2006 NFL Preview: The Washington Redskins
Quarterback- Mark Brunell was good enough last year to lead the Redskins back into the playoffs and a first round victory over Tampa Bay. In 2006, Brunell will start to show his age again, though Joe Gibbs’ running attack may mask some of this aging for much of the 2006 season. Brunell’s backup will be last year’s first round pick, Jason Campbell, who is benefitting greatly from not being thrown into the fray too early and by Patrick Ramsey’s exit to the New York Jets. Campbell will get more extensive playing time in the preseason and if Brunell falters or gets hurt (the latter more likely) Campbell will be a more comfortable pro quarterback. At the third quarterback spot, the Redskins will go with veteran journeyman Todd Collins who can manage the Redskins if everything falls apart.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Running back/ Full back- Clinton Portis will have a big 2006 season, as the offense continues to get more comfortable under Joe Gibbs and Portis becomes more comfortable with being the go-to guy on offense. Portis will break the 1,400 yard mark and get his share of receptions out of the backfield. The key to the Redskins rushing game are fullbacks Mike Sellers and Rock Cartwright, who are mobile enough to get out in pass routes and able to block like guards for Clinton Portis. Their continued good play will yield great benefits for Portis in 2006.
2006 NFL Grade: A-
Wide Receiver/Tight End- The Redskins now have two tight ends in Christian Fauria and Chris Cooley that make Joe Gibbs comfortable with the versatility of their offense. Cooley distinguished himself last year as one of Mark Brunell’s best options and in 2006 Cooley will continue to develop as a receiving threat with the help of Christian Fauria. At receiver, the Redskins hit the mother lode in the 2006 offseason with the acquisition of Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd to join Santana Moss, David Patten, and James Thrash in the receiving rotation. Randle El and Lloyd are outstanding receivers and Brunell should have no shortage of targets in the field in 2006. However, the problem may come in getting enough balls to this group when Portis is going to get a good deal of carries throughout the season. Stay tuned to see how this group of great receivers responds to a shortage of throws.
2006 NFL Grade: A
Offensive Line- The Redskins offensive line in 2006 is extremely experienced and talented, reminiscent of the offensive lines in the 1980s and early 1990s. Experienced players like center Casey Rabach, guard Derrick Dockery, and tackle Jon Jansen are experts at setting up the first point of contact on offense and will give Brunell and Portis the ability to make plays. Chris Samuels is one of the better guards in the NFL and Portis would do well to run behind the combination of Rock Cartwright, Casey Rabach, and Samuels on his way toward the NFL rushing title.
2006 NFL Grade: A
Defensive Line- The defensive line is a group that was able to step it up in rush defense in 2005 and in 2006 they will need to continue their efforts to help out the second and third levels of the defense. Defensive ends Renaldo Wynn and Andre Carter are solid pass rushers but they need to help out the linebackers by closing down the outside rush option for opposing running backs in 2006. By doing this, defensive tackles Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave’a will get a bunch of tackles when runners are forced up the middle. However, Carter is undersized and will be rotated in and out, so look for opposing offenses to run to whatever side Wynn is not on.
2006 NFL Grade: B-
Linebacker- To replace LaVar Arrington, who exited Washington for the New York Giants, the Redskins drafted linebacker Roger McIntosh in the early second round. Certainly, the talent level is not symmetrical between the two linebackers, but McIntosh is athletic and he will do a fine job in his rookie season of acclimating to NFL play. The other linebackers, including Marcus Washington and Warrick Holdman, are veterans who can mentor McIntosh and provide solid and heady play at the second level of the defense. Holdman particularly will have a nice season and benefit from Arrington’s exit as the team’s defensive play maker.
2006 NFL Grade: B+
Defensive Back- If the Redskins secondary can stay out of trouble (Sean Taylor) or injury (Shawn Springs), they should be a good unit in 2006. However, recent history has not been indicative of a positive result for Washington. Taylor needs to turn his flashes of brilliance into a consistent series of terrific plays in order to put his off the field problems out of the Redskins management’s mind. Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, and Kenny Wright are three solid corners and Rogers should have a good 2006 season if Springs remains healthy and returns to form.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Kicker/Punter-The Redskins have a fairly good kicker in John Hall and a young punter in Derrick Frost who needs to turn it up in 2006 in order to help out the Redskins defense. Hall is a consistent kicker and the Redskins should be good in close games or low scoring defensive battles. However, Frost really needs to prove his worth to the Redskins in 2006 by improving his accuracy and pinning teams deep. If Frost can do this, the Redskins’ special teams will be set for a few years.
2006 NFL Grade: B-
2006 NFL Projection- Washington is going to continue to improve in 2006, though teams like New York and Dalls have also improved in the offseason. Look for the Redskins to compete again for a wild card berth with Dallas and hang around the 9-7 or 10-6 mark.
