HEAD COACH: Mike Shanahan
Key Additions: WR Pierre Garcon; WR Josh Morgan; DB Brandon Meriweather; OL James Lee; CB Cedric Griffin
Key Losses: WR Jabar Gaffney; DB LaRon Landry; DB Oshiomogho Atogwe; OL Sean Locklear; TE Mike Sellers; WR Donte' Stallworth
Offense: RG3.
No, that's not a secret service code. It's the initials of the new quarterback in the nation's capitol as Robert Griffin III (Baylor University) comes on the scene after being taken second overall in the NFL Draft.
Griffin will take over (barring injury) as the Redskins' QB from Rex Grossman, who put up slightly average numbers a year ago, but threw far too many interceptions (20) compared to his 16 touchdown passes. Grossman and rookie Kirk Cousins will back up Griffin.
The running game is a battle between oft injured Tim Hightower (11 missed games a year ago) and Roy Helu (640 yards rushing and two TD) for the starting role.
Evan Royster (328 yards with a 5.9 ypc average) is also available for the 'Skins. The fullback is Darrel Young.
The wide receivers corps will see new faces as Pierre Garcon (signed as free agent from Indianapolis) comes over after grabbing 70 catches for 947 yards with six touchdowns.
Second year player Leonard Hankerson will get a long look in camp, along with veterans Santana Moss (46, 584 yards, four TD), Anthony Armstrong and Josh Morgan, who had 15 receptions with a touchdown in limited action with San Francisco last season.
The tight ends are Fred Davis (59, 796 yards, three TD) and Chris Cooley, who was injured last year but has shown good abilities in season's past.
The offensive line has Will Montgomery at center to go with tackles Trent Williams and Jammal Brown. The guards will be Kory Lichtensteiger and Chris Chester. Rookies Josh LeRibeus, Adam Gettis and Tom Compton, along with James Lee and Erik Cook, will push the starters for playing time.
The Redskins (347 yards per game in 2011) need some spark on offense and are hopeful Griffin will be the supplier for an offense that ranked 16th overall while they were 14th passing (230 yards per game) and 25th rushing the football. In addition, they were 26th overall in scoring.
Defense: This was an under rated unit a year ago that ranked 13th overall, allowing the exact same numbers the offense put up, which was 230 yards passing per game and 117 rushing yards allowed per game.
The Redskins defense will feature 3-4 alignment with veteran London Fletcher anchoring the linebackers on the inside along with Perry Riley. The outside linebackers are Brian Orakpo (nine QB sacks) and Ryan Kerrigan, who had 7 1/2 sacks and a touchdown return of an interception.
Up front, the nose tackle is Barry Cofield and the ends are Adam Carriker (5 1/2 sacks) and Stephen Bowen. In reserve roles are Jarvis Jenkins, Chris Nield, Kedric Golston, Chris Baker, Kentwan Balmer and Darrion Scott.
The Redskins can get after the quarterback, evidenced by 41 sacks a year ago. Consistent pressure on opposing signal callers in 2012 will once again play a big role for the defense if they want to have more success.
The secondary has DeAngelo Hall, who made three interceptions last season, and Josh Wilson at cornerback. The safeties will be free agent Brandon Meriweather and Tanard Jackson. Meriweather replaces the departed LaRon Landry, who left for the New York Jets as a free agent.
Cedric Griffin, Reed Doughty, Kevin Barnes, Madieu Williams and DeJon Gomes will provide depth this season.
OUTLOOK: The Redskins have been the doormats of the NFC East for a few seasons and they are tired of it as Head Coach Mike Shanahan enters his third season with the team.
Griffin will be tested from the start, but he should be up to the challenge. The key will be the protection from the men up front because if it breaks down, Griffin will make like Michael Vick and Cam Newton and take off running downfield.
Speaking of running, that will also be a key element for the Redskins in 2012. If Helu and Hightower can provide a consistent ground game for the team, it will take the pressure off the passing game as Griffin and the receivers become more comfortable with one another as the season goes along.
The defense must step up and force turnovers as the Redskins had only 13 interceptions a year ago. They were also a minus-14 in the turnover category. Pressure on opposing quarterbacks will also need to be a strength once again after the Redskins finished among the top ten in the NFL in that area last season.
A big plus for the Redskins entering 2012 will be the new enthusiasm that comes with a special talent like Griffin at the quarterback position. Throw in the fact the Redskins did beat the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants twice last year and you can see the reason for the renewed excitement this season.
However, the Redskins do have those question marks on offense and they must prove they can do it on the field when it counts and not just in scrimmages. A 7-9 finish is likely this year as the team improves from last year and looks to make more strides in the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at New Orleans
Week 2- at St. Louis
Week 3- vs. Cincinnati
Week 4- at Tampa Bay
Week 5- vs. Atlanta
Week 6- vs. Minnesota
Week 7- at NY Giants
Week 8- at Pittsburgh
Week 9- vs. Carolina
Week 10- BYE
Week 11- vs. Philadelphia
Week 12- at Dallas
Week 13- vs. NY Giants
Week 14- vs. Baltimore
Week 15- at Cleveland
Week 16- at Philadelphia
Week 17- vs. Dallas
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