How do we fare this year?

[Countertrey]

I think the record of wins and losses is where we differ - we were certainly not as good as 6-2 and I'll agree we were not as bad as 2-6 - that aside, my calculations are not based on what we did or did not do last year - I am only considering how we will do this year against the NFC East and the other teams - I think we will end up about 8-8 or 9-7 - that is not a lot of improvement considering how good this defense looks

I just cannot see this team with the various offensive issues as being that much better at scoring points - I have a feeling that the defense will be huge but we still have to score points to be considered a top 12 type team - Campbell does not get me excited about being able to do the QB job, sorry

this all goes back to the idea I have that we are better than we were but we are certainly not a whole lot better than the other teams in our division or in the NFL

we continue to be a mediocre franchise

I think you are seriously underestimating the effect of improved field position that this D will provide for the offense. You have to remember that the average point differential was -3 points last year. This defense will change that all by itself, by decreasing the oppositions score by at least 3 points. If the O can score an average of only 4 more points, that creates a full touchdown shift in the differential, and dramatic difference in the record... Yes, I think field position can make that a possibility.

[SkinsJock]

I'm a very biased B&G supporter (some called me the biggest homer here!) and sometimes I wish I could just say that we are a lot better than we are but then I remember all the positive feelings I had the last 10 years about this time and the reality of watching the team go out and not play up to expectations .... again

here we go again

[RayNAustin]

I find it interesting that a very good player like TO can be considered a distraction and a cancer if he's playing for anyone in our division but he immediately becomes a loss when he leaves that same team - if you read the papers in Dallas OR if you listen to the idiot media types, they are all saying that the pukes are better off without TO - just interesting to this ignorant aussie is all

It's called spin. And it's also that TO isn't very well liked as a person. As a player though, it's hard to replace that type of talent. TO has led all WR in the NFL in TD's the past three seasons in Dallas with 38 TD's compared to Roy W's 14 TD's. Roy Williams is no TO. They HAVE TO MISS his production. He was a TD machine.

Romo might not miss TO's mouth or attitude, but he'll miss those TD's.

[SkinsJock]

to your point Ray - The NFL info sources (media and other gurus) are saying that the Bills are better because they now have the production that TO provides and the pukes are agreeing that they will miss TO's production but they will be "better" by not having the distraction

I think we will see that the pukes passing game is better - cannot stand the team, but, in my opinion, they made the right decision

a group of players playing together as a team is always going to beat a team that has a bunch of talented players - we've seen it happen time and again here for the last 10 years

[RayNAustin]

to your point Ray - The NFL info sources (media and other gurus) are saying that the Bills are better because they now have the production that TO provides and the pukes are agreeing that they will miss TO's production but they will be "better" by not having the distraction

I think we will see that the pukes passing game is better - cannot stand the team, but, in my opinion, they made the right decision

a group of players playing together as a team is always going to beat a team that has a bunch of talented players - we've seen it happen time and again here for the last 10 years

The decision to cut loose TO may have been the correct move considering TO's age, and the fact that his numbers slipped a bit in 2008. Williams is much younger, and the Cowboys apparently believe he can step in and fill the void. And maybe they're right, and maybe you are too.

I'm not convinced. Williams has NEVER had a double digit TD year. Although his numbers are decent, he's never shown to be a game changer like TO. (Of course, he was with the Lions too, so maybe with Dallas those numbers improve).

Time will tell, but my personal opinion is that the Cowgirls will miss TO's production in the TD department. And given the huge impact in success with just a small differential in average points per game, that could equate to a 1 or 2 game difference.

In 2007 (?) when TO scored 4 TD's against us, we lost by what 6 points? TO was certainly the difference in that game.

[SkinsJock]

I am thinking that they feel that their passing game is better without TO - I don't think they look at it quite like what they "lost" or "gained" but rather how much more "effective" the passing game is without the distraction

Romo has never lived up to expectations and I think he's ready to show what he can do - I also think the combination of Witten and Williams will be good for him

this division is going to be very close and it's going to come down to eliminating mistakes and playing well together

[VetSkinsFan]

They've got no #1 now and no one to draw constant doubles besides Witten as the year starts. I don't see how they are better off without TO.

[langleyparkjoe]

I put NFC Title Game.. I wanted to just say we'll get there via Wild Card with the gnats winning the division.

1.) Gnats
2.) Skins
3.) Smeagels
4.) those other guys

[CanesSkins26]

They've got no #1 now and no one to draw constant doubles besides Witten as the year starts. I don't see how they are better off without TO.

Their passing game might be worse without TO, but I think that if they are smart their offense will end up better. With TO the last few years, the Cowboys got overly pass-happy. With Barber, Jones, and Choice they arguably have the best group of running backs in the NFL. If, and it's a big if, they start using their backs more their offense has the potential to be more effective this season.

[langleyparkjoe]

They've got no #1 now and no one to draw constant doubles besides Witten as the year starts. I don't see how they are better off without TO.

Their passing game might be worse without TO, but I think that if they are smart their offense will end up better. With TO the last few years, the Cowboys got overly pass-happy. With Barber, Jones, and Choice they arguably have the best group of running backs in the NFL. If, and it's a big if, they start using their backs more their offense has the potential to be more effective this season.

