The 2006 Season Post-mortem thread

Mursilis · Post by **Mursilis** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:26 am

It's officially over now. 5-11, the same record Spurrier 'achieved' before he hightailed it outta here. I just can't believe it. At the beginning of this season if someone had suggested we wouldn't even make the playoffs, let alone finish 5-11, that person would've been laughed off the board. Yet here we are. So what went wrong? Discuss.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:31 am

I'm not making my comment as a Mod or Staff member but as a fan.

Lets have some good discussion. Lets not come in here and whine and complain. Lets discuss some things. We have some good things to look forward to next year.

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS.

USS Redskin · Post by **USS Redskin** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:32 am

The most dissappointing season ever, in my opinion. JC is the only bright spot.
One of the worst aspects, 1-5 in the division! That is a freaking joke!
Injuries took a toll but I guess that is what you get when high priced Free agents take all the cash - there is none leftover for quality back ups.
What a disgrace this year has been!

DaSkins24 · Post by **DaSkins24** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:35 am

Gregg Williams deserves most of the blame. He thinks his system, not the players stops offenses. They couldn't pressure the QB, tackle, catch easy INT's, or adjust the game plan to what offenses were doing. He needed to be fired about 10 weeks ago.

Gibbs sticking with Mark Throw it away Brunell for so long didn't help matters either. At least Campbell got extremely valuable experience the last half of the season. He is definitely a keeper.

DaSkins24 · Post by **DaSkins24** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:35 am

Gregg Williams deserves most of the blame. He thinks his system, not the players stops offenses. They couldn't pressure the QB, tackle, catch easy INT's, or adjust the game plan to what offenses were doing. He needed to be fired about 10 weeks ago.

Gibbs sticking with Mark Throw it away Brunell for so long didn't help matters either. At least Campbell got extremely valuable experience the last half of the season. He is definitely a keeper.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:36 am

Man is that an interesting question - lets just say that on the first play of the year we lost a player for the season. That was a little similar to making a loud noise around a hanging snow bank in the Alps - things were never quite the same!

We are not as bad as we looked and certainly not anywhere near as good as we hoped.

We are not in the bottom 10 of all the teams (except in the record books) but then again I could not say we are in the top 20 either. I was a lot more optimistic after the first few games as I thought there was a lot more fight in this group but we are in for a lot of soul searching and thankfully we have Gibbs at the helm.

This is going to be tough but when the going gets tough the tough get going.

Mursilis · Post by **Mursilis** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:40 am

DaSkins24 wrote:Gregg Williams deserves most of the blame. He thinks his system, not the players stops offenses. They couldn't pressure the QB, tackle, catch easy INT's, or adjust the game plan to what offenses were doing. He needed to be fired about 10 weeks ago.

The whole debacle with the defense isn't just on Williams (although he deserves the majority of the blame) - our personnel decision-making was again poor, as exemplified by the Adam A. affair. And of course we're looking at 1(!) first-day pick on draft weekend, and T.J. Duckett probably won't even wave goodbye when he heads out of town.

Gibbs sticking with Mark Throw it away Brunell for so long didn't help matters either. At least Campbell got extremely valuable experience the last half of the season. He is definitely a keeper.

Yeah, that's one bright spot. Too bad we threw away the first 9 games on Brunell. It was 2004 all over again, only worse.

fan4life28 · Post by **fan4life28** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:48 am

well,
we had one of the worst defenses in franchise and nfl history, specifically takeaways. offense developed pretty well into the later part of the season. and our defense was inept.

for the offseason,
don't change anything on offense, DRAFT a good middle linebacker and some cover db's.

Mursilis · Post by **Mursilis** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:54 am

SkinsJock wrote:I was a lot more optimistic after the first few games as I thought there was a lot more fight in this group but we are in for a lot of soul searching and thankfully we have Gibbs at the helm.

