After dispatching Albert Haynesworth, the Washington Redskins must remember there are still four games remaining.
There is virtually no playoff incentive when meeting Tampa Bay before a likely half-empty FedEx Field on Sunday.
The 5-7 record with two straight losses threatens to become 5-11. Maybe 6-10. Translation: The Redskins still stink sans Haynesworth.
There’s no running game. Little downfield passing game. Not much blocking.
The team’s 3-4 defense is the worst in the NFL. The Redskins don’t have the right nose tackle or outside linebackers. Their best player — safety LaRon Landry — has been hurt. The tackling has been spotty as has the pass rush.
Essentially, the Redskins are a mess. Even worse, a mess of old players that tend to tire in a season’s final weeks.
The one plus in the Haynesworth debacle was distracting fans over just how badly this team has recently played. A surprising 4-3 start has been followed by a 1-4 slump.
The only thing left is readying the roster for 2011.
Quarterback Donovan McNabb is coming off his worst outing. His two interceptions in the 31-7 loss to the New York Giants were simply bad plays. The 12-year veteran is headed for his worst passer rating (75.2) since his rookie season and has thrown more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (12) for the first time in his career.
Despite the $3.25 million option to retain McNabb’s rights, the Redskins can release him. Given they have no Plan B, cutting McNabb seems unlikely no matter how poorly the final month goes.
Receiver Santana Moss’ 64 receptions are 10th most in the league. However, Moss has just three touchdowns and rarely seems like a game breaker anymore. Comparatively, Tennessee’s Randy Moss has five scores in 27 catches.
Moss turns 32 next season so it’s time to consider a new No. 1 receiver. Moss scored 15 touchdowns in his first two seasons, but only 18 the last five. Washington has long needed a big receiver and when Malcolm Kelly didn’t work the past three seasons, Moss stayed No. 1. But it can’t continue much longer.
After 133 games over 10 seasons, center Casey Rabach also seems at the end of his career. The Redskins have even tried Will Montgomery there. Unless Rabach finishes strong, Washington should consider a young replacement.
Cornerback Carlos Rogers and linebacker Rocky McIntosh are both unrestricted free agents next year. The Redskins should re-sign Rogers before season’s end. His repeated dropped interceptions frustrates fans, but he’s probably better and cheaper than a replacement. McIntosh doesn’t fit in the 3-4 scheme so no big loss there.
Nose tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu was never healthy this season. It’s hard to judge him too harshly despite a poor season. Still, he turns 32 in January and the Redskins need much more up front.
Essentially, the Redskins are back to a glorified preseason. The games are meaningless. It’s a last look at some players while analyzing where changes are needed.
The offseason can’t come quickly enough.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
