NFL 2000 Preview - NFC East
By: James AlderDateline: August 13, 2000
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins were the team that made all the big headlines during the off season. They added some big-name free agents with a lot of playoff experience, but they also added a lot of high expectations, and along with high expectations comes high pressure. The 'Skins will be expected to win the Super Bowl and anything short of that goal will be a complete failure.Quarterback Brad Johnson will lead the offense after passing for more than 4,000 yards last season. He threw 24 touchdown passes and had only 13 of his 519 passing attempts picked off. If Johnson would happen to go down, Jeff George is waiting in the wings. George definitely has the arm for the job, but whether he has the head to take a team to a championship is questionable.
Stephan Davis set a franchise record last year with 1,405 yards rushing, and after a short hold out it appears he is ready for a repeat performance. Skip Hicks will once again back up Davis, and they will be running behind one of the best lines in the game, which should only get better with the addition of rookie tackle Chris Samuels.
Washington's starting tandem at wide receiver, Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell were second only to Minnesota's Chris Carter and Randy Moss. Westbrook pulled in 65 passes for 1,191 yards last year and Connell pulled in 62 receptions for 1,132 yards. Irving Fryar will also see quality time for the Redskins.
One area that the Redskins struggled in last year was putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. Washington is counting on the acquisition of Bruce Smith to bring that pressure. The only problem with that theory is that Smith is 36 years old and it is uncertain whether or not he can still get to the quarterback on a consistent basis.
The Redskins were also week at linebacker last year, but they did address part of the problem by using one of their first-round picks to grab Penn State's LaVar Arrington. Arrington should be a Pro Bowl linebacker some day, but the question is, "How much will he help this year"? If he steps right into a starting role he could help solidify their run defense. If he is not ready this year the opposition will probably try to run the ball down their throat.
Washington also picked up Safety Mark Carrier from the Detroit Lions, and in the biggest off season signing they nabbed Deion Sanders after the Cowboys let him walk. Sanders should bring big play capabilities to the defense and to special teams if they chose to use him on punt returns.
Last year the Redskins were 10-6 and won the NFC East, but that was not good enough for owner Daniel Snyder so he replaced several coaches and he went on a shopping spree that netted him several big-name free agents. Head coach Norv Turner will be expected to turn this group into a cohesive unit that can play well together. If he does they will probably be in the Super Bowl in January. If he fails, he will probably pay for it with his job.
Arizona Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
How Will They Finish?
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