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2008 Team Preview by RotoExperts.com Staff Writer Mark Strausberg
OVERVIEW
Washington is home of the three branches of government, but D.C.’s football team resembles a three ring circus. In 2007, the legendary ringmaster, Joe Gibbs, made the ‘Skins fans ooh and aah. Some of his coaching decisions were questionable, but he made the fans smile with delight as the Skins won four straight games down the stretch to make it to the playoffs. A few months later, Gibbs walked away from the big top. The team’s P.T. Barnum of an owner then conducted one of the more curious searches for his replacement. Despite a poorly designed coaching search, Jim Zorn could very well be one of the few winning first year coaches. The pieces are in place. He’s got some elephants on the offensive line, at least a couple of showbears on the defense, some fresh young acrobats in the receiving corps, a strongman for a QB, and a clown for a RB who leaves none of his opposing defenses laughing. They might not be the greatest show on earth, but expect the Redskins to be competitive in the tough NFC East. |
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses. Quarterback: Jason Campbell (9), Todd Collins, Colt Brennan Running Back: Clinton Portis (1/2), Ladell Betts (13) Wide Receiver: Santana Moss(10), Antwaan Randal El(14), Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly Tight End: Chris Cooley (9) Kicker: Shaun Suisham (16) NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES Additions: DE Erasmus James
Subtractions: WR Brandon Lloyd, WR Reche Caldwell, QB Mark Brunell 2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH Round Two: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Round Two: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Round Six: Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii TOP POSITION BATTLE Third Wide Receiver: Devin Thomas vs. Malcolm Kelly NOTE: This really isn’t much of a battle. Both receivers are expected to make the roster and will be rotated based on situation. But don’t be surprised to see Thomas or Kelly surpass Moss or Randal El in the receiving hierarchy during the year, hence the highlighting on this situation.  | | The newest home of the West Coast offense. Photo Credit: dbking |
2008 SCHEDULE Top matchups in bold Sept. 4: at New York Giants
Sept. 14: New Orleans
Sept. 21: Arizona
Sept. 28: at Dallas
Oct. 5: at Philadelphia
Oct. 12: St. Louis
Oct. 19: Cleveland
Oct 26: at Detroit
Nov. 3: Pittsburgh
Nov. 9: BYE
Nov. 16: Dallas
Nov. 23: at Seattle
Nov. 30: New York Giants
FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 7: at Baltimore
Dec. 14: at Cincinnati
Dec. 21: Philadelphia
Dec 28: at San Francisco  | ENGEL EYE ON: THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS | You'll have to be patient with the top skill position players in Washington (other than Portis & Cooley). Sure, they have talent and an enticing new offense, but it will take time for some guys to adapt to Jim Zorn's schemes. Jason Campbell has a lot to absorb and may start slowly. The rookie WRs have a lot of promise, but between learning Zorn's offense and the usual challenges of leaping to the NFL, I don't want to draft any first-year Redskins. The seeds have been planted for success, but don't look for immediate growth. Positive change won't come right away for the Washington passing game. |
2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS Quarterback
At 6’5 233 pounds, Jason Campbell is freakishly big for a QB, but don’t think he’s just a sideshow act. Multiple analysts and coaches have noted Campbell’s improvement since taking over the starting job for the team. In 13 games, Campbell has completed 60% of his passes for 2,700 yards and 12 TDs. Those numbers project out over a full season to 3,321 yards and 16 TDs. No, those aren’t Hall-of-Fame numbers, but for someone who will probably (and should be) drafted as a QB2, those are stats worth having. Todd Collins was surprisingly capable last year in relief, completing 67-of-105 attempts for 888 yards and 5 TDs. The only way Collins gets to start is if Campbell gets injured. He’s not worth drafting, but if Campbell goes down, swoop in and scoop Collins up. Colt Brennan saw his stock plummet after his horrible Sugar Bowl outing, and he has been labeled with the ugly term “system quarterback”. For those of you in deep keeper leagues, there is something very impressive about 38 TDs and 4,343 yards in one season (Colt's numbers from college last year), not to mention the 31 NCAA records he now holds. This Colt might be more than a one trick pony.  | | Clinton Portis may one day be in the Fantasy Hall of Fame, if there is ever a wing created in Canton. Photo Credit: Wiki |
Running Back:
Clinton Portis likes to wear goofy outfits to press conferences, and he’s a clown by admission. But he is a guy who means business on the field, racking up 1,651 yards of offense and 11 TDs last year. Even in his worst game of the season, when the Redskins got blown out by the New England Patriots, he rushed for only 27 yards but still had twice that amount receiving. That kind of reliability is extremely valuable and should not fall back to the owners picking in the middle of round two. If Portis can stay healthy, a 2,000 yard season and TDs in the teens is reasonable expectations. Should Portis get injured, Ladell Betts has shown that he can handle the load. Betts is probably one of the better non-RBBC handcuffs you can have. In 2006, he rushed for 1,154 yards, and he still managed to accumulate 609 yards of total offense in 2007, despite returning to the backup role. Wide Receiver:
Neither Santana Moss nor Antwaan Randal El found the end zone very often last year. Moss scored three times, Randal El hit paydirt just once. Both receivers were mediocre across the board, as Moss finished with 61 receptions for 808 yards, and Randal El caught 51 for 728 yards. However, as Campbell continues to improve, both WRs might see their numbers rise this season. The ‘Skins, who did not have a first round pick, got two steals in the second round in WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Both receivers were picked by many experts to go in the first round. If they can hold onto the trapeze, um, ball, then some decent rookie numbers should follow. Tight End:
Chris Cooley is good and should be drafted. He’s not Antonio Gates, but he often has solid seasons. Last year, he had 66 receptions for 786 yards and 8 TDs. That's the third year in a row where he finished with more than 700 yards. He’s also averaged 7 TDs over the last three years. Expecting 700+ yards and 7 TDs is not being greedy. The TE has often been showcased in Jim Zorn’s systems, so although 10 TDs and 1000 yards might be a stretch, it would not be surprise. Kicker:
Shaun Suisham is like the juggler at the circus. When they come out, your first thought is “Whatever. They’re a juggler.” But after watching him catch half a dozen machetes and torches, you realize he’s pretty good. The 29 FGs and 29 XPs were decent, but what should really impress you are the 10 made field goals from 40-49 yards, not to mention the one from over 50 yards he hit. Those numbers should be good enough to make you think, “Hey, this guy’s not too bad”.
Defense/Special Teams:
The Redskins defense was one of the worst fantasy defenses ever in 2006 (just 14 turnovers, 19 sacks, and 0 TDs) and ascended all the way to mediocre in 2007 with 31 turnovers, 31 sacks, and 2 TDs. The tragic loss of Sean Taylor, coupled with very minor additions on the defensive side, does not bode well for 2008. Even with repeat performances from last year's big playmakers--Andre Carter (10.5 sacks), London Fletcher (128 tackles along with 3 INTs), and LaRon Landry (95 tackles and 2 sacks), the Redskins defense will remain mediocre unless numerous other players can step up.
Offensive Line:
The Redskins offensive line was plagued by injuries in 2007, but it wasn’t the first time. The running game will churn out yards no matter who lines up next to the ball. But the Redskins will be much better if Jon Jansen and the rest of his linemates can stay healthy. Unfortunately, with nearly every starter over the age of 30, the odds are not great. Mark Strausberg’s favorite piece of artwork in his house is the Leroy Neiman picture of John Riggins shedding a tackler. It sits over the couch where he watches football. If you want to talk about the glory years of the Redskins or just football in general, email him at
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