2011 NFL Predictions: NFC East Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins

Last Season: 6 – 10

2011 NFL Draft: DE Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue, Rd. 1/Pick 16), DT Jarvis Jenkins (Clemson, Rd. 2/Pick 9), WR Leonard Hankerson (Miami (FL.), Rd. 3/Pick 15), RB Roy Helu (Nebraska, Rd. 4/Pick 8), S Dejon Gomes (Nebraska, Rd. 5/Pick 15), WR Niles Paul (Nebraska, Rd. 5/Pick 24), RB Evan Royster (Penn St., Rd. 6/Pick 12), WR Aldrick Robinson (Southern Methodist, RD. 6/Pick 13), CB Brandyn Thompson (Boise St., Rd. 7/Pick 10), G Maurice Hurt (Florida, Rd. 7/Pick 14), DE Markus White (Florida St., Rd. 7/Pick 21), DT Christopher Neild (West Virginia, Rd. 7/Pick 50)

Key Additions: WR Jabar Gaffney, WR Donte’ Stallworth, CB Josh Wilson, RB Tim Hightower, K Shayne Graham

Key Losses: DT Albert Haynesworth, QB Donovan McNabb, DE Vonnie Holliday

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — Donovan McNabb — 3,377 yards

• Passing touchdowns — Donovan McNabb — 14

• Rushing yards — Ryan Torain — 742 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— Ryan Torain — 4

• Receiving yards — Santana Moss — 1,115 yards

• Receiving touchdowns — Santana Moss — 6

• Tackles — London Fletcher — 136

• Sacks — Brian Orakpo — 9

• Interceptions — DeAngelo Hall — 6

2011 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: NY Giants

Week 2: Cardinals

Week 3: @ Cowboys

Week 4: @ Rams

Week 5: Bye

Week 6: Eagles

Week 7: @ Panthers

Week 8: @ Bills

Week 9: 49ers

Week 10: @ Dolphins

Week 11: Cowboys

Week 12: @ Seahawks

Week 13: NY Jets

Week 14: Patriots

Week 15: @ NY Giants

Week 16: Vikings

Week 17: @ Eagles

Analysis: After a failed experiment with Donovan McNabb in Mike Shanahan’s first season, the Redskins are ready to start over. Unfortunately for the Washington, that means choosing between QB Rex Grossman and QB John Beck. Yes, Grossman has been to a Super Bowl, but that was more about the defense than it was about his stellar quarterback play.  Still, with some offseason moves, the Redskins have tried to surround whoever starts at quarterback with some weapons. WR Jabar Gaffney will make a great No. 2 receiver and bringing in RB Tim Hightower from Arizona provides a solid running game with RB Ryan Torain after RB Clinton Portis started to show his age. First round draft pick Ryan Kerrigan will move from his college position of defensive end to outside linebacker along with LB London Fletcher and LB Brian Orakpo. The loss of DE Vonnie Holliday will be felt when the linebackers are called upon to provide more run support. The secondary receives some more help from free agent pickup CB Josh Wilson, who, along with fellow CB DeAngelo Hall and S LaRon Landry, should provide decent coverage against the opposing NFC East quarterbacks. However, the run game will haunt a weak defensive line. Along with the lack of offensive production, the Redskins are in for another long season and may want to think about picking up a quarterback in the next offseason.

2011 Season Prediction: 3 – 13, Fourth in the NFC East

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