Redskins mailbag: Healthy Springs could key defense

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, October 12, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Washington Redskins
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If you would like to get in a future mailbag segment, please send an e-mail, with your name and location, titled "Mailbag" to Connor J. Byrne's address: cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Harold Weinstein in Roanoke, Va. - Connor, I was reading your Tuesday column about the Redskins' inconsistency, and I wholeheartedly agreed. In your assessment, why do you think they can't seem to piece it together this year? Thanks.

CJB: I think a lot of it has to do with some unfortunate injuries, Harold. They really missed Clinton Portis for the first two weeks of the season, and he's played well for three straight weeks since his return. Not surprisingly, Washington is 2-1 with Portis and 0-2 without him. If he was fully healthy for the opener against the Vikings (10 carries, 39 yards), it's hard to think the outcome wouldn't have been different.

Meanwhile, defensively, the absence of cornerback Shawn Springs has been absolutely crippling. The Redskins have a lot of good defensive players, but Springs might be the most valuable. After all, what was supposed to be a top-notch secondary has been an outright disappointment without the 10th-year DB from Ohio State. There's an outside chance Springs returns for this week's game against the Titans. If not, expect him back in time for the key Oct. 22 matchup with Indianapolis. They'll need him that day, especially against Peyton Manning.

Michael in Baltimore, Md. - With a 2-3 record, is there any chance Joe Gibbs can rally this team to an NFC East title?

CJB: Everyone out there knows how highly I think of Gibbs. However, I don't see Washington taking the division. The Eagles, at 4-1, are on a mission this season, and that all goes back to Donovan McNabb. When you've got a quarterback who only throws one interception for every 11 touchdowns, that's pretty darn special.

At this point, though, I still see second place in the division and a wild card spot as good possibilities for Washington. The Giants might even be more inconsistent than the Redskins, which is saying a lot. Dallas, although it's 2-2, seems like a powder keg waiting to explode. Unless Terrell Owens' attitude changes, he could be out of the NFL very soon. That signing is currently looking like a big gaffe by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Gary T. In Nashville, Tenn. - Will the Redskins win this weekend, Connor? I'm hearing a lot of smack talk here in Tennessee from Titan fans.

CJB: The Redskins will absolutely emerge victorious this Sunday, Gary. I mean, they're playing the 0-5 Titans. Though Jeff Fisher's team hung tough with the Colts last weekend, the odds of the Titans putting together consecutive solid performances against playoff-caliber teams border on zero.

Look for Mark Brunell, Portis, Santana Moss and the defense to have big-time days. Washington returns to FedEx Field and pleases the 90,000-plus, 24-9.

--The Mailbag will be a weekly segment each Thursday. Send e-mails titled "Mailbag" to cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Original Washington Redskins insights, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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