Five reasons the Washington Redskins might not live up to expectations
By Ian Cummings
No. 1 – Alex Smith
If we’re going off of last year alone, Alex Smith is a top ten NFL quarterback, and he’s walking into an offense that is just as well-equipped as the supporting cast he had with Kansas City last year. With a jumble of weapons at his disposal up the middle of the field, and with a newfound willingness to throw the ball deep, Smith should fit well with the Washington Redskins.
If everything goes right.
Despite Smith’s MVP-level performance last season, his body of work speaks for itself. Smith, for much of his career, has been a slightly above-average quarterback. He doesn’t lose games, he’s safe with the football, and he regularly shows an ability to make plays on his feet. But Smith hasn’t often been the game changer he needs to be in important situations. His 1-4 playoff record with the Chiefs at least alludes to this truth.
There is also this truth to consider, however: That the most recent body of work is the most accurate. There’s no reason to believe anything different for Smith, but ignoring the body of work is unwise. Jay Gruden is known to push his quarterbacks to get the most out of plays, but after years of conservative tendencies from Smith, is it safe to simply expect him to pick up where he left off from last year?
Perhaps in the offseason. But just as Smith might fit perfectly in Gruden’s offense, he might also not live up to expectations, and he might not be the game changer that some are expecting at the quarterback position. He won’t be bad, by any means. But for a team relying more on potential than proven ability, Smith might not be the one to get them over the hump.
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The Washington Redskins have the potential to be a playoff team in 2018, but now, before disappointment has a chance to set in, it’s not a bad idea to address what might hold the Washington Redskins back. As is often the case, the things that can help them rise are the same things that can initiate their downfall.