We have Gibbs at the helm - so what? Frankly, I'm so sick of hearing that. Yes, he's in the Hall of Fame, yes, he's the only coach who ever won the Super Bowl for this team, and yes, he got us to the playoffs last year. I had, and still have, tremendous respect for the man. Heck, I doubt I'd replace him even if it were my call. But all that being said, the past is the past, and what we've seen since he came back has been VERY hit or miss, and inconsistent as all heck. We go from 6-10 to 10-6 back to 5-11. Gibbs picks the wrong QB twice, and swaps away draft picks like Halloween treats. We spend a ton on players but lack depth. We beat good teams and then lose to bad ones. It was a mess when Gibbs came to town and it's still a mess now. We're back to 5-11, with one of the oldest rosters in the league and few draft picks. I just don't know how it's going to go next year. Gibbs could learn from this year and have us right back in the mix next year - he's a very, very smart man, and there's clearly talent on this team. Or we could have yet another disappointing year. I just don't know and I'm not going to pretend to know, so spare me "Gibbs can't lose" homer talk. We're right back where we started. End of rant.

RedskinsFreak · Post by **RedskinsFreak** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:05 am

I'm going to hold off on making a more complete post on this for a day or so, to give me time to cool down.

SkinsJock wrote:We are not as bad as we looked and certainly not anywhere near as good as we hoped.

We are not in the bottom 10 of all the teams (except in the record books)

I will comment on this, though.

"(except in the record books)"??? Folks, that's the only thing that matters.

The rest is shoulda, coulda and woulda.

You are what your record says you are.

I like where I think they can go with Campbell. Give him a full camp (and a REAL camp this time) as #1 and then things should really improve.

I think ARE can be a better WR than any of us thought. He might have to be the full-time #2 WR next season by default. This offseason must be devoted to the defense -- with that first-round pick and PRUDENT use of the FA market.

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:08 am

The one thing I would like the Redskins to do this off-season is not bring in a bunch of FA's. Make the adjustments that can be made and draft smart. Maybe a good corner back or defensive lineman but keep the current team mostly in tact.

Yes, I have read all of the Anti-Archuleta, Carter, Taylor and Rogers posts but I stand by my statement. Bringing in a whole new bunch of FA's is not going to improve the defense as much as letting these players spend an off-season getting blasted by the fans for their poor performance and giving them time to learn to work together as a unit. With luck, they will have something to prove next year. I am not condoning Williams approach that it is the system either. It obviously isn't. The defense was bad, bad this year but another pack of new faces is not going to make it better.

RedskinsFreak · Post by **RedskinsFreak** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:10 am

The mess they've made is one that needs more than one year to clean up. But this franchise doesn't have that type of patience -- or do they?

DaSkins24 · Post by **DaSkins24** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:14 am

Unfortunately for the fans, I think we all know in the back of our minds that the FO will blow countless millions on more overrated free agents. This may sound odd, but I think Gibbs needs a GM. He needs to have to report to someone. He clearly cannot handle "buying AND cooking the groceries" as Parcells would say. We need another dominant personality in the FO, one who has a solid football mind and some common sense.

old-timer · Post by **old-timer** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:16 am

Guys, we gave up over 227 yards to Tiki Barber today. Something is very, very wrong with this defense. And don't give me this injury thing - no decent team should be so thin that a couple of key injuries can ruin the season.

Our offense seems to have come around but the defense is totally broken. I've never seen such a poor defense wearing Redskin uniforms. And I don't seem much hope for next season. We can't even fix what's wrong with two good new corners. We'd still have major problems at linebacker and defensive line.

Don't kid yourselves. This team is very, very bad defensively and every bit worthy of it's record. Can you imagine giving up a 98-yard touchdown drive when the defense absolutely, positively knows it needs a stop? It's mind-boggling.

Gregg Williams needs to be held accountable for this disaster. He needs to go. And we need to spend every ounce of team resources acquiring quality players for the defense.

1fan4ramsey · Post by **1fan4ramsey** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:16 am

Too many coaches, end of discussion. If you'd like me to go into why too many coaches hurts a team rather than helps, I will tomorrow...it's getting too late.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:24 am

This is a mess on defense. I suspect we will have a new defense coordinator next season.

die cowboys die · Post by **die cowboys die** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:35 am

Mursilis wrote:
SkinsJock wrote:I was a lot more optimistic after the first few games as I thought there was a lot more fight in this group but we are in for a lot of soul searching and thankfully we have Gibbs at the helm.

