Still a Long Road Ahead for the Redskins

Get a real GM...check
Get a good coach...check
Go 16-0 and win the Superbowl...

I wouldn't be surprised if this was Daniel Snyder's checklist regarding his football team. It seems to have been in the past. It may also be on the check list for many fans who start drooling when they see the three super bowls Mike Shanahan brings with him (two as head coach, one as offensive coordinator). It is important, however, for both Snyder and the fans to not let their soaring expectations ruin what might be the start of the Redskins' return to prominence.

After Marty Schottenheimer went 8-8, Snyder decided he could do better and took back control of the personnel. Things have gone down hill ever since. Snyder finally did the right thing in hiring Bruce Allen, a GM with a back bone, and Shanahan, essentially turning over all football decisions. Now, he's got to accept that they won't be able to turn things around overnight. I credit Snyder's desire to win, but can't head into this season with a one-and-done mentality.

Take a look at this team: the offensive line is awful. Rebuilding is going to take time and draft picks. They won't be able to fix it with free agents alone. The quarterback has proven repeatedly that he is terrible. Clinton Portis may be one of the best running backs in the league, but if he has no line to block for him and he can't stay healthy then he isn't much good. The Redskins' approach to their offensive problems in the past is similar to putting a band aid on a broken arm: draft receivers. If the Redskins pickup another wide receiver then everyone needs to go out and start buying Baltimore Ravens' merchandise because the Redskins have gone nowhere. When it comes to the defense, the Redskins are much better off. Only the safeties are terrible. I don't know if Chris Horton had a good play all season. Everyone marvels at his development this season, but just watch the Detroit game. It brings so many tears to your eyes that you'll think you're peeling an onion. Leron Landry also receives much acclaim. He has definite potential, but he gets beat deep all the time because he keeps playing the run. If you're a safety and you're late on the run, they gain 5 yards. If you're late on the pass, they score. This apparently is just too much for him to handle because it happens all the time. Otherwise, the defense isn't too bad. If you get Greg Blache and Albert Haynesworth on the same page, then we're in business.

There is a laundry list of holes on this Redskins team and they won't be fixed very quickly. Everyone needs to keep things in perspective. When Joe Gibbs took over (the second time), he received a team that was going nowhere and he went nowhere, finishing his first season 6-10. It took two seasons to get the Redskins into the playoffs and even that was remarkable. I don't think you'll see the Redskins make a lot of noise in 2010, but it won't be because of Allen or Shanahan, it will be the team they took over. If you give it time, I think you'll see great results.