VA PILOT: Redskins end season with an eye on goals for 2005

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Redskins end season with an eye on goals for 2005

By JIM DUCIBELLA, The Virginian-Pilot

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/print.cfm?story=79988&ran=116811

As the Washington Redskins finish their 10th fruitless season in the last 11 years with today’s home game against Minnesota, it’s hard to tell who has issued more apologies lately: coach Joe Gibbs or the airlines.

A three-time Super Bowl winner and probably the most beloved man in franchise history, Gibbs has vowed to fix an offense that enters the finale 29th in the league, has outscored only one team (Chicago) and may set a club record for fewest points .

Gibbs and his staff will work one more intense week making final personnel evaluations before turning over a list of problems and potential solutions to owner Daniel Snyder and vice president of operations Vinny Cerrato.

Given the time of year, you might call them Gibbs’ four New Year’s resolutions.

1. Add a playmaker for the red zone.

Gibbs conceded that the offense bogged down inside an opponent’s 20 because there are more defenders occupying less space. You need a player with a knack for making plays in that environment . The Redskins don’t have one .

He could take a chance that Laveranues Coles’ foot and hand problems will completely heal this offseason. He could risk that Rod Gardner suddenly will become a consistent playmaker instead of the hit-and-miss performer he’s been .

He could rely on H-back Chris Cooley’s continued improvement and maturation. He could give another shot to Darnerien McCants, who showed some resolve near the goal line under previous coaches but did nothing under Gibbs.

But it’s hard to imagine Gibbs leaving such an important factor to chance. Maybe he’ll draft a receiver, but it seems more likely that the Redskins will move through free agency to fill what may be their most pressing need.

Pittsburgh’s Plaxico Bur-ress, a former Green Run High star, is among the unrestricted free agent . At 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds, Burress is the ideal size to win the hand-to-hand battles in the end zone. He’d be expensive but might make an enormous difference in point production.

2. Re-sign key free agents.

The Redskins have 17 free agents, three of them essential: cornerback Fred Smoot, linebacker Antonio Pierce and defensive tackle Joe Salave’a.

Pierce and Smoot , who help spearhead the league’s second-rated defense, have been in negotiations on contract extensions for some time, without success.

Cerrato said the offer to Smoot would make him one of the 10 highest-paid corners in the NFL.

All Smoot will say is that he’s less optimistic than before about returning.

Pierce, who went from afterthought to Pro Bowl alternate, recently changed agents, to Drew Rosenhaus. That may be good; Rosenhaus and Snyder have a friendly working relationship.

Salave’a is less of a priority, though he played substantially better than anyone expected.

Linebacker Lemar Marshall, tight end Mike Sellers, long snapper Ethan Albright and defensive end Ron Warner would be welcomed back, too.

3. Upgrade the offensive line.

It’s not often that Gibbs names a specific area in need of improvement, but the coach recently singled out the line, saying it must be better next season.

Center Cory Raymer and left guard Derrick Dockery probably will draw most of the scrutiny, although with Chris Samuels scheduled to count about $9 million against the 2005 cap, the Redskins may decide they must spend less at that spot. He’s been unwilling to see things their way in the past.

The Redskins keep saying Dockery has Pro Bowl talent, though there hasn’t been much consistent evidence of that. He’s prone to the stupid mistake, as evidenced by seven false-start penalties this year.

Raymer was a decent fill-in, but the Redskins surely want more at that spot.

On the free-agent market, Seattle may finally tire of the annual contract hassles with Walter Jones and let him test free agency. Tra Thomas of Philadelphia is another who should draw interest.

With right tackle Jon Jansen’s recovery from Achilles’ surgery on schedule, free agent Ray Brown, a natural guard, could be brought back for insurance behind Randy Thomas, if Brown decides to play a 20th season.

4. Acquire a pass-rush specialist.

That’s easier said than done. Playing one of football’s glamour positions, they generally make more money than players at other spots, and they frequently come with larger egos.

Key ingredients in Washington’s superb defense this season were unselfishness and camaraderie.

Players liked each other and worked to make one another better. Too many times, the great pass-rusher forsakes his responsibilities against the run to rush the passer.

Would it make Gregg Williams’ defense more intimidating and flexible to have an end who generated consistent pressure? Absolutely.

Linebackers and safeties could spend more time playing their more positions rather than blitzing . Anything that gives Williams more options with which to tinker can’t be good for the rest of the league.

Free agents expected to hit the market include John Abraham and Shaun Ellis of the Jets, Seattle’s Chike Okeafor and Aaron Kampman of Green Bay.

If Gibbs can keep all of those resolutions in 2005, the only thing he may have to apologize for is embarrassing the opposition.