I disagree with best group of RBs brutha.. I mean don't forget about Tenn w/Johnson and White, Carolina w/Williams and Stewart, NE w/geez, all those guys run well, Denv. always seems to have at least 4 good RBs, Chargers w/LT and Sproles..etc.

[VetSkinsFan]

They've got no #1 now and no one to draw constant doubles besides Witten as the year starts. I don't see how they are better off without TO.

Their passing game might be worse without TO, but I think that if they are smart their offense will end up better. With TO the last few years, the Cowboys got overly pass-happy. With Barber, Jones, and Choice they arguably have the best group of running backs in the NFL. If, and it's a big if, they start using their backs more their offense has the potential to be more effective this season.

I disagree with best group of RBs brutha.. I mean don't forget about Tenn w/Johnson and White, Carolina w/Williams and Stewart, NE w/geez, all those guys run well, Denv. always seems to have at least 4 good RBs, Chargers w/LT and Sproles..etc.

...and Turner/Norwood...

[SkinsJock]

They've got no #1 now and no one to draw constant doubles besides Witten as the year starts. I don't see how they are better off without TO.

Just my opinion Vet, but I think they will be a better passing offense because they will be a better running offense - they used to rely too much on their passing offense and now I believe Garrett will utilize all of his weapons a little better and I also think that Romo is too good a QB to continue playing like he has - maybe that's just me



I think it's neat that the Redskins are a lot younger team than we are used to seeing - HOWEVER - we just need to get the offensive line together and that cohesivness takes more than a year to get working properly THEN we need to locate a really good QB (unless Campbell shocks just about everyone and becomes the QB that Gibbs thought he was) AND we will be a playoff team on a regular basis.

the reason everyone is so high on the giants is because they have great offensive and defensive lines - if we can get the offensive line working together (this will still take another year, IMO) we can make do with Campbell providing he steps his game up a notch, or 2 or 3

[CanesSkins26]

They've got no #1 now and no one to draw constant doubles besides Witten as the year starts. I don't see how they are better off without TO.

Their passing game might be worse without TO, but I think that if they are smart their offense will end up better. With TO the last few years, the Cowboys got overly pass-happy. With Barber, Jones, and Choice they arguably have the best group of running backs in the NFL. If, and it's a big if, they start using their backs more their offense has the potential to be more effective this season.

I disagree with best group of RBs brutha.. I mean don't forget about Tenn w/Johnson and White, Carolina w/Williams and Stewart, NE w/geez, all those guys run well, Denv. always seems to have at least 4 good RBs, Chargers w/LT and Sproles..etc.

Stewart can't stay healthy, Denver's rb situation is a mess, NE doesn't have a single back that is as good as Barber and I would take Jones over any back on New England's roster. Tennessee and San Diego are the only two that are comparable imo.

[Deadskins]

if we can get the offensive line working together (this will still take another year, IMO)

But you also said we are going to rebuild it next off-season, so wouldn't it take another two years before we see this cohesion your talking about?

[SkinsJock]

I'm hoping that they have already begun adding the pieces here

as we have discussed ad nauseum here - for a lot of reasons the team is just not playing well together:
Defense - we have had issues with pressuring the QB and being a more complete defense - while we looked good statistically I felt that our defensive stats were swayed because the other teams the last couple of years did not need to score much in order to win the game - HOWEVER I do think that these concerns have been addressed

Offense - we begin with the QB and for whatever reason Campbell never became what Gibbs hoped - many here feel that he's still going to get there, I am concerned that he just is not a good NFL QB but with a better offensive line anything can happen - look at the Giants in 2007 - I think we will continue to address the line and with these young wideouts and other parts coming together - we just could see the beginings this year - I am hoping that Campbell can make it but otherwise we are going to need a FA or be able to draft a future great QB

we need a kicker but then again Suisham could have a big turnaround - hell, if Campbell can do it why not Suisham



it still looks like an 8-8 season though - we can get our hopes up - that's what we have been doing for the last 10 years

[RayNAustin]

The Redskins need to produce on offense ... that is the key. They don't need to be the 07 Pats, just reasonable production.

Can Campbell produce? Under ideal circumstances he has .. however inconsistently. He needs to be consistently decent, and eliminate the 4 or 5 games that he just stinks. If he can get rid of the stinkers, this team can beat anyone, including the Giants.

Need I remind anyone that as pathetic as the offense was last year in the opener, we were still only a couple of plays away from beating the Giants.

I won't be a bit surprised if we open the season with a win against the Giants. Not a bit surprised !!!

[Chisel Monkey]

The Redskins need to produce on offense ... that is the key. They don't need to be the 07 Pats, just reasonable production.

Can Campbell produce? Under ideal circumstances he has .. however inconsistently. He needs to be consistently decent, and eliminate the 4 or 5 games that he just stinks. If he can get rid of the stinkers, this team can beat anyone, including the Giants.

Need I remind anyone that as pathetic as the offense was last year in the opener, we were still only a couple of plays away from beating the Giants.

I won't be a bit surprised if we open the season with a win against the Giants. Not a bit surprised !!!

I will have to agree. No Plaxico. I am also curious to see what Haynesworth is going to do with Brandon Jacobs. I want to see Jacobs run through the middle and get his chest caved in by Big Al. I can't freaking wait til Sunday.