I didn't post at all during the season after the Skins' opening-day win. The team went on a 4-game losing skid and it was far too depressing to write. Even then, most of the games were close and winnable in the fourth quarter.

A few breaks here and there and the Skins could be 9-7. The inexplicable motion penalty during the Packers game comes to mind. The multiple turnovers in Giants territory in their first matchup also comes to mind. Bootleg after bootleg by Jeff Garcia on third downs resulting in killer first downs along with Coles' fumble on the Skins' last drive was enough to sabotage the Skins in the Cleveland game. The horrible Deion interception of Brunell in the Ravens game. The Ramsey interception at the end of the Eagles MNF game when they were well in field goal range. The debilitating TD pass given up with 30 seconds left against Dallas.

Now comes the time to look to the offseason. Rumored to be parting ways with the Redskins are Chris Samuels, Rod Gardner, and Smoot. Gardner would not be much of a loss. The Redskins need much more production and consistency than they are getting from their former first round pick. The Redskins would do well to draft a top receiver like Mike Williams of USC or Braylon Edwards from Michigan. Taylor Jacobs can improve and Thrash can contribute more. Samuels has not been particularly open to restructuring his contract for salary cap relief. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him leaving the team given his cap number. That would leave a gaping hole on the left side and the Skins will need to groom one of their two young rookie linemen (Wilson, Molinaro) as a replacement. Smoot's loss would not be debilitating either from a personnel standpoint. He's great for team morale but has been victimized plenty of times. The Cowboys, in particular, enjoy attacking him, often successfully.

The Skins' priority in free agency lies with a pass-rushing defensive end. The Skins absolutely have to be able to pressure with just the front four to become a dangerous defense. Otherwise, they are just a stout defense. The secondary and linebacking corps should be set. The offensive line may reshuffle, depending on what happens with Chris Samuels, but is probably okay. Chris Cooley really came on during the second half of the season and will become an increasingly bigger threat. He caught 3 or more balls in the last 6 games and also scored 3 touchdowns. Royal also made the most of his touches, scoring 4 TDs in the last 5 games.

Also on the positive end, Gregg Williams will be back. Jansen will be back. Bowen will be back. Arrington will return. The Redskins should be able to re-sign Pierce. If not, they've sufficiently developed Lemar Marshall. Taylor should be even better. This Redskins team has a good foundation for next year. They've instilled discipline with Gibbs, although their penalty yards might indicate otherwise. They'll be in their second year in the same system and Ramsey should be better by leaps and bounds. Gibb's offensive staff will have had an entire year to adjust to the shorter time clock as well as all the other changes they encountered after a decade-plus out of the league.

The offseason is always a time for hope and high expectations. In today's era of parity and worst to first, why not the Redskins?