This season, the Redskins have to deal with the NFC South in their schedule. The NFC South consists of the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both the Falcons and the Panthers made the playoffs last year but were defeated in their first games. Both the Saints and the Bucs had mediocre records last season. This will still be a tough division to beat.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons surprised me last year. The rookie QB threw for just under 3500 yards and took his team to the playoffs. Michael Turner had the second most rushing yards. This offseason, the Falcon's acquired Tony Gonzalez, one of the best receiving tight ends. John Abraham was a sack monster last year and will probably do the same this season. 

The Carolina Panthers finished first in the division but were a disappointment in the playoffs when being embarrassingly defeated by the Arizona Cardinals 13-33. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were a great running duo, both combining for 2351 yards rushing. Steve Smith is one of the elite receivers in the league, but needs another young talent to step up as his number two. Julius Peppers is one of the dominant defensive ends in the league but was part of some offseason drama and says he is unhappy in Carolina. 

Drew Brees threw for over a whopping 5000 yards last season with the Saints but played with a defense that gave up more than 24 points per game and was 23rd in total yards allowed, even with the addition of Jonathan Vilma. Plus injuries led to a running game that was 28th in the league. 

Tampa Bay was pretty mediocre last season and I am not too too worried about them, especially since they have hired a new coach. Byron Leftwich seems to be the top candidate to be starter, but they drafted Josh Freeman in the first round and have another unproven QB in Josh Johnson.

What do you think will be the Redskins record versus the NFC South?

This position battle may be very crucial to the performance of the Redskin's offense this season: Wide Receiver. Specifically the #2 spot.

Last year the Redskins drafted two receivers in the 2nd Round of the NFL Draft, Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas. Both were rated highly in the Sporting News Draft '08 Magazine and were expected to be rookie stars. But frustrating, nagging, injuries prevented the two from emerging. Kelly and Thomas combined for only 18 receptions for 138 yards.

Two more receivers were acquired by the Redskins this offseason, Roydell Williams and Marques Hagans. Williams was selected in the 4th round by the Tennessee Titans and Hagans in the 5th by the St. Louis Rams. Williams had his best season in 2007, in which he caught 55 balls for 719 yards and four touchdowns.

Then there is Antwaan Randle El. In the second half of the season he was barely a factor, picking up only 184 yards versus 409 the first half. His natural position still seems to be the slot receiver so he will probably be bumped to that position.

My question is, who should start at #2 receiver this season? I like Kelly at this position because of his hands and size; he can pluck passes out of the air and is large enough to run routes to the middle of the field. But can he get past injuries? Who do you think should be Campbell's second target?

Many of the offseason actions the Redskins have taken this year were additions to add depth in the running back position, one of those additions being Anthony "Quick Six" Aldridge. Aldridge played running back at Houston prior to last season and was one of the most versatile players coming out of college. He was an all around player capable of contributing as a receiver, running back, and return man. Sporting News Draft Magazine '08 projected him as being drafted in the third round, but went undrafted and was signed by the Denver Broncos. Aldridge was later put on injured reserve and released by the Broncos, only to be signed again by the Washington Redskins. I believe his speed should be a great asset to the passing and running game in this West Coast Offense.

Marcus Mason was another addition. He led the league in rushing during the preseason with 317 yards but was cut later then signed again to the Jet's practice squad. Personally, I thought he should have been signed to the 53 man roster in the '08 season. He would have been especially useful when Ladell Betts went down midseason, but instead we got Shaun Alexander, the ex-MVP, who barely contributed. Mason gets another shot with the Redskins in preseason but is met with competition in Aldridge and Dominique Dorsey from the Canadian Football League.

My question is: Which running back would best fit the Redskins next season as a backup, if any?