Dallas and other's in the NFC East

[wooly34]

I see the Redskins as the last place team in the NFC East. There is no way that the roster of the Redskins is even close to the others. The coaching staff is subpar at best, the front office is subpar period. There is no way that the Redskins finish any better than 5-11 thought at first 6-10. But I just watched Dallas run and pass all over the Titans, again, I realize it's preseason, but the skins can't stop either team. Can we say Shannahan, but then again, Snyder/Cerrato is the problem not the coaching staff. Been a fan for thirty years

[LORD GIBBS]

I see the Redskins as the last place team in the NFC East. There is no way that the roster of the Redskins is even close to the others. The coaching staff is subpar at best, the front office is subpar period. There is no way that the Redskins finish any better than 5-11 thought at first 6-10. But I just watched Dallas run and pass all over the Titans, again, I realize it's preseason, but the skins can't stop either team. Can we say Shannahan, but then again, Snyder/Cerrato is the problem not the coaching staff. Been a fan for thirty years

Bitch cry wine cry bitch wine cry Get the picture Good lord we have played 1 pre season game and we in last place

[Deadskins]

Been a fan for thirty years

Of the Cowpies?

[wooly34]

I see the Redskins as the last place team in the NFC East. There is no way that the roster of the Redskins is even close to the others. The coaching staff is subpar at best, the front office is subpar period. There is no way that the Redskins finish any better than 5-11 thought at first 6-10. But I just watched Dallas run and pass all over the Titans, again, I realize it's preseason, but the skins can't stop either team. Can we say Shannahan, but then again, Snyder/Cerrato is the problem not the coaching staff. Been a fan for thirty years

Bitch cry wine cry bitch wine cry Get the picture Good lord we have played 1 pre season game and we in last place

Bitch and cry I am passed that I realize that on this site it's all about redskins love. I am tired of the ridiculous notion that you have when you say I am bitchin let alone whinning. You might want to relaize how football is played and managed before you make accusations. If you want to have a verbal war let's go ( i do believe your screen name is lord gibbs he's gone live in the present)

[NC43Hog]

Play nice or take it to Smack.

Little early to throw in the towel don't you think. We were 8-8 last year and we should be better this year barring injuries. I've been watching them for 40 years and hope still springs eternal.

[aswas71788]

I see the Redskins as the last place team in the NFC East. There is no way that the roster of the Redskins is even close to the others. The coaching staff is subpar at best, the front office is subpar period. There is no way that the Redskins finish any better than 5-11 thought at first 6-10. But I just watched Dallas run and pass all over the Titans, again, I realize it's preseason, but the skins can't stop either team. Can we say Shannahan, but then again, Snyder/Cerrato is the problem not the coaching staff. Been a fan for thirty years

I watched part of the game while having dinner. I would not put to much stock in Dallas as they had their 1st team in until the half while the Titans took theirs out after the first quarter. While I am not sure, it seemed that they put the 1st team back in to get the touchdown just before the end of the half. Not sure though but that is what a guy in the restaurant said.

Dallas is the darling of the media. They have not lived up to the media hype for the last five years and I don't expect them to this year. As for the Giants, Plexico is gone. That makes a huge difference in that team and the Eagles will wind up with quarterback problems, mark my word. The first interception that McNabb throws will bring out the Vick banners.

Don't write off the Redskins based on one pre-season game and the ravings of the media. I don't see that the other 3 teams are power packed and have no problems. Just because the media says they are great, doesn't make it so.

Zorn didn't put much effort into the Ravens game while the Ravens played it like a season game. Zorn's mistake? Maybe because the players put as much importance to the game as Zorn did, which was not a lot.

