Art Briles in Dc?

Yesterday on my favorite radio station one of my favorite hosts had a pretty interesting idea.  With Washington having a less than desirable season at 1-4 coaching change scenarios start to creep into the front of everyone's mind.  Chad Dukes threw a name out there that is pretty interesting.

Chad posed the question what if Washington could bring in Art Briles the head coach for the Baylor Bears and starting quarterback Robert Griffin III's old coach.  I like this idea but I'm also hesitant for a couple reasons. But first let's discuss why I would like the move.

The obvious reason would be the chemistry that Griffin and Briles have. With rumors that the relationship between Griffin and current head coach Mike Shanahan has deteriorated that would definitely be an improvement. Also the Baylor offense which is something Washington has lacked all season is hotter than a ghosts chili pepper. They've scored a combined 317 points through FIVE weeks, just let that set in.........crazy numbers like that are just unbelievable and down right video game like. Also to piggyback on what Chad said on 106.7 The Fan these offensive minded college coaches like Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly have had some success coming into the league. So one would assume that Briles who has made Baylor's football program very respectable in the past couple years may transition well to the NFL. So based on the upside I'm liking the idea.

But sadly I have some reservations about bringing in coach Briles.  When I think of the Baylor offense I think more along the lines of a pass first offense which leads me to question will that work with the talent on the roster. The O-line has looked really bad especially in pass coverage and the wide receivers haven't looked much better. Plus Washington is built to run the ball with Morris and the other thousand running backs on the roster. Also one of the biggest criticisms of Shanahan is that he hasn't taught Griffin how to be a proper pocket passer. What makes us think that Briles will be any better?

Griffin played for Baylor where yes he did earn a reputation as a quarterback that can live in the pocket, but he made a lot of his living with his legs as well.  He also had two burners on the outside that he could just throw fly routes to knowing no one could keep up. Something Washington DEFINITELY doesn't have.

I'm not saying its a bad idea to give Briles some thought I'm saying its a good thing. Just something that Washington fans should think about before making decisions or demands.

NFC East

Now I guess I should have a disclaimer to start off, I love the Washington Redskins.  I have been a fan of the team since I was young so my opinions on this conference may be a little bias. But I also know a lot about football and the NFL so thats something to remember as well. 

A lot of people are picking the Giants to finish 1st with ten or eleven wins, the Cowboys and Redskins fighting for 2nd at around seven to nine wins, and the Eagles bringing up the rear.  I think that these predictions are off but not by much.

1st I think the Redskins as reigning division champs will not be fighting for second place but for first. The team has improved from last year because theh get back players like Bryan Orakpo, Fred Davis, and a couple other guys that missed most of the season due to injury. Along with the young talent expected to contribute from the last two draft classes the Redskins are in my opinion a better team on paper at least, and if Robert Griffin can stay healthy I see them winning 10 games and winning the NFC east going 4-2 in division play.

Before the injury to Jeremy Maclin I wanted to pick the Eagles as a surprise second place finisher. I like Chip Kelly as a  coach and I think that he'll definitely have rhe team ready to compete. If Desean Jackson and Mike Vick can step up and have good seasons the Eagles could be a very dangerous team with Chip Kelly's offense. But I'm not sure that can happen so surprisingly I am picking the Cowboys to duke it out with the skins at the top of the conference. Yes Tony Romo is a proven choke artist amd we don't really know what to expect from the new defense but Dallas has some certified playmakers om both sides of the ball, look for them to step up and get Dallas into the playoffs this year.

Finally the Giants  the team most people think will finish first in the NFC east, obviously I'm not one of them.  The Giants defense isn't very good in my opinion and I don't see them stopping the high powered offenses of the other three teams. On offense they don't have a proven running back and their best receiver Hakim Nicks can't seem to stay healthy. But Giants fans have no fear cause Eli is here.  The Giants signal caller has proven himself as a certified winner and will keep the team in the hunt for a wild card spot. 

The NFC east will be pretty competitive this year with the teams being very close in terms of predicted wins and losses. This division's champion probably won't be decided till week 17 as always, and I wouldn't be surprised if they sneak two or three teams in the playoffs this year.