DMN Blog: 2008 Cowboys' opponents: Washington Commanders

[Pick6TerenceNewman]

Todd Archer

Unless they meet in the playoffs, this Sept. 28 trip will be Washington's final visit to Texas Stadium. It will also be Jim Zorn's first trip to Dallas as a head coach with him replacing Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs. We've asked David Elfin of the Washington Times for his thoughts on the Commanders.
Biggest question going into camp - How will the Commanders adjust to the coaching change and the West Coast passing game?
Best pickup of the off-season - Since none of the rookies nor either of the new vets will likely start, let's go with coach Jim Zorn as Dan Snyder rebels against his own history and instincts and gambles on a 55-year-old who has never been an NFL offensive coordinator, let alone a head coach.
Guy under the radar - Second-round receiver Malcolm Kelly (Longview, Texas) could have a big impact in the red zone because he's 6-4, a quality the receiving corps has lacked for years. But let's go with pass-rushing end Chris Wilson, who had four sacks in limited duty in his NFL debut last year. The CFL refugee could play more this year, moving 35-year-old Phillip Daniels inside on passing downs.
In case you were wondering - Quarterback Jason Campbell is healthy after missing late last season with a knee injury, but he is learning his third different offense in four seasons ... We have Kevin Burnett blogging here, and Commanders tight end Chris Cooley has an entertaining blog here.
Prediction - The Commanders have all of the starters back (save murdered Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor) from a team that made the playoffs in two of the last three years. But even though Washington faces just two 2007 playoff teams out of the division (Steelers, Seahawks), playing all three NFC East road games in the first six weeks will be too big a hurdle to overcome with a rookie coach and a still-unproven quarterback. The Commanders finish 7-9 in the NFL's best division.
You can read more about the Commanders from David here.

link:http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/archives/2008/07/2008-cowboys-opponents-washington-redski.html

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Our division is so loaded.......it is hard to predict for ANYONE

Except for one thing.

Dallas is on top!

 

[Pick6TerenceNewman]

Our division is so loaded.......it is hard to predict for ANYONE

Except for one thing.

Dallas is on top!

IMO, I think it will be Dallas, Philly, Washington then the Giants. The Giants will have a SuperBowl hangover and come back down to earth.

 

[dueyhemlock]

IMO, I think it will be Dallas, Philly, Washington then the Giants. The Giants will have a SuperBowl hangover and come back down to earth.

I not sure what to expect from the Giants next year.

Last night on NFL network I watched a part recap of the Giants past season. They had some bad games last year, like the oversea game with Miami.
In the playoffs, they "squeaked" by both us (the boys) and the pack with Eli performing way better than his norm. I don't see that continuing.

The Skins and the G-men could battle for the Bottom of the Barrel Feeder rights.

 

[gambit187]

I dont know, the two times the skins made the playoffs under Gibbs were due to alot of heart and emotion going around due to circumstances. Gibbs was one of the best at rallying the skins.

Last year the death of Sean Taylor RIP, and Campbell getting hurt helped the skins alot. Todd Collins was better then Campbell only because he been sitting the bench so long and knew Al Saunders Offense like the back of his hand.

They have really one the last few years because of Defense and GREG WILLIAMS. Now that he is gone, with their D-line up their in age, with their the majority of their LB's either coming back from injuries or getting up in age, and with injury prone Springs and Rodgers I can see 5-11 or 6-10 for them.

 

[Idgit]

How long does a QB get to be 'unproven' before he's finally proven to be mediocre?

 

[pancakeman]

How long does a QB get to be 'unproven' before he's finally proven to be mediocre?

:bravo:

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I believe 3 teams from the NFC will once again make the playoffs. Dallas, Giants and Commanders. I'm not a big believer in Philly at this point.

 

[Skinsmaniac]

How long does a QB get to be 'unproven' before he's finally proven to be mediocre?

40 games.

 

[Sonny#9]

Todd Archer

Unless they meet in the playoffs, this Sept. 28 trip will be Washington's final visit to Texas Stadium. It will also be Jim Zorn's first trip to Dallas as a head coach with him replacing Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs. We've asked David Elfin of the Washington Times for his thoughts on the Commanders.

Very even handed and accurate assement.

In General, I like Elfin and the Times coverage better then the Post. Writers like Sally Jenkins, etc., seem to be in bash-mode constantly, without taking a look at all the fact.

 

[SkinsSuck09]

I just dont think a young quarterback can make it in the west coast offense. At least not in the first year. It will go...
Dallas
Giants
Philly
Skins

Just how I like it!

 

[WarDaddy]

Very even handed and accurate assement.

In General, I like Elfin and the Times coverage better then the Post. Writers like Sally Jenkins, etc., seem to be in bash-mode constantly, without taking a look at all the fact.

When you said Elfin I thought you were talking about Daniel Snyder. I guess I need to read more carefully...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

the only way I see Washington being a good team next year is because of their schedule

 

[Bob Sacamano]

40 games.

is that in any way scientific?

 

[redskins1]

I believe 3 teams from the NFC will once again make the playoffs. Dallas, Giants and Commanders. I'm not a big believer in Philly at this point.

I agree!!!

 

[AmishCowboy]

I see the Eagles 10-6, the Commanders at 8-8 with a new Coach and I really see a wake up call for the Giants penciling them in at 8-8 also. I see us at 11-5.

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

When you said Elfin I thought you were talking about Daniel Snyder. I guess I need to read more carefully...

:laugh2:

 

[firehawk350]

When doing predictions, I like to give a plus or minus type thing. I see the Skins as an 8 win team plus or minus 4. Too much unknown. If Zorn could come in like Sean Payton and bring the offense to life, or he could be miscasting the entire team into the wrong offense.

 

[zrinkill]

When doing predictions, I like to give a plus or minus type thing. I see the Skins as an 8 win team plus or minus 4. Too much unknown. If Zorn could come in like Sean Payton and bring the offense to life, or he could be miscasting the entire team into the wrong offense.

I see them as an 8 win team plus or minus 2.

 

[firehawk350]

I was going to say plus or minus 2, but the offense is so freakin' unpredictable right now. Has there ever been a WCO with a great TE and another one with a good pedigree? Or how about Portis, what can we expect from him (Sherman Smith ran a solid running game in Tennessee and Portis is 20x more talented than Lendale)? Will Campbell be suited for WC like his senior year or was that due to lots of talent in the backfield with him? Can Zorn even crack it as a playcaller?

If Zorn can come in like Sean Payton and really revitalize the offense and use everybody to their max capability, this could be a good/great offense with a good defense and could surprise a lot of people (including me). If he comes in like Billick and oversees an anemic offense, we could be looking at a 4-5 win season and talking about whether we take the best DE or best QB in the draft.