[sch1977]

I see the Redskins as the last place team in the NFC East. There is no way that the roster of the Redskins is even close to the others. The coaching staff is subpar at best, the front office is subpar period. There is no way that the Redskins finish any better than 5-11 thought at first 6-10. But I just watched Dallas run and pass all over the Titans, again, I realize it's preseason, but the skins can't stop either team. Can we say Shannahan, but then again, Snyder/Cerrato is the problem not the coaching staff. Been a fan for thirty years

As a fan of thirty years you should know not to judge a season based on one preseason game. Why do you think we will finish worse than last year after adding players at positions we needed?

[Redskin in Canada]

I see the Redskins as the last place team in the NFC East. There is no way that the roster of the Redskins is even close to the others. The coaching staff is subpar at best, the front office is subpar period. There is no way that the Redskins finish any better than 5-11 thought at first 6-10. But I just watched Dallas run and pass all over the Titans, again, I realize it's preseason, but the skins can't stop either team. Can we say Shannahan, but then again, Snyder/Cerrato is the problem not the coaching staff. Been a fan for thirty years

I have been a fan for a longer period. I became a fan as a kid with Lombardi before George Allen.

I understand your frustration. In fact, I understand the frustration among an increasing group of fans. I share your frustration and disappointment but a bit of perspective is necessary.

Coaching staff

The first point I do not share with you is that our coaching staff is subpar. I feel that there is a good number of very good and experienced coaches in our roster. It is true that Zorn became a head coach almost an accident of the circumstance. But the guy may turn up to become a very good choice. The rest of the staff is very good. That Defense is better than those of many other teams.

Roster

Which leads me to discuss the roster. I do not know what you see in the roster of other teams but our defense is solid. It is ONE unit in the team that kept us in competition the first part of the season last year. Surely, the defense needed help at DL and we might have missed a really good LB but for the most part it did a very good job.

The offense weak but there are a few players in that offense whom I would not trade for any others in the NFL. They are fantastic and a joy t watch. Clinton Portis alone is probably one of the top two RBs that plays with the greatest amount of heart and skill among most RBs in Skins history. And I go OVER 30 years as a fan.


The problem

The problem, as I see it, is NOT that our coaching staff is weak or our roster does not have SOME great players. The problem is that there are sufficient deficiencies in this team at key positions which results in a MEDIOCRE record season after season. These deficiencies are not probably too many but enough to stop them from reaching the top two spots in the NFC East and probably miss the playoffs again.

I am more optimistic than you about our potential record this season. I have predicted yet another MEDIOCRE season at 8-8 with a plus/minus game either way. This result would not be a disaster. It would be simply another mediocre season.

Front Office

There is another point in which we disagree. You claim that the Front Office is "subpar". It is not subpar. The Front Office of this Team is an embarrassment to the fans and the NFL as a whole. It is the one part of the Team directly responsibly for delivering mediocre results. It is embarrassing in its MEDIOCRITY.

Read my signature.

[PulpExposure]

RiC,

You say the coaching staff is good, and the roster is very solid on defense, and there are some players you love on offense. Then you go ahead and say the front office is an embarrassment.

How do you reconcile all of that? Wasn't the FO responsible for getting those players and coaches?

And while I agree the offensive line needs help, the FO fully addressed the weaknesses on defensive line last year (Haynesworth, Orakpo, Jarmon). Seriously, that's progress. I have no doubts they would have addressed OL if there was talent there...but when they picked Orakpo, they could have gotten only Michael Oher, who wasn't as good a prospect as Orakpo. And there were no good offensive linemen available in free agency. So, the FO did the smart thing, and addressed the defensive line as the better talent was there.

Next year, it is the offensive line's turn. No way that they draft another QB (if Campbell doesn't cut it here, they'll just go after a veteran QB instead, I have a feeling).

