As the season begins...How ya feelin' about this team?

[Stymietee]

I've been saying this since the end of last season, Based on historical statistics, this is an "up" season for this franchise. I won't even qualify it, they will get 9,10 or more wins. Therefore I'm optimistic!

BTW: had they kept Kirk and Fuller nothing would be different. For those paying attention, this is what it looks like when you believe in what you state. If I can make another prediction, getting wins instead of stats, will make a lot of the faithful forget about Kirk, because one of these things is not like the other!

Unfortunately, statistical history insists that it will be a one year thing for this group. Again, something that would also be true, if Kirk and Fuller were still here. Like I said lateral move.

 

[chillerdab]

I'd like the Redskins to be in it to the end - to have a chance to make the playoffs at the end of the season.

I think they have a chance to be better than that, but things have to break right for that to happen. I don't think that anybody else in the division looks particularly good, but I do think that the NFC East will have only one team going to the playoffs this year, so if the Redskins are going to make the playoffs, they probably have to win their division.

I think there is reason to believe that the defense will keep the Redskins in games for the majority of the season, barring any catastrophic injuries.

I hope Gruden learns to run a 2 minute offense, learns to call an aggressive game (a la Pederson in Philly), and hope that the team has less injuries than the average for a change.

 

[j_y19]

I see some of you are optimistic about the season, yet your responses are full of ifs. IF AP has gas left in the tank for a full 16 game season (probability not great). If Reed can stay healthy (probability not great). If we have no injuries on the OL as our OL depth is very weak (probability is closer to zero than 50%). If WR corps can produce (outside of Crowder, we have no one else proven). IF CT comes back from a very serious injury and contribute starting game 1 (probability unknown). If the team is prepared for the regular season (based on history, probability very low).

I actually believe that the defense WILL be much better in 2018. But I think the offense will take a step back. I don't see us with a winning record this year. By mid season, I expect there will be calls for Gruden's head and other calls for Colt to play. I will not be surprised if Richardson doesn't have have 20 receptions by mid season. I also don't see AP playing the full year so we are back to Rob Kelley as our feature back. CT doesn't return to form until 4 or 5 games into the season.

I see us with 4-7 wins this year. We start off slow, losing 3 of the first 4. And then the back stabbing begins as it does on almost every Dan Snyder team when things are not going well.

 

[Stymietee]

I see some of you are optimistic about the season, yet your responses are full of ifs. IF AP has gas left in the tank for a full 16 game season (probability not great). If Reed can stay healthy (probability not great). If we have no injuries on the OL as our OL depth is very weak (probability is closer to zero than 50%). If WR corps can produce (outside of Crowder, we have no one else proven). IF CT comes back from a very serious injury and contribute starting game 1 (probability unknown). If the team is prepared for the regular season (based on history, probability very low).

I actually believe that the defense WILL be much better in 2018. But I think the offense will take a step back. I don't see us with a winning record this year. By mid season, I expect there will be calls for Gruden's head and other calls for Colt to play. I will not be surprised if Richardson doesn't have have 20 receptions by mid season. I also don't see AP playing the full year so we are back to Rob Kelley as our feature back. CT doesn't return to form until 4 or 5 games into the season.

I see us with 4-7 wins this year. We start off slow, losing 3 of the first 4. And then the back stabbing begins as it does on almost every Dan Snyder team when things are not going well.

I understand why people quantify their positions when the subject matter is based upon the unknown. You could be absolutely correct as well with your seasonal projection. I know that past performances do not indicate future results, however, historical statistical analysis is much more informative than the suppositions that you've pointed out (If's, and so on).

Historical statistical analysis shows an "up" season for this team, it is the best, more reliable thing to base the upcoming season on than anything that we have related to proof positive. That is why I've used it and subsequently, based my prediction upon. So, let me ask: Outside of your defensive prognostication, aren't you also basing your prediction on supposition (If's). They're unwritten but certainly based upon certain If's in order for them to become a reality, right?

1. "Offense will take a step back" ( if certain players are what you believe them to be)

2. "Calls for Gruden's head" (if things go bad)

...And so on, I'm NOT calling you out, far from it, just pointing out that readers could easily take the same thing from this particular post.

 

[Sportster 72]

Everything is an if, each and every year. You are using statistics Sty. Different animal, not wrong … just different. But I am only telling you what you already know.

Analytics have become more and more of the norm in sports so people don't say "if" so often. But hey, analytics can be an "if" too.

 

[Mitziman]

I've already stated my expectations of this years team, skinsdad. I'm not "dodging" a thing, but how many times do I need to repeat it...my captain?

 

[ehb5]

I think we'll be ok.

Defensive line should be better, secondary likely worse so meh.

