Various Preseason Power Rankings

[riggofan]

I couldn't find a good place to post this comment, so I thought I would start this thread. I'm sure there will be various preseason rankings coming out over the next week or two.

I've been following ProfootballTalk's Pre-Season Power Rankings the past few days and was surprised they've made it from #32 to #27 without listing the Redskins so far (most of the lazy preseason rankings I bet will land us at like #30.):

32. Raiders
31. Dolphins
30. Titans
29. Jaguars
28. Bills
27. Vikings

What do you think? Will we be #26 tomorrow? Or did we gain a little more respect with our draft and DJax? Do you think we'll be the lowest ranked team in the NFC East?

[riggofan]

#26 Bucs
#25 Texans

Still no Redskins...

[Irn-Bru]

#26 Bucs
#25 Texans

Still no Redskins...

Don't worry; I'm sure we're just around the corner.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Chargers Bears.. we werent goodnight year but beat them!
St Louis then prolly the Skins I'd bet though

[KazooSkinsFan]

#26 Bucs
#25 Texans

Still no Redskins...

Don't worry; I'm sure we're just around the corner.

And based on our record last year, we should be until we prove otherwise, not that you're disagreeing with that. We should get some cred for winning the division two years ago and having addressed a lot of the issues we had from last year in the offseason and the bogus cap penalty ending. But out of the bottom 5 and into the next 5 sounds right to me. I don't want any favors, we need to earn respect.

[Deadskins]

Cowpies at #24. In the poll, 50% said that was too high.

[riggofan]

Cowpies at #24. In the poll, 50% said that was too high.

YES!!!

[riggofan]

And based on our record last year, we should be until we prove otherwise, not that you're disagreeing with that. We should get some cred for winning the division two years ago and having addressed a lot of the issues we had from last year in the offseason and the bogus cap penalty ending. But out of the bottom 5 and into the next 5 sounds right to me. I don't want any favors, we need to earn respect.

I do understand and agree with what you're saying. If all these pundits are doing with their preseason rankings is just looking at last year's record though and regurgitating them, there really isn't much to talk about. I like to see if people are being lazy or really doing some in depth analysis on what team's did in the offseason, why was their record good or bad last year, etc;

I think we will be better this year than last year. I REALLY think without a doubt we'll be better than the Cowboys. All that said, you're completely right that its up to the team to go out and prove it.

[riggofan]

Here is ESPN insider's ranking. #24 isn't bad, though I can't believe the Jags are at #23.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/ ... fresh=true


The overview: The head coach and QB are generally the two most important people in an NFL organization. The future rankings for Washington in those categories dropped by a combined 31 spots from one year ago, by far the worst figure in the league. That includes a league-worst, 19-spot drop to No. 27 in coaching. Robert Griffin III, although healthy roughly 18 months after knee surgery, has only lost ground in terms of perception. Could this be a case of addition by subtraction? The previous coaching situation had become untenable. The QB situation, however, could be seen as a strength, with Kirk Cousins backing up a healthy Griffin. --Mike Sando

The dilemma: The Skins have a new direction in the front office, with Bruce Allen actually being responsible for talent acquisition, and a rookie head coach who, depending whom you ask, is not going to be missed by the team he left. Gruden needs to show he can get RG III to be the passer from the pocket everyone claims he can become, which will mean getting Washington's big offseason addition, DeSean Jackson, on the same page as the QB quickly. Defensively, I don't see the signings of UFAs Jason Hatcher and Ryan Clark being enough to spearhead the necessary improvement. --Louis Riddick

The youth movement: The safety of RG III is reliant upon Trent Williams and … not much else. There was simply no team in the NFL with such a talent discrepancy on the O-line last year. Williams is all-world, but the Skins are lacking talent across the board elsewhere, which is why 2014 picks Morgan Moses (OT) and Spencer Long (G) could be pivotal. It wouldn't surprise me if both started at some point as rookies. If Washington can at least make the talent imbalance on the O-line not as striking, the franchise -- that means the QB, too -- will benefit greatly. --Mel Kiper

The analysts rated every team in five categories -- Roster (excluding quarterback), QB, Draft, Front Office and Coaching -- and the results were then averaged and weighted to create our final 1-32 Future Power Ranking. For more detail on the categories and weighting, please refer to the chart at right.

