Second year receivers

Fred Davis is turning out to be a fine tight end. He has really stepped it up in Chris Cooley's absence. Regular 2 TE formations next year is a must.

On the other hand, although Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas are playing larger roles, they still have to be considered major busts. Two thoughts on these big young receivers:

(1) DeSean Jackson - the Skins passed on the speedy Cal receiver/PR twice. Kelly and Thomas will always be compared to the Eagles' second rounder. He has made a huge impact as a big play guy, had 900+ yards last season and is over 1000 this season with double digit TDs. Hard to see either guy turning into a 1000 yard receiver next year.

(2) Rod Gardner - 'Nuff said.

Bruce Allen

Hurray! Anything is better than Vinny Cerrato. Of course, a new owner would be ideal but that's not happening.

It's nice that Allen has the old family ties to the organization, at least for sentimental reasons. That won't have much bearing on Bruce Allen's effectiveness in his job other than his heart will be completely in it. Big question is how much he can educate Snyder on what a professional football organization should really be.

Quarterback

Dan Snyder is both a great owner and an infuriating owner. He's a great owner in the sanme way that Jack Kent Cooke would open up his pocketbook to acquire any star player necessary. It's too bad that these days championships are won by building through the draft with solid scouting and talent evaluation.

Unfortunately, to that point, Snyder is an infuriating owner because he gets involved in personnel decisions with the football talent evalutation skills of a fan, not a trained eye. Being infatuated with Mark Sanchez? C'mon man! Give Campbell a chance to succeed... On the other hand, the fact that Campbell hasn't succeeded by now doesn't bode well for him.

The Danny really has to set Vinny aside (how about Operations Executive) for the good of the franchise and hire an up-and-coming football executive as personnel decision-maker.

Free Agency Signings

DeAngelo Hall - It was a must to re-sign this top-notch corner. Hall will likely play at a Pro Bowl level next season. The only question mark was that it seemed the offer was much higher than it needed to be. The Skins probably would have been able to keep him by matching any equivalent offer on the open market.

Derrick Dockery - Good move to go younger on the O-line with by bringing Dock back as a guy that has succeeded in the Redskins' run game. Buges must love him and be glad to get him back. The question is, he will already be 29 by the start of the season. It probably would have been wiser to address through the draft. Hopefully Rinehart and Heyer will be solid enough depth.

Albert Haynesworth - I don't like this move because it's too risky. So much money tied up in a single player sacrifices for other positions. Knowing the Redskins' luck, he'll suffer a ruptured Achilles by the third game of the season. Andre Carter and Jason Taylor should play at a much higher level alongside Haynesworth, for however long he lasts. Daniels had a surprisingly good season in 2007 but at 35, and after suffering a season-ending injury, he's probably done.

The Pain Was Too Great

Just as wonderful as a 6-2 start was, so too was the pain of the 2-6 finish. As mentioned in a post about a year ago about moods affecting reading and blogging. I'd resolved to be more consistent but obviously couldn't do so. I wasn't surprised in the least by the weak second half of the season.

In the first half, Zorn's offense was new and he was a risktaker. Everyone was healthy. By the second half, the linemen were getting banged up. Zorn got more conservative. And defensive coordinators had accumulated game footage to be able to analyze him.

How much more can Campbell continue to develop under Zorn?