Washington Redskins: How Has the Team Improved?

Everyone knows the Washington Redskins made some big moves this offseason. How do all these changes improve the team though?

The first thing to look at are the additions and subtractions made to and from the team.

The primary departures are Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, Jason Hatcher, and Keenan Robinson. While all of them have contributed heavily over the years in their respective careers, you can’t consider any of them huge losses when comparing 2015 to 2016.

Hatcher was released and then retired after not looking like himself over the past two seasons. Robinson signed with the New York Giants in the offseason after struggling with play and injury this pastyear. Morris failed to rush for 1,000 yards for the first time in his career last season, and Griffin III didn’t even play a down all year.

The additions had much more impressive seasons last year.

David Bruton Jr. had a career year with the Denver Broncos last season, finishing with 49 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. Former Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman enjoyed an All-Pro season, collecting 56 tackles, four interceptions (scoring 2 touchdowns) and knocking down 18 passes.

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 at Levi /

Junior Galette isn’t exactly new to the roster, but due to injury last season, he’s yet to play a down for the Redskins. He may not have played last season, but in the two years prior, Galette recorded at least 10 sacks with the New Orleans Saints.

Add in the draft picks, and you’ve got a bunch of extra pieces that could make this team extremely dangerous.

That still hasn’t really answered the question however. A bunch of good players don’t always improve a team. Remember when the Philadelphia Eagles were the “Dream Team” in the words of a certain backup quarterback (via KC Joyner of ESPN)? They ended that season with an 8-8 record, failing to reach the playoffs.

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So what does this Redskins team have that will put them over the top? Why will this team be an improvement on last year’s team? Galette gave me a simple one word answer, “unity”.

It’s about chemistry. I don’t care how good you are. If you’re not ready to leave it all out on the field for the guy next to you, your team’s not winning it all. If a team isn’t having fun in the locker room, can’t trust one another, or doesn’t seem to have a strong connection, there’s no way they’re going out there every Sunday and win.

Does Galette’s answer mean the team didn’t get along last year? Absolutely not. It just means that the pieces they’ve brought are gelling.

Now, chemistry doesn’t account for everything. You still need talent. I think adding an elite cornerback and outside linebacker to your defense is a nice start. How about already having Pro Bowl receivers, offensive linemen, and linebackers? What about a quarterback and a tight end that both enjoyed breakout campaigns in 2015? Throw in some veteran leaders and you’ve got yourself a winning team.

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I just described Washington’s roster.

So how did the Redskins improve from 2015 to 2016? How didn’t they improve? Now that’s a hard question to answer.

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