John Clayton - Washington could surprise

[PA Skins Girl]

Five Teams that could surprise:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview07/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2997877

2. Washington Redskins (19th)

The Redskins' defense had too many holes last season. The pass rush was nonexistent, and points allowed jumped from 18.3 a game in 2005 to 23.5 in '06. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, hoping to stem the tide, resorted to plays that didn't work, and Joe Gibbs didn't have enough offense to counter the problem.

But expect the defense to show some life in 2007. London Fletcher brings energy and experience to the middle linebacker position, and Rocky McIntosh provides enthusiasm and range on the weak side. In fact, whenever the Redskins make a tackle, it seems as though Fletcher, McIntosh and either LeRon Landry or Sean Taylor are around the ball.

The offense seems to be maturing, with Jason Campbell appearing more comfortable as a quarterback. Gibbs doesn't have to rely exclusively on Clinton Portis as the main running back because Ladell Betts does a great job off the bench.

Another strangely positive blurb from the national media.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Clayton is usually pretty balanced in his assessments IMO.

[Fathead]

Clayton is one the few who doesn't play favorites or hates.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

Clayton is one the few who doesn't play favorites or hates.

I enjoy his work, but I think he spotlights Seatle (where he is from) too often. Seatle has been good but not great.

[Biggie]

I enjoy his work, but I think he spotlights Seatle (where he is from) too often. Seatle has been good but not great.

I'll take that over Pastabelly or Queen any day.

[Fathead]

I can see a bit of the seattle love, but it's not overdone and it's not hatred directed at other teams. I'll put up with a little bit of homerism.

[828791Redskins]

Clayton is one the few who doesn't play favorites or hates.

He's also is the only one I've seen talk about Rocky.

[PyroGenic]

it doesn't sound like he's been watching betts run lately

[smoak]

I actually prefer a bit of homerism... If you are not a fan of the NFL then go cover the Girl Scouts or something else. I would have more respect for unapologetic dallass homer than I would frauds like Pasta, Queen, and Z.

All class A jerkwads.

[skinsfan36]

good analysis clayton is probably the best analyst espn has

[akhhorus]

Football outsiders thinks we're a lock to win 10+. We'll see.

[por-tiz26]

Can't agree more with him ,we looked good in the O today and the D might of not started but are back of 2nd stringers looked good but when we put are 3rd stringers...................Was that are D from last year?

[Hr fan]

I'll take that over Pastabelly or Queen any day.

Amen!

However we face 2 of the most improved teams, TB and Miami. If Clayton is correct we are lucky to get Miami before their O gels.

[whistleandthumb]

Its always nice to get good press, but I always prefer to be under the radar. I want to come out of nowhere... I don't want anyone to see us coming.

[BurgundyNGold]

Its always nice to get good press, but I always prefer to be under the radar. I want to come out of nowhere... I don't want anyone to see us coming.
I agree. But, on the other side of the equation, all but maybe 4 or 6 teams have been picked to be somebody's "dark horse". We're certainly not the favorite, so, that's a lot better than last year. ;)

[The Skinsinator]

Close followers of nfl know what the Redskins have and can do. It's quite simple. Washington's starting units are very strong. Significant injuries to our lines could prove devastating exposing our reluctance to draft consistently. Clayton is smart enough to see/write about it. The others (Pasty, Salsibury, etc.) are too stupid/despise us or don't have the *CENSORED* to proclaim it.

[por-tiz26]

Close followers of nfl know what the Redskins have and can do. It's quite simple. Washington's starting units are very strong. Significant injuries to our lines could prove devastating exposing our reluctance to draft consistently. Clayton is smart enough to see/write about it. The others (Pasty, Salsibury, etc.) are too stupid/despise us or don't have the *CENSORED* to proclaim it.

Thats why clayton is a hall of famer hes smart.I mean every one thinks the pats are going 14-1 but they added to much people who complain and are selfish.Eagles HA why are they going to the superbowl again? they well end up going 7-9 and make excuses than go 8-8 and say SUPERBOWL HERE WE COME like every year.But skins won't be bad at all i actully seeing us have a easy win against Miami.IMO when portis comes back he'll have maybe even 120 yards
(Just an Opinion)

[skinfanjon]

Amen!

However we face 2 of the most improved teams, TB and Miami. If Clayton is correct we are lucky to get Miami before their O gels.

Are there some other teams in Tampa and Miami besides the Dolphins and Bucs? Because neither of those teams is winning 8 games this year, and even that is a big stretch IMO. Bucs 6-10, Phins 5-11.

I have always respected Clayton's work. He's the sane voice among a gaggle of babbling idiots. He is usually correct too....but I will still temper my excitement.

