WASHINGTON REDSKINS
2009 RECORD: 4-12-0
HEAD COACH: Mike Shanahan
Key Additions: QB Donovan McNabb (trade/Philadelphia), RB Willie Parker (FA/Pittsburgh), RB Larry Johnson (FA/Cincinnati), CB Phillip Buchanon (FA/Detroit), QB Rex Grossman (FA/Houston), WR Joey Galloway (FA/New England), WR Bobby Wade (FA/Kansas City)
Key Losses: QB Jason Campbell (trade/Oakland), RB Rock Cartwright (FA/Oakland), WR Antwaan Randle El (FA/Pittsburgh), CB Fred Smoot (FA), QB Todd Collins (FA), TE Todd Yoder (FA), RB Ladell Betts (FA), DE Renaldo Wynn (FA)
Offense: The Donovan McNabb era begins this season in Washington and the Redskins are hoping the veteran quarterback can put up the kind of numbers he did with the Eagles and get the Redskins back to the playoffs.
McNabb (3,553 yards passing with 22 TD and 10 INT in '09) is entering his 12th season and will lead the offense. The back up is Rex Grossman, who played in Houston last season.
He will have Santana Moss (70 catches for 902 yards and three TD) and Devin Thomas (25, 325, three TD) as his main targets at wide receiver.
The tight end is Chris Cooley, who made 29 catches a year ago before missing the final nine games with a broken ankle. Fred Davis filled in nicely with 48 grabs for 509 yards and six touchdowns.
The backfield is crowded with Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. Mike Sellers will be the fullback.
Portis is bouncing back from injuries after rushing for 494 yards last season. Johnson has had some great years and comes over after playing sparingly the last two seasons with the Chiefs and Bengals. Parker was hurt again last year with Pittsburgh, where he gained 389 yards in very limited action in '09.
The line consists of center Casey Rabach, guards Derrick Dockery and Mike Williams and tackles Trent Williams and Artis Hicks.
Defense: Will Albert Haynesworth be ready when the season starts?
The massive nose tackle in the Redskins 3-4 scheme has been at odds with new Head Coach Mike Shanahan during the off-season. If he starts, he will be alongside ends Phillip Daniels Kedric Golston. Ma'ake Kemoeatu is also available at nose tackle for the Redskins.
The linebackers are Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter on the outside and inside backers London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh. Orakpo (11 QB sacks) and Carter (12 sacks) helped the Redskins accumulate 40 sacks in 2009.
The defensive backs are Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall (four interceptions) at the corners and Chris Horton and LaRon Landry playing the safety spots.
OUTLOOK: After finishing 4-12 a year ago and 27th in the NFL in rushing the football, Washington wants to run again. They averaged just 94 yards per game last season. With a healthy Portis and Johnson and Parker providing depth, the Redskins will look to improve in this area.
McNabb is the key to the offense and if he is healthy and gets the fresh start he needs in Washington, then the Redskins should score more often in 2010.
After scoring just 266 points in 2009, the offense has to generate more scoring and that is why McNabb was brought in.
Defensively, the Redskins finished 10th in the NFL allowing 320 yards per game. The pass defense was decent, finishing eighth in the league while allowing 207 yards per game.
Shanahan was run out of Denver two years ago when the Broncos collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs.
With a fresh start in Washington, both Shanahan and McNabb are looking to propel the Redskins back to the playoffs.
Playing in the NFC East isn't easy, where the Redskins went 0-6 last season. To move up in the standings would be a good start this season. Look for a 5-11 finish this season as the team looks to improve and looks toward the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Dallas
Week 2- vs. Houston
Week 3- at St. Louis
Week 4- at Philadelphia
Week 5- vs. Green Bay
Week 6- vs. Indianapolis
Week 7- at Chicago
Week 8- at Detroit
Week 9- Bye Week
Week 10- vs. Philadelphia
Week 11- at Tennessee
Week 12- vs. Minnesota
Week 13- at NY Giants
Week 14- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 15- at Dallas
Week 16- at Jacksonville
Week 17- vs. NY Giants
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