Al Haynesworth in a contract year >>>>>>> Al Haynesworth sitting on a $100,000,000 contract.
Simply put, it isn't Haynesworth. He's a small factor, but it was the defense we were running. Losing Finnegan and later Harper doesn't help, but our defense was completely out of position in every game this year. There were glaring holes in coverage that even Garrard exploited.
Cecil might have been a "hard-hitting player" (I've heard that in every single game), but he's clearly not a good DC. He inherited 3/4 backfield starters as Pro Bowlers and has effectively doubled their yards/game given up as well as points.
Not all is lost. Fisher is one of the better Coaches in the NFL. Bud Adams has made his job harder. Adams isn't as bad as Davis or Jones, but he definitely makes the choices. He finally gave way and let Fisher draft a WR in the first round. A big-time QB will go far... we're not as completely lost as it would seem.
OL:
Pretty good but Mawae is at the end of his career.
RB:
CJ is among the top 5 RBs, but with no passing game, he'll be shut down by most defenses.
WR:
Britt looks to be excellent. Nate Washington still hasn't earned his payroll.
QB:
VY will never be the answer. Try him out at WR next year if he's still on the team. Give Tony Pike, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy good looks and make your pick.