The Redskins' offseason was highlighted by an economy-defying $100 million contract with $47 million guaranteed to defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, instantly upgrading the defensive line. That pales in comparison to the garish contract extension they gave cornerback DeAngelo Hall or the contract they gave offensive guard Derrick Dockery to return to the team. In fact, Haynesworth set NFL records for the largest signing bonus ever.
That's a lot of cash. And it's a lot to live up to.
The Redskins defense needs the help, though. Even though they finished eighth against the run last year and seventh against the pass, the team had the fourth-worst sack total in the NFL with 24. With Haynesworth commanding double teams from opposing offensive lines, the Redskins can now rely on pass-rusher Andre Carter and rookie first-round pick Brian Orakpo to get to the quarterback and make plays. In turn, that will help the secondary, which has always been fairly talented but forced into tough situations because of the lack of pass rush.
So as Haynesworth goes, so the Redskins defense will go. The same can be said of the offense and quarterback Jason Campbell. If he continues to play mediocre football (two games with more than one passing touchdown last year), the offense will struggle. If he can take the next step in his game, then the offense will hold up its end of the bargain. The Redskins have no shortage of receivers and have done a decent enough job to keep their offensive line healthy. Plus, having Clinton Portis run the football is always a big plus for any quarterback.
Campbell's rise will be made easier if second-year receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly can get healthy and contribute. Tight end Chris Cooley should remain an effective weapon while Santana Moss should still be hot one week, cool the next. If one of the second-year wideouts, or someone else on the roster, could open up the offense for Campbell, this team could be good.
Sleeper ... Malcolm Kelly, WR
Malcolm Kelly is the very definition of a sleeper. After being taken in the second round of the 2008 draft, he caught three passes for 18 yards in five games, missing the rest of the year with knee issues. He's had microfracture surgery on the knee and finished the offseason by practicing on a daily basis with the offense. He doesn't offer blazing speed, but he's a big, physical receiver who can eat up 12 yards at a time and be useful in the red zone. The Redskins even have designs on using him as an outside receiver and pushing Antwaan Randle El into the slot, which is more than they can say for fellow second-year wideout Devin Thomas. The only catch is that Kelly is not a lock to stay healthy, and one good strike to his knee might sideline him for a couple of weeks. The Fantasy owners who rolled the dice on Kellen Winslow a few years back shouldn't be afraid to consider Kelly with a final-round pick in drafts this summer.
Breakout ... Jason Campbell, QB
If there's going to be a breakout in Washington, Campbell's got the best chance. After all, Fantasy owners are already familiar with the three primary weapons around Campbell in the offense in Portis, Moss and Cooley. His stats might not show it, but Campbell was solid in Jim Zorn's version of the West Coast offense as he didn't throw a single interception through the first two months of the season. And a big reason for the wheels coming off his game late in the year was the offensive line falling apart in Week 14. Before then, he wasn't as good as Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, but he was a pretty dependable Fantasy passer worth using as a backup. His line has since healed, his receiving corps has done the same and Campbell didn't learning a new offense this spring. He even has a chip on his shoulder after it was revealed earlier this offseason that the Redskins were willing to trade him for another passer -- twice. With 2009 being a contract year, Campbell has the tools, scheme and motivation to put it all together. Drafting him to be your backup quarterback with a late-round pick is a sharp idea.
Bust ... Santana Moss, WR
For some NFL receivers, studying their history leading up to Draft Day isn't very dependable. But for Moss, you can check his history and make some fairly obvious assessments. In seven years, Moss has never had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Only once has he scored at least six touchdowns in consecutive seasons ('05-06; he had six last year). And he has yet to play in back-to-back 16-game seasons. Furthermore, the Redskins are pushing second-year receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas to contribute more, potentially taking opportunities away from Moss. He's a risk to draft and a tougher wideout to count on from week to week. If you can, steer clear of the 30-year-old receiver unless you're snaring him to be a top-reserve option.
Training camp topics
This is Jim Zorn's second year in Washington, but it might be his last unless the Redskins win. There's a lot of pressure on the entire team to put together a playoff run or else be banished by the itchy trigger finger of owner Daniel Snyder. Since buying the team before the 1999 season, only one head coach has lasted more than two years in Washington: Joe Gibbs, who was there for four years. Not a single one has finished with a record above .500. Suffice to say, Zorn's got his work cut out for him.
Even though the Redskins attempted to spin off Campbell twice this offseason (once for Jay Cutler, once for a draft pick to take Mark Sanchez), the veteran has the luxury of being in the same offense for two years in a row -- a huge change for him since he's been constantly learning offenses since his college days. Campbell should be more comfortable with not only the playbook but Zorn's coaching, so the two will work hand-in-hand to keep their jobs.
The offense still has the same veteran stars -- Portis running the ball, Cooley and Moss catching the ball, Chris Samuels protecting Campbell's blind side -- but it will be the infusion of last year's rookie receivers, Thomas and Kelly, that can put this offense over the top. If one of them can help regularly, it'll benefit everybody. If both can excel, this offense could be special. Training camp will be the first chance we'll see what they can contribute.
Otherwise, all eyes will be on the big man with the big money, Haynesworth. His signing and the drafting of pass-rush specialist Brian Orakpo addressed arguably Washington's biggest need in the offseason. As long as Haynesworth stays healthy and Orakpo lives up to his expectations, they should be much improved in that area while still being strong overall on defense.
Injury update ... Malcolm Kelly (Knee; expected to be ready for the start of training camp) ... Devin Thomas (Hamstring; expected to be ready for the start of training camp).
Are you ready for the 2009 Fantasy season? If not, we're here for you. Send us an e-mail at DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. We'll respond to as many as we can.
