TEAM PREVIEW: Washington Redskins

4-12 in 2009

As Daniel Snyder loves, the Redskins made a huge splash this past offseason. And for the first time, he actually made some solid moves. Hiring Mike Shanahan, one of my favorite coaches, is a huge boost to a team that lacked solid direction and consistency for the last decade. He passed over the higher ranked Russell Okung in the draft this year, opting for the more athletic Trent Williams. It is this Shanahan mentality that will bring the Redskins success. For too long, they have opted for the best-or-biggest-name players instead of "the right ones." Williams' athleticism lends itself towards Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme and should see success in his first season.

Trading for Donovan McNabb is Washington's greatest acheivment however, ensuring that the Redskins have a man under center who can WIN games for them. While Donovan will have less weapons to work with than he did in Philadelphia, he should carve himself a moderately successful season.

As far as I can tell, the offense has seen nothing but improvement. My issue however, is with the Redskins defense. Currently stashed with the personnel for a SUCCESSFUL 4-3 defense, Snyder opted to bring in Jim Haslett to implement a 3-4 scheme. Washington's defense finished 4th and 10th in 2008 and 2009 respectively (yardage allowed). Looking at the Green Bay Packers transition to a 3-4 defense in 2008, you can draw comparisons. Green Bay finished as the 11th ranked defense in 2007, dropping to 20th in 2008 with the switch of schemes. They rebounded however last season, with their defense finishing 2nd after enduring the growing pains and implementing the appropriate personnel for their scheme.

In short, look for the Redskins defensive production to see a huge dip this year while they are working out the kinks. Haynesworth's reluctance shouldn't make the transition much easer as well. But hope is on the horizon, and their shift may see stark dividends in 2011 onward. McNabb lends legitimacy to their offense but is on the wrong side of his career and should become ineffective by the time the defense whips into shape in the coming years.

-Prediction: 6-10 in a tough division.

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Washington Redskins

First and foremost I have one thing to say about the Skins...STAY AWAY FROM THEIR RUNNING BACKS. If it comes down to you looking at either; Clinton Portis, Willie Parker, or Larry Johnson for yours #2 back, you can probably just pack it in for this year and start scouting sleepers for next years draft.

Not only would it scare me to take any of these three if they were the feature back of the Redskins, but with all of them there it hurts each one's fantasy value significantly. Larry Johnson showed a bit of a burst with the Bengals last year but it is questionable how he will be used and how much he has left in the tank at 31. I am not even going to post projections but I will say Portis leads in rushing yards, Johnson should get the most TDs and Parker, well who the hell knows with him, after being a non-factor for the Steelers.

Then there is Donovan McNabb. I would put him right in the middle as far fantasy production will go for the 2010 season. He is not very attractive for a keeper league unless you think he has good year left and you'll cut ties after the season. His past few seasons with the Birds were pretty similar and Mike Shanahan will probably commit to the run more than Andy Reid did. Could help McNabb's stats could hurt them, hard to say since there was never much balance for him in his time with the Eagles. Has a burner in Moss, but he is no DeSean Jackson down field. Look for a good year and not a bad option if you wait on a QB or even to have as a backup if you get him late.
-Projections: 3,400 yards, 22 TDs, 11 INTs; 150 rushing yards, 1 TD

Santana Moss is still a WR who can do some damage but inconsistent QB play has hampered his stats the past few years. McNabb should be able to bump up his production and he could get close to 1,000 yards again. Even though he seems to have lost a step, he still has great speed and that is perfect for the arm McNabb possesses.
-Projections: 65-75 catches, 950 yards, 6 TDs

Chris Cooley is a great option for a fantasy TE but Fred Davis is waiting in the wings and Davis's production down the stretch last year will make it hard to keep him off the field. However, I see Cooley bouncing back from injury last year and could remain one of the top 15 TEs in overall points. Not a bad late round pick but don't overdraft him, let him come to you.
-Projections: 60-70 catches, 750 yards, 5 TDs

For IDPs, London Fletcher is far and away the best one on the Skins. He doesn't come off the field and he is a tackling machine. He is getting up there in age but still manages to play every game while consistently totaling well over 100 total tackles.

-Projection: 135 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 6 passes defended

LaRon Landry is a good safety option as well. Aside from those 2 the options are not too many, maybe a late round pick of Rocky Macintosh if your in desperate need of a LB. Otherwise Fletcher and Landry should prove to be solid picks.