The 2010 Redskins - Change We Can Believe In?

It is the eve of Redskins training camp which only means one thing: it's time for all Redskins fans to unite in our delusional perception that "this is our year".

Well, except for here. It's time to take a true look at what Washington has done since last season to somehow make 2010 "the year".

Word is that Albert Haynesworth is actually in D.C. right now. Amazing. If the man can keep his mouth shut and play football he will be a huge positive for the defense. If he returns to his dramatic ways, well, any guess is as good as the next.

After Snyder dispatched Vinny Cerrato in December last season he brought on Bruce Allen to take over the GM role. Allen has been involved with some good franchises for football, but one couldn't help but feel that maybe The Danny got caught up in the nostalgia of Allen being the son of a former great head coach for the Redskins. Allen's first major act as Redskins GM: sign Mike Shanahan as the new head coach after firing Jim Zorn.

Mike Shanahan has a great track record. He won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and is known especially for his ability to have a potent ground attack with any running back. Offense was not usually a problem when Shanahan was in Denver. However, Shanahan also had John Elway, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. Elway was the quarterback for both of Shanahan's Super Bowl's...a game he never reached again once Elway retired. Just some food for thought...

The biggest off-season addition comes from just up I-95 in Philadelphia. The Eagles traded quarterback Donovan McNabb to DC. The move made absolutely no sense in any way for the Eagles. And even though McNabb is old and past his prime, he is a quick step up from what Jason Campbell had been bringing to the table the past few seasons. Having Clinton Portis out of the backfield and tight ends Fred Davis and Chris Cooley should allow McNabb to have a short passing game which will open up the rest of the field.

The biggest problem for the 'Skins in recent years has been offensive line and in this off-season the team tried to address that issue. Washington drafted Trent Williams in the first round and also added Jamaal Brown to the mix. While the first string of linemen may be a bit more respectable there is still no depth. And anyone who is a Redskins fan knows that it is almost a foregone conclusion that they will have to dip into that depth during the season.

It can be said that the team made some key additions this spring without breaking the bank. The biggest questions will be: do the signed players still have what it takes? Can the team gel in time for the start of the season? And can those key players stay healthy? Everyone wants to believe that Shanahan and McNabb are the people that will finally take the Redskins further than it was thought possible in recent years.

Just remember a couple of things: Mike Shanahan has two Super Bowl rings with John Elway as his quarterback. He hasn't reached the Super Bowl without him. Donovan McNabb has played for five NFC Championships. He has only won one of them and followed that up with a loss in the Super Bowl.