Offense, a healthy reed is a big boost. Smith should be fine to keep us competitive/ afloat but whats the point.

Reality is this team is going nowhere. I think we'll be in that 7-9 to 9-7 range. We having an aging game manager QB and limited young talent to really build around. Without some big changes we're just going to tread water for a couple years before slipping back into incompetence and a true rebuild. At least thats what i'm guessing.

 

[skinsdad62]

I've already stated my expectations of this years team, skinsdad. I'm not "dodging" a thing, but how many times do I need to repeat it...my captain?

well i thought things changed and perhaps you would revise your prediction . so basically you are still in lateral transfer mode

 

[chillerdab]

I see some of you are optimistic about the season, yet your responses are full of ifs. IF AP has gas left in the tank for a full 16 game season (probability not great). If Reed can stay healthy (probability not great). If we have no injuries on the OL as our OL depth is very weak (probability is closer to zero than 50%). If WR corps can produce (outside of Crowder, we have no one else proven). IF CT comes back from a very serious injury and contribute starting game 1 (probability unknown). If the team is prepared for the regular season (based on history, probability very low).

I actually believe that the defense WILL be much better in 2018. But I think the offense will take a step back. I don't see us with a winning record this year. By mid season, I expect there will be calls for Gruden's head and other calls for Colt to play. I will not be surprised if Richardson doesn't have have 20 receptions by mid season. I also don't see AP playing the full year so we are back to Rob Kelley as our feature back. CT doesn't return to form until 4 or 5 games into the season.

I see us with 4-7 wins this year. We start off slow, losing 3 of the first 4. And then the back stabbing begins as it does on almost every Dan Snyder team when things are not going well.

You are right - my post does have a lot of "ifs" in it. So does every team except for probably the Patriots, who KNOW that they are going to win the division regardless of what they throw out.

The Eagles have a lot of ifs - Wentz's knee, replacing all the players who left, the running game, etc.
So do the Cowboys (wrs? TE? Dak's security blanket? The secondary?)
So do the Giants (defense? How bad Eli is going to be?)

Pretty much every team in the NFC has "ifs."

I think the Redskins will be better because they are bound to be healthier, and their defense might be pretty good.

I think the offense might be ok, though I agree that AP as the starting RB seems destined for failure.

I guess we'll see...

 

[j_y19]

I understand why people quantify their positions when the subject matter is based upon the unknown. You could be absolutely correct as well with your seasonal projection. I know that past performances do not indicate future results, however, historical statistical analysis is much more informative than the suppositions that you've pointed out (If's, and so on).

Historical statistical analysis shows an "up" season for this team, it is the best, more reliable thing to base the upcoming season on than anything that we have related to proof positive. That is why I've used it and subsequently, based my prediction upon. So, let me ask: Outside of your defensive prognostication, aren't you also basing your prediction on supposition (If's). They're unwritten but certainly based upon certain If's in order for them to become a reality, right?

1. "Offense will take a step back" ( if certain players are what you believe them to be)

2. "Calls for Gruden's head" (if things go bad)

...And so on, I'm NOT calling you out, far from it, just pointing out that readers could easily take the same thing from this particular post.

There is no doubt that any prediction for this team has “ifs”, including mine. My point was more about how one evaluates the culmination of those ifs and how this team has to have the majority of them to line up to make one feel optimistic for the season. Injuries aside, as they are the true unknown and can have a huge affect on success on any team, at every skill position we have ifs in terms of performance. Most glaring, to me, is the ifs at the RB and WR positions. AP had a total of 12 carries in one game and many are anointing him the same old AP. That, in my mind, is a huge stretch. I expect we will see glimpses of the old AP, but we will also see stretches where he looks like the mid 30s aging star who can’t bring it 25 carries a game. And after AP, we really have nothing to scare any defense. Without an effective running game, it changes the whole dynamics of the offense (and Gruden’s play calling). Moreover, I see our WR Corps as unproven, at best. Richardson has speed, but can he apply that speed to keep defenses honest? He did not do that consistently with Seattle. Not sure why one thinks that this should change here. Doctson is also unproven in my mind. After those 2, we have a couple of young guys with potential. Crowder is the only exception, as he has proven what he can do.

 

[skinsdad62]

last year i thought with good health this team wins 10 games . i have seen nothing that would change my mind in that . yes guice would be a better option but an improved front 7 should help a lot

 

[skinz2winz]

The team will compete as it should. The team will reflect Gruden's coaching style which imo has always lacked a sense of urgency. Gruden has been mediocre since he got here and I don't see that changing. The team has improved in some areas (dline) but went youth in others (secondary) that will rear its ugly head at some point. Without using a bunch of "ifs", I say Gruden's team is what it has been, avg. (8-8) Maybe they surprise.