“This is a new era” rhetoric with the Redskins often met with a roll of eyes and skeptics, considering that this franchise last experienced a post-season victory back in 2005 and has had a total of two playoff wins since 1999.

So, forgive this line of thought, but it looks like this could be a new era for the Redskins. New, and improved, remains to be seen. But, finally, stubborn (good) owner Daniel Snyder relents and punishes longtime executive Bruce Allen and gives the team keys to Ron Rivera, a respected former head coach of the Panthers. Kyle Smith was promoted to run a football operation and Rivera would have a lot of power in the new order in Washington.

The following is Redskins 2020

What they are

Friendly head coach Jay Gruden was fired before Halloween and in many ways it was a dismissal of mercy. The rampant report that Gruden did not want Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins in the 2019 NFL Draft and was rejected by Snyder. Gruden began the journey, Case Keenum in front of Haskins before an injury to Keenum forced Gruden’s hand. Haskins, predictably, fought hard and Redskins finished 3-13, last at NFC East. Bill Callahan, the offensive line coach, took over the 0-5 team as caretaker head coach and led the Redskins to a 3-8 record.

Main disadvantage

PL Trent Williams (traded to 49ers), CB Josh Norman (signed by Bills), CB Quinton Dunbar (traded to Seahawks), OL Ereck Flowers (signed by Dolphins).

Key Addition

Veteran: CB Kendall Fuller, LB Thomas Davis, CB Ronald Darby, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, RB Peyton Barber, WR Cody Latimer.

NFL draft: DE Chase Young (State of Ohio), RB / WR Antonio Gibson (Memphis), PL Saahdiq Charles (LSU).

The prospect

So many Redskins goals depend on Haskins. Are you a believer or a skeptic? His body worked in extraordinary tertiary institutions (50 graduated goals, 70 percent complete) but basically was a one-year explosion to the scene. Even Haskins’ biggest supporters feel he needs a lot of time to adjust to the NFL game. He didn’t get that time and the results were often unsightly and as a result, the Redskins offense was the last in the league, only scoring 16.6 points in one match.

Haskins did improve, though. He completed 54 percent of his operations and was fired 18 times in his first four starts. In his last three matches, Haskins completed 67 percent of his operations, with five goals and only one interception. Haskins refers to a “new sense of urgency” towards his second season. He reportedly lost 11 pounds this season, lowering his body fat by 7 percent, which is a good sign for players who have a howitzer for the arm but need the development of leg movements.

What Haskins lacks is a great supporting cast. The receiving group is thin behind Terry McLaurin. The Redskins will go to the well, once again, with aging (but still a physical miracle) Adrian Peterson runs back and hopes Bryce Love – who spends a whole rookie year on injