by Billy Rich
2013 Washington Redskins
2012 Record: 10-6 (1st in NFC East)
Head Coach: Mike Shanahan (4th Season)
As the Redskins (assuming we are still allowed to call them that) enter their 81st season, their success rides squarely on the health and play of Robert Griffin III, more affectionately known as RGIII.
The trouble is, Griffin is a QB who loves to run and scramble, and often runs before he thinks. That fly-by-your-pants strategy has never produced any long-term success in the NFL and it never will. Sure there will be exciting plays, missed tackles, threats to tuck the ball in and run with it, but where will it get RGIII and the Redskins? It will only get Griffin injured (Hello, end of 2012 season!) and the Redskins looking for plan B.
The success of the Redskins in 2012 resulted more from of a terrible NFC East than the skill and ability that RGIII brought to the table. Don’t get me wrong, he appears to be a QB that will make some noise in his career, but if his career is short, what does it matter? The Redskins may try to utilize him differently in his second season, but his style of play will always come out– it’s what he does–and he has done it well so far. Having not played a snap in preseason, (Why, you may ask? Injuries!) Griffin was cleared to start the season this past week and he has been tabbed to start the first game of the season by head coach Mike Shanahan.
For players other than those named RGII, Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan, along with his father and head coach, have had some time to retool the style of play they plan to put out there. With a solid offensive core returning for the season, the ‘Skins should come out on top of the NFC East again this year. Alfred Morris at running back will continue to add a multi-dimensionial focus to the running game, and Roy Helu Jr. will add some speed and catching ability out of the back field. At wide receiver, Fred Davis and Pierre Garcon, both back from injury, should provide Griffin with deep threats that he will need if he wants to pass and not run. These legit threats will only improve the play of the offense this season, and with a healthy offensive line in front of Griffin, he should have time to look down field and not simply run with the rock tucked under his wing so often. I see a lot of touchdowns this year from the Redskins, running, passing, or otherwise.
On defense, the Redskins defensive core also remained intact for 2013, although there has been some key additions. Draft picks David Amerson at cornerback, Brandon Jenkins at defensive end, and Bacarri Rambo at safety, will see some significant playing time. Unfortunately, fourth round draft pick safety Phillip Thomas has already been placed on IR and won’t see action this year. But this new group will work to find their place on a team where much of the attention will be focused on the high-powered RGIII-led flashy offense. Look for the defense to improve in all areas–albeit under the radar a bit–which can only be good for the ‘Skins.
Biggest upside for the Redskins in 2013: The team has filled some gaps, RGIII is healthy to start the season, there are some young key defensive additions, and they play in a bad NFC East. Mix this cocktail together, and you have a recipe for success that should propel the Redskins to the top of the NFC East this season.
Bill’s Biggest questions for the Redskins in 2013: There is but one question to ask on this team: Can RGII stay healthy, play smart, and complete 16 games? The rest is gravy. Among those other, lesser questions, though, is whether the defensive core and its new additions can jell and play well together? If the offense puts up a lot of points, it will obviously take a lot of pressure off the defense as it will continue to improve throughout the season.
Bill’s Final Redskins Thoughts and Prediction:
Bill’s Redskins 2013 Prediction: 10-6, (1st in the NFC East). The Redskins will beat out the New York Giants for first place, as the Giants and ‘Skins will finish with the same record, but the Redskins will hold the tie-breaker. RGIII will not play 16 games, but will be available for the playoffs. With a (relatively) healthy RGIII, the plucky ‘Skins will win the Wild Card game but will go down in defeat in the divisional round.
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Edited by: Todd LaPlante