If opening day was a time to dream, then tonight’s game at Philadelphia is a time to fantasize for Washington Redskins fans. This is the hardest game on the early schedule. If the Redskins can upset the Eagles, then a 4-0 start is possible. The New York Giants (with a banged up quarterback) and lowly Detroit follow at FedEx Field and Washington could suddenly convince itself the postseason is possible before heading to Green Bay and New England in coming weeks.
Confidence and success are intertwined. Former Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer believed a confident team could become more successful than it deserved while a defeatist lockerroom would never survive. It’s like those jerks at work who are promoted despite being idiots. It’s because failure doesn’t cross their mind.
The Redskins have a playoff-caliber defense and good special teams, so it comes down to the offense. Ironically, the offense was supposed be the team’s strength entering training camp. And it still might.
Will quarterback Jason Campbell stand out in his second season of starting? Campbell forced too many throws in the opener. Maybe it was overconfidence, but Campbell needs to quit looking for his safety net in tight end Chris Cooley and find his second and third receivers downfield. Staring at Santana Moss doesn’t help, either.
Does the team have a second receiver despite six on the team? Antwaan Randle El is a playmaker, but defenses will start taking him away. That means either Brandon Lloyd finally shows up or Reche Caldwell grabs the job after arriving last week. The former New England receiver might even become the No. 2 receiver, a welcome relief to a team that has spent lavishly to find one. If Lloyd doesn’t start making plays soon, let him make rap recordings full-time.
Can Todd Wade replace Jon Jansen? Losing the latter right tackle is a blow, but let’s be honest — Jansen wasn’t a great player. A very good one, but not irreplacable. Wade will be just fine.
The defense doesn’t have nearly the same number of concerns. The only one is whether cornerback Shawn Springs played little last week as a payback for an offseason contract dispute or the team’s concern over his long-term health. The cynic says payback (see Arrington, LaVar), but when Springs is needed he’ll be in there.
Just like West Virginia proved to be Maryland’s barometer, Philadelphia will show Washington its level. The Eagles have dealt some of the harsher blows to the Redskins (see Bag Game, Body) and coach Joe Gibbs is only 10-15 on Monday nights.
The Eagles blew their opener so those friendly fans will be in top form. So what — if the Redskins want to be the frontrunner, this is their chance to shut up the skeptics.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
dcexamiNation and poll: What’s your verdict on the Redskins game tonight against the Eagles?