[LORD GIBBS]

I see the Redskins as the last place team in the NFC East. There is no way that the roster of the Redskins is even close to the others. The coaching staff is subpar at best, the front office is subpar period. There is no way that the Redskins finish any better than 5-11 thought at first 6-10. But I just watched Dallas run and pass all over the Titans, again, I realize it's preseason, but the skins can't stop either team. Can we say Shannahan, but then again, Snyder/Cerrato is the problem not the coaching staff. Been a fan for thirty years

Bitch cry wine cry bitch wine cry Get the picture Good lord we have played 1 pre season game and we in last place

Bitch and cry I am passed that I realize that on this site it's all about redskins love. I am tired of the ridiculous notion that you have when you say I am bitchin let alone whinning. You might want to relaize how football is played and managed before you make accusations. If you want to have a verbal war let's go ( i do believe your screen name is lord gibbs he's gone live in the present)



He will always be lord gibbs to me. And BTW we will go 10-6

[SkinsJock]

Pulp - I would like to give you my opinion on the team's management

I agree that we have made progress & in recent years we seem to be finding our way back but the guys in charge continue to try & bring in people that they think will help - most other teams do better at bringing in players that their talent evaluators know will not only contribute but also make the players around them better, these guys just don't know enough about the game

Basically, we don't have a big chance at success here because while we continue to try and make our team better each year, and we do teams with better management do not just try and make their teams better, they look at making their teams better than the other teams they are competing with. We cannot get to that level by doing it this way.
I really think we are an improved team this year and we did as well as we could but we are still not going to be as good as we should be because of the way this team is managed - I agree with RiC in that we are most likely 8-8 or 9-7

we will look at other things next year but we just do not seem to do enough and recently I have come to the conclusion that we just are not managed very well

I heard a comment last night about how formidable the pass rush of the Miami Dolphins was looking because they have Taylor and Joey Porter - now why did the Redskins add Taylor if he did not suit what the team wanted him to do - we should find new talent evaluators and get a FO that knows what it is doing. Let's take it one step further - my question is simply, who is running this team? Taylor was added to the team and then it seemed the coaches did not use him properly - if you add a player and then the coaches do not use him properly, the GM (if we had one) would be all over the coaches

I think we need both a GM and a FO because we don't have either and we would have a better chance at success with people who know what they are doing

[Deadskins]

recently I have come to the conclusion that we just are not managed very well

Recently?

[SkinsJock]

recently I have come to the conclusion that we just are not managed very well

Recently?

no worries - it may seem like I have been after these guys for a while but I was actually considered a 'blind' supporter until the begining of the 2007 season - I started looking at how the team was being 'managed' and felt that we needed to do a better job of finding players that made the team better not just players with talent - all of these guys have talent - , we need better talent evaluators and more accountability and when you start to take the blinders off you realize that that has been the problem all along

[83skins46721]

Last year 8-8 with a defense that wasn't nearly as good as it will be this year. Our defense will get us at least three more wins. Can you say 11-5 and playoff bound?

[PulpExposure]

Basically, we don't have a big chance at success here because while we continue to try and make our team better each year, and we do teams with better management do not just try and make their teams better, they look at making their teams better than the other teams they are competing with. We cannot get to that level by doing it this way.

What does this mean? I know I'm stupid, but can you please explain this to me in more detail, and maybe provide a few examples? I mean, this makes zero sense to me right now.

I really think we are an improved team this year and we did as well as we could but we are still not going to be as good as we should be because of the way this team is managed - I agree with RiC in that we are most likely 8-8 or 9-7

Wait, they did as well as they could, but that's not good enough?

Taylor was added to the team and then it seemed the coaches did not use him properly - if you add a player and then the coaches do not use him properly, the GM (if we had one) would be all over the coaches

So you're going to have a GM scream at Greg Blatche, one of the more respected and long-tenured assistant coaches in the NFL? Considering he was planning on retiring not long ago...I have a suspicion if you start going Gruden on him, he'd just say "screw it" and retire.

Also, as for signing guys that fit the system...let's see. In the last 3 years, the free agents they signed were: (1) Fred Smoot; (2) London Fletcher; (3) Albert Haynesworth; (4) Derrick Dockery.

Smoot and Dockery played for the Redskins previously, and played well. Fletcher played in Williams' system, and would fit right in. Finally, there is Haynesworth, who should be able to fit in nearly any system.

