Schedule, 2010

The NFL released its 2010 schedule Tuesday, and so I now get to tell you all how I think the Redskins will do this season.

First off, the actual schedule, courtesy of the Redskins:

What we have here is a fairly balanced schedule. When the opponents were initially released, I thought that it was an overpoweringly difficult schedule, but the "difficult" opponents are spread out over the season, so the first half of the schedule is similar to the second half. (Also, note that the Bye week comes in the exact middle of the season).

But there aren't too many "gimmie" games for the Skins. The closest they come are at the Lions, against Houston, at the Rams and at Jacksonville, and those aren't too easy. Consider: The Lions -- THE LIONS! -- edged the Skins last season.

Prime time = ouch
There are three national TV games on the docket, which hasn't been good for the Redskins recently. The Redskins played three prime time games in 2009 and lost all three. Not only that, but they scored just 29 points in those three games COMBINED. They were shut out by the Cowboys, 17-0.

The Redskins are winless in their last two seasons in prime-time games. They're 1-5 for the last three years, and 1-7 in the last four years. Since 2004, the Redskins have won just 3 prime-time games. 3 out of 14 games. Ouch.

Divisional games ...
I really would like to say that I think the Skins will go far this coming season. But, going game-by-game, I just have trouble seeing anything over a .500 season. Of course, that may be because I'm marking off all divisional games as a loss.

Yes, I'm giving the Redskins an "L" for every divisional game, even against the McNabb-less Eagles. Why? Because the Skins have had trouble with divisional victories for several years now. Color me skeptical, but I'll wait until Shanahan and Co. start beating the pants off the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys until I start to be a believer.

Might the Redskins be better off without Okung?

The general consensus among NFL scout-types and Redskins fans alike is that the team from Washington will draft Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

But I'm here to ask a question:

Might the Redskins, who lack draft picks, be better off trading down, thereby picking more draft picks, and selecting either Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams or Iowa's Bryan Bulaga?

There's a growing thought that Williams and/or Bulaga might actually be better than Okung for various reasons -- athletic ability, NFL potential, etc. But there's also the question of whether Williams especially, but also Bulaga, might fit the Redskins' new blocking schemes better than Okung, who has struggled against speed rushers.

It's something to think about at the very least. The team could obviously use more draft picks, but the likely trades of Jason Campbell and/or a running back might solve that issue. Don't be surprised if the Redskins bypass Okung.

Of course, the Lions might make the decision much easier if they select a left tackle with the No 2 overall draft pick.

CSN's Rich Tandler had a far more detailed write-up, and you should all go read it. 

Okung highlights/lowlights



Williams highlights/lowlights



Bulaga highlights/lowlights

Failed Redskins QBs

So the Washington Post posted a photo gallery of every starting quarterback for the Redskins since 1992.

They titled this gallery "Redskins quarterbacks: A revolving door." 

Sadly, they are not wrong.

But as I went through all of the names and faces, I realized that I had forgotten some of these guys ever started for the Redskins.

Which names surprised you? Or which jumped out? I totally forgot about Tim Hasselbeck.

Another guy who stood out to me was Brad Johnson. Boy, the team really misused him. Didn't play that badly, had a winning record, but then was dumped and went on to win a Super Bowl.

Actually, that's kind of fitting.

McNabb to the Redskins

Offseason champs, baby!

For those fans who thought that the Redskins were being too quiet under Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan this offseason, the team had a big answer Sunday.

The Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a deal to send veteran star quarterback Donovan McNabb to Washington in exchange for a second-round pick in this year's draft and a fourth-round pick in next year's. Considering the relatively low cost, getting a guy like McNabb -- who has started 142 games in his NFL career -- was a good deal.

But what does this deal really mean? Well, for starters ...

• The Redskins found their starting QB for the 2010 season. Say goodbye to Jason Campbell. It doesn't make much sense to keep a guy like Jason, who has sizable trade value, when it's obvious that Campbell won't be starting unless McNabb gets injured. Rex Grossman was brought in to be the system guy.

