Washington Redskins Offseason

The 2008 Offseason for the Washington Redskins has already been action filled. Maybe it has been inaction filled. The 'Skins are the only team holding more interviews than the Falcons were, and at least in Washington's case you get the impression that they aren't really good fits for either side. Unlike Atlanta where you got the impression no one wanted that job.

So far we have heard the names Pete Carroll, Steve Mariuchi, Greg Williams, Al Saunders, Steve Spagnolo, Jim Mora jr., and Jim Fassel. Of all those options the only one that is really still out there is Fassel. I think the time has come for owner, Daniel Snyder, to realize that Joe Gibbs isn't coming back through that door. While I think Snyder needs a guy like Gibbs who's opinion comes with enough experience that he has to listen to it. A coach of that caliber isn't out there and if they are they don't have the emotional ties to the Redskins that Gibbs had, so they aren't about to deal with Snyder's lunacy. I don't really like Fassell but Snyder wont go with the Mike Tomlin, Mike McCarthy type guy, he needs a name in order to stroke his ego. So there you are Jim Fassell next coach of the mediocre 'Skins(trust me they will be mediocre under Fassell)

The most unfortunate thing about Snyder not opting to hand things over to Greg Williams or even the dark horse transition candidate Al Saunders. Is that they will lose a lot if not all of the emotional momentum that they had coming out of last season. It is hard to rally around as a team when the majority of your leadership was not around for the events that brought you together.

An area that needs to be addressed less for it's on the field importance and more to solidify the salary cap questions that the Redskins are facing will be quarterback. Jason Campbell is the man under center in the future. As nice a story as Todd Collins was at the end of the season, no one really believes he is going to supplant Campbell. He is however a free agent and is either going to demand a higher price than the 'Skins can really pay with their cap troubles or he may just say "I've shown what I can do" and leave to get a starting gig or at least a shot at one somewhere else. The third string QB in name and mentor in reality was Mark Brunell. He is a drain on the cap and is also old. That age was a prerequisite for a backup in Joe Gibbs mind but is likely going to be seen as huge negative by the next guy running the ship.

While the 'Skins defense was pretty reliable across the board, they were playing as an inspired unit. They were also being led by Greg Williams, both of those factors are gone next year. I will be interested to see how they do. They are in need at Defensive End but it isn't a must go first round type need.

On the otherside of the ball though, the questions start. They have spent big on some names and are solid in the #1wr spot with Santana Moss, but once you get past him and possibly Antwan Randle-el as a #2 the drop in ability is huge. Not only are Reche Caldwell and Keenan Mccardell probably not the best #3's they are likely gone anyway.

If they are looking for wideout they could be looking at Mario Manningham(WR-MICH) if he makes it that far or they could go with Malcom Kelly(WR-OKL) who is a little more likely to still be on the board at this point. While Manningham has the higher overall ranking amongst the experts, I like Kelly better. I really think Manningham might be a bust, he cerrtainly has playmaker ability but he is to small of frame. Kelly has him by 4 inches and 40 pounds at 6'4'' 219.

The biggest reason they might not end up going with a WR is that those two are going to get lots of attention from Philadelphia and Tampa Bay who are 19 and 20 to Washingtons #21(wierd coincidence that they end up with Sean Taylor's number in the draft) If those two WR are gone the 'Skins should look at the guy Tampa was debating over, Kentwan Balmer(DT-UNC). Balmer may get passed by the Bucs because Gruden isn't likely to pick up a guy who has had questions about putting in the work to live up to his potential. Daniel Snyder on the other hand is always willing to take a risk.