So, even if you add in Taylor, who was traded for late in the game...you're still dealing with 3/5 of the significant pickups having either played for the Redskins or having played in the Redskins' system...and then you have 2 very respected vets in Haynesworth and Taylor. And remember that Taylor's season was basically shot because he was injured.

I'm really not sure how the last 3 years supports your assertion that they're signing guys who don't fit their system.

What is crazy to me is that you'd support the FO until 2007...when it's clear that 2007 and onwards they've been much better. This FO was an indefensible disaster until Gibbs got here.

[SkinsFreak]

I think we need both a GM and a FO because we don't have either and we would have a better chance at success with people who know what they are doing

I keep reading this same thing over and over again. You say we need to replace Vinny and get a new FO. You keep saying this, yet you NEVER offer a name of a GM that's available who could come in and guarantee all this success. I'm just perplexed as to why some think it's a foregone conclusion that a new owner or a new GM would guarantee instant success.

I agree Cerrato and Snyder aren't perfect, so give us some names of those available that could do better. Who are these people? I mean, if these folks can guarantee us better results, I want them too! Where are they? Who are they? Don't just regurgitate ad nauseam that Vinny needs to be replaced, give us that name of who should replace him.

I come from the school of thought that sometimes in life you need to be careful what you wish for, because there's no guarantees in life and life isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. You say we need new ownership. OK, but what happens if someone like Bill Bidwell or the Ford family buys the team? You say Vinny needs to be replaced. OK, but what if the new owner hires someone like Matt Millen? How can you conclude that new ownership and new management will guarantee better results?

Pulp asks a good question... why did you support the FO when they were a disaster but now hate on them when, you yourself, have acknowledged they're better? That makes no sense. How can you say we have talented players and coaches, but those responsible for providing talented players and coaches don't know what they're doing? Explain that to us.

I agree with you and RiC that our record has been mediocre. That's an indisputable fact and no one denies it. But to lay blame at the ground of one or two people in a team sport seems illogical. Over the course of the last half decade, I believe the mediocrity stems from a lack of execution on the field. Like you have said, we've had talented players and coaches over the last five years, but I believe the mediocrity stems from a team that, collectively, has failed to execute on the field at a similar level of our opponents.

But it is my opinion and belief that we are closing the gap, especially in our division. It's without question that our divisional rivals have been better teams over a longer period of time, but I do believe we are starting to catch up. Last year produced another mediocre record, no doubt, with a record of 8-8. But that record was executed by a team that had a new rookie head coach and a new offensive system. Two of our divisional rivals, the Eagles and the Pies, finished the regular season with just 9 wins, only one game better. And those teams have had the same coach and have been playing in the same systems.

There's a lot riding on this coming season, and many story lines to unfold. But I agree with you both that we do have talented players and coaches, and we're all hoping they can, collectively, execute at a high level on the field.

[Irn-Bru]

Basically, we don't have a big chance at success here because while we continue to try and make our team better each year, and we do teams with better management do not just try and make their teams better, they look at making their teams better than the other teams they are competing with. We cannot get to that level by doing it this way.

What does this mean? I know I'm stupid, but can you please explain this to me in more detail, and maybe provide a few examples? I mean, this makes zero sense to me right now.

This is something SJ has advanced on the board before. The basic idea is this: yes, our team is better than last year's on paper, with improvements at many positions and players with more experience at others.

However, almost every team in the league has improved itself from last year. So the question isn't who has improved or gotten worse in absolute terms. The question is: how much have we improved compared to, e.g., the Giants or the Cowboys? Will it be enough to actually secure those next couple of wins, or have we actually gotten worse, comparitively speaking?

[SnyderSucks]

I think we need both a GM and a FO because we don't have either and we would have a better chance at success with people who know what they are doing

I keep reading this same thing over and over again. You say we need to replace Vinny and get a new FO. You keep saying this, yet you NEVER offer a name of a GM that's available who could come in and guarantee all this success. I'm just perplexed as to why some think it's a foregone conclusion that a new owner or a new GM would guarantee instant success.

