Welcome to the first installment of "MrNFL's prediction system previews."  On these posts, we will look at an NFL team, and grade them at different positions to figure out what record each team will get.  For a full explanation on how the system works, click here.

Today we look at the Washington Redskins.

LAST SEASON: After a playoff birth the year before, Washington disappointed by finishing 5-11 in 2006, the worst in their division.

Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers

QB's: Jason Campbell, Mark Brunell, Todd Collins, Casey Bramlet, Jordan Palmer

WR's: Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, Brandon Lloyd, James Thrash, Jason McAddley, Ryan Hoag, Cedric Bonner, Mike Espy

Campbell is still young, but looks very promising.  Brunell is a solid backup in case of an injury or if Campbell struggles.  Moss is solid, and can be a capable number one when he is on his game.  However, they don't really have a great #2 guy.  Both Lloyd and Randle El are inconsistent and seem to be slot guys at best.  A decent group, but nothing really that special.

QB/WR Score: 7/10

Running Backs/Tight Ends

HB's: Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright, Derrick Blaylock
FB's: Mike Sellers

TE's: Chris Cooley, Todd Yoder, Eric Edwards, Tyler Ecker

Portis missed most of last year, but if he is healthy, he is one of the leagues' best backs.  Betts proved last year that he is a very capable back, and he could be very effective splitting carries with Portis.  Sellers is a very capable blocking fullback.  Cooley is a very good receiving tight end as well.  They are fantastic in this category, enough so to warrant a 10.

RB/TE Score: 10/10

Offensive Line

T's: Chris Samuels, Jon Jansen, Jason Fabini, Calvin Armstrong, William Whitticker
G's: Randy Thomas, Todd Wade, Mike Pucillo, Ross Tucker, Taylor Whitley, Kili Lefotu

C's: Casey Rabach, Ethan Albright

They are set at both tackle spots, Jansen and Samuels are both very good tackles.  Rabach isn't a bad center either.  The questions are at the guard hole, and replacing Derrick Dockery.  The veteran Thomas will continue to start in one of those slots, and he is solid.  You wonder if they will move former starting tackle Fabini to that slot.  They, minus that hole, have a pretty good offensive line.

OL Score: 8/10

Defensive Line

DT's: Cornelius Griffin, Joe Salave'a, Jared Clauss, Ryan Boschetti, Lorenzo Alexander, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston

DE's: Renaldo Wynn, Philip Daniels, Andre Carter, Demetric Evans, Jamaal Green, Joe Sykes

Griffin is a decent inside guy, Salave'a is average at best, and the same could be said for Clauss.  Not exactly great, but not terrible either.  Daniels is a decent run stopping end, but at his age, isn't much of a pass rusher.  Carter isn't a bad pass rusher.  Wynn's role has diminished, but expect to see him at tackle at times this season.  Overall, a decent group, but not worthy of an 8.

DL Score: 7/10

Linebackers

LB's: London Fletcher-Baker, Marcus Washington, Lemar Marshall, Rocky McIntosh, Khary Campbell, H.B. Blades, Anthony Trucks, Dallas Sartz

Although Fletcher isn't young, he was great last year with the Bills, and that's a very good pickup by them.  Marshall and Washington are both solid players, who can give solid production.  If any of those guys get hurt, they don't have much behind them, but if healthy, it's not a bad group.

LB Score: 8/10

Defensive Backs

CB's: Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot, Carlos Rogers, David Macklin, Ade Jimoh, Jeramitrus Butler, Leigh Torrence, John Eubanks

S's: LaRon Landry, Sean Taylor, Omar Stoutmire, Pierson Prioleau, Vernon Fox, Reed Dougherty,

Springs is getting old and has had injury problems.  If healthy, he is still good.  They brought Smoot back, who had success in Washington in the past, but he may not be more than a nickel back if Springs is healthy.  Rogers is getting better, and he's probably ready to be the #1 guy full time.  Macklin's a decent 4 guy.  As far as the safeties, if Taylor stays out of trouble, he's great.  They drafted Landry who looks to make a big impact.  This group is much improved from last year when they struggled, but still not fantastic.

DB Score: 8/10

Special Teams

K: Shaun Suisham

P: Derrick Frost
KR: Rock Cartwright, Antwaan Randle El

Suisham is a young and unproven kicker.  He's never been on a team for a full season, so a lot of questions there.  Frost is a very average punter.  They are a lot better off with returners, Cartwright is a good kick returner, and Randle El a good punt returner.  But the lack of a kicker and punter kills them.

ST Score: 7/10

Coaches

Head Coach: Joe Gibbs

O. Coordinator: Don Breaux

D. Coordinator: Greg Blache

Gibbs is a Hall of Fame coach, but the team has been inconsistent since his return.  Breaux is another guy who was with Gibbs originally.  Blache has been there for a few years.  But you can't forget Al Saunders and Gregg Williams, both are great coaches who are assistant head coaches right now.  However, I can't give out a 5.

Coach score: 4/5

Recap

QB/WR- 7/10

RB/TE- 10/10

OL- 8/10

DL- 7/10

LB- 8/10

DB- 8/10

ST- 7/10

C- 4/5

Wow, they seem to be a lot better than I expected.  Make sure to leave your rankings for them.

Up Next, the New York Giants.

FanIQ Says... (232)

"Prediction System" rankings: Washington Redskins Full explanation here. 7 categories. Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Running backs/Fullbacks/Tight ends Offensive line Defensive line Linebacker group Secondary (more...)
(Q1 of 8) Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Consensus answer: 6.1	Asked by: MrNFL
Asked 6/18/07