WASHINGTON REDSKINS
An Offseason of First-Class Player and Coach Upgrades
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Wednesday, September 6, 2006
In the afterglow of a five-game winning streak to close the regular season and their first playoff appearance since 1999, the Washington Redskins retooled more than any team in the NFC East. They added, among others, two high-profile wide receivers, a quality defensive end and a safety with a penchant for jarring hits. Also new is associate head coach Al Saunders, widely regarded as one of the most inventive offensive thinkers in football.
Those components have the Redskins faithful convinced that they will be watching their team play in Miami on Feb. 4.
"The expectations are high outside this building, but they are probably higher inside the building with the team and with our staff," quarterback Mark Brunell said. "With the Redskins family we expect good things, and anything short of going all the way would honestly be a disappointment."
The Redskins can think Super Bowl after upgrading at important positions. Andre Carter gives the defensive line a much-needed pass rushing specialist. Adam Archuleta joins Sean Taylor for a formidable safety tandem. Double-coverages will be less frequent for Santana Moss because he will get help from Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El.
Then there is Saunders, responsible for the Kansas City Chiefs becoming one of the most feared offenses in the league. Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs so respects Saunders's offensive acumen that he has entrusted play-calling to him.
The Redskins' most pressing issue is injuries, specifically to running back Clinton Portis, cornerback Shawn Springs and defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin.
The Redskins traded for running back T.J. Duckett as insurance in case Portis's dislocated shoulder becomes more than a minor setback. Duckett is a physical runner who could thrive in Saunders's system. Consider what Larry Johnson did last season when Chiefs starter Priest Holmes was injured.
The Redskins need Griffin back most on defense. Washington's ability to stop the run suffered considerably when Griffin was injured last season.
As for Springs, abdominal surgery may keep him out of the regular season opener. But that circumstance may give defensive guru Gregg Williams another chance to exhibit his aptitude for substitution without decline in production. The defense fared well under Williams without Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington as a regular, and stayed strong after middle linebacker Antonio Pierce departed for the New York Giants.