I agree Cerrato and Snyder aren't perfect, so give us some names of those available that could do better. Who are these people? I mean, if these folks can guarantee us better results, I want them too! Where are they? Who are they? Don't just regurgitate ad nauseam that Vinny needs to be replaced, give us that name of who should replace him.

I come from the school of thought that sometimes in life you need to be careful what you wish for, because there's no guarantees in life and life isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. You say we need new ownership. OK, but what happens if someone like Bill Bidwell or the Ford family buys the team? You say Vinny needs to be replaced. OK, but what if the new owner hires someone like Matt Millen? How can you conclude that new ownership and new management will guarantee better results?

Pulp asks a good question... why did you support the FO when they were a disaster but now hate on them when, you yourself, have acknowledged they're better? That makes no sense. How can you say we have talented players and coaches, but those responsible for providing talented players and coaches don't know what they're doing? Explain that to us.

I agree with you and RiC that our record has been mediocre. That's an indisputable fact and no one denies it. But to lay blame at the ground of one or two people in a team sport seems illogical. Over the course of the last half decade, I believe the mediocrity stems from a lack of execution on the field. Like you have said, we've had talented players and coaches over the last five years, but I believe the mediocrity stems from a team that, collectively, has failed to execute on the field at a similar level of our opponents.

But it is my opinion and belief that we are closing the gap, especially in our division. It's without question that our divisional rivals have been better teams over a longer period of time, but I do believe we are starting to catch up. Last year produced another mediocre record, no doubt, with a record of 8-8. But that record was executed by a team that had a new rookie head coach and a new offensive system. Two of our divisional rivals, the Eagles and the Pies, finished the regular season with just 9 wins, only one game better. And those teams have had the same coach and have been playing in the same systems.

There's a lot riding on this coming season, and many story lines to unfold. But I agree with you both that we do have talented players and coaches, and we're all hoping they can, collectively, execute at a high level on the field.

In terms of who would be better that was available. Last season would have been the logical time to make the switch, so I'll include people from last season. The Parcells crew (who I think were hired before Gibbs quit), the GM in Atlanta, and Scott Pioli would all have been clear upgrades. In terms of the current team, I think the best option could be to hire Holmgren as GM and keep Zorn as coach. Holmgren knows the offense better than Zorn and could help acquire the proper players. I think this has almost no chance of happening because if the team does well, Snyder won't fire Cerrato, and if they do poorly he probably won't keep Zorn.

The reason the team hasn't won recently is largely due to a lack of depth. Last year was the perfect example - the team was competitive until there were injuries. I think the drop off from the starters to the backups is larger for Washington than for many other teams.

I have become more optimistic as training camp has progressed that Cerrato is making better decisions than have been made in the past. It sounds like several members of both last years draft and this years draft are looking very good in practice. Hopefully this translates to the season!

[SkinsJock]

Basically, we don't have a big chance at success here because while we continue to try and make our team better each year, and we do teams with better management do not just try and make their teams better, they look at making their teams better than the other teams they are competing with. We cannot get to that level by doing it this way.

What does this mean? I know I'm stupid, but can you please explain this to me in more detail, and maybe provide a few examples? I mean, this makes zero sense to me right now.

I guess it could be confusing but it's simply that I think these guys are only able to make our team better while I think that guys with more NFL knowlege would be looking to make our team much better OR at least better than the other teams in our division. These guys are not able to accomplish that or we would be a better team than those teams already - even given that the season is still weeks away, where exactly do you think we look like finishing in The NFC East?

I really think we are an improved team this year and we did as well as we could but we are still not going to be as good as we should be because of the way this team is managed - I agree with RiC in that we are most likely 8-8 or 9-7

Wait, they did as well as they could, but that's not good enough?

