It might only be the preseason, but the Washington Redskins' defense is looking mighty tough after a game against the Steelers. This wasn't quite the real thing, but this was one of the more competitive NFL games in mid-August you'll ever see. It resulted in two riveting quarters that, health-wise, proved costly for the Redskins. It also proved, halfway through the preseason, that the real questions about this team's viability have less to do with a defense that ranked 31st in the league a year ago and much more to do with whether the offensive line can protect Campbell enough for him to put the ball in the end zone at least twice per game. Because, gauging from the past two weeks, this defense is simply not going to be as bad as it was last season. Barring injury and whether it can mount a decent pass rush, the talent and experience infusion is going to help considerably. It wouldn't be surprising if the defense began holding teams to two touchdowns or fewer and victory again depended on the offense holding up its end of the bargain, much like the 10-6 season in 2005. Beyond the defensive line's health issues from last year, there was a pride issue as well. When many of the same players who went to the second round of the NFC playoffs were embarrassed a year later, it caused some to take stock of their careers. Were they the stingy, cohesive group that pummeled teams in 2004 and 2005, or the soft-in-the-middle crew that wasted away 2006? Already they seem to be providing an answer.