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| Andrew Perna & The RGM Redskins' Board. 1st April, 2008 - 8:39 pm
 Here at RealGM our hearts beat thanks to the thousands upon thousands of posters that frequent our forums on a daily basis. With the NFL season still months from kicking off but the ever-important NFL Draft just weeks away, what better time than now to check in with the people who care about football even more than some of the players on the field?
2007 Record: 9-7 (3rd in NFC East)
Additions: None
Subtractions: Brandon Lloyd, WR (cut), Mark Brunell, QB (NO), Reche Caldwell, WR (STL)
Draft Picks: 21st
The Answers
1. What was the best thing(s) that happened in 2007?
Scabs304: We rallied behind the death of Sean Taylor and made the playoffs.
Rafael122: I agree with Scabs here; rallying behind the death of Sean Taylor, winning four in a row and heading to the playoffs for the second time in four seasons.
Icness: The inspired playoff run led by a coach who finally clicked with his players.
2. What was the worst thing that happened in 2007?
Scabs304: Sean Taylor's senseless death.
Rafael122: Taylor's death.
Icness: Taylor's senseless death, just as he was maturing into a very respectable man.
3. Who had a breakout season?
Scabs304: If a rookie could have a breakout season, then LaRon Landry. Also, Todd Collins, who went from a player that didn't deserve to be in the NFL to a more than capable back-up quarterback that I will feel secure with coming off the bench.
Rafael122: Reed Doughty. He had to play Taylor's spot and did a hell of a job considering he was just a sixth round pick. He could be starting next to Landry this upcoming season.
Icness: Casey Rabach is an unobvious choice. He really developed into a leader along the injury-plagued offensive line and was the best center in the NFC in October and November.
4. Who was the biggest disappointment?
Scabs304: Brandon Lloyd, with yet another season of having too big of a head to even find his way to the field.
Rafael122: Lloyd. He was supposed to be our tall receiver who can stretch the field but did nothing. What a waste of $10 million in bonus money and two draft picks.
Icness: Pick a wide receiver. I'll go with Santana Moss, who once again tantalized with greatness but primarily dropped the ball, both figuratively and literally.
5. How could the team have been more successful?
Scabs304: Fewer catastrophic injuries.
Rafael122: Less flash on offense. Too many times this team passed the ball on third and short or went for a trick play to surprise the opposing team and failed. Running the ball when absolutely necessary could have kept the defense off the field; in turn, we would have blown fewer leads this year.
Icness: Better health on the offensive line and better production from the wide receivers down the field. Red zone execution and playcalling. More consistent play from the linebackers and safeties against the run – at times it was quite good, at times an underreported problem.
6. What do you make of the team’s offseason progress at this point?
Rafael122: They have nine draft picks to play with, and they haven't traded any of them. They haven't made any free agent splashes for the sake of making a move, which is a good start to the post-Gibbs' era.
Icness: The head coaching search was a fiasco, but I think Zorn could be a good one. Not giving any outrageous contracts to mid-level players is a positive. Bringing back Collins is a strong move, but this is still basically the same squad that probably overachieved a bit and still has some big needs if they want to take the next step.
7. Where are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Rafael122: Depth. Anywhere to be honest: defensive end, cornerback, and wide receiver (preferably someone who is taller than 6'2''). We're lacking depth big time on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, more specifically the offensive line.
Icness: A playmaking wide receiver with size, a pass rushing defensive end, depth on the offensive and defensive lines, and in this division you can never have too many good cornerbacks.
8. Who do you hope the team drafts with their first pick?
Rafael122: If Vernon Gholston is there, take him, or Jeff Otah. With regard to position, defensive end, maybe someone like Calais Campbell or Derrick Harvey if they are still on the board.
Icness: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas.
9. Which player will be on the hot seat in 2008?
Rafael122: Clinton Portis. Jason Campbell would be the obvious answer here, but he hasn't played enough for me to determine whether or not he can lead us to the playoffs consistently. Portis has been banged up the last two seasons, and they have a capable back up in Betts. If Portis isn't back to his 1,500 yard, 11 touchdown self this year, it may be time to release or trade him.
Icness: I would have said Campbell, but the new offense and coaching staff buys him another developmental year. So it's definitely Portis.
10. What are the realistic expectations for 2008 at this point?
Rafael122: This team, if they had taken care of business in the fourth quarter, could have gone 11-5 in 2007. In 2008, I expect them to win 10 games.
Icness: The schedule gets tougher – the AFC North replaces the AFC Least, and there are two trips to the West Coast. The division is also far and away the toughest in the NFC. Winning 9 games again is viable but will require better health and no learning curve with a new offense and a rookie head coach. Realistically, a fallback of a game or two seems most likely, but that's why they play the games!
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