The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 10. Today, the Washington Redskins.
Last year’s record: 4-12
Head coach: Jay Gruden
Core players: Kirk Cousins (QB), Robert Griffin III (QB), Alfred Morris (RB), DeSean Jackson (WR), Pierre Garcon (WR), Jason Hatcher (DT), Ryan Kerrigan (LB), DeAngelo Hall (CB), Dashon Goldson (S)
2015 is about… Cutting the franchise’s ties with Robert Griffin III once and for all, the first step of which has already been taken with the announcement of Kirk Cousins as the team’s starter going forward. The month of August was a disaster in the U.S. capital, as the soured relationship between Griffin and Gruden, combined with the ownership style of Dan Snyder, has dominated the headlines. That isn’t going to subside as long as No. 10 is still on the roster. As hard is it will be to admit that trading all those draft picks away for Griffin was a mistake, it’s the right decision for Washington long-term.
They lost… Brian Orakpo, who played just 24 games over the last three seasons, but his departure leaves question marks on the right side of the defence, where Trent Murphy (who filled in adequately for Orakpo last season) will start Week 1. Running back Roy Helu is now in Oakland and leaves Washington with question marks in third-and-long situations—Helu caught 42 balls last season for 477 yards and a pair of TDs.
And while these players are still on the team, tight ends Jordan Reed, Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen have all suffered injuries (Paul and Paulsen are both done for the season), and Washington is in dire need of someone to step up at the position.
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Yeah, but they got… Washington’s off-season was all about bulking up on defence. Dashon Goldson was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while controversial linebacker Junior Galette was added after his release from the New Orleans Saints… only to tear his Achilles last week. In free agency, GM Scot McCloughan made key additions in the secondary and along the defensive line, signing former San Fran cornerback Chris Culliver and ex-Denver nose tackle Terrance Knighton.
Jeron Johnson, Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean Francois were also added to help solidify new defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s group after last season’s unit finished 29th in total points allowed.
The team also added Bill Callahan to the coaching staff, who was crucial in the development of the Cowboys’ much-improved offensive line and running game. Expect a change in Washington’s run style to incorporate a more powerful, downhill approach, similar to that of the 2014 Dallas Cowboys’ second-ranked rush offence.
Growing from within: Washington’s rookies will have an impact in 2015. Brandon Scherff, the offensive guard drafted fifth overall, is expected to contribute immediately at right tackle but has had early struggles. Third-round running back Matt Jones has impressed so far in the pre-season, and could take carries away from Alfred Morris in Callahan’s power run game. Preston Smith has been tabbed as the long-term replacement for Orakpo, and wideout Jamison Crowder will be a key player on special teams and could push Pierre Garcon at the No. 2 receiver spot if things go well early in the season.
Why this team? Because you might choose to be a fan at the perfect time. If the chatter is to be believed, the Robert Griffin III era in Washington is almost up and the team can start to move on. If Cousins can develop into the quarterback many think he can be, the future may actually be bright. Washington boasts a potentially-dangerous offence with a handful of weapons who have big-play capability to go along with what should be a much-improved defence.
Why not? Because it’s entirely likely the indecision surrounding RG3 will continue and 2015 will be another season filled with players and coaches trading insults through the media, a three-headed quarterback controversy and, ultimately, more disappointing play on the field. (See: Washington’s porous offensive line that resulted in an RG3 concussion.)
Perfect for fans of… Dysfunction. Please refer back to most of what I’ve written in the preceding paragraphs. But RG3 isn’t the starting point of Washington’s incompetence. From the constant overspending on free-agent busts (remember Albert Haynesworth?) to the ongoing controversy surrounding the team’s name, there’s always something in Washington that takes the focus off the actual football.
How much hope? 4/10. Like I mentioned earlier, the potential is there. But will Robert Griffin III actually be released? If he’s sent packing, is Cousins (or Colt McCoy) really the answer under centre? And even if he is, will that be a moot point if the offensive line can’t get their collective act together? In what is always a tough division, any finish but last in the NFC East would be considered a success for Washington this season.
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Will you be mocked for front-running? Oh, most definitely. Washington has made the playoffs just five times since winning the Super Bowl in 1991, and there hasn’t been much to be excited about since. Meaning unless you’re a long-time die hard, most will assume you jumped on the RG3 bandwagon and it’s just too late to hop off.
A Meme to Remember: