Redskins Weekly: Preparing for the Offseason

1- And the season is over.  Just like that the Packers came to FedEx and gave the Redskins a lesson on postseason football. 

To me this game was way too eerie of the Seahawks playoff game of 2012.  The Skins came out strong just like 2012.  And like 2012 once quarter two got going it wasn’t pretty.  At least after this loss the Griffin injury debate is not happening.  Griffin and his high school girl locker notes left behind are making just a little noise.

We have to look at this season as a positive no doubt.  No one expected this roster and this coach to take this team to 9-7 and a division title this season.  Maybe a couple years down the line once Scot McCloughan had a chance to overall the roster.  He started last off season and there was hope but no one expected to get the results out of the 53 that faced Miami.  Now we have to sit back and let Scot do his magic in another draft and free agency.

2- Its way early to guess what McCloughan does with the roster but there are some obvious early questions that will be answered.  

What happens at running back?
Alfred Morris has given the team 4 years and no one can dislike Alf.  But this year wasn’t good and most expect him to move on.  But what if the market isn’t out there for Morris?  Matt Jones showed very little to be trusted as the main feature back.  I would even like to see Chris Thompson get more of a chance than Jones if they don’t do much in the back field.

Could McCloughan use another high pick on a back?  I think so.  Or I am sure they will be active in free agency looking at backs and maybe Morris comes back?

What to do at safety?
The season ended with Deangelo Hall and Dashon Golson lining up there.  Hall is up there in age and Golson has a huge cap number that the team will not pay.  Both could be gone but you still need to find replacements.  And we have been waiting years for a true impact safety to join this team.  The time is now.

Maybe Duke Ihenacho goes for try number three but can we count on him, Hall or Golson?  Any secondary position could be in play at pick 21.

What to do at defensive line?
Washington has a lot of names on the defensive line.  Jason Hatcher talks retirement and I don’t think it is a bad idea for him.  They signed Knighton and Paea but both didn’t have the impact the Skins hoped for.  Good news is Chris Baker and Ricky Jean-Francois were surprises as they stepped up.  A big call is going to be if Knighton is resigned.  If he isn’t then they have a void at nose.

They need to get some young talent on the line.  I agree with a point John Keim made and always thought it was a possibility that Trent Murphy could try to make a move to defensive end.  It seems like someone who could work on putting on bulk and make the move.  I don’t think outside linebacker is his future.