December 9, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (89) drops a pass in front of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Graham (24) at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The reigning NFC East champions have actually started doing what actual good teams do: building their team through the draft. In the past two years, the Redskins have drafted a franchise quarterback, accidentally drafted a franchise running back, and addressed a glaring weakness in the defensive backfield. What have they forgotten? That’s right: wide receivers. You know…the guys that are supposed to catch the passes the new franchise quarterback throws.

The current corps of wideouts would be considered a mixed bag in the best circumstances. The featured pass-catcher (as well as the focus of Michael’s recent article) is Pierre Garcon. Garcon, the highest paid player on the team, struggled with injuries last year and was only able to amass 633 yards in the 2012 regular season. Garcon certainly showed flashes of the talent that earned the former-Colt the huge contract that Mr. Snyder signed him to, but wasn’t able to stay on the field long enough to be a significant factor. Interestingly, the Redskins went 9-2 in games that Garcon played. While that stat certainly may be coincidental, it is encouraging that the team’s performance seemed to improve with Garcon on the field.

After Garcon, the Redskins employ significantly less imposing experienced options. Josh Morgan (and his albatross contract) was able to accrue over 500 receiving yards (and one HORRIBLE penalty), and 34-year-old Santana Moss had eight touchdowns in his first year primarily out of the slot. In his second year as a pro, Leonard Hankerson was also able to eclipse the 500-yard mark, but still has a ways to go to be considered a top option. After those three, the remaining receiver corps lacks big-time experience and will need to continue to develop over the 2013 season.

So what’s the plan? First, keeping Garcon healthy seems to be key to having a successful 2013 from the wide receiver position. Getting only two 100-yard games out of a receiver who is the highest paid player on the roster will not be seen as a success. The opportunity for the receivers to be successful actually lies in the hands of the rest of the skill players. The Redskins brought back Fred Davis and drafted Jordan Reed to join converted wideout Niles Paul and much-improved Logan Paulson at the tight end position. Alfred Morris had a tremendous impact as a rookie running back, and with Evan Royster and Roy Helu returning from injuries, plus the two running backs from the 2013 draft, the ‘Skins should have a nice slew of options at running back.

Add the running threat of RGIII to the mix, and it appears as though the plan is to occupy the opposing safeties and linebackers with backs and tight ends to free up some of the wideouts. While this normally works the other way around, I believe Kyle Shanahan and the Redskins offense can succeed with this model in a significantly-less-experienced way that the Patriots spread out their weapons all over the offensive side of the ball. However, another season without a WR getting close to the 1,000-yard mark will certainly encourage the Redskins to prioritize the position for upgrades next off-season.

With that in mind, the Redskins schedule is still noteworthy for a number of reasons:

1) The Redskins are a hot commodity. Washington has five prime time games, the maximum number a team can receive in an NFL season. The Skins open with a Monday night match-up against the rival Eagles, a game that figures to be among the most watched of the regular season. Let’s face it: the public is interested in watching the Redskins and Robert Griffin. RG3 has the highest selling jersey in the NFL, and networks are more than happy to take advantage of the quarterback’s emerging star power.

Jan 6, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scrambles during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

2) The NFL thinks RG3 is “All In For Week One.” The fact that the Redskins are featured in the first Monday Night Football telecast of the season indicates that the league believes Griffin will be healthy enough to start week one. There is no way the Redskins are in that spot if it looked like Kirk Cousins was in position to start. Does the league have insider information? I find it hard to believe a call wasn’t put into James Andrews before the schedule was released. Take it to the bank: RG3 starts week one.

3) The team has a week four bye. Usually teams hope for later byes to break up the rigors of the season. However, the Redskins might be pleased to be see an early week of rest for RG3 (whom we established will be ready in week one). October also figures to be a tough stretch for Washington, as the team plays at Dallas, Chicago, and then travels to Denver. The bye will allow the team to get organized for this critical stretch. Or at least will give you a weekend to stock up on Vitamin D.

4) The Redskins will have the opportunity to defend the NFC East in December. If the Skins are within striking distance of the division lead, they will have the ability to play themselves into the playoffs in December. The team begins and ends the month with games against the Giants, and faces the Cowboys December 22nd in the home finale. No way to know how the season will shake out, but the Redskins will have control of their own destiny in the NFC East come December.

5) It’s a good season for road trips. Who wants to travel with me to Green Bay in September? Should be beautiful in Wisconsin that time of year. I might skip Oakland though.

The Redskins’ full season schedule can be found here. Post your schedule thoughts in the comments section.

September 30, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Redskins won 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It’s April 2nd. This is not a joke. DeAngelo Hall is reported by NFLN’s Jason LaCanfora  to have signed a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins. The signing of Hall doesn’t necessarily rule out the team pursuing free-agent CB Antoine Winfield. Hall’s signing does mean that almost all of the starting roster (and some like Orakpo and Carriker, that were injured) will be back for 2013. The only real casualty this offseason has been the loss of Lorenzo Alexander to the Arizona Cardinals.

On corner DeAngelo Hall’s return to Skins, hearing 1-year deal will be worth roughly $2.25M. Skins may still be hunt for CB Antoine Winfield

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 2, 2013