; 138-90 as a head coach)
Offensive Coordinator: Kyle Shanahan
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Haslett
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 18.9 PTS (25th); 335.9 YDS (18th); 244.6 PASS (8th); 91.3 RUSH (3oth)
DEF: 23.6 PTS (22nd); 389.2 YDS (31st); 261.7 PASS (31st); 127.6 RUSH (26th)
AJ’s Outlook: My parents taught me that if I “didn’t have anything nice to say not to say anything at all” but I promised the guys at the site that I would write a preview on the Redskins, so sorry Mom and Dad. The Redskins have been one of the most consistently disappointing teams in the NFL. The issues with the Skins start from the top. Owner Dan Snyder is not only a money-grubbing jackass (I have never read anything positive about the man) he also has a horrible football IQ. Thankfully Dan Snyder and the other suits in the Redskins’ front office have hired themselves a head coach who knows how to build a successful organization. Thankfully Shanahan will only be this job on his own terms, which means little interference from the front office. The team had traded away their biggest and most expensive “trouble spots”, dealing Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth for draft picks. This team is not going to be a playoff contender for a few seasons but at least they are making the attempt to rebuild as a franchise.
Prediction:
I don’t see much hope for this team this year. I don’t think they will have a winning record, Hell, I don’t even think they will come close! It’s a rebuilding year, one of many. I’m predicting a 6-10 year from the burgundy and gold.*
*Rex Grossman recently said in an interview that the Redskins would “win the division”. I don’t think anything Rex Grossman says should necessarily be taken seriously, but who knows? The Seahawks won a playoff game last year. It’s a topsy-turvy world we live in.
Projected Starters:
QB – John Beck/Rex Grossman
RB – Ryan Torain/Tim Hightower
WR – Santana Moss
WR – Anthony Armstrong
WR – Donte Stallworth
TE – Chris Cooley
OT – Trent Williams
OT – Jammal Brown
OG – Kory Lichtensteiger
OG – Will Montgomery
C – Chris Chester
DE – Adam Carrriker
NT – Barry Cofield
DE – Stephen Bowen
OLB – Lorenzo Alexander
ILB – London Fletcher
ILB – Rocky McIntosh
OLB – Brian Orakpo
CB – DeAngelo Hall
S – LaRon Landry
S – OJ Otogwe
CB – Josh Wilson
K – Camp battle: Shayne Graham/Graham Gano
P – Sav Rocca (If he can make it into the country . . . mamma mia!)
Fantasy Performers:
1. Santana Moss, WR
2. Ryan Torain, RB
3. John Beck, QB
4. Shayne Graham, K
5. Redskins Defense
2011 Schedule:
Week 1- Sep 11: vs Giants
Week 2- Sep 18: vs Cardinals
Week 3- Sep 26: @ Cowboys
Week 4- Oct 2: @ Rams
Week 5- Bye
Week 6- Oct 16: vs Eagles
Week 7- Oct 23: @ Panthers
Week 8- Oct 30: @ Bills
Week 9- Nov 6: vs 49ers
Week 10- Nov 13: @ Dolphins
Week 11- Nov 20: vs Cowboys
Week 12- Nov 27: @ Seahawks
Week 13- Dec 4: vs Jets
Week 14- Dec 11: vs Patriots
Week 15- Dec 18: @ Giants
Week 16- Dec 24: vs Vikings
Week 17- Jan 1: @ Eagles
Moves:
Free Agent Acquisitions:
Shayne Graham K
Josh Wilson CB
Donte Stallworth WR
Chris Chester OL
Barry Cofield NT
Stephen Bowen DE
Kellen Clemens QB
OJ Otogwe S
Free Agent Losses:
Carlos Rogers CB
Stephon Heyer OT
Casey Rabach C
Re-Signed:
Rex Grossman QB
Rocky McIntosh LB
Santana Moss WR
Trades:
Redskins traded Albert Haynesworth to the Patriots for a fifth-round draft pick in the 2013 draft.
Redskins traded Donovan McNabb to the Vikings for a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 and a sixth-round conditional pick in 2013.
