The Washington Redskins are one of the biggest question marks in the league right now. The team is definitely looking to do better than last season and make the playoffs. Let’s examine their biggest strength and their biggest weakness heading into the next season.
Weakness: Quarterback Situation
Last season, RGIII looked ineffective and weak after his surgery, leading many to question his starting potential. This is very valid, and it is also the team’s biggest weakness. RGIII came into the NFL; however, he played as though he was still in college. He was expecting his ability to run out of the pocket to be effective and he thought his legs could do all the work. He was wrong. After two major injuries, RGIII needs to give up his old playing style. The read-option will never work in the NFL. When it was originally being used in 2012, it was dangerous because it confused DEs on every single play. Now, however, it is useless.
Regardless of whether or not the QB hands off the ball, the DE will always go after the quarterback. Sure, this is a defensive risk for the defense; however, it is more of a risk for the offense. Imagine Jadeveon Clowney or JJ Watt coming at a quarterback while he is defenseless. There is a very small chance that that play will work out well. Going forward, RGIII is a question mark because he has yet to prove himself as a passer.
Over the last two seasons, he has put up mediocre passing numbers, and his touchdown to interception ratio is atrocious. Furthermore, there is a chance that RGIII might not even start. Kirk Cousins played very well while RGIII was injured, and his pocket presence was amazing. The Skins are heading in a new direction, and they might just be ready to start a pocket passer over a read option QB. Next season, Kirk Cousins will be given a shot in at least a couple games, and if is truly able to outplay RGIII, you can expect a quarterback controversy to arise in Washington. This issue is hands-down the biggest weakness of the Washington Redskins.
Strength: Coaching
Mike Shanahan was an awful coach while he was in Washington. Sure, he found success with RGIII in his first season; however, he completely mismanaged his star QB. RGIII had potential, but Shanahan disallowed him from playing in the pocket and essentially told him to try his luck as a mobile quarterback. Even worse, when RGIII injured his ACL, Shanahan tried to keep him in the game. This is completely unacceptable, and the fact that he is gone means that the team will be managed better.
Currently, the new head coach for the Skins has been names as Jay Gruden, and you can expect him to do things better. The biggest asset that he will bring to the Washington Redskins is partiality. In training camp, he will not give the starting job to whoever will draw the most fans; he will do what is in the best interest of winning. Because of this, he is their biggest asset.
For more NFL football analysis and predictions, visit Fantasy Football Overdose – your newest source of anything about NFL Fantasy Football.