That's right - they are doing as well as they can but in my opinion they need to do better in order to get better results - our record indicates that we are a mediocre team - that is all we have to measure these guys with and it's not good enough.

Taylor was added to the team and then it seemed the coaches did not use him properly - if you add a player and then the coaches do not use him properly, the GM (if we had one) would be all over the coaches

So you're going to have a GM scream at Greg Blatche, one of the more respected and long-tenured assistant coaches in the NFL?

where did I suggest that someone "scream" at Greg? You don't need to start this too - "you know who" does that well enough for everyone here
I just think that better management would have a better chance at ensuring that the players they bring in through the draft and free agency fit the team and the other players here

Also, as for signing guys that fit the system...let's see. In the last 3 years, the free agents they signed were: (1) Fred Smoot; (2) London Fletcher; (3) Albert Haynesworth; (4) Derrick Dockery. Smoot and Dockery played for the Redskins previously, and played well. Fletcher played in Williams' system, and would fit right in. Finally, there is Haynesworth, who should be able to fit in nearly any system.
So, even if you add in Taylor, who was traded for late in the game... you're still dealing with 3/5 of the significant pickups having either played for the Redskins or having played in the Redskins' system...and then you have 2 very respected vets in Haynesworth and Taylor. And remember that Taylor's season was basically shot because he was injured.
I'm really not sure how the last 3 years supports your assertion that they're signing guys who don't fit their system.
What is crazy to me is that you'd support the FO until 2007...when it's clear that 2007 and onwards they've been much better. This FO was an indefensible disaster until Gibbs got here.

I understand the question it's just that since 2007, I look at where we are and think - these guys have had all this time and we are just not getting there - I agree that they have done better but I think you'd have to agree that despite having decent coaches and some very good players we are still not going to be a dominant team this year and with the way things are going around here we may not be sure of winning the NFC East for a while.

The one constant with all this is the way this team is managed - I understand that Snyder is staying but he should know by now that he needs better help and he should remove himself from the football side of things.

I do not think that is so crazy but I'm just a disapointed fan who thinks the light at the end of the tunnel is not the light at the end of the tunnel

[SkinsFreak]

In terms of who would be better that was available. Last season would have been the logical time to make the switch, so I'll include people from last season. The Parcells crew (who I think were hired before Gibbs quit), the GM in Atlanta, and Scott Pioli would all have been clear upgrades. In terms of the current team, I think the best option could be to hire Holmgren as GM and keep Zorn as coach. Holmgren knows the offense better than Zorn and could help acquire the proper players. I think this has almost no chance of happening because if the team does well, Snyder won't fire Cerrato, and if they do poorly he probably won't keep Zorn.

The reason the team hasn't won recently is largely due to a lack of depth. Last year was the perfect example - the team was competitive until there were injuries. I think the drop off from the starters to the backups is larger for Washington than for many other teams.

I have become more optimistic as training camp has progressed that Cerrato is making better decisions than have been made in the past. It sounds like several members of both last years draft and this years draft are looking very good in practice. Hopefully this translates to the season!

I'm not sure I agree with Holmgren. He had full control in Seattle and the personnel moves haven't been anything to get excited about. I'm going to take a wait and see approach with Pioli. To date, there has yet to be a single person to leave the Belichick camp to have any level of success. While I believe Atlanta is on the right path, there's only one year to evaluate and who knows it there success will continue. I do like what they've done and I believe they deserve it, however. You can certainly look back in time, with the luxury of hindsight, and determine someone might have been a better move at the time. There are also plenty of examples of better managed teams. I concede that. But I was referring to going forward and who's available that could guarantee all this success that some contend.

