Its not fun to be a fan of a under-performing NFL team, at times its downright torture. Fans for the Washington Redskins know this fact intimately, and this season is no different, it seems, than the slew of previous seasons in which the Redskins brought out a team lacking in overall talent and cohesion, and threw it on the field, chock full of aging veterans and unknowns. Just as the squad jumped off to a 3-1 start in the heavily contested NFC East, they have now lost 3 games in a row, and the wins they do have are, for the most part, against very poor teams, in terms of both talent and record. After what we have witnessed in the offseason and up to this point in the regular season, the questions Redskins fans want answered are these. “What is there to be excited about at this point?” and “Can we expect more of the same letdowns and subpar play in the years to come?” They are questions that are not so easily answered, but there is a glimmer of hope if you are a Washington Redskins fan. I will give two reasons that the questions can be answered with an optimism that the fan base and team has been without for more than a decade.
1. The Defense – The defense that the Washington Redskins run is the 34 defense, put in place by defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. While many fans and media were clamoring about the decision to switch from a very productive 43 group, Haslett and Mike Shanahan implemented a system that is all about momentum and pressuring the opposing quarterback into mistakes. This system, while being near last in terms of yardage allowed per game last year, has finally started to mature and is showing signs of growth. Fans must remember that building a core of defensive players cannot all be done in one offseason. The young talent that has been added recently, in Stephen Bowen, Ryan Kerrigan and Josh Wilson, as well as Brian Orakpo, should give fans great optimism looking towards the future. Drafting a couple more contributors to the unit is a must, but with how they have performed thus far this season, this is definitely a group of guys that will be laying down the law at Fed Ex field for years to come.
2. The Quarterbacks – Most of you are saying, “What the heck is this guy talking about? This is the weakest area on the squad as we speak!!!” I concur, this is a weak area, but there is reason for hope. That reason is Mike Shanahans decision to not draft a quarterback in 2011’s draft. The team will almost certainly draft their quarterback of the future this offseason. The upcoming draft years crop of talent at the quarterback position far outweighs what was available in 2011’s class. Look for Mike Shanahan to get “His Guy” in there and start to revamp the offense around a solid prospect, such as Matt Barkley, Robert Griffen III, and Nick Foles. The way Mike Shanahan orchestrated the draft in 2011 was a thing that Redskins fans had not seen in ages. Look for him to definitely draft one, or even two QBs this season, and make the most out of the picks he does have to position himself with. Even more, having a quality #2 quarterback is a luxury that some teams do not have. John Beck has proven that he can be efficient in the offense Kyle Shanahan runs, and in a pinch, can manage games enough to keep the team within reach of a victory. This luxury is a priceless commodity, and all the experience that John Beck can garner this year will definitely benefit the franchise moving forward.
These two areas, if addressed with a sense of organized urgency, are the keys to the Redskins becoming competitors in their division year in and year out. Overall, there are many more reasons to feel a sense of hope if you are a Redskins fan, even after a 2 game losing streak, and some injuries to key players. Long term success is very close. The attitude has definitely changed in our nations capital, and changed for the better. Gone are the days of overpaying high priced veterans due to their previous accolades and production. The infusion of a positive work ethic and budding youth is just what the doctor ordered for this team, and has been what was lacking for the past decade or more. It may take another year or two to see it in full swing, but anyone with any football sense can see that this franchise is heading in the right direction, after so many seasons in the cellar.