Geoff Burke-USA Today Sports
I’m aware certain sport books and odds makers might see this differently. I’m aware what you are about to read runs the risk of making me sound like a shameless kool-aid, sipping homer.
That said, in taking a look at the NFC East, the Washington Redskins have every reason in the world to believe they can repeat their 2012 NFC East division championship this coming season.
To begin, the Redskins for the first time in two decades really enter a season enjoying the fruits of a quality, professional coaching staff, and player personnel office that has been intact for four straight seasons. Head coach Mike Shanahan, who is very involved in personnel decisions with general manager Bruce Allen, has acquired personnel based on offensive and defensive schemes that have been in place for four seasons under the leadership of coordinators Kyle Shanahan and Jim Haslett respectively.
Also, the Redskins may benefit from an NFC East that is drastically different than it was even five years ago. Remember, in 2008 the Redskins finished dead last in the division with an 8-8 record. The New York Giants were the defending Super Bowl Champions that year, and the Philadelphia Eagles qualified for the NFC Championship game. That was back when the Eagles were still in the midst of a decade long stretch of winning football with head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Sure, the Giants will likely bounce back from a difficult 2012. However, the Eagles are in transition having replaced Reid with new coach Chip Kelly. And the Dallas Cowboys have essentially doubled down on the disappointing form they’ve shown having missed the playoffs each of the past three seasons, questionably extending quarterback Tony Romo, and keeping head coach Jason Garrett despite stripping him of play-calling duties.
As for the Redskins, they return a young team that has the prospects of getting better. And considering the rest of the division has arguably taken something of a step backwards in recent years, the Redskins have every reason to believe a repeat title is in order.
Brian Carroccio is a Washington Redskins blogger for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @bricarr2 and add him to your network on Google.