[por-tiz26]

Are there some other teams in Tampa and Miami besides the Dolphins and Bucs? Because neither of those teams is winning 8 games this year, and even that is a big stretch IMO. Bucs 6-10, Phins 5-11.

I have always respected Clayton's work. He's the sane voice among a gaggle of babbling idiots. He is usually correct too....but I will still emper my excitement.

Right now the right move would be infact to trade Brunell to have much more cap space.And well have enough to re-sign Cooley and Taylor.But Miami won't be good at all and Bucs always beat us by BS anyway/

[Hr fan]

Football outsiders thinks we're a lock to win 10+. We'll see.

Going into 2006 we had the same buzz, based on the assessment that we could go as far as the D would take us. If the D is really back, and IMO is not only back but improved, we are now getting the buzz again. If a team can run the ball and stop the run the foundation for success is there.

[redwolf1218]

Are there some other teams in Tampa and Miami besides the Dolphins and Bucs? Because neither of those teams is winning 8 games this year, and even that is a big stretch IMO. Bucs 6-10, Phins 5-11.

I have always respected Clayton's work. He's the sane voice among a gaggle of babbling idiots. He is usually correct too....but I will still emper my excitement.

same here, i respect Clayton's opinions and wisdom, even though he looks like a turtle to me for some reason.

[skinfanjon]

same here, i respect Clayton's opinions and wisdom, even though he looks like a turtle to me for some reason.

LOL. He's definately a bit squirrely, but he knows his stuff. More than I can say for Salisbury. I hate those phony arguments ESPN makes them get into anyway, but despite all of Sean's put downs, Clayton is usualy correct.

[redwolf1218]

LOL. He's definately a bit squirrely, but he knows his stuff. More than I can say for Salisbury. I hate those phony arguments ESPN makes them get into anyway, but despite all of Sean's put downs, Clayton is usualy correct.

i hate those phony debates too. they are trying to be like Wilbon and Korheiser, who are the masters at it IMO.

[MONK_in_HOF]

I think Clayton is one of the best football analysts in the media today. I think he is fair and unbiased and it seems he really puts a lot of work into it. Sure he may focus on Seattle a bit more than other teams, but I think that is to be expected of any reporter/analyst and their local team.

[jaylen]

You'd have to be a fool just by looking at our d this preseason not to see how much better we are. 4 legit NFL corners, great safeties, lb depth with explosivness, d line that seems to run stuff.

Clayton is on the money.

[smittyskin]

It must be nearing September...the optimism is flowing in Redskins Nation.

[HanburgerBum]

Are there some other teams in Tampa and Miami besides the Dolphins and Bucs? Because neither of those teams is winning 8 games this year, and even that is a big stretch IMO. Bucs 6-10, Phins 5-11.

I have always respected Clayton's work. He's the sane voice among a gaggle of babbling idiots. He is usually correct too....but I will still temper my excitement.


I tend to agree with you over Clayton on these two teams (Bucs and Phins). I don't see them combining for double-digit win total. I don't think either of these two has bottomed out yet.

[por-tiz26]

I see us going 11-5 I mean look only team that can beat us is the Eagles at there house on MNF.Only team i mean look who we really play,we can beat the eagles at there house but could be a struggle depending if we have Portis.



But look

Miami?:Has no one noda that was a waste of a WR pick also a dumb move and Green is washed up.

Lions :LOLOLOLOLOL The series is 20-2? at are house so thats a win.

Eagles at are house!!!!!!!!:No chance in hell .


Cowboys?:They making them seem great when we obviously can shut down any WR they got at this point and with Romo easy to read not a problem.Not only that but with JC arm now we can have Moss and othet good WR we got to also get them in the game.

Cowboys at are house:Nope


Pacs:Cheated us out last time we met but this time they haven''t upgraded nothing and instead downgraded which leads us the better team.

Cards?:We could win a lil but we awalsy beat them to and its at are house.


Pats:Don't worry fellas we beating this team 7 stright i belive even in 2003.Not to mention we always shut out Randy Moss and with Landry and A
springs we can shut down stallworth.IMO i think well end up smashing them.

Giants?:There some injury right now and would be smashed by us Hands down Moss-Portis-Cooley are pure Killers for that team and with are upgraded D is just inevitable.

G(ay) man at are house:Well smash them if we beatin them at there house.

And so on i mean look Jets? always beat them

Vikings:lol Jackson is already injured and well smash this team like we use to.


http://www.redskins.com/team/schedule.jsp;jsessionid=ONFHJBGBOKNF

Just look at that schedule its not all hard at all besides Bears but they won't have an O and Portis (If hes healthy still) AVG 120 yards and more against that team.