Washington Redskins:     

2013 RECORD: 3-13  

2012 RECORD: 10-6   

2011 RECORD: 5-11   

2010 RECORD: 6-10   

TEAM OVERVIEW: Mike Shanahan, or as I call him, “the ruler of all things” is gone!  After many an argument with NFL writers and the like, perhaps people are finally realizing how very mediocre of a coach he has been!  Mike gets credit in our eyes for just one thing, having a superb knack for recognizing and developing running back talent.  There is nothing else he does well, from people management (which rubs off to his son), to coaching hires, to strategy/late game management and to managing a draft board.  Of course that’s not the only issue new HC Jay Gruden will face.  His owner spends money in free agency for players that either are not worth the $$$ or are classic underachievers (Albert Haynesworth comes to mind).  He’s keeping DC Haslett who once was considered at least an acceptable coach but lately has gone blitz happy, even when down and distance dictates just making a stop underneath and forcing a punt!  As for recent drafts, the Redskins have drafted a series of lower rated players at positions such as OL and DB while completely ignoring age issues at other positions.  No one is to blame for how the start of ’13 played out, as RG III himself was not at all 100% ready to play.  He should be good to go in September, so now it’s up to the new regime to draft better players around him and design a scheme that maximizes his talent.  Anything is possible in the wild NFC East, but it’s clearly time for Washington to do a far better job in talent evaluation. 

KEY STATS: Washington reverted back to past Divisional woes, going 0-6 vs. NFC East rivals.  They were tied for 30th in points allowed thanks to a failed blitz scheme.  They ended ’13 on an eight game losing streak.  Amazingly, the 3rd down conversion rate for opponents was just 34%.  The ’12 pass D was 61.8%, the 4th straight year over 60%.  In ’13 the number rose to a poor 65.6%, with 29 pass TD’s allowed!  Washington allowed 59 TD’s.  Shanahan’s run O was great as usual at 4.8-135.  Washington was adequate in kick return D but last in punt return D, allowing 16.8 per return and three TD’s!  Spread-wise, the Redskins fell to 46-22 as a grass road dog and 31-19 as a road dog vs. the AFC.  They love RG III in DC.  In ’12 he was 4-3-1 against the spread at home, including 2-2 as a home favorite.  In ’13 he was 0-2 as a home favorite and 2-5 overall, with Cousins 1-0 as a home dog.  Washington is now 58-78 as a home favorite.  The loss at the NYG put them at 8-14 against the spread in their last road game.  They are 18-32 (0-2) in the 2nd of back-to-back road games and remain 6-15 in MNF road games.

2013 DRAFT REVIEW: As everyone knows by now, Griffin cost these Redskins plenty, including pick #22 in the ’13 draft.  Washington made no trades on draft day.  Picks 51 and 85 were all about risk-reward.  The good news is that Washington addressed DB three times in this draft with players at the top of the NCAA in takeaways.  The not as good news is that those selected are risk takers and Washington needs fewer of these types of players.  CB Amerson started eight times and went 48-2.  SS Rambo went 43-1.  Safety Thomas was injured.  The only other player who contributed as a rookie was TE Reed, who despite missing nearly half the season went 45-11.1-3.  I do like LB Jenkins, who was coming off an injury but why did this team ignore so many critical needs (OL, WR) and feel compelled to select another two RB’s? 

2-51, CB Amerson: Major ball skills but must play more under control.  Zone best, and average vs. the run.

3-85, TE Reed: Parts of his game look good, but he must learn blocking technique.  Great rookie year.

4-119, SS Thomas: Instinctive and changes directions well, his 8 picks led the NCAA in ’12.  Injured, 13.

5-154, RB Thompson: FSU’s go-to RB until struck by injury and could be a spot player here.  Not much in ’13.

5-162, LB Jenkins: Hurt most of ’12, he can play DE or OLB and get to the QB.  Raw in coverage skill set.

6-191, SS Rambo: 2nd in picks in ’11 behind Amerson.  Versatile with cover skill but gambles too much.

7-228, RB Jamison: Slow for sure with poor measurable.  Not sure what HC sees here.  Lacks bulk.

2012 DRAFT REVISITED: RGIII’s story is well documented.  His 2nd season was not nearly as productive but the stat line of 60.1%, a 14-12 ratio and 489-5.7 rushing was not all that bad.  6th round RB Morris ran for another 1275 yards with a healthy 4.6 per carry and 7 TD’s.  QB Cousins regressed when starting for the “benched” RG III, going 52.3% with just a 4-7 ratio.  He was pressing.  Vastly overrated OG LeBibebus played 22 snaps as a rookie and zero in ’13.  That’s wonderful for the 71st overall pick.  OL Gettis was inactive in ’12 and played sparingly on special teams in ’13.  Oops!  OT Compton has played a total of 10 snaps.  What a haul!  LB Robinson had 11 rookie tackles and was on IR after the 3rd week of ’13.  Safety Bernstine tore his ACL in his initial game and was waived prior to ’13.  CB Crawford had 18 rookie tackles but tore up his ACL prior to ’13. 

TOP STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PRIOR TO THE DRAFT: Any Mike Shanahan team will put up solid run #’s.  Now we’ll see what happens with him gone.  The secondary is a complete mess, not helped at all by the blitz scheme DC Haslett uses.  Down and distance matters!  Can Washington reduce the number of big plays allowed?

FREE AGENCY ANALYSIS AND STAFF NOTES: Washington did not go on their usual spending spree thanks in part to previous NFL sanctions.  They still signed plenty of players.  WR Roberts is talented.  OL Lauvao and Campbell are hardly all-pros, typical of the rest of this Redskin OL.  DT Jason Hatcher could help up front.  38 year old London Fletcher retired.  Three LB’s including Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton come in, but again this won’t be a game changer.  Tracy Porter adds CB depth, but his game was off in ’13.  Ryan Clark may have lost a step but the safety is an upgrade for this team.  Jay Gruden promoted Tight Ends coach Sean McVay to Offensive Coordinator but look for Gruden himself to have a big hand in the offense.  For some reason Jim Haslett was retained as Defensive Coordinator. 

2014 DRAFT NEEDS: 2+ OL, DL, ILB, fundamentally sound DB, WR.  Washington has forever drafted lower rated OL talent.  This unit could use several upgrades.  NT Coefield did an acceptable job.  The remaining incumbents won’t scare anyone.  London Fletcher is retiring.  There has been NO succession plan.  If Shanahan stopped stockpiling RB’s he could have addressed this area.  Impact is needed.  Washington drafted three DB’s in ’13, but all three are risk takers.  So is DeAngelo Hall.  The unit needs more discipline.  WR Roberts helps, but the unit needs another viable option.