Washington Redskins preview (No. 28): Gruden, RG3 must get it together
Our 2015 NFL preview series ranks every team, from worst to first. Today: the No. 28 Redskins.
2014 record: 4-12
Head coach: Jay Gruden (second season, 4-12 regular season)
Key arrivals: *Brandon Scherff (offensive tackle), Stephen Paea (defensive lineman), Ricky Jean Francois (defensive tackle), Terrance Knighton (defensive tackle), Chris Culliver (cornerback), Dashon Goldson (safety)
(*denotes rookie)
Key departures: Roy Helu Jr. (running back), Brian Orakpo (outside linebacker), Ryan Clark (safety)
2015 schedule (ET)
Sept. 13: Miami, 1 p.m.
Sept. 20: St. Louis, 1 p.m.
Sept. 24: at New York Giants, 8:25 p.m.
Oct. 4: Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11: at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Oct. 18: at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25: Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1: BYE
Nov. 8: at New England, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15: New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22: at Carolina, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29: New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 7: Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 13: at Chicago, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20: Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Dec. 26: at Philadelphia, 8:25 p.m.
Jan. 3: at Dallas, 1 p.m.
TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: How much more comfortable does quarterback Robert Griffin III look in his second season under head coach Jay Gruden?
Griffin's fall from grace continued last season when he was briefly benched for ineffective play and awful technique. Griffin showed enough improvement when returning to the starting lineup for another shot this season but has miles to go before regaining the franchise quarterback status he once held in Washington. Although he didn't help matters with his pointed public critiques of Griffin in 2014, Gruden praised his work during June's minicamp. "I don't think anybody lacks confidence with him as a quarterback," Gruden told Redskins media. "I think the transition for him into a new system last season was a little bit rocky for all of us. But when you have the same system going in for Year 2, I think he's going to get better." For the sake of his own employment, Gruden had better be right.
IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT
RG3 will have his mobility and confidence back, and will connect with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon on a consistent basis. The upgrades to the offensive line will help him stay healthy, and new offensive line coach Bill Callahan will get the offensive line to open even more holes for Alfred Morris, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. The upgraded defensive front and secondary will come together under new defensive coordinator for Joe Barry. If all goes well, the Redskins could vie for a playoff spot or the division title.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG
The roof caves in and RG3 never gets the swag back that he had his rookie year when he led the Redskins to the playoffs. His relationship with Gruden -- and how owner Dan Snyder may view who should start -- will be pivotal to the team's success. The defense has been overhauled somewhat, but they need Ryan Kerrigan (13.5 sacks last season) to come back healthy after offseason knee surgery. Washington ranked 20th in the NFL in total defense, and 24th in passing defense. The additions of Culliver and Goldson should help some there, but if they don't, the Redskins will be in trouble in a division with the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles and their dynamic offenses.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Outside linebacker Trent Murphy
The Redskins need someone to fill the void left by outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, who shuffled to Tennessee as a free agent. The favorite is Murphy, a 2014 second-round pick who has gotten stronger and heavier after immersing himself in offseason strength training.
CIRCLE THE DATE GAME: vs. Dallas in Week 13 (8:30 pm ET/Dec. 7):
Although they have posted only one winning record in the past seven seasons, Washington's long-time feud with the Cowboys remains strong. We should have a good idea by this point in the season whether Griffin is back on track.
ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 5-11, fourth place
New general manager Scot McCloughan already has enacted some positive change with his offseason moves, especially with his refortification of the defensive line. Yet one big problem emains: quarterback. The pairing of Griffin and Gruden was disastrous in 2014. Griffin's career descent continued when he was benched by Gruden just three games after an early-season ankle injury. That doesn't speak well of Gruden, either, in failing to get the best out of Griffin, which is one of the main reasons he was hired in Washington. Griffin showed enough in two late-season starts to reclaim his starting spot entering the 2015 preseason. But if he doesn't once again show the potential he did as a rookie before a major knee injury, the Redskins could be shopping for a new QB and head coach in the 2016 offseason. Griffin and Gruden both should benefit from the addition of acclaimed offensive line coach Bill Callahan from Dallas and Brandon Scherff, who instantly became the starting right tackle when chosen with the No. 5 overall pick. The defense also has a big coaching addition in new coordinator Joe Barry, who drew praise in San Diego for his work with the Chargers' linebackers. Barry's top priority: improving a secondary that surrendered an NFL-high 35 touchdowns in 2014.