We have Gibbs at the helm - so what? Frankly, I'm so sick of hearing that. Yes, he's in the Hall of Fame, yes, he's the only coach who ever won the Super Bowl for this team, and yes, he got us to the playoffs last year. I had, and still have, tremendous respect for the man. Heck, I doubt I'd replace him even if it were my call. But all that being said, the past is the past, and what we've seen since he came back has been VERY hit or miss, and inconsistent as all heck. We go from 6-10 to 10-6 back to 5-11. Gibbs picks the wrong QB twice, and swaps away draft picks like Halloween treats. We spend a ton on players but lack depth. We beat good teams and then lose to bad ones. It was a mess when Gibbs came to town and it's still a mess now. We're back to 5-11, with one of the oldest rosters in the league and few draft picks. I just don't know how it's going to go next year. Gibbs could learn from this year and have us right back in the mix next year - he's a very, very smart man, and there's clearly talent on this team. Or we could have yet another disappointing year. I just don't know and I'm not going to pretend to know, so spare me "Gibbs can't lose" homer talk. We're right back where we started. End of rant.

dude, anyone who continues with the "gibbs will save us" rhetoric has their head so far up their "butt" it's come out the top and in the right spot again. gibbs is a disaster as a GM and a pathetic coward of a coach. he singlehandedly sabotaged ANY possible chance we had this season by refusing to yank the hopelessly incompetent brunell, when every remotely intelligent person on earth could see that he was finished.

granted, we didn't have much chance of a playoff run what with having The Worst Defense of All Time, but campbell has gotten better and better each week. maybe we'd've had a chance if he'd played all year.

it would be good to keep gibbs around for the illusion of "stability" i guess, but only if he promises to basically be a figurehead and do absolutely nothing.

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:35 am

RedskinsFreak wrote:The mess they've made is one that needs more than one year to clean up. But this franchise doesn't have that type of patience -- or do they?

I don't agree with you. IMO - the loss of 3 players have caused the problems that now exist; Pierce, Clark and Smoot. We need a legitimate Middle Linebacker like Pierce, MacIntosh looked pretty good tonight and should replace Holdman next year.

The defense needs a General, there isn't one right now. There are leaders but no General; someone to take the place of Pierce or Clark.

ATV · Post by **ATV** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 1:40 am

1) Expectations were too high. That's a killer.

2) Adam Archuleta and Brandon Lloyd weren't as good as we hoped, and were as poor as many of us originally feared (thanks Vinny).

3) Gibbs stuck with Brunnell too long and as the season wore on the team began to give up (a little) on him. By the time the switch was made it was too late for any realistic impact.

Those are the biggest things, IMO. I still think this team could really benefit from a monster Defensive Guard (or two), but I'm digressing.

Pudgeman37 · Post by **Pudgeman37** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:13 am

Hello everyone,

Since the the season is over, the real season begins. Let me say its has been a dissappointing season. This year, offense improved, but the defense sank like the Titanic. Here's what to do in offense: dump Brunell, Lloyd and get a tall receiver either by draft or FA.

Defense might be tricky. I would sign Terdell Sands for run defense. I would like to say Justin Smith as an all-purpose DE but no such luck with our cap situation. LB, it is hard to find a MLB but the two I get is Adelius Thomas from Baltimore and London Fletcher-Baker from the Bills. Thomas could be impossible, but if Fletcher signs a 2-yr deal, that would be good. Secondary, good luck solving that puzzle. Here's what the Skins should be thinking: In your mind, ignore Springs because he's injured and he's getting up on age. Your starters are Rogers and Wright. You need one good DB, but who? Nate Clemons would be the perfect choice, but cap situation hits us. Asante Samuel maybe but I'm not sold yet. Your best bet is a speedy CB who can play a role or get someone again in the draft. This leads to this: The Redskins will have a top 10 pick, trade it, get two or three picks if your lucky. Also use assets like Lloyd and someone for draft value. I would use it for safeties because there is good talent from Reggie Nelson, Leron Landry, Eric Weddle and Lenoard Peters from Hawai'i (suppose to be a freakier version of Troy Polamalu) That's it for me. Let's hope to reduce the coaching staff and have a smart offseason.

