http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/ ... c-team-nfl
Other NFC East grades were Eagles A, Cowboys B, NYG C+. Anybody want to bet they gave Philadelphia an A last year too???Key FA additions: WR Pierre Garcon, WR Josh Morgan, S Brandon Meriweather, CB Cedric Griffin, ILB Jonathan Goff, K Neil Rackers, S Madieu Williams
Key FA losses: S LaRon Landry, S OJ Atogwe, OLB Rocky McIntosh, T Sean Locklear, WR Donte' Stallworth, FB Mike Sellers
Analysis: This one is very simple: It's all about Griffin. He can be a difference-maker as a rookie and, under Mike Shanahan's tutelage, could be an elite QB sooner rather than later. Personally, I'll be shocked if Griffin isn't a huge success, so the steep price the Redskins paid to acquire him is well worth it in my book.
Because of the deal with St. Louis (and the NFL-imposed penalty), the Redskins were stripped of a big chunk of their cap money, which really put them in a bind. Washington still added some pieces, most notably at wide receiver, but the contract it signed Garcon to is very steep -- I question whether he can handle the rigors of being a No. 1 wideout. Still, without question, the Redskins have much better receiving options now than they did for the 2011 season. And we know Shanahan will have an effective ground game, which will remain the foundation of this offense and make Griffin's transition to the NFL easier. I still have concerns about the Redskins' offensive line, but they did use three draft picks to help that area of need and Shanahan has consistently mined productive linemen out of the middle rounds for his zone blocking scheme.
On the defensive side of the ball, Washington looks to be very strong in the front seven. There wasn't much change there, but change isn't always a good thing. However, the secondary could have used a richer influx of talent and remains a question mark after losing Landry and Otogwe.
In the end, the Redskins get a high offseason grade just for their acquisition of Griffin. If he doesn't pan out, this grade will sink … fast.
Grade: B+
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