• The Redskins' first-round pick is probably settled. Now that the Redskins have a suitable starter at QB for this season, it seems likely the team will select an offensive tackle (like Oklahoma State's Russell Okung) later this month. 

• The Eagles have been weakened. If McNabb knows anything, it's how Philly's offense works. He's been starting for the Eagles since 1999. The Eagles now figure to start either Kevin Kolb or Michael Vick, but McNabb being with the Redskins should cause the Eagles some headaches. 

Still far more to come about this.

Buchanon strong option to start

The Redskins signed free-agent cornerback Phillip Buchanon Monday, nabbing yet another former star from Miami.

If you're keeping track, that's now four former Hurricanes on the team: Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Rocky McIntosh and Buchanon.

Taking a quick look at the Redskins' roster, you can probably pencil Buchanon in as a nickel back right now, but he has the potential to start opposite DeAngelo Hall. Carlos Rodgers has started many games for the Redskins, but he was benched multiple times last season and hasn't exactly stood out. Last year's third-round draft pick, Kevin Barnes, was a non-factor his rookie year.

Would not be surprised if Buchanon was starting by mid-season, if not sooner.

A new (hope?) thought: Tim Tebow

While Albert Haynesworth talked about switching to the 3-4 and Devin Thomas dismantled former coach Jim Zorn, a topic recently popped up on news sites, fan sites and message boards: Could the Redskins be thinking about drafting former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow?

Yeah, yeah. I know. Can't throw. Can't read defenses. Gator QB (EW!). But the guy is a college football living legend for a reason.

Let's say that offensive tackle Russell Okung falls to the Redskins in the first round. What's the Redskins' second biggest need? Another OL? Okay maybe. Also, the team might use another young running back. Maybe another linebacker or safety. But a young QB not named Colt Brennan (who, the way things are looking, won't survive training camp) would be a good idea, too.

Tebow has his problems, sure. But if there was one player in this draft I would want to take a gamble on, it's Tebow.

Here's a video, with some of his highlights.



One wild thought: If the Skins draft Tebow, get him used to the system slowly. Use him at fullback on some runs. Give him the ball on some running plays. Then have him throw from the FB position. He could have a dangerous weapon if used well. Just a thought.

Also, take a look at the stats of six college quarterbacks, and guess which is Tebow. You may be surprised.

Final note
If the Redskins draft Tebow, that will be the latest in a long line of GatorSkin QBs. Remember Danny Wuerffel? Shane Matthews? Rex Grossman was recently signed to be a system mentor/backup. All the Redskins are missing is Chris Leak, who is apparently playing in Canada for Montreal of the CFL. Go get em, Danny.

And your next Washington Redskins draftee will be ...

(March 18 edition)

All signs point to the Redskins either selecting a quarterback or a left tackle in the first round of this year's draft.

But which one will it be? Do the Redskins trust quarterback Jason Campbell? Can they protect him with their current offensive line?

The team has signed several offensive linemen this offseason, but none appear to be the standout left tackle. Wednesday, the team also signed quarterback Rex Grossman, who worked with new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and QB coach Matt LaFleur in Houston. Grossman doesn't figure to start ahead of Campbell.

That leaves us with little to go on for whom the Redskins may be targeting.

A lot will depend on what the teams ahead of Washington do in the draft. Up first are the Rams, who could use either a stud defensive lineman or a big-time QB. The general feeling right now is that St. Louis will pick Sam Bradford, a quarterback from Oklahoma.

The Lions are next, and they have a solid QB in Matthew Stafford. Look for the Lions to either go with Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung or defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

If the Lions take Suh, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely take Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. If the Lions take Okung, look for Tampa to pick Suh.

Now come the Redskins, who seem to like Bradford, Okung and Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Here's how I see it: If Bradford is there, they'll pick him. If he's gone, they'll go after Okung. If both are off the board, they'll pick Clausen. The Redskins can't trade down too much or risk losing Clausen to a team like Seattle, which also needs a QB.

The third option is to stick with Campbell and trade down for more draft picks and a shot at lower tier offensive line talent like Rutgers' Anthony Davis.

Best bet for your newest Washington Redskin:
Jimmy Clausen.