A 5-11 season for Mike Shanahan left the two-time Super Bowl winning coach at 11-21 in Washington. They traded an arm and a leg to St. Louis to receive the second overall choice in this years draft. As planned, that allowed them to draft Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor. Their defense went from 31st to 13th in 2011 while seven of last seasons 12 draft picks started at least one game. That was led by Ryan Kerrigan who played all 988 snaps wile getting 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Offensive coach Kyle Shanahan has already said that Griffin will be starting quarterback over Rex Grossman. Tight end Fred Davis was suspended the final four games of last year after failing three drug tests. The same goes for left tackle Trent Williams, the draft's overall pick in 2010. Rejoining Williams, center Will Montegomery, right guard Chris Chester and right tackle Jammal Brown up from is left tackle Kory Lichtensteiger who is recovering from a torn right ACL. Darrel Young returns at fullback. Veterans Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong are supposed to be replaces by free agent signees Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan and 2011 third-round pick Leonard Hankerson as top receivers. Battling for the position of running back is Roy Helu and Evan Royster who combined for five 100-yard games at the final six weeks of the season. As of early May, Tim Hightower remained unsigned after tearing his ACL.
Captain and leading tackler London Fletcher has been resigned for the defense. Partnering inside with Fletcher is Perry Riley while Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo are outside linebackers. Orakpo led Washington with nine sacks. At end are Adam Carriker and Stephen Bowen who will be flanking nose tackle Barry Cofield. Jarvis Jenkins who missed his rookie year with a torn right ACL will now get to play a lot upon his return. What we don't know is who will play secondary. Inconsistency last year with cornerback Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall isn't too much cause for concern on either of them loosing their jobs. Strong safety LaRon Landry has signed with the New York Jets. Free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe was cut. Those two moves leaves Reed Doughty and DeJon Gomes to battle against free agents Tanard Jackson, Madieu Williams and Brandon Meriweather for spots.
Graham Gano had to deal with five of his field goals getting blocked and another five that he missed in 2011. Neil Rackers was signed to replace him who was 32 of 38 for the Houston Texans at 35-years-old. Punter Sav Rocca injured his ankle in Week 13. Brandon Banks' return averages each slipped by more than 2 yards from his 2010 rookie season. Special teams coordinator Danny Smith's coverage units were the NFL's best. Raheem Morris has retired from coaching Tampa Bay to run the secondary for the Redskins. Ike Hillard will coach the receivers. A lot of the focus will be on Kyle Shanahan's offense because it needs the most improvement which will prove difficult with a rookie quarterback.
ACT = Active RES = Injured reserve NON = Non football related injured reserve SUS = Suspended PUP = Physically unable to perform UDF = Unsigned draft pick EXE = Exempt
For any fan under the age of 25, this season is undoubtedly the most exciting and highly-anticipated season of Washington Redskins football you've ever been a part of.
And for all fans over the age of 25, well, this season is probably just as exciting.
After being forced to watch our beloved Redskins stink it up for more than two decades amongst numerous coaches and quarterbacks, a dictatorship and an embarrassing number of playoff appearances, there is finally something to look forward to.
So maybe Robert Griffin III won't take the Redskins to a Super Bowl in his first season at the helm, but if he doesn't make you feel like it's possible.
And with Mike Shanahan in his third season of a five-year plan, fans have to feel positive about the direction of the team. For the first time in a long time, the Redskins are fresh with youth; strong character is now a priority, and the front office is no longer treating summers like lottery payouts for mediocre talent.
Creating high expectations for the Redskins during the weeks leading up to the preseason is a thing of the past. Or at least it should be. Even if the Redskins finish the 2012 season with a 7-9 record, this year is about progress.
For a team that has gone through the turmoil of Albert Haynesworth, Jeff George and Steve Spurrier, anyone that believes a serious turnaround and playoff football will happen overnight in Washington might as well make a wish in some other fountain.
This season will be about the growth of a franchise that has the potential to be something great over the course of the next few years. A franchise quarterback has finally arrived; offensive playmakers are beginning the climb to their prime, and the defense is becoming a solid unit from the trench back.
Looking forward, 2012 is as important a season the Redskins have had in over 20 years.
