2008 Washington Redskins Wagering Outlook

While the Sportsbook in 2008 with another season of experience under their collective belts, the sudden retirement of Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs, threw a major wrench into the teams’ plans that was compounded by the fact that first-year head coach Jim Zorn brought in an entirely new offensive system with his own version of the West Coast offense that differs greatly from Washington’s previous system orchestrated the past two season under former assistant head coach Al Saunders.

Now, the Skins are trying to learn Zorn’s new system while also adding All-Star DE Jason Taylor, though the Skins will have some continuity on defense with former defensive line coach Greg Blache being promoted to replace fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

While Washington's only significant offseason free agent acquisitions were defensive lineman Erasmus James and safety Stuart Schweigert, the team drafted three players with its first three 2008 NFL Draft picks that should help improve the team’s 14th-ranked passing attack in wideout, Devin Thomas, tight end, Fred Davis and wide receiver, Malcolm Kelly

Washington has a blossoming quarterback in Jason Campbell who just needs to get more consistent while backup Todd Collins is serviceable and youngsters, Colt Brennan, Derek Devine will battle for the third QB spot.

Starting running back Clinton Portis averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry last season, but will be backed up once again by surprisingly talented veteran Ladell Betts.

Zorn hopes to improve the team’s 15th-ranked total offense, which ranked just 20th in scoring, averaging a modest 20.9 points per contest.

Defensively, the Redskins were monsters at stopping the run, ranking fourth overall, and limiting their opponents to just 91.1 rushing yards per contest despite not having many Pro-Bowl caliber players on the unit.

The tragic death of All-Pro safety Sean Taylor could affect the team immensely as the Skins try to scramble to recover, though three of their defensive backs are very solid in cornerbacks, Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot and young fee safety LaRon Landry.

The Redskins may not have set the NFL online bettors much money, going 3-4-1 against the spread at home and 4-3-1 ATS on the road, and 3-5 in all home O/U bets and 4-4 O/U on the road.

Here is a look at Washington’s 2007 NFL statistics, followed by their 2008 NFL Draft picks and 2008 NFL Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook:

2007 NFL Statistics

Offense

333.4 Total Yards per game: Rank 15

216.4 Passing Yards per game: Rank 14

117.0 Rushing Yards per game: Rank 12

20.9 Points Scored per game: Rank 20

Defense

305.1 Total Yards allowed per game: Rank 7

214.0 Passing Yards per game: Rank 16

91.1 Rushing Yards per game: Rank 4

19.4 Points Allowed per game: Rank 11

2008 NFL Draft Picks

Round, Pick, Player, Position, School

2, 3 (34) Devin Thomas, WR - Michigan State

2, 17 (48) Fred Davis, TE- USC

2, 20 (51) Malcolm Kelly, WR – Oklahoma