2011 Draft Review:
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft:
Rd 1, Pick 16 (16) : Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue- This guy was an absolute monster in college. Kerrigan makes the tackles he needs to and forced a lot of fumbles at Purdue. Not quite good enough to start right away but has a major upside. Grade: A
Rd 2 Pick 9 (41) : Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson- Another big guy with huge upside to his game. Jenkins had 36 tackles last season with Clemson and should be a nice hole-filler in the Redskin’s D-Line . . . when his time comes that is. Grade: B+
Rd 3 Pick 15 (79) : Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami- The Redskins have had some trouble recently when picking wideouts. I have no real problem with this pick. Hankerson is a big and athletic receiver, may be a good second or third option in a few years. Grade: B
Rd 4 Pick 8 (105) : Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska- It’s usually a good choice when a team picks a RB out of Nebraska. It just feels right. Helu will be the Skins back of the future and should give Torain a run for his money in training camp. Grade: B+
Rd 5 Pick 15 (146): DeJon Gomes, DB, Nebraska- Gomes is an athlete above all else. He is versatile as a defender, something that will make his time with the Skins a much easier one. The Redskins have a lot of holes to fill defensively and this guy could help them work out some kinks. Great pick. Grade: B+
Rd 5 Pick 24 (155): Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska- The Redskins must have had someone spying over at Nebraska because picking up three straight Huskers seems a bit odd. Another big wideout with potential, Niles was an accomplished punt returner (first team All-Big 12) and a star receiver with Nebraska.
Rd 6 Pick 12 (177): Evan Royster, RB, Penn State- Royster is a local boy. He grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, playing his high school ball in Chantilly. He recorded multiple 1,000 yard seasons with Penn State and is the current rushing leader at his Alma matar. He is a little undersized, I’m not sure how his game will transfer over to the pros. Grade: C
Rd 6 Pick 13 (178): Aldrick Robinson, WR, Southern Methodist- Not much to say about this kid. He has incredible speed and agility but he’s small and played ball in Conference-USA. I’m sure Robinson will be looking to prove himself in practice but he may not stick around long. Grade: D
Rd 7 Pick 10 (213): Brandyn Thompson, CB, Boise State- This guy was a potential game-changer in college. He could turn it on at any time. This guy was dangerous, a ball hawk. In the 2009 Fiesta Bowl Thompson had seven tackles and two picks, not too shabby. The problem with Thompson is that he is inconsistent and small. I’m just not sure about him yet. We will have to see how he plays in the preseason. Grade: C
Rd 7 Pick 14 (217): Maurice Hurt, OG, Florida- Hurt is a big guy to fill in on the offensive line. The Redskins have been so shoddy at O-line that this guy may actually get some playing time. He’s a big, strong guy with as much potential as he wants to have. Grade: C
Rd 7 Pick 21 (224): Markus White, DE, Florida State- This guy is a hard-worker and a relentless athlete. If you watch any film on this guy you can tell that he gives it his all on the field. He is a big guy who hits hard. It’s hard to tell whether White will make it or not in the NFL. It’s a real toss-up. Grade: C
Rd 7 Pick 50 (253): Christopher Neild, DT, West Virginia- A nice late pickup for the Skins. Neild was ranked 21st out of all the DTs in the class but managed to slip right into Washington’s lap. He’s not the most skilled or diligent player but he has a lot of potential. Grade: C+
2010 Stat Leaders:
Donovan McNabb: 275-472 (58.3), 3,377 YDS, 7.2 YPA, 14 TD, 15 INT, 77.1 RTG
Ryan Torain: 164 ATT, 742 YDS, 4.5 YPA, 54 LNG, 4 TD
Santana Moss: 93 REC, 1115 YDS, 12 YPC, 6 TD
London Fletcher: 136 TCK
Brian Orakpo: 8.5 SCK
DeAngelo Hall: 6 INT
Off Season Storylines:
Quarterback Controversy
Trading Albert Haynesworth
Rebuilding with Shanahan