CATEGORIES (weighting)
ROSTER (30 percent): Quality of current roster excluding QB, emphasizing young players and devaluing players over 30
QUARTERBACK (20 percent): Team's QB situation, focusing on the future
DRAFT (15 percent): Evaluating each team's 2014 draft class, reputation in the draft and number of available draft picks in 2015 and '16
FRONT OFFICE (15 percent): Ability to manage team's roster and bring in new talent via free agency or trades, plus market's attraction to free agents
COACHING (20 percent): Capability and stability of coaching staff

[riggofan]

#23 from PFT. I actually think that's pretty fair. Believe that we're going to be better than we were last year, had a decent offseason, healthier RGIII. But we still have to see how this is all going to come together. Here's the full report:

The Redskins took a major step backward in 2013 and they blew things up as a result.

Jay Gruden is the new head coach, with the team hoping that his offensive mind can totally relegate former coach Mike Shanahan and his icy relationship with quarterback Robert Griffin III to the fringes of memories. Griffin’s play could also do that as he’s had an entire offseason to work after rehabbing from a knee injury during the spring last year.

Dysfunction and lingering injuries weren’t the only reasons things went south for the Redskins last year, though. The defense was a mess and the changes on that side of the ball were not particularly dramatic, while the team also gave away far too many yards and points on special teams.

The potential for a repeat of 2012 certainly exists, but, based on their spot at No. 23, PFT’s panel needs to see more than potential to buy into the Redskins.

Strengths.

Signing DeSean Jackson was the latest addition to a receiving corps that should be much improved over last season. Pierre Garcon returns, tight end Jordan Reed should be healthy after last year’s concussions and Andre Roberts joined the team as a free agent. That’s more than Griffin had to work with as a rookie and should make his efforts as a passer easier than in past years.

Running back Alfred Morris is also back, giving the Redskins enviable potential balance on offense this season. If all goes according to plan, defenses will find it hard to keep an eye on everyone Washington rolls on the field.

Linebacker Brian Orakpo re-signed with the team and he’ll rejoin with Ryan Kerrigan to give the Redskins a strong pair of outside linebackers. If Jason Hatcher can repeat the pass rush he gave the Cowboys last season, Washington should be very effective at pressuring quarterbacks.

Left tackle Trent Williams remains one of the best in the league at his position and gives the Redskins an anchor as they build the rest of their offensive line.

Weaknesses.

The Redskins didn’t look that strong at safety when Tanard Jackson was in the mix and they aren’t looking any better in light of his latest suspension. The best hope is that Ryan Clark can push back father time and Brandon Meriweather avoids injury long enough for 2013 picks Bacarri Rambo and Phillip Thomas to come into their own.

It would help the Redskins if cornerback David Amerson did the same thing in his second season. Old hands DeAngelo Hall and Tracy Porter will likely hold prominent roles, but the team needs Amerson to develop into a shutdown player on one side for their defense to reach its full potential.

Williams is a great left tackle, but the Redskins aren’t quite as lucky along the rest of the line. Kory Lichtensteiger is moving from guard to center, right guard is unsettled and the team picked Morgan Moses in the third round to give them an option other than Tyler Polumbus at right tackle.

Hatcher’s arrival should be a plus, but his offseason knee troubles are a bit of a concern since the rest of the Redskins defensive ends are an unimpressive lot.

Changes.

Gruden replacing Shanahan as head coach (and, for all intents and purposes, Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator) is by far the biggest change in Washington this offseason. Every coaching change is significant, of course, but this one feels even bigger because of how bad things got between Griffin and Shanahan last season.

Griffin has been spreading nothing but sunshine about the switch and the Redskins are hopeful that his knee will respond to a full offseason of work as well as he has responded to Shanahan’s departure. The quality of the skill position players around him should help.

The Redskins didn’t change defensive coordinators, but there’s been a lot of talk about a more aggressive approach from Jim Haslett’s unit this season. That should fit with the outside linebackers and help defensive tackle Barry Cofield rebound, although the defensive backfield could be stretched if they’re left out on islands.

