Well, the 'skins season ended last night as it started. With a dispiriting loss at Fed Ex field, with all fans scratching their heads saying "shoulda, coulda, woulda." Here are the positives as I see them:
- It seem the 'skins have re-discovered their identity as a tough, between the hashmarks, smashmouth, running kind of offense. Lets hope they don't forget this (again) in the offseason.
- Jason Campbell seems legit! I'm looking forward to his development in the offseason.
- Our offensive line is one of the best in the NFL. Lets keep them together!
- Ladell Betts is a great back. If Clinton Portis had been healthy in the last games, I think he could have done better, but Betts is for real. We'll have to worry about keeping them both happy.
Here are the negatives:
- The defense is floundering. This was an awful season for them, with too many issues to count. We shouldn't have let Ryan Clark go. We need some better linebackers, and help with the pass-rush up front. The secondary is in disarray (thus the bit about Clark.)
- We don't make good personnel decisions: Adam Archuleta is a bust. Dave Patten is a bust. Brandon Lloyd is a bust. T.J. Duckett is a bust. Andre Carter is doing OK, but he needs help. Gibbs really needs to think hard about whether a GM would pay off. I think one would.
Here are the keys for next season:
- Limit the changes to the coaching staff, and a few key players on defense. Don't touch the offense, since that seems to be taking hold. I would consider getting rid of Gregg Williams. The defense could use a coaching overhaul.
- See what we can do to bring in some solid Redskins teamplayers in the secondary. Get Taylor a mentor, similar to the role Ryan Clark played. Dump Archuleta. Maybe we could get Clark back.
- Be a little tougher in the offseason. See about drafting some receivers!
- Find a killer GM to help Gibbs out. Anyway, at least we have a long time to think all of this through. I just don't want to see a major overhaul of the offense like we did last season.
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