The 2006 Washington Redskins took a hard fall from grace posting a 5-11 record after going to the second round of the playoffs the previous year. Overpriced players underachieved, individual egos got in the way of team effort and coaching was inconsistent. Things won't get any easier for Head Coach Joe Gibbs's squad in the tough NFC EAST if adjustments aren't made to improve. Bodog.com has made the Washington Redskins 40 to 1 odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII.
The offense will be in the hands of 26 year old QB Jason Cambell. Jason did some things well last year but was inconsistent in his decision making and should improve after a year of seasoning in the skins complex system. Cambell is a hard worker with a great arm but has erratic accuracy completing a paltry 53.1percent of his passes last year. This year the plan is to hand the ball off to ultra fast RB Clinton Portis and bruiser Ledell Betts as often as possible.
Portis can dominate games when he is on. WR Santana Moss can fly past any corner in the game, putting stress on opposing defenses who must adjust game plans to contain him. TE Chris Cooley is a crafty pass catcher that moves the chains with clutch catches. The rest of the recievers have been less than spectacular. The big veteran Offensive Line can play smash mouth ball when healthy.
Last year the Redskins flopped on Defense. Bad play-calling, lack of turnovers and vulnerablity to big plays made the skins D an easy mark. DT Cornelius Griffin is a player with upside who can penetrate gaps and stuff the run. DE Andre Carter has great burst in the pass rush and should record at least 10 sacks. The Linebacking unit has some solid tacklers the best being OLB Marcus Washington who makes plays all over the field.he Secondary features some devastating hitters in mega talented FS Sean Taylor and rookie SS LaRon Landry. Veteran CB Shawn Springs can cover good wideouts but has durability issues. On Special Teams Kicker Shaun Suisham is unproven but the rest of the units are very good.
The Washington Redskins are an older injury prone team with an inexperienced QB. The season really hinges on how well the Defense plays.
Brad Marchetti Opening Day Washington Redskins Ratings: 20-80 Scale
20- Poor
30- Well Below Average
40- Below Average
50- Average
60- Above Average
70- Very Good
80- Great
Coaching: 45
Quarterback : 50
Backs : 75
Receivers : 55
Offensive Line : 65
Defensive Line : 55
Linebackers : 65
Secondary : 60
Special Teams : 60
Bodog.com has posted NFL betting odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl XLII:
Arizona Cardinals 40/1
Atlanta Falcons 60/1
Baltimore Ravens 18/1
Buffalo Bills 100/1
Carolina Panthers 25/1
Chicago Bears 15/1
Cincinnati Bengals 15/1
Cleveland Browns 125/1
Dallas Cowboys 20/1
Denver Broncos 20/1
Detroit Lions 70/1
Green Bay Packers 38/1
Houston Texans 100/1
Indianapolis Colts 15/2
Jacksonville Jaguars 30/1
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Miami Dolphins 55/1
Minnesota Vikings 50/1
New England Patriots 8/5
New Orleans Saints 14/1
New York Giants 30/1
New York Jets 38/1
Oakland Raiders 70/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1
San Diego Chargers 6/1
San Francisco 49ers 15/1
Seattle Seahawks 18/1
St.Louis Rams 40/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45/1
Tennessee Titans 50/1
Washington Redskins 40/1
