The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 8. Today, the Washington Redskins.
Last year’s record: 9-7
Head coach: Jay Gruden
Core players: Kirk Cousins (QB), DeSean Jackson (WR), Pierre Garcon (WR), Jordan Reed (TE), Trent Williams (LT), Matt Jones (RB), Ryan Kerrigan (LB), Josh Norman (CB), DeAngelo Hall (S)
2016 is about… building on a surprising second half in 2015. Washington caught fire after Kirk Cousins’ infamous “You like that?!” blowup at the media after a Week 7 comeback victory over the Buccaneers, winning six of their final nine games on the way to a division crown. Cousins was phenomenal over that stretch, and now playing for a big payday should he come out swinging in 2016. But with the Cowboys expected to rebound after a tumultuous 2015, repeating as NFC champs will be no walk in the park. The addition of one of the league’s best defenders will help ease the pressure, but Washington’s fate this season will ultimately come down to its quirky quarterback.
But they lost… Robert Griffin III, who after sitting on the sidelines in plain clothes last season was finally granted his release from the franchise that was responsible for both his rise to superstardom and his undoing. The split was inevitable and the best outcome for all parties involved, but the repercussions of the failed RG3 experiment still weighs heavy on the franchise and the player, and will continue to do so for some time to come.
Along with Griffin’s departure came the exit of Alfred Morris, who had a stellar season along with his former teammate in 2012 but was never able to live up to those lofty expectations over the next three seasons. The separation is a bit perplexing, as aside from now-injured sophomore Matt Jones, Washington doesn’t have much experience in the backfield.
And losing linebacker Junior Gallette to a ruptured Achilles will be a big blow for a defence that gave up a lot of yards last season, ranking 20th overall according to Football Outsiders. Outside of Ryan Kerrigan, the linebacker position will be a big question mark in Washington over the first part of the 2016 season.
Yeah, but they got… Josh Norman, arguably the league’s best pass defender who had an immeasurable impact on the NFC champion Carolina Panthers in 2015. The 28-year-old will immediately upgrade a Washington defence that ranked 25th in passing yards allowed last season, giving up 30 touchdowns through the air. But is Norman worth the $75 million Washington dished out to sign him? A look at the corner’s overall performance over his four-year career from Pro Football Focus offers an interesting perspective.
Growing from within… Josh Doctson, Washington’s explosive first-round pick out of TCU has big-play potential at the receiver position, something the team needs with DeSean Jackson struggling to stay healthy and Pierre Garcon just an average option for Cousins.
Kendall Fuller, Washington’s third-round pick out of West Virginia, is coming off microfracture surgery that saw his draft status suffer as many saw the 21-year-old as a potential first-rounder if not for the injury. If Fuller is able to live up to those expectations he could play a key role alongside Norman in revamping the aforementioned leaky pass defence.
Finally, 2015 draft picks Jamison Crowder, Brandon Scherff and Preston Smith will all be looking to make a bigger impact in their sophomore seasons. Crowder showed exciting potential at wide receiver in his rookie campaign and should get more opportunities in 2016. A surprise pick at No. 5, Scherff started all 16 games at right guard in his first year and will look to improve on what was hailed as a successful rookie campaign. Meanwhile, Smith will step in for the injured Galette and No. 94 has shown glimpses of improvement from his freshman season.
Why this team? Cousins took a big step in the right direction last season and the front office has brought in some pieces to build around the man under centre, while also signing one of the league’s best defenders in Norman. With the NFC East seemingly up for grabs, Washington could finally be putting it all together.
Why not this team? Last season’s impressive run could also be perceived as kind of a fluke. The second-half surge to the playoffs included wins over six teams that all sported records under .500 and a loss to the Matt Cassel-led Cowboys. Is Washington a good team, or a just a team that got hot at the right time?
How much hope? 6/10. If the Cowboys return to 2014 form, Washington will have to play for a wild card spot. Otherwise, the NFC East is wide open and Jay Gruden’s squad has as good a chance as any of their rivals.