Game 1: Redskins (0-0) vs. Dolphins (0-0)

vs.

It's on, the Washington Redskins start up the 2007 NFL season 1pm at home playing the Miami Dolphins. This promised to be a er, football game, Yahoo Sports gave this game the lowest overunder of the week.

The Redskins have a lot of questions to answer. Every team does this time of year and Miami is not exempt but the preseason was really a roller coaster for Washington.

Jason Campbell was kneecapped but emerged unhurt or so it would seem. Left tackle Chris Samuels and tailback Clinton Portis never took a snap. Stephon Heyer, Todd Wade and Mike Pucillo could not do the work of two men, forcing a trade with the Jets for left guard Pete Kendall. The Redskins looked at and cut 512 receivers before deciding on another guy named Shaun who never played with the team in preseason.

Most of the veteran leadership on the defensive line was cut, leaving the task of improving the Redskins biggest weakness in the hands of rookies and second year players, including defensive end Chris Wilson, the subject of Jason LaCanfora's long profile piece. Strongside linebacker Marcus Washington was hurt and is looking forward to a 16 game NFL schedule with an elbow tender from a dislocation. The starting cornerbacks are the same wretched lot from last season and the third corner is a boomerang reject sent back to the Redskins. A rookie starts at safety.

There was no competition for kicker and punter.

How do you like the 2007 Redskins now?

Curly R aside: is anyone else hoping that former Giants and now Dolphins cornerback Will Allen gets the chance to shut down Santana Moss and is beat down like an enemy combatant...again? Mark Brunell, Patrick Ramsey and Santana teamed up for three touchdowns as the Redskins pasted the Giants on their way to winning their fourth straight in 2005. Now Will Allen is champing at the bit for another shot at Santana, he felt he was singled out unfairly for that loss and let me tell you the HALLELUJAHS are raining down from on high when I hear that Will Allen is still a starting cornerback in this league. Giddyup Jason Campbell.

The team is basically healthy and concerns such as only two tight ends or only one fullback available are ticky-tack. It's time we find out what's real and what's not with the Redskins players.

Alls I know about the Dolphins is they have a new head coach and a new quarterback. The coach is offensive minded and this is not expected to be a great year for the Dolphins.

Washington Post Redskins Gameday (PDF).

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lol, Redskins great Charles Mann spoke with Jason Campbell 'for about an hour a few months ago' and this is somehow enough for a whole Mike Wise column. I wonder if Charles tried to sell Jason a Mercedes.

Another Redskins great, John Riggins is predicting 11-5 for the team this season. In the NFC that might even get you a bye. I think Riggo's back on the sauce.

I'll be enjoying the game at home with my the extended family including the original Redskins fan named Ben Folsom, my father.


Other previews: Washington Post, Post Game Heroes. Redskins AOL Fanhouse. Hogs Haven has a weekend thread open. Feel free to join me in comments.


This is a gameday open thread.