Rough Redskins

And after a 20 day break, I'm back! This time to talk about the upcoming NFL season and my Washington Redskins.

First, the good news. After losing last week to the Baltimore Ravens 23-0, the Skins rallied last night to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-13 at a miserable and soggy FedEx Field. Even though they were the last NFL team to do so, the Skins finally scored preseason touchdowns when third-string quarterback Chase Daniels connected with Marko Mitchell and Fred Davis in the second half. That's right folks, the Redskins first and second string offenses have yet to score a touchdown this year! But Daniels played well, passing for two touchdowns and making an excellent case to take over Colt Brennan's job as the third-string signal caller. So long, Colt. Hope you enjoyed your stay.

Other good news came from new defensive additions Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo, the rookie DE/LB from Texas. Orakpo was all over the place, generating pressure on the Steelers offense and enthusiasm from the Redskins faithful. He looks to be a wise first round selection from this year's draft. The defense as a whole forced more pressure on Steelers quarterbacks, a welcome change from last year's almost absent defensive front. If the Skins make the playoffs this year, it will be because of their terrific defense. They are the stronger unit for this year's Redskins. That's because the offense looks awful. Which brings us to...

The bad news. As reported by columnist Thomas Boswell in today's Washington Post, the Redskins aren't very good. Our offensive line and cornerbacks are terrible. And if receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas can't soon pull their heads out of their asses, starting quarterback Jason Campbell won't have many options to throw too. Sure, Santana Moss and Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis should have good years, but you need lots of reliable options over a 16 game season for the simple reason that football is violent and players get banged up and hurt. And Campbell had better have a good year, or else he's gone, along with Coach Jim Zorn. I like both Campbell and Zorn, but owner Daniel Synder doesn't give a damn what I think. He's apparently more interested in breaking up team continuity and chemistry while constantly looking for the instant fix at the expense of his team's confidence, respect, and trust.

I'm not rushing to judgments based on two preseason performances (unlike my dad, who thinks the Redskins are terrible), but I do realize the realistic circumstances facing the Redskins: the other three teams in the NFC East are good and the Skins look bad with apparent mediocrity at important postions (quarterback, offensive line, #2 wide receiver, and cornerback). It's a long season and I'm willing to be patient, until the Skins look bad in a game that means something, that is. Those games will be here soon. The Redskins need to improve.

P.S.- Washington Post sports columnist Mike Wise mentions Luray, my hometown, in today's column about last night's Redskins game!