Ben Kotwica is the new special teams coach and he’ll be charged with turning around units that struggled badly last season.

Camp Battles.

London Fletcher has brought his long career to an end, leaving an opening at inside linebacker next to Perry Riley. Keenan Robinson, Darryl Sharpton, Akeem Jordan and Adam Hayward are all options with Robinson potentially the favorite if he’s over his torn pectoral.

Roberts was signed to play receiver, but Jackson’s arrival opens up the possibility that he could become the team’s primary kick returner. Rookie Lache Seastrunk would be another option for the role.

Chris Chester will try to hold onto the right guard job against challenges from Josh LeRibeus and third-round pick Spencer Long. The right choice there could help mitigate any right tackle issues.

Prospects.

The NFC East title has been a revolving door in recent seasons as the four teams generally muck their way through the regular season before someone grabs a 9-7 record in Week 17.

It is easy to see why the Redskins would believe they could return to the top of the food chain this season. Every report on Griffin’s health is positive, his supporting cast is stronger and the darkness that hung over Shanahan last season has been expunged.

At the same time, though, there’s not much about the Redskins that makes them a sure bet to be better than last year’s also-rans in Dallas and New Jersey or the defending division champs in Philly. The defense needs to be much better and we’ll still need to see Griffin’s play match the offseason reviews, for starters.

Should that happen, a return to the playoffs may not be out of reach but the Redskins will need to show that the stink of last year has been totally eradicated before the bandwagon starts to fill up.

[KazooSkinsFan]

And based on our record last year, we should be until we prove otherwise, not that you're disagreeing with that. We should get some cred for winning the division two years ago and having addressed a lot of the issues we had from last year in the offseason and the bogus cap penalty ending. But out of the bottom 5 and into the next 5 sounds right to me. I don't want any favors, we need to earn respect.

I do understand and agree with what you're saying. If all these pundits are doing with their preseason rankings is just looking at last year's record though and regurgitating them, there really isn't much to talk about. I like to see if people are being lazy or really doing some in depth analysis on what team's did in the offseason, why was their record good or bad last year, etc;

I think we will be better this year than last year. I REALLY think without a doubt we'll be better than the Cowboys. All that said, you're completely right that its up to the team to go out and prove it.

Even if you do the research, we have a couple of big question marks, and they are the usual suspects, the secondary and the o-line. I don't understand why our o-line was so bad last year when in 2012 they seemed to be coming together and improving. Morris can't create his own holes and if RG3 is running for his life like last year it's hard to complete passes no matter how good the receivers are. And if our secondary gets shredded like last year, especially on 3rd down, it keeps the ball out of RG3's hands and it's hard to maintain momentum when you are sitting for so long between possessions.

On the other hand, if the O-line does improve, we could put some serious points on the board. And if we can generate a pass rush we can protect the secondary, at least to a degree. We have to do it though. Another question mark is Haslett, he's presided over some bad D. Was it Shannahan tying his hands? All this is only going to be answered on the field.

[SkinsJock]

I agree with Kaz - there's not really a lot to look forward to when you consider the main reasons for a 3-13 record were basically a very bad O line and a defense that did not perform well AND that both those units are not significantly better at this time

Even if all the parts of the offense are healthy and ready to go, there's no way you can predict a good offensive unit without having an effective offensive line

And the defensive secondary is still a big concern

I'm looking for some improvement but it's sad to say that we're more likely to be competitive in the NFC East because of the other teams than that this Redskins team is much improved

IMO we're going to be OK but we have to replace everyone except Trent on the offensive line and we need to get better in our secondary

[riggofan]

Even if you do the research, we have a couple of big question marks, and they are the usual suspects, the secondary and the o-line. I don't understand why our o-line was so bad last year when in 2012 they seemed to be coming together and improving.

Yeah I know exactly what you're saying. If you remember in 2012 though, they were supposed to be a bad o-line going into the season. Seems safe to say in hindsight that RGIII's amazing rookie year took a lot of heat off them.

