‘If you’re not good enough …

They’re 5-11; they lost four games by six points or less in the final seven games and they found an offensive identity. On the other hand, the reality is this: the Redskins were just as close to 3-13 or worse as they were anything else, with an overtime win over Jacksonville; a miracle finish against Dallas and a narrow escapein New Orleans.

The players had their exit interviews with the coaches and gathered for a final team meeting, one day after losing 34-28 to the New York Giants. Washington finished with double-digit losses for the third time in four years. And it’s the worst mark ever by a Joe Gibbs-coached team.

A season that began with Super Bowl expectations instead ends with a high draft pick. Changes usually follow such seasons, not that players are thrilled about that.

“If you’re not good enough, you’re not good enough and then changes have to happen,” Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs said.

“We won with these guys, we’ve lost with these guys,” linebacker Lemar Marshall said. The offense scored a combined 59 points the past two games and ran the ball well over the final six weeks, finally creating an identity sorely lacking in the first part of the season. They have a young quarterback to build around in Jason Campbell.

Still, as receiver Santana Moss said, “Until we do it, we have a lot of work to do.”

But the only major question mark is whether or not they can re-sign starting left guard Derrick Dockery, a free agent. Dockery wants to return.

But defensively major changes could occur. The Redskins likely will address needs along the line, possibly finding another end. They also need to find another starting safety and add corner help. Stalwarts such as end Renaldo Wynn could be done in Washington.

The defense entered Sunday’s action ranked 30th, having created the fewest turnovers in league history for a 16-game season (12) and having nearly allowed a franchise record for most yards in a season.

“Obviously it’s not [an easy fix], everybody is scrambling to figure out why,” Marshall said. “I still really don’t know and the coaches still don’t know. Will it be fixed? We’ll find out next year.”

Said running back Clinton Portis, “Wehad these same problems my first year here. We had the highest expectations with Coach Gibbs coming back and it didn’t pan out. The following year we got it together and we made a playoff run, so hopefully that’s the scenario next year.”

Week 17 notes

» Redskins corner Shawn Springs said anticipates returning for a fourth year in Washington, though he’ll have to redo a contract that calls for an approximately $7 million cap hit. He also said he still sees himself as a corner.

Coach Joe Gibbs hinted last week that Springs could be moved to safety at some point.

“The way I started to feel toward the end of the season and the way I can still run, I’ll stay at corner for now,” he said.

» Running back Clinton Portis said he doesn’t anticipate grand changes in his role next season, despite Ladell Betts’ emergence.

“I envision working the same way we’ve been working,” he said. “It’s never been all me in the backfield. I’ve always had competition. I go in and get my yards and I come out. That’s what separates me from other backs.”

» Assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams would not address why safety Adam Archuleta played so little in the second half of the season, shaking his head when asked the question after the game. Archuleta played from scrimmage for the first time in seven games Saturday. Williams said he hopes Archuleta returns.

“I really hope so,” Williams said.

Archuleta talked with Gibbs, Williams and secondary coaches Jerry Gray and Steve Jackson.

“I think things were expressed that needed to be expressed, (and) that’s where we’re at,” Archuleta said.