The Redskins have rebuilt this year, in a way. Mike Shanahan is the new head cheese which should serve the Redskins well. He is an excellent coach with a proven track record. Another change is the much-publicized defection of Donovan McNabb from the Eagles to the division-rival Redskins. McNabb is supposedly the man to take the Redskins back to the playoffs, but he is already having injury troubles. One must wonder how far he can take them on a gimpy leg that will probably become worst as the season wears on.
Clinton Portis gets help in the running game this year in Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. It’s pretty evident that they need it, as the Redskins were on of the worst rushing teams last year. All three of these guys are past their prime, so it’s difficult to see how much they can actually contribute. Then there’s the injury history to consider as well.
The combo of Shanahan and McNabb should serve well. As long as they can shut Albert Haynesworth up or ship him out, they should be serviceable on defense as they were last year. McNabb has a playmaker in Santana Moss that should be exciting to watch.
In the end I think the Redskins will be a vicinity with the Eagles. They will finish 9-7, unless McNabb has a couple more tricks up his sleeve.
By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network
In the next few weeks leading up to the beginning of the 2010 NFL season, I will be making predictions for every division in both conferences. I am starting off with the always tough NFC East, where every team in the division has a chance to be over .500. I am starting off with who will finish last in the division and work my way up to the division winner.
3. Washington Redskins: The Redskins aren’t playing around this season. They have a new head coach in Mike Shanahan, a new starting quarterback in Donovan McNabb, two new running backs to go with the already great Clinton Portis in Willie Parker and Larry Johnson. The Redskins were the joke of the NFL last season and they are making sure this season that it won’t happen again. The only position the Redskins didn’t make improvements in and they should have is the wide receiver position. The only somewhat reliable receiver they have is Santana Moss. Do not forget about tight end Chris Cooley, he will probably be McNabb’s main target throughout the season. McNabb made things work on the Eagles for years without big name receivers so the Redskins do not have to worry too much.
I think this team is going to be a run oriented team anyways. Shanahan is known for having the best running backs when he was with the Broncos. On top of that Shanahan coached Portis for a few years on the Broncos before he was traded to the Redskins. I expect the Redskins to spread the ball out to all three running backs because Portis and Parker are known to get injured, maybe with a lesser load they will all be fresh and thrive. Saying all of this I think the Redskins still need another season to become a playoff team. I think they will be 8-8 this season.
Click here to read the full article – By Eric Heyer of Sports Fan Blog Network
It has been a busy off-season for the Washington Redskins, which is centered on the acquisition of Donovan McNabb. Some think that McNabb will lead the Redskins to new heights, but it is difficult to think this is true because he will not have too much to work with. From a coaching perspective, Mike Shanahan is at the top. The offensive line is garbage, and the wide receiving core is past their prime.
But Redskins fans are hoping that their running backs will produce. On paper, a running back trio comprised of Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker looks good. But in reality, it is not. After some productive seasons, Willie Parker does not provide too much. And, injuries always come into question. With Larry Johnson, the risk has essentially no reward to lead to. He only averaged 3.3 yards per carry last year, and is absolutely a team distraction. Portis is a good player, but is coming off of a bad injury, and is aging a little bit, in terms of running-back standards.
The Redskins will certainly be a better team this year. At the very least, Donovan McNabb will provide a spark. But in reality, he has big names to hand off the ball to. That doesn’t mean those players will produce.
by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network