I've heard people argue that the offensive line wasn't as bad as reported last year, but these numbers on Alfred Morris last year kind of tell a different story:

While the numbers go on Morris’ stat sheet, anyone who watched the games last year knows that he was hardly to blame for many of the issues. Frequently, Morris couldn’t get going due to predicable play calling and/or suspect blocking. He gained one, zero, or negative yards on 48 of his first-down carries. If you take out the zero-yard and negative plays his average would jump to 6.0 yards per carry. The takeaway here is that if they can give Morris a fighting chance to get moving forward they can find themselves in second and four a lot more often than they face second and 12.

[SkinsJock]

I'm cautiously optimistic but I understand that most NFL fans would 'rank' us in the bottom 3rd of the 32 franchises

until we have an offensive line and a secondary - the Redskins are not going to be considered as much better than a bottom third ranked team

[KazooSkinsFan]

I've heard people argue that the offensive line wasn't as bad as reported last year

I know, I find that staggering having watched the games. They were just getting crushed play after play. RG3 got thrown around like a rag doll. Morris ran into wall after wall. They were terrible. That doesn't mean each lineman was terrible, it doesn't take five guys to screw up, just one.

[riggofan]

Wow. Rotoworld seems to see some potential with our roster.

#15. Eagles were #7, Giants #18 and Cowboys #20 btw.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/4 ... kings?pg=2

15. Washington Redskins

QB: Robert Griffin III
RB: Alfred Morris
WR: Pierre Garcon
WR: DeSean Jackson*
TE: Jordan Reed
TE: Logan Paulsen
LT: Trent Williams
LG: Shawn Lauvao*
C: Kory Lichtensteiger
RG: Chris Chester
RT: Tyler Polumbus

Offensive Overview: The Shanahan era left behind a franchise back in Morris, a quarterback with league MVP potential, plus talent at "X" receiver and tight end, and a 26-year-old left tackle who's already made two Pro Bowls. The Skins parted with Mike and Kyle Shanahan due to differences with owner Dan Snyder, not based on job performance. The new staff has supplemented RG3's weapons with Jackson and Andre Roberts, as coach Jay Gruden intends to open up Washington's passing game, while wider bodies were targeted on the line. This offense can rediscover top-five heights if Griffin's knee is indeed healed and his dual threat restored, as spring reports out of D.C. insist. The Redskins are a sneaky threat to win the NFC East if RG3 is his 2012 self. If not, this could end up as a rough, learning year. This will be Griffin's first-ever experience with a non-college-style offense, and his 2013 tape shows he needs quite a bit of refinement in the nuances of the quarterback position.

RE: Jason Hatcher*
LE: Chris Baker
NT: Barry Cofield
ILB: Perry Riley
ILB: Keenan Robinson
OLB: Brian Orakpo
OLB: Ryan Kerrigan
RCB: David Amerson
LCB: DeAngelo Hall
FS: Ryan Clark*
SS: Brandon Meriweather

Defensive Overview: Mike Shanahan's biggest failures were on defense, where the Skins boast two impact rush linebackers but ended last year deficient everywhere else. Washington's new decision makers shelled out to retain two-gap end Baker and signed 32-year-old Hatcher to a $27.5 million deal. Baker is a replaceable talent, and Hatcher's already undergone knee surgery. A camp battle will take place at inside 'backer next to Riley, while the Skins will count on in-house strides from Amerson and Meriweather. On the wrong side of 30, Hall is a mediocre corner. Ex-Steeler Clark drew little interest in free agency and is going on age 35. The Redskins need their offensive potential to be maximized by Gruden; DC Jim Haslett's defense can't carry them. Haslett's focus should be on sacks and turnovers because this group probably won't stop anyone.

[SkinsJock]

Wow. Rotoworld seems to see some potential with our roster.

that seems a little generous to me

[SkinsJock]

"Haslett's focus should be on sacks and turnovers because this group probably won't stop anyone" ... I don't think we'll be that bad defensively but nobody really knows anything ... I do think that RG3 will take a big step forward but the offense is not going to be much if the O line does not also take a big step forward ...

we are biased and are hoping we can win the NFC East ... let's say that all the teams in our division (including the Redskins) play to their capabilities - MAYBE we could end up first or second in our division

however

there's no way this group is climbing the NFL rankings to be #15

and

the Eagles are most definitely not finishing in the top 10[/quote]

[riggofan]

Wow. Rotoworld seems to see some potential with our roster.

that seems a little generous to me

15? Maybe a little. Reading the rest of the article though, I think it was more that he was critical of some other teams than he was overly optimistic about the Redskins.

