RedskinsVision
08-18-2004, 03:16 PM
http://www.midatlanticsports.net/Walters/wa007.htm
i check this site frequently for updates and this came out today but obviously he forgot to edit the Jansen ordeal.
The Only NFC East Preview You'll Need to Read
By Trevor Walters
Mid-Atlantic Sports Correspondent
2. Washington Redskins (10-6)
Some of you may be surprised that I didn't have us running away with the division, given my usual glowing praise of our team, but 10 wins is what I believe that we can realistically expect from this year's team. That said, I would not be surprised with as many as 11, or as few as eight, with the latter still being a three game improvement over 2003. Consider that when Bill Parcells returned to coaching, most of the gurus said that he was worth two games by himself. So, using that same philosophy, Joe Gibbs should be worth three victories by himself, making my conservative guess a virtual given. Working against Gibbs is that the 2004 NFC East will be much more formidable than the 2003 version, in which two of the four teams finished poorly enough to have draft picks in the top five.
The main element that holds this team back from being one of the elite teams in the league is the defensive line. Football is a game predicated on running the football, and stopping the run. With Portis we have the former covered in spades, but the latter is the issue that will haunt this team throughout the season. Gregg Williams and his inventive schemes will counter this weakness by using ultra-aggressive schemes and accentuating the strengths of the defense. What needs to happen is someone among the trio of Phillip Daniels, Renaldo Wynn, and Regan Upshaw needs to step up and perform at a level higher than we expect to see. Each would, in fact, be a solid lineman on a better line, but each is unfortunately forced to carry a load too heavy for the talent they possess.
The Redskins have outstanding depth at nearly every position, but the unquestioned nightmare of any Redskins fan is an injury to Clinton Portis. Portis is, hands down, the most important player on this team, and the most indispensable. Ladell Betts is as unproven as backs come, and his being forced into action would severely handicap our offensive potential. Portis is a back that could phone in 1250 yards, which itself would be a welcome change from the Trung Canidate guarantee of three yards and a hamstring injury. In fact, 1250 yards would be the worst of what would be Portis' three seasons, should he turn in that effort this season. With a clever mix of schemes and personnel, Portis should register somewhere in the neighborhood of 1400 yards this season.
There are two other players that the Redskins simply cannot afford to be without for any extended period of time in 2004. The first is Laveraneus Coles, who is so good, he legitimizes all the other receivers on the roster. Don't believe me? Just ask Darnerian McCants' accountant how healthy #85's bottom line is since all the attention Coles demanded last season resulted in an impressive sophomore outing for McCants. Coles is a deep threat that has to be accounted for, and he did all he did last season without the benefit of a running attack. Assuming that his nagging toe injury doesn't keep him out of action, expect Coles' numbers to increase from last season's impressive marks.
The final player that we can't be without is Jon Jansen. Jansen is now the unquestioned leader of the offensive line, and of the team. Not only does he protect probable starter Mark Brunell's blind side, but Jansen's record of durability and solid performances against the games better ends, such as Michael Strahan, point out Jansen as indispensable to say the least. Jansen does have a better backup behind him than does Portis or Coles, but his leadership is almost as valuable as his stellar play is to this team.
We are a year, maybe two, away from being real Super Bowl contenders. If the next off-season is as productive as this one was, then next season should be exciting. This article isn't about where I believe we should act this off-season, but suffice it to say that there will be players available that could make this team an instant Super Bowl contender (see: Chris Hovan, Aaron Schobel).
i check this site frequently for updates and this came out today but obviously he forgot to edit the Jansen ordeal.
The Only NFC East Preview You'll Need to Read
By Trevor Walters
Mid-Atlantic Sports Correspondent
2. Washington Redskins (10-6)
Some of you may be surprised that I didn't have us running away with the division, given my usual glowing praise of our team, but 10 wins is what I believe that we can realistically expect from this year's team. That said, I would not be surprised with as many as 11, or as few as eight, with the latter still being a three game improvement over 2003. Consider that when Bill Parcells returned to coaching, most of the gurus said that he was worth two games by himself. So, using that same philosophy, Joe Gibbs should be worth three victories by himself, making my conservative guess a virtual given. Working against Gibbs is that the 2004 NFC East will be much more formidable than the 2003 version, in which two of the four teams finished poorly enough to have draft picks in the top five.
The main element that holds this team back from being one of the elite teams in the league is the defensive line. Football is a game predicated on running the football, and stopping the run. With Portis we have the former covered in spades, but the latter is the issue that will haunt this team throughout the season. Gregg Williams and his inventive schemes will counter this weakness by using ultra-aggressive schemes and accentuating the strengths of the defense. What needs to happen is someone among the trio of Phillip Daniels, Renaldo Wynn, and Regan Upshaw needs to step up and perform at a level higher than we expect to see. Each would, in fact, be a solid lineman on a better line, but each is unfortunately forced to carry a load too heavy for the talent they possess.
The Redskins have outstanding depth at nearly every position, but the unquestioned nightmare of any Redskins fan is an injury to Clinton Portis. Portis is, hands down, the most important player on this team, and the most indispensable. Ladell Betts is as unproven as backs come, and his being forced into action would severely handicap our offensive potential. Portis is a back that could phone in 1250 yards, which itself would be a welcome change from the Trung Canidate guarantee of three yards and a hamstring injury. In fact, 1250 yards would be the worst of what would be Portis' three seasons, should he turn in that effort this season. With a clever mix of schemes and personnel, Portis should register somewhere in the neighborhood of 1400 yards this season.
There are two other players that the Redskins simply cannot afford to be without for any extended period of time in 2004. The first is Laveraneus Coles, who is so good, he legitimizes all the other receivers on the roster. Don't believe me? Just ask Darnerian McCants' accountant how healthy #85's bottom line is since all the attention Coles demanded last season resulted in an impressive sophomore outing for McCants. Coles is a deep threat that has to be accounted for, and he did all he did last season without the benefit of a running attack. Assuming that his nagging toe injury doesn't keep him out of action, expect Coles' numbers to increase from last season's impressive marks.
The final player that we can't be without is Jon Jansen. Jansen is now the unquestioned leader of the offensive line, and of the team. Not only does he protect probable starter Mark Brunell's blind side, but Jansen's record of durability and solid performances against the games better ends, such as Michael Strahan, point out Jansen as indispensable to say the least. Jansen does have a better backup behind him than does Portis or Coles, but his leadership is almost as valuable as his stellar play is to this team.
We are a year, maybe two, away from being real Super Bowl contenders. If the next off-season is as productive as this one was, then next season should be exciting. This article isn't about where I believe we should act this off-season, but suffice it to say that there will be players available that could make this team an instant Super Bowl contender (see: Chris Hovan, Aaron Schobel).