Washington Redskins are a team that can go far, if everything goes right
By Ian Cummings
The Washington Redskins can go far, if everything goes right. Maybe that’s the problem.
Even in the early part of the offseason, speculation has run rampant, in regards to how close the Washington Redskins are to becoming a true contender.
We know the roster isn’t as deep as it needs to be. That was evident last season with the injuries that took place, and the drop in quality that subsequently occurred. But at the same time, before the injuries, the Washington Redskins showed they could compete with the hottest teams in the league, losing narrowly to the then-undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in prime time.
The injuries sustained by the Washington Redskins in 2017 are not an excuse for a 7-9 season. Rather, it is the reality. Injuries are always something to plan for in the NFL, year in and year out, but in 2017, the Washington Redskins were absolutely and unequivocally demolished by injuries. To say such a thing is not an excuse. It’s a fact.
Had the Washington Redskins been untouched in 2017, there’s no guarantee they would have done any better. Nothing is ever guaranteed in the NFL. But the increased chance of success is a certainty in that situation.
The Washington Redskins have the talent to be a dangerous team. The foundation is there. In the trenches, in the secondary, and now locked down at quarterback with Alex Smith. Right now, as it stands, the Washington Redskins are a team that can go far.
If everything goes right.
That is always the problem. Not everything can ever go right in an NFL season. And that is why, as close as the Washington Redskins may be, they still have a ways to go.
In its simplest form, each NFL season is a measurement of how a team responds to varying degrees of adversity. The Washington Redskins played a very tough schedule and suffered dozens of injuries to key players. The result was, miraculously, a 7-9 finish. That is a testament to Jay Gruden’s work as the head coach.
But at the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles lost their starting linebacker, their best special teams player, and their MVP-caliber quarterback before the start of the playoffs. They ended up winning the Super Bowl. Why is this? Because the Eagles are a team better built to withstand adversity.
In the coming offseason, the goal of the Washington Redskins is simple. They must become that team. Filling the voids that loom remain the primary objective. A No. 1 running back is a must-have in 2018, as is a new speedy receiver. But aside from those things, depth is most important. A new rotational defensive lineman. Another athletic safety to wait in the wings. Physicality and awareness at the linebacker position. It all goes back to depth. It’s something the Washington Redskins need more of. And it’s something they don’t need to wait to get.
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The Washington Redskins can be the team that withstands adversity. And they aren’t far away. This is only a reminder, for those who believe that the team is doomed to an eternity of irrelevance, no matter the progress that has ensued over the past few years. The truth, as impossible and daunting as it may seem, strays far from such a statement.