Any Shot at the Super Bowl?

So is this finally the year? Will the Redskins finally make the trip fans have been longing to see for so many years? Is the Super Bowl even in their sights?

Well, everyone has a chance at the beginning of the season, so why no the 'Skins? But if they're going to do it, these three things have to happen.

#3 Jason Campbell will have to show improvement

Jason Campbell is entering his second season as the starter under head coach Jim Zorn's version of the West Coast Offense. This will be the first time Campbell will be in the same offense as the starter for two years in a row, and should be ready for a much improved season.

Campbell already knows the offense, allowing him to play and react rather than think everything through. The progress of second year receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas will also be critical to his success, having few reliable receiving options last season.

#2 The defensive has to dominate, especially in the trenches

The saying goes, "Defense wins championships," and Vinny Cerrato has seemingly upgraded a defense that ranked 4th in the league last season. He replaced two injury riddled veterans, Sean Springs and Marcus Washington, with the two highest draft choices the team had.

The defensive line is deeper than it's ever been, with free agents Albert Haynesworth and Renaldo Wynn joining an already formidle group including Andre Carter, Cornelius Griffin, Anothony Montgomery and Kedric Golston. Returning to this group is Phillip Daniels and draft choices Brian Orakpo and Jeremy Jarmon.

With these players rotating in throughout the game, it will be very different for opposing lines to stop them from reaching the quarterback. This will create sacks and turnovers, which could slot this defense at the top of the league.

#1 Clinton Portis and the offensive line have to stay healthy and hungry

With the addition of Derrick Dockery, the left side of the line should definitely be the strength. When Dock last played next to Pro Bowl tackle Chris Samuels, Clinton Portis had had his highest yardage total as a Redskin.

The key for these guys is making it through the season. Playing along the line, injuries are going to happen, but the line slowed down in the second half of last season. They seemed to lose their edge; their hunger. The big guys up front know what happened last year, and seem determined to prove they are better than they appeared last season.

If the 'Skins can pound the ball, and Campbell keeps his throws between 20 and 25 times a game, they could be in a position to any game they enter.

Positional Analysis: Offensive Tackle

Starters: Chris Samuels is the only sure starter at the left tackle position. He posted another great season last year, but started to wear down as the season went on. He seemed to have several nagging injuries that didn't allow him to perform to his highest capabilities as the season went on, even forcing him to sit out four games, including the last three. Samuels will be looking to prove that he is still a Pro Bowl player, and should come into the season in peak physical condition so he can make it through the whole season.

The right tackle starting spot should be a competition between incumbent starter Jon Jansen and Stephon Heyer. Jansen will be entering his eleventh season and has a lot of experience, but can't put a full season together anymore. He was solid in the first half of last season, but seemed to slow down in the second half. Heyer, 25, won the starting job during training camp last season, but lost it because of an injury during week 3. He should have a chance to win the starting job back this training camp as well.

Reserves: The main reserve will be whoever loses the battle between Jansen and Heyer. If Samuels goes down, expect Heyer to start at left tackle and Jansen to be on the right side. Heyer is a little quicker than Jansen, and would be better suited on the left side.

Also, look for the team to address this position in the draft. There are a number of prospects that could jump in and start for this team, and if the right person is available when the 'Skins are on the clock, this could definitely be a position they address.