elprez19 · Post by **elprez19** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:52 am

draft Gaines Adams, pick up Lance Briggs frome Chicago and Nate Clemons then move Shawn Springs to safey. Defense is fixed....im drunk

die cowboys die · Post by **die cowboys die** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 3:27 am

why does everyone keep talking about moving springs to safety? he was a great CB when he was actually healthy and playing. i think we're expecting pierson prioleau to come back and play safety again next year.

i'm no expert here but it would seem if springs were to move to safety, wouldn't you want him to be a free safety, not a strong safety? it seems like you'd want your former CB to be your coverage safety. then move sean taylor to strong safety.

Gibbs4Life · Post by **Gibbs4Life** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:18 am

Ok biggest problem DEFENSE and it's not the scheme its players
We need new Big Strong lineman linebackers and secondary so
that's telling. I am jealous of our division rivals' defensive players I mean dallas is stacked with FREAKS of Nature, Philly has Dawkins and Jeremiah "I only play like this in Philly" Trotter oh and Kearse, and Giants have the best DE tandem in football. What do we get? We'll did anyone else notice how many times the giants went left on us, Andre Carter god bless his heart is not a run stuffer, we'd have been better with Renaldo out there! I like Carter as a pass rusher but even then he's not consistent. And then there is our DT's let's not even go there. And so our defense basically has 1. Sean Taylor & 2. an ever aging Marcus. and thats it. Carlos is worrying me after tonights game. Kenny Wright kiss it goodbye if we start him next year. Ade Jimoh I never thought I'd see the day he would open his mouth let alone get flagged for TAUNTING!! Haven't we been begging to cut Jimoh for like 5 years? D PAT bust. Ladell what is his deal with the fumbles? Give me CLINTON or Give me Death!!!!

Hey if losing this season was what it took to get rid of boonell so be it
Jason Campbell has looked real good HOWEVER let's not crown him because that last series tonight He Choked. There is no other way of putting it. The 1st down throw was in the dirt to betts, the next was way over thrown and then a throwaway then the 4th down throw which would have been completed but was tipped, so he was not as sharp as he could be...I think if he obsesses over the offense in the offseason we'll be in good shape.

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 10:30 am

I hope everyone who was quick to jump on the "Betts should start next year" bandwagon realizes that Betts solidified Portis as our #1. How you say? It's simple. He fumbled twice in two games that have cost us in the final score. Also, Betts just isn't that fast. He cannot break the big one like Portis can. I think Betts knew his position when he signed his contract. As in he knew that he was just a #2. Nothing more. Having Portis at the starting position, Betts will prolong his career because no one will expect him to put up the monster numbers.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:44 pm

There were a lot of problems with the 2006 Redskins... but like always the team has a chance to build on a core of very good players.

The only problem is, the team has NEVER capitalized on building around their stars, and they most always prefer to sign overpriced free agents any time they percieve an upgrade is available. (Archuleta > Clark?, Marshall > Pierce?, Rogers > Smoot?)

Many people outside of Redskins fandom predicted a very rocky season for Washington. Saunders is a genius... but his schemes take a couple years before they take hold. Gregg Williams is an excellent defensive mind but he didn't have the right guys to make his system work.

I don't buy into this Gibbs is too old junk, I think he's a great football coach, and an excellent PR man, which is what a lot of his job has become. I pray that he can win in the next couple years... not just for my sake, or the Redskins, but because tarnishing his legacy would be tragic.

Anyway, here's my take on the team's outlook for the future:

QUARTERBACK-

Jason Campbell looks great. For a rookie to come in and throw 10 TD's to 6 INT's with a solid CMP% is a sign for the future. I hate to see this happen to Mark B... but I think his career may be over. I remember at the time of his signing there was a lot of talk that his contract was structured as such that he could be released after 3 years with little to no cap implications. If that's true, he's gone... though I wouldn't mind a bit if he was brought back at a cheaper price to be JC's backup.

