Things that need to change

Since the Redskins' season is nearing its halfway point (bye week this week, and the team's 8th game next week against Atlanta), it's as good a time as any to go through what I'd like to see from the team for the rest of the season.

It appears increasingly unlikely the Redskins (2-5) will turn their season around. At this point, they'd need a good 7-game win streak to turn it around, and looking at the team's upcoming schedule, that seems highly unlikely.

With that in mind, here are some things I'd like to see in the coming weeks ...

1. Who is Marko Mitchell?
The rookie receiver stood out in the preseason. That is to say that no one else played well. But Mitchell does have some promise. He's tall, he's fast and he seems to have good hands. I'd go so far as to say that he's played better than either Malcolm Kelly or Devin Thomas in his one year than they have in their two. So let's get him some reps. Antwaan Randle El is not long for this team, that much is clear. Get Mitchell some reps.

2. Free Brian Orakpo.
It's fairly obvious that the Redskins were fooling themselves thinking that Orakpo was going to be some fierce defensive end/linebacker combo linebacker in the mold of some Pittsburgh linebackers of old. I think the Giants picked up a linebacker - former Virginia LB Clint Sintim - who could be that guy for them, but Orakpo - from his first day on the team - always seemed to be more comfortable on the line. I still say that any play that doesn't have him on the line is a wasted play. In Orakpo's place, try out Chris Wilson. He's a former defensive end who has looked decent as a linebacker.

3. Time for a curtain call, Mr. Portis.
Truthfully, I feel really bad for Clinton Portis. The guy came to Washington coming off a pair of 1,500-yard seasons with Denver. He was young and dangerous. In Denver, he was a smallish, quick, break-away running back. When he leaves Washington, he'll still be relatively young (he's only 28), but god, what did the Redskins do to him? He has lost at least two steps (did you see his long run a few weeks ago? He had one guy to beat and a blocker, and still got caught from behind), and he's not small or quick. He beefed up for Gibbs' offense, and took pounding after pounding. He's injured every week, and it shows. I do think the guy has been a warrior for the Redskins, but the Redskins have burned him out.

It's time for the team to look at younger options. I'd even like to see Ladell Betts get more carries.

4. It's Collins time - yeah, I said it.
Todd Collins, that is. I've seen enough of Jason Campbell over the years here to know that he isn't going to be the guy - ever. He's never been consistent, but he's had flashes of genius that have buttered our opinion of the guy. Truth is, he hasn't improved in any way since his first year in the NFL. Collins won't be the Redskins' guy in the long term, but I do think that he'll give the team a better chance to win this year. Next year? Probably try Colt Brennan and finally see what he has, and bring in a veteran for some insurance. Draft a big-time QB in 2011 if need be.

5. Pray for our offensive line.
Seriously, I am pretty sure there is nothing that can be done about this group of fat guys. Stephon Heyer is obviously not a long-term answer at left tackle. He might be decent at right tackle, but the Redskins probably will be looking for a premier LT in next year's draft. Luckily it's looking like they'll have a relatively high pick to spend on that LT. Mike Williams hasn't looked horrible (that I can remember), but he hasn't exactly looked like a former 1st round pick. It's hard to count on anyone on that line right now. Randy Thomas has been injured quite a bit over the past few years. Chris Samuels sounds like he'll retire. Casey Rabach isn't getting any younger. Dockery has been solid, but that's about it. Questions with no answers right now.

Adios, Rock

It's always sad to see a Redskin go, especially when it is a potential starter.
But Jon Jansen, the longested tenured dude around, ... I didn't expect him to depart quite so suddenly.

I guess the thing with Jansen has to do with his age, and the fact that he was making too much for his quality of play. I've always liked him - he seemed to exude confidence - so it's sad to see him go. Plus yeah, I did think he could recover from his recent injuries and play to a Pro Bowl level. Call me crazy.

Mistake or not, the Redskins are now heavily banking on either Stephon Heyor or Mike Williams stepping up and starting (and performing well) at right tackle.

And yes, that's Mike "I weight 400 pounds" Williams. You know, the guy who hasn't practiced in two years and is currently eating nothing but salads (seriously) in an attempt to lose 40 pounds by training camp.

And while Heyor played alright over a short period, it'll be interesting - and potentially key - for him to keep it up. He had to sit out for an injury last season, and Jansen came in as a replacement and never gave up the spot last season because he was playing so well.

Anyway, Jansen, good luck to ye. You signed with the Lions. Hope Matthew Stafford works out, or else it could be another long year in Detroit.

Five things that have to be decided before Training Camp

The first official Redskins training sessions starts today, so I'm a little late (things have been busy), but as such, some decisions need to be made by the time the team heads to training camp in July.


1. The offensive line needs to discover itself. The Redskins used no draft picks on the offensive line, and they released Pete Kendall, a starter at guard last season. The team also still has Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen/ Stephon Heyer at the tackle spots, all of whom were replaced at one point last season because of either injury or performance issues. So who the heck is starting? Former No. 4 overall pick at tackle Mike Williams was signed, but he weighs a ton (almost literally) and might not ever be in "playing shape." (Although in this recent picture, he looks pretty good.) Randy Thomas will definitely be holding down one tackle spot, and a lack of options puts Casey Rabach back at center. Samuels was injured late last season, but he'll almost definitely keep his job at left tackle. I suppose that leaves the right tackle position up for grabs. Jansen says it's his. Williams says he wants it. Haven't heard anything from Heyor yet about it.

2. So where does Brian Orakpo fit? The Redskins have to find someplace to put Orakpo, who was considered by some to be the best defensive player in the draft. He played -- and excelled -- at defensive end at Texas. But some draft "experts" said that they thought he could play some linebacker in a 3-4 defensive set (which basically means that there are three line players and four linebackers). Unfortunately the Redskins run a 4-3 defense (four line players and three linebackers). Apparently the team started him at linebacker in today's minicamp. I'd kind of like to see him more at DE, personally. Not sure if he has the range to play linebacker.

No. 2 leads into No. 3 ...

3. Who the heck replaces Marcus Washington. The team dumped Washington back in February and hasn't exactly signed anyone to replace him. The Skins seem to think that H.B. Blades can contribute as an outside linebacker, and I just don't see it. Today, apparently, the team lined up Blades, London Fletcher and Orakpo as the linebackers for the first-team offense. Rocky McIntosh was excused from practice today. Apparently the team wants to use Orakpo to replace Washington (ookkayy) on first and second downs, and then use Orakpo as a pass-rusher on third downs. I suppose then Blades would replace Orakpo at OLB on third downs (cringe). One of the younger OLBs needs to step it up. I'm looking at you, Robert Thomas.

4. So, how about the punt returns? The Redskins ranked in the bottom third of the league in punt returns last season. Even worse if you take out the returns by Santana Moss (remember thatn 80-yard goodness against Detroit?) It was no secret that the team needed to find fresh legs and replace ineffective Antwaan Randle El, and they brought in a few guys who might not survive the minicamp (Anthony Alridge, Dominique Dorsey).

I doubt either or those guys make the team (unless they show that they also can play running back decently), but I would love for one of them to unseat Randle El.

5. Of course, we have the quarterbacks too. The Redskins now have half of the 2007 Heisman Trophy candidates on their roster (newly signed rookie Chase Daniel and Colt Brennan). Does last year's backup Todd Collins keep his job, or has Brennan unseated him? My guess is that Brennan will be fighting Daniel for the No. 3 spot behind Jason Campbell and Collins.