2011 Season Preview: Washington Redskins

2010 Record: 6-10

2010 Rankings:

Total Offense - 18

Passing Offense - 8

Rushing Offense - 30

Scoring Offense - 25

Total Defense - 31

Pass Defense - 31

Rush Defense - 26

Scoring Defense - 21

Offense

The Redskins offense was dismal last year with Donovan McNabb at the helm. McNabb had a 14:15 TD-to-INT ratio and was benched for Rex Grossman. For some unknown reason, the Redskins went out and signed a bunch of mediocre free agents, including QBs John Beck and Kellen Clemens, RB Tim Hightower, WR Donte' Stallworth, and OL Sean Locklear and Chris Chester. Santana Moss can still be a dangerous receiver, but one has to wonder about who will be throwing him the ball, whether it's Grossman or Beck. The Redskins added some experienced linemen to go with last year's first round pick Trent Williams and drafted RBs Roy Helu (Nebraska) and Evan Royster (Penn St) who could see time this season in tandem with Hightower. They will need at least one back to step up and shoulder the load after the Skins were 31st in rushing attempts last season and 4th in pass attempts.

Defense

The Skins added to their defense in the draft, selecting pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan to bookend Brian Orakpo, who led the team with 8.5 sacks last season. Their biggest addition in the back was safety OJ Atogwe, who will be a ballhawk on the back end. Nevertheless, the Redskins still have problems defending both the pass and the run and will likely be surrendering a ton of yards again this year. Their saving grace last year was their red zone defense, which somehow managed to keep teams out of the end zone and keep the Redskins in games. 

Intangibles

Everything points to another down year from the Redskins, but somehow 12 of the Skins 16 games were played within 1 score. We're not sold on either Rex Grossman or John Beck as a starting QB in this league, and the Redskins will need more of a contribution out of their running game this season if they want to be competitive once more. Honestly, this is a team squarely position to be in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes come next April.

If the Redskins were a Beer, they would be:

Mike's Hard Lemonade

We're not even sure if this is a real football team. Like how Mike's Hard Lemonade is really beer that is distilled down to take out all the flavor then flavored like Lemonade, the Redskins are a collection of marginally talented players dressed up in pads and NFL uniforms. Mike's Hard Lemonade has been running a marketing blitz lately, trying to convince people they are a viable alternative to beer. Similarly, the Redskins are trying to convince the rest of the country that Rex Grossman can still be an NFL QB and that they are contenders in the NFC East.