No team in the NFL got less bang for its buck last year than the Redskins.
The fantasy football team that owner Daniel Snyder handed to Norv Turner was
far better on paper than it was on the field. After a playoff-free 8-8
season, Turner was dismissed and Snyder realized what he should have all
along, that his expertise is in business, not football. That's why Snyder
hired Marty Schottenheimer to coach the Redskins and agreed to give him
control of all football decisions.
| |
CAMP AT A GLANCE
|
| |  |
| Marty Schottenheimer came out of retirement to coach the Redskins. |
|
Location:Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa.
Rookies report: July 29
Veterans report: July 29
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 12: at Kansas City
Aug. 17: Atlanta
Aug. 24: Cleveland
Aug. 30: at New England
|
Schottenheimer's demanding ways might have prevented last year's
second-half collapse, when the overpaid egos collected by Snyder began to
point fingers while winning two of their last eight games. That won't happen
again because Turner's laissez faire approach has been replaced by
Schottenheimer's no-nonsense, team-oriented philosophy. The talent level may
be down -- more than a dozen contributing veterans are gone -- but chemistry,
not talent, has always been more important to Schottenheimer. The Redskins
still have talent on both sides of the ball, so they could take advantage of
an easy schedule to press the Giants and Eagles in the division.
Man in the spotlight
Jeff George has the quarterback position to himself
after Brad Johnson left via free agency. What he does with it will determine
his future in Washington. George wasn't a good fit in Turner's offense, but
he could thrive with a change at the top. Schottenheimer will try to coax
some leadership and cooperation out of George, something many have been
unable to do over the years. Still, with bookend studs at tackle and the wide
receiver corps bolstered by the return of Michael Westbrook from a knee
injury and the drafting of power receiver Rod Gardner in the first round,
George could have a late-career renaissance.
Key position battle
Deion Sanders' play fell off dramatically last year
and his future is uncertain as he's once again dabbling in baseball. Assuming
that Sanders won't be back, the cornerback job opposite emerging star Champ
Bailey is wide open. Future Hall of Famer Darrell Green is 41 and best-suited
for nickel duty at this point, but he may be pressed into full-time service
unless cocky Fred Smoot, the team's second-round draft pick, comes along
quickly. If Smoot steps right in, the defense should remain solid despite
losing several starters to salary cap concerns.
Biggest adjustment
While handing out mega-salaries to players such as
Sanders, George and Bruce Smith, Snyder forgot that special teams' play can
make or break a team. Last year, it broke the Redskins. Washington employed
five kickers who made only 20 of 30 field-goal attempts and it lost four
games at the end because of missed field goals. Punter Tommy Barnhardt wasn't
much better. Schottenheimer has brought back dependable Brett Conway, whose
early season groin injury started the Redskins' parade of kickers. Free agent
punter Bryan Barker is steady, which is something the Redskins' special teams
need.
Rookie report
Gardner and Smoot are being counted on to play major roles,
but they're not alone. Fourth-round pick Sage Rosenfels and holdover Todd
Husak are the only quarterbacks behind George. Massive Mario Monds, a
sixth-round pick, will be in the derby to replace defensive tackle Dana
Stubblefield, who returned to San Francisco after three undistinguised
seasons with the Redskins.
Redskins' complete offseason moves