RUNNING BACK-

In this day and age in the NFL one running back is practically a thing of the past. IMO the Redskins have an excellent combo of Portis and Betts that may even line up in the same backfield quite often. Both are excellent players and could open up the ground attack.

RECEIVERS-

Moss and Cool

ey are great... Antwaan Randle El looks like a valuable triple threat guy...

Brandon Lloyd is awful, and is a clubhouse problem. (He's also been known to freelance his routes.) IMO the Redskins need a legitimate #2 reciever. If they had a bigger guy to go across the middle and open up the rest of the field for Randle El and Moss while complimenting Cool

ey, we would have a hell of a recieving corps on our hands.

Lloyd is just not physical enough to handle this.

OFFENSIVE LINE-

The Dirtbags (seriously?) allowed only 19 sacks, good for 4th least in the league. In addition the Redskins rushed for the 4th best total in the league.

This is a good unit, and all efforts should be made to keep them together.

DEFENSIVE LINE-

Despite the early season struggles... Andre Carter was probably our defensive MVP. He led the team in sacks and tackles for loss by a wide margin. IMO he will be much better next year now that his position switch seems to be complete.

The rest of the line is not looking so great. Salave'a is getting older and less effective, Griffin did not play well this season and may be let go, and Daniels is getting older... though he was pretty effective in 2006.

I like Demetric Evans a lot, but he may not be able to carry Daniels' load next season as a starter.

IMO defensive line is the biggest problem with the Redskins.

LINEBACKERS-

Marcus Washington is the leader on defense, and he plays at a Pro-Bowl level most years. Lemar Marshall is still undersized and is solid if unspectacular as a middle linebacker. Lastly Rocky McIntosh is a question mark for next season thanks to the coaches' stubborn refusal to allow him playing time.

IMO Washington is the only sure thing in this corps of linebackers. This could use some work, preferably a middle linebacker. (Pierce, where are you when we need you? Or, playing for a playoff team making 137 tackles including 107 solo tackles with a forced fumble, a sack and an interception... why can't we get playmakers like him? Oh yeah.)

DEFENSIVE BACKS-

Obviously Sean Taylor has much room for improvement, but he was very good in 2006. 114 total tackles is nothing to sneeze at, and he also forced three fumbles and picked off a pass. He's a keeper.

Adam Archuletta is not. 2006 was the worst season of his career.

I think he obviously still has the skills to play at a high level but the Redskins decided to use him as a cover safety instead of in run support... something like buying a Jaguar to run in the demolition derby.

So now, not only is Arch useless to the Redskins... but he won't fetch a good price on the trade market. We'll probably have to release him and eat salary.

Shawn Springs may be my favorite Redskin, but his health has deteriorated. He's been injured every season we've had him and it may just be time to go... What could have been though. In 2004, his first year in DC Springs had 3 sacks, 3 INT's and a forced fumble... in 8 games.

I still like Rogers a lot too. He's a good tackler IMO, but his hands need work. Still, as a number two cornerback (don't forget, he was forced to play #1 with Springs sidelined.) he is excellent. IMO he will develop into a fine CB.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Redskins have no real kick returner to speak of. Now obviously everyone can't have a Dante Hall or a Devin Hester but we have Rock Cartwright. There is something wrong with this. We need a legitimate kick returner.

As far as punt returns go... ARE looks decent but never got into a real groove this season. We should stick with him IMO.

Shaun Suisham was great this season, and he came out of nowhere. He had an 88.9 FG% with us and the ONLY kick he missed was a 50+ yarder. Phenominal. I'd like to see him stick around.

Washington punters were tied for 19th in the league in average punt (42.9) and were just unimpressive overall. Frost has more potential than this, but I would have liked to see Sauerbrun in for a tryout, I can't believe he's being blacklisted.

Anyway, the Skins have a lot of depth on defense and excellent role players, but they lack the starters to really do much damage.

On offense they have all the makings of an excellent running game, and a solid young Quarterback (especially with a line that will keep him off the turf) the only thing we need on offense, IMO is a physical WR to compliment Moss and Cool

ey.

If the team plays its cards right we could be going deep into the playoffs.