Smoot is out.

Wow, that's huge news. Bailey can blanket Amani Toomer but Ike Hilliard is a very capable #2 receiver. Losing Smoot hurts big time, no matter how much criticism he received. He's looked good so far this year and there's a significant dropoff when you put in 5'8" Rashad Bauman. Even worse, the fourth corner is Ade Jimoh and he's the one that easily surrendered the last-minute TD to the Falcons. In a 2 WR, TE set, Bauman is going to need coverage help on every play, which opens up the middle of the field for Shockey. Edwards may prefer to play more zone but I think you have to keep Champ on the opponent's best receiver to take him out of the game.

David Terrell was a decent CB and I'd prefer to see him out there rather than Jimoh. The question is, how much have his CB skills eroded by not playing that position regularly over the last two years? Can he still cover one-on-one?

If the Skins win this one without Smoot, the victory will be so much sweeter. It'll really legitimize the team as a force to be reckoned with.