Training Camp starts in 15 days, and as 'skinpartrol' has reminded us right now nothing is going  on in the Redskin world.   With nothing happening, somethings got to be out in the Web... 

The entire offseason has been quiet, well except for the 30+ days after Gibbs' retirement until the hiring of "never been a coordinator much less a head coach" Zorn.  A pleasent suprise from years past with the Washington Redskins of Daniel Snyder, the team has a quiet but secure confidence which I hope translates into a "great season".

The obvious needs to happen for the Redskins to have a good year, typicall of any football team this time of year, no suprises but an 'ok' break down is provided over at  "The Bleacher Report" by Jack Anderson

Washington Redskins...heading-into-training-camp

He hints at a potential better situation, a connected coaching staff to go with the "team", all 22 starters returning. 

For one offseason at least, the 'Skins stayed quiet and built through the draft. True, a new coaching staff has arrived, but this appears to be a welcomed change, according to players like star running back Clinton Portis.

Now is the time to really break down this team and see what they need to do to make the jump from a wild-card team to a Super Bowl team.

Breaking down the Key elements into 6 items the team needs to do to make the jump, keying off his 6 elements here is what I think: My opinion....

1. Jack's musings list Jason Campbell as the top key element and I agree with all aspects of his comments on Jason.

1. Jason Campbell must step-up his game. 

The heaviest load will fall upon young quarterback Jason Campbell. He must make the transition to the West Coast offense, which I feel suits his abilities well. He has plenty of weapons at his disposal and now is time for him to become more than a game manager. He now must become a game winner.

Too many times last year Campbell let victory slip away and this is the year he has to make the throws he failed to make in key situations last year.

2. The offensive line must stay healthy, and to go along with that the majority of the team.  The age of the offensive line gives concern to everyone except the "ageless" line coach Joe Bugel.  When at full strength the line is one of the top in the NFL, the greatest improvement in the post-Gibbs Washington Redskins is the way it is able to handle injuries to starters while remaining competitive.  A key to the obvious, the more starters which remain healthy the better the team will perform, any team.

3. LaRon Landry has to play free safety.

The acquisition of Stuart Schweigert led defensive coordinator Greg Blache to suggest that Landry might move back to strong safety

I tend to agree that one of the keys to the success of the Redskins this year will be LaRon, I do not think he must play free safety.  One of the changes which has occured in the NFL over the past several years is the versatility of players and formations, I like the Idea of LaRon playing both free safety and strong safety depending on the situation, to have an indivdual who can play both positions well is special to have player who could possibly "define" both positions is unique, the Redksins may have that with LaRon Landry.

4. Clinton Portis needs to improve.

Portis says this new system fits his style, and let's hope he can back that up. Portis has been quality back, but has never been the player he was in Denver. Maybe the coaching change will help him revert to his old form

I don't get this, the knocks on Clinton Portis and what he has or has not accomplished since coming to Washington.  He's consistently gained over 1,000 yards except the year he was hurt, he block and appears to give 100% on every play.  He has not been a leader of the team, which he wasn't in Denver.  A key element is Clinton Portis leading, signs of this may have occured in OTAs.

5. Jim Zorn: Jack says he must 'prove' himself, I say Zorn needs to be who he is and all signs point to him being that person,  How he and the team handle the season is a key element to the season, proving himself is not.

6. Receiver drops have to be eliminated.

The receivers were very under-productive last year, and whenever Campbell got into the rhythm, they would drop passes. These lapses can't happen if the team wants to win. It cost them several games last year (see Tampa Bay and Green Bay), and it is the sign of a team that really isn't ready to be a big-time contender.

This team is a big question mark for me. I know they have talent, but I have seen them underachieve my whole life. If Zorn and Campbell get on the right page, then this team could go a long ways, but Campbell has yet to prove he can win pressure packed games.

Hopefully the team can capitalize on its weapons and have a great season, but I, for one, see another 9-7 wild-card team. And that's not enough to be labeled a great season.

The final Key element of Jack's "drops have to be eliminated", yeah! no kidding the key element is the development of the West coast offense with rookie WR and Tight ends to have an effective passing game to go with a strong running game.  The 6th element is one of the WR developing and becoming a strong #2 reciever.

7. My own, which everyone states as a fact due to minor changes and basically the same team...The Defense.  The defense must remain together and build on last year as a solid top-10 defense, the Redskins will be a playoff team or not because of the defense.  If the defense remains solid then a 9-7 season is possible with a potential wild card birth, the defense struggles the team struggles.  All but one of Jack's key elements focus on Offense, it the defense which will keep the team competitive...The offense if it 'clicks' the team can be special.

Here's to something for nothing.