History shows Skins can rebound quickly
ASHBURN – The record, a coaching change and the expected turnover on the roster suggest a rebuilding season for the Redskins. It doesn’t have to be that way; not if they look at recent history.
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Like the past seven seasons.
Since 2003, the NFL has produced at least one team that made the playoffs, despite coming off a season in which they won five or fewer games. The most extreme example is the Miami Dolphins, who won 11 games in 2008 after winning just one in 2007. Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, the New York Jets and Cincinnati all have made the playoffs in the past five years after winning four or fewer games the previous year.
That’s good news for the 4-12 Redskins and new coach Mike Shanahan. Not that it guarantees them anything; it just represents the fact that it can happen.
“I hate to use the word rebuilding,” Shanahan said at his introductory press conference. “I can’t tell you how long it will take … I hope it won’t be long until we’re back where this organization has been.”
The Redskins’ problem is residing in a division with Dallas, which has an elite defense — not one that talks about being one — and a top quarterback. The Cowboys’ offensive nucleus is in place. Philadelphia has an explosive offense and despite facing some tough offseason questions, the Eagles have proven to be a consistent winner in the regular season. The Giants, obviously, appear the most vulnerable, but their talent base is ahead of Washington as well.
Still, hope for the Redskins resides in knowing that six teams made the playoffs this season that did not earn a berth last year.
However, only one, the New York Jets, changed coaches. The Bengals, in an injury-filled year in 2008, went 4-11-1 and won their last three games. They benefited from a rejuvenated running game and strong defense this season. Right now, the Redskins can’t count on their ground game because they don’t know who will carry the ball, or even who will block for them. The latter is a bigger issue than the former considering Shanahan has churned out one 1,000-yard rusher after another.
The Redskins do have the defense. They also have a coach who won at least nine games in nine of his 14 seasons with Denver.
“He knows one way to do things,” said ESPN analyst, and ex-Bronco, Mark Schlereth. “That guy is the ultimate grinder.”
Washington must resolve numerous issues — from quarterback to the line and running backs and even the secondary. So the Redskins, one of eight teams with five or fewer wins this season, aren’t the best bet to make that sort of turnaround in one season. But history suggests some team will.