I agree with where he rates our roster relative to the other teams in the NFC East though.

[SkinsJock]

.. Reading the rest of the article though, I think it was more that he was critical of some other teams than he was overly optimistic about the Redskins.

I agree with where he rates our roster relative to the other teams in the NFC East though.

I agree with you on that too ...

most of the rankings are simply based on what happened last season - we all hope for a big improvement on both sides of the ball - it's quite possible that the coaching and the players will step up big time ... HOWEVER - it's going to take more than a season for the O line and the defensive unit to get a lot better and develop some continuity and especially to add some quality depth

IMO - RG3, Morris and the pass catchers will all play a lot better - but how effective can they be without a good offensive line

IMO - the defensive front 7 needs to help cover the lack of a decent secondary - that seems like a big task to me

[yupchagee]

Remember that we have a lot of the core players from the '12 team that went 10-6 & won the NFC East & we've added some weapons. We could finish almost any were this year.

[SkinsJock]

Ok - which should we consider more relevant - the performances of last year or the performances of the year before?

and I'll predict right now that RG3 will be a better QB than he was in 2012 because he will not be like he was in 2012 and the offense that he'll be running will be more an NFL type than the college type that Kyle and Mike thought would work best for RG3 - it 'worked' at the time but it did not help him progress as an NFL QB - we're going to see the NFL version this year not the flashy type that Mike & Kyle had in 2012

[SkinsJock]

RG3 and the weapons on offense are only part of the deal ...

if the O line is not vastly improved and gains incredible confidence in playing together immediately and not the normal 2 - 3 years playing together it normally takes and the defense does not give up too many points

we should be OK

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I like how some are optimistic and others that "know better" from seasons passed are still skeptical.

I will fall into the overly optimistic category like most years...

The energy and motivation has changed in Redskins park due to the change in leadership... yes it's the honeymoon phase and we will have to see how the new staff handles adversity and if they can keep getting the players to buy in. I feel that our biggest problem last year was that the coaches lost their players. Even the fans (us) could feel the lack of commitment and pride the coaches were giving us.. that effects the whole squad like any manager who dost lead by example.

That new attitude and being a "players team" will have a vast impact. The additions we made through FA and the draft will just make it that much better talent wise.

I forsee a BEAST of an Offense... juggernaut if you will. And a D that gets better and better... with improved pass rush, a true leader at safety who is VOCAL. And has vision will be a great boost. I'm hopeful Raheem can keep advancing our young DBs but I also don't think it's as bleak as some like to think. Hall Amerson and Porter is a pretty good/ not great or amazing but better than average CB trio with Clark calling coverages and the hard hitting Mariweather we are NOT as weak in the back field as some like to suggest.

Our QB has his legs back. That alone will improve the line. Shannaclan is gone. That alone will help our (small) line. With 2 maybe 3 new faces in the mix I believe we will see some much improved play from the line. You blitz us and we have a quick pass to Pierre, Djax, or Reed. Players that WILL get YAC.
I'm most excited to see teams try to stop the pass then get beaten with choochooMorris.. then load the box and gery picked apart in the air.. then the send pressure... RGIII buys time and launches it to the speedy DJax (who unlike Robinson makes the catch and/or has the wheels to keep up w Roberts arm)

It's still off-season but we are looking better than we did in 2012 when we won the crown respite Mike giving up @ 3&6 and going into "eval" mode. THIS team has the ingredients to do BIG things.

You heard it here first... !!

[SkinsJock]

there is nothing wrong with being overly optimistic ...

I am very hopeful that things will be great - that we win the division and go deep into the playoffs - I have felt like this for years

the reality is, it ain't happening - we're Redskins fans and we know the way things are here when the games count