[SkinsFreak]

Taylor was added to the team and then it seemed the coaches did not use him properly - if you add a player and then the coaches do not use him properly, the GM (if we had one) would be all over the coaches

So you're going to have a GM scream at Greg Blatche, one of the more respected and long-tenured assistant coaches in the NFL?

where did I suggest that someone "scream" at Greg? You don't need to start this too - "you know who" does that well enough for everyone here

Instead of constantly accusing others of putting words in your mouth or taking what you said out of context, perhaps you should re-evaluate the manor in which you articulate your thoughts. I took what you said in the same manor Pulp did. Because "all over the coaches" doesn't imply a tea party comprised of pleasant suggestions.

[SkinsJock]

.... You can certainly look back in time, with the luxury of hindsight, and determine someone might have been a better move at the time. There are also plenty of examples of better managed teams. I concede that. But I was referring to going forward and who's available that could guarantee all this success that some contend.

I do not know as much about the NFL as most here - I'm not sure that anyone could guarantee any success - I just know that what we have here right now after all these years looks like another mediocre season

I do not appreciate you thinking that I hate these guys - I feel sorry for them because despite their good intentions they just cannot get the job done. Snyder looks like a nice guy and I'm sure Cerrato is a nice guy - I just think that almost anyone could come in here and do better


I'm just tired of them saying "we did the best we could, we'll address the the issues next year that we could not get to this year" why should we start to think that they will suddenly get the ability to build this team into a contender again? - they haven't done much lately and IMHO we are not going to be the favorites to win the NFC East anytime soon, especially with these guys in charge

[SkinsFreak]

I just think that almost anyone could come in here and do better

WHO?

I do not appreciate you thinking that I hate these guys

My bad... I was thrown off by you constantly referring to them as idiots and bozos.

[SkinsJock]

Instead of constantly accusing others of putting words in your mouth or taking what you said out of context, perhaps you should re-evaluate the manor in which you articulate your thoughts. I took what you said in the same manor Pulp did. Because "all over the coaches" doesn't imply a tea party comprised of pleasant suggestions.

your "constant" use of hyperbole is actually amusing to me, must mean something

"manor" is a house of some sort, just a freudian slip perhaps

Thanks for the compliment

oh, and speaking of a lot of wind - it looks like hurricane Bill is going to "miss" the NE area as well

[PulpExposure]

Basically, we don't have a big chance at success here because while we continue to try and make our team better each year, and we do teams with better management do not just try and make their teams better, they look at making their teams better than the other teams they are competing with. We cannot get to that level by doing it this way.

What does this mean? I know I'm stupid, but can you please explain this to me in more detail, and maybe provide a few examples? I mean, this makes zero sense to me right now.

This is something SJ has advanced on the board before. The basic idea is this: yes, our team is better than last year's on paper, with improvements at many positions and players with more experience at others.

However, almost every team in the league has improved itself from last year. So the question isn't who has improved or gotten worse in absolute terms. The question is: how much have we improved compared to, e.g., the Giants or the Cowboys? Will it be enough to actually secure those next couple of wins, or have we actually gotten worse, comparitively speaking?

I just don't see how this is true. I mean, we definitely addressed one of our two weaknesses (defensive line) over the last offseason, and lost no player of consequence. The Eagles lost their two starting tackles from last year (replaced with a guy who wasn't good enough to be with the Bengals, and a guy who while has been great in the past, had a horrible year last year for the Bills), lost their defensive coordinator, lost their defensive captain & heart and soul of their team (Dawkins), and just lost their middle linebacker.

The Giants added some mediocre players on their defensive line, but lost their top 2 WRs and their second runningback...and haven't replaced them with players that are likely to contribute this season.

The Cowboys lost their top WR, their #2 sacker from last season, and their starting DE (Canty), and signed Olshanksy to replace Canty (which is a wash).

So...we add the best DT in the league, Haynesworth, the best passrushing 4-3 end in the draft (Orakpo), and replaced Kendall with Dockery (which is likely a wash). And did not lose a player of consequence.

And yet...we've improved less than the other teams in this division, each of which has had a significant loss (or losses)? I just don't get it. I know Redskins fans love to be pessimistic, but come on. The facts just don't bear out the idea that we've improved less than other teams in this division.