Redskins' Bombed During Battle of the Beltway

The Redskins fell to the hands of Ravens Thursday night, getting shut out 23-0. Talk about a great start to the season.

I understand that it's the first game of the season and there's still some time to go until the games really count, but getting shut out is never a good thing. The offense stalled in the middle of the field several times and never even entered the kickers field goal range.

Aside from the shortcomings in points, the game wasn't too horrible. The first team offense proved they'd be able to protect Jason Campbell, but also had trouble opening holes for running back Ladell Betts. I still think they will be the key to the season, and they're going to have to show more improvement as preseason continues.

The best part of the game was watching second year safety Kareem Moore flying around the field, laying crunching hits left and right. He seemed real comfortable in the defense, which allowed him to make several plays.

The team still has a lot to work on, but it's a start. It's better to get all the mistakes out of the way during the preseason, learn from them and go in to the season ready for everything. The team will get better as preseason continues, let's just hope they find the end zone sooner than later

Positional Analysis: Running Backs

Starter: No doubt about half back, it'll be Clinton Portis. If anyone on the team is safe with their starting position, it's Portis. He's ruthless on the field, especially when pass blocking. He tries to pay back defenders for hits they've put on him. He gives everything he has while he's on the field. It's a great way to play, but also a great way to get injuries, which he usually plays through.

He's slowed down over the years, and doesn't break long runs. Upgrades on the O-line will help him get longer runs, but he has to make some stuff happen on his own. He also has to be willing to share the load so he can last the whole season.

Mike Sellers will be starting at fullback. He's feared as a run blocker and is an effective receiver. His biggest problem is taking care of the ball once he gets it, fumbling in a late game last year. He will hopefully be used more in the offense this year, but if the line is struggling blocking, he'll have to stay in to block more often.

Reserves: Ladell Betts will be the primary backup to Portis. Every year, the coaching staff talks about getting Betts more involved in the offense, but it never happens. I'm thinking this could be Betts last season with the team. He is effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but is getting older, losing speed, and becoming a less effective compliment to Portis.

Rock Cartwright is the third running back on the roster, but is really just a special teamer. After an injury to Betts, it looked like Cartwright's number would get called, but the 'Skins opted to bring in Sean Alexander instead. This was mid-season too after no one had wanted to come close to him previously. Alexander is now gone, but Cartwright does have a familiar challenger returning to battle him for the roster spot.

Marcus Mason was signed by the 'Skins after the draft after being released by the Jets. He has spent the last two off seasons with the Redskins and is familiar with the system. He has experience on special teams, and should pose a large threat to Cartwright.

At fullback, there usually hasn't bee backup on the roster, so the backup will probably land on the practice squad. Fighting for the spot are Jonathan Evans and rookie Eddie Williams. Both are very raw players and will have to learn and adjust to the system quickly. My gut would be to see Williams winning the spot merely because he was a draft choice. Last season, Vinny Cerrato kept all ten of his draft choices, even though some seemed to be beaten out. It will be interesting to see if he treats this draft class the same way.

Free Agency Is Looming...And the Redskins Better Get Ready

The National Football League's free agency is right around the corner. It is the time of year for teams to add pieces to their rosters with the hopes of improving for next season. The Redskins have several holes to fill, but are they prepared to make a big splash? Or should they sit back quietly and a make a few shrewd moves?

Among the spots requiring upgrade are both offensive and defensive lines, outside linebacker, running back, as well as adding depth to the secondary. That is several positions to upgrade in one offseason, especially since the Redskins currently find themselves $4 million over the salary cap limit.

This is where members of the front office will have to make the tough decisions. They must decide whether they should continue their annual game of restructuring contracts, or continue with their move towards youth, and cut veterans that are no longer contributing.

There are several big names in this offseason, including DT Albert Haynesworth, OT Jordan Gross, and OLB/DE Terrel Suggs, all of whom could be intriguing to the Redskins. They have been known in the past for their desires for a fantasy football team, and could easily revert to old ways. This would not be wise.

If the Redskins want to improve long term, they better start cutting ties with players that haven't showed up on the field in recent years, either because of injury or performance. Players like Marcus Washington and Cornelius Griffin need to be out the door. Even though they are good players, they have large salaries, and often are on the injured list. Even a player like Ladell Betts could find himself on the outside looking in. He hasn't produced much lately, and the Redskins need a quicker, more elusive back to compliment Clinton Portis.

Depending on how much cap space they can clear and who they cut, the Redskins could have an interesting offseason ahead of them. They have been planning for weeks, and it's about time to put that plan in to action.

Let's just hope the plan doesn't include wasting tons of cap space on old players, or trading draft picks away senselessly. The plan has to be to continue drafting to fit their system. Through free agency they must try to find role players and maybe, maybe go after a big time player. Let's hope they make the right decisions.