Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen
Being a Redskins fan in 2010 is good. This time last year? Not so good. The feeling right now is a welcome change. Not only is there optimism for the coming season, there’s enough going on during this off-season to keep fans interested.
When the abysmal 2009 the season was finally over, the relief in Washington was palatable. Watching the local sports last year – both on Sundays and in the middle of the week – was almost physically painful for the burgundy and gold faithful. There was just so much that was awful to dissect after the games – from the scheme to the organization – it was a year best forgotten.
Things are different now and here is why they’re so much better:
1) Owner Dan Snyder. There’s no doubt that Mr. Snyder loves his team and wants to succeed. He needed to have people running the team that he trusts. Because he has made the fundamental change of staying in the background, letting his general manager and head coach make the decisions while he pays the bills, he has proven that he is capable of learning from his mistakes. Let us hope that if – no, WHEN – he finds an ant in the pudding, he can still sit back and not get involved.
2) General Manager Bruce Allen and head coach Mike Shanahan. It is almost as if these two names cannot be written exclusively of each other. The two names seem symbiotic, like-minded, synergetic… as do the two men. The moves that have been made this off-season have appeared seamless; seemingly going off without a hitch. That instills confidence in the fans. When compared to the obviously strained relationship between former head coach Jim Zorn and VP of Football Operations, Vinny Cerrato last season, it’s as if Allen and Shanahan have been working together in the organization for years. Since both of these men have been involved in football for years and both have succeeded, fans should consider the team to be in good hands.
3) The Quarterback: Who would have thought back in February that the words, “Washington Redskins’ quarterback, Donovan McNabb” would be spoken? Fans who were driving on I-95 when the announcement was made had to work to stay between the lines – me included. It is not even a problem that the team used a second round draft pick on him. It was too bad for Jason Campbell, because he could have succeeded under a good head coach and some stability in the organization but, what McNabb has done as the Eagles’ quarterback can’t be denied. He’s done well with receivers less talented than Santana Moss, Joey Galloway, Mike Furrey and Bobby Wade. And, even though we still don’t know what third year men Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly can do, if anyone can bring out their talent, it’s probably McNabb.
4) The Draft: Allen, Shanahan and the scouting personnel did a good job with this year’s draft. Some would argue that we didn’t necessarily need a tight end (Dennis Morris, sixth round) or even a linebacker (Perry Riley, fourth round) but there’s no denying that the Redskins finally drafted for need and it was oh, so refreshing. To have the organization draft Trent Williams, first round, fourth overall, and then go for even more depth by picking Erik Cook and Selvish Capers… well, the expectation is that Donovan McNabb will remain standing for most of the year.
5) The Offensive Line: The Washington Redskins have created a decent offensive line. Not only is a first round draft pick replacing fan-beloved Chris Samuels and watching over McNabb’s blind side, Shanahan and Allen landed a great veteran in offensive tackle, Jammal Brown. Brown has been to the Pro Bowl twice and is a consummate teammate and professional.
With center Casey Rabach (6’4”, 288 lbs.) and guard Derrick Dockery (6’6”, 325 lbs.) back after next year, Trent Williams (6’5”, 315 lbs.) at left tackle, Jammal Brown (6’6”, 313 lbs.) at right tackle and Artis Hicks at guard (6’4”, 314 lbs.), this is a reliable and BIG offensive line. It is so unfortunate that Mike Williams will be out for the year as he would have competed for the guard position and/or provided capable backup. But, because the Redskins have now signed rookies Selvish Capers and Erik Cook, there is youth waiting and learning in the wings. Hicks is versatile – able to play guard and tackle. And Jammal Brown, while a left tackle by trade, will play right tackle but be able to step in for the rookie Trent Williams if needed. What’s not to like in the Redskins offensive line this year?
6) The Defense: A lot has been said about the switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4 defense this off-season so it’s hard to know where to start with this subject. Suffice it to say that it’s certainly going to be interesting to watch the Redskins’ defense in 2010. Washington’s squad has been so good over the last several years and it should be better with this change. To listen to linebacker London Fletcher and defensive end Phillip Daniels – two of the most consistent players this team has seen – be so enthusiastic about the coming season inspires confidence and enthusiasm for any fan. To think of Maake Kemoeatu plugging up that middle so that Brian “O-SACK-po” can rush the quarterback or London Fletcher can track down a running back… why wouldn’t it work? IF Haynesworth comes to town and stays, that’s even better. In an interview with Andre Carter after the last mini-camp, he told me that this new scheme was going to show a lot of disguises and that opposing offenses would not know where the rush or attack was coming from. The secondary should have the freedom to be ball hawks.
The image of Tony Romo scrambling is already starting to form in my mind.
7) The Albert Haynesworth saga: No doubt that it is an old subject but there is something to be said for having an issue this big to keep track of in an off-season. No fan is happy about the way the man is conducting himself and obviously neither are his teammates. But it does make for interesting material. This whole situation is sad because, if he had shown up when he should have, the entire team would have been unified and that is a sight to behold in the NFL. However, the good news is that the Redskins defense is not sitting around waiting for him. Maake “Kemo” Kemoeatu is working hard at the nose tackle position in preparation for playing that position and the defense is moving forward. Training Camp will happen and Haynesworth will either show up or he won’t. Whatever happens, it will be interesting. (At least we know he’s lost weight now so if he does come, he should be in shape)
8) Madden 2011: According to Hogs Haven, The Madden NFL 2011 team ratings show that no team improved more than the Washington Redskins. They moved the team up 6 points from last season from a 70 to a 76. Now THAT is some important stuff!
Offensive tackle Jammal Brown told the hosts of 106.7 The Fan that fans in Washington D.C. should be ecstatic this year. He has enough confidence in Mike Shanahan that he feels like he is on a winning team. Madden 2011 is not the only entity saying that the Redskins are an improved team. One of the best things fans have going for them is that they need not constantly defend the team or what the organization is doing. The Redskins’ NFC East opponents’ fans will look at the Redskins with a new respect this season. And Training Camp is just around the corner. What could be better?