The 2002 Dallas Cowboys were a team that had a talented, but poorly coached defense, an anemic offense without any go-to guys, and a coaching staff in over their head. They finished with a 5-11 record.
In 2003 Bill Parcells came to Dallas and the defense became one of the best in the NFL, the offense, without making an upgrade, improved and the coaching staff, of course, is the reason why. The team finished 10-6 and went to the playoffs.
The 2003 Washington Redskins had a roster with a lot more talent than the Cowboys did in the pre-Parcells era. If coached well, they should be able to make a bigger improvement than that team too.
The Skins defense features three of the top linebackers in the game, an All-Pro corner and improving safeties. The offense has a quarterback in Patrick Ramsey with limitless potential, a solid offensive line and a receiving core that, in the right circumstances, should compliment each other quite well.
The problem with the Redskins this year was their lack of discipline and game preparation. Steve Spurrier and his coaching staff were in over their heads and underestimated the work that goes in to making a successful NFL team.
But now the Redskins have Joe Gibbs. The talented roster is still in tact and it is up to Gibbs and his coaches to GEt them to play to their capabilities. And there is every indication that they will.
But, going into free-agency and the draft, the Redskins still have some glaring holes that they need to address. Without filling these gaps, the Redskins could still easily make a big jump like the Cowboys did. But if they can get a solid roster, Joe Gibbs could lead the Redskins back to the promised land quicker than anyone thinks.
The first personnel issue the Redskins need to address is the status of Champ Bailey. Champ has been a Pro-Bowler throughout his career and last year barely got thrown on because teams were afraid of him.
This year, however, Champ had an off year and was beaten a number of times on big touchdown receptions. He also seemed to be an advocate of the "Fred Smoot 5-Yard Cushion Program".
Champ is an unrestricted free agent. But, the Redskins will probably make him their Franchise Player. If they do that, teams would have to reward the Redskins with high draft picks if they want to sign Bailey.
I think the Redskins should make Champ their Franchise Player, but if a team wants to give them two 1st round draft choices, or even a 1st and a 2nd, I could live with that.
I love Champ, don't get me wrong. I think he is one of the premiere corners in the NFL. But in the era of the salary cap, teams can't keep around every player they want. If a team is willing to part with some high picks for Champ, the Redskins should at least listen. If not, sign him to a long-term, backended deal that will become unwiedly in four years. I love how everybody makes a big deal out of these huge contracts, when every party involved knows that there is zero chance that the contract will be honored in the specified terms. Teams are always cutting players before their cap number takes up too much space or restructuring.
Donovan McNabb signed a contract worth close to $90 million a few years ago, but will maybe see 2/3rds of that if he's lucky. These contracts please the agents and make for good copy in newspapers, but really are as thin as the paper they're written on.
There are two big holes in the Redskins starting 22. One is at Running Back and the other is on the entire defensive line. Bruce Smith has retired, Renaldo Wynn might as well be retired, and the defensive tackles could be replaced with traffic cones without much difference in performance. Sure, the Redskins could use a nickel-corner and some a new tight-end, but those can wait. Without a RB Joe Gibbs won't be able to play the ball control offense that he loves. And with no D-Line... well, lets just say that Troy Hambrick's incentive clauses would love that.
The Redskins can address both of these needs in Free Agency. We'll get to the draft later.
Some of the big defensive names that will be available include Grant Wistrom, Cornelius Griffin, Darren Howard, Warren Sapp, Sean Gilbert (just kidding), Keith McKenzie, Ted Washington, Robaire Smith and Jevon Kearse. The Redskins should seriously take a look at everybody on this list except for Sapp and Kearse. Sapp gives up on most plays and hasn't really been an effective player since 2001. He will be looking for a huge contract but will be disappointed when he sees his offers. Much like Ben Affleck will be quite upset when Kevin Smith pitches him Dogma 2 and offers Affleck less money than Alanis Morrisette.
Kearse is great, but the Redskins can't afford him.
There is another list of players that Dan Snyder will be reluctant to look at because the names on it don't have good marquee value, but they are solid defensive lineman. Included in this list are Chidi Ahanotu, Fred Robbins and Adewale Ogunleye.
With guys like Howard, McKenzie, Ahanotu and Ogunleye, the Redskins should be able to fill in at least two of the holes on their D-Line through Free Agency.
Guys like Regan Upshaw and Bernard Holsey will still be on the Skins roster, but with the exception of Upshaw, these players can and should be easily upgraded.
At running back the Redskins need to blow up their entire operation. Trung Canidate and Chad Morton should be cut. Ladell Betts will probably be given a shot to be the starting back, but look for the Redskins to find somebody to compete with him in Free Agency.
Kevan Barlow, Duce Staley, He Hate Me, Thomas Jones, Rudi Johnson and Dominic Rhodes are all available in some form of free agency. Most observers think that the Bengels will re-sign Johnson and then try to unload Corey Dillon. His name, just like every big-name on the market, has been talked about by the Redskins.
Corey Dillon comes with baggage. He has a reputation as a selfish player and is prone to injuries. If the Redskins could get him without giving up too much, it would be a good signing. But if the Bengels hold out for a king's ransom, the Skins would be wise to stay away.
Instead, the Redskins will probably look at another injury prone, selfish running back in Duce Staley. I hope the Skins don't sign Duce just so we can call avoid hearing that stupid "DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE" chant every friggin time he runs. Seriously, is there a more stupid chant in sports than just yelling a players name (except of course when heckling a player. When Maryland goes to play at Duke, except the "DARRRRRRRYLLLLLL" chant to be in full force every time DJ Strawberry gets the ball). Everyone does it too. When Bruce Smith makes a tackle there is the "BRUUUUUUUCE" chant. I don't get it. When Adewale Ogunleye makes a tackle nobody chants "ADDDDDDEEEEWAAALLLLLLLLLLE". And they do it EVERY TIME HE TOUCHES THE BALL. Duce could run for a two-yard loss (and believe me, he does this quite often) and the fans still would do that stupid chant.
It's getting to be lunchtime, so I'm going to save my thoughts about the draft until another day. In short, don't expect Kellen Winslow II (don't even get me started on that II) to be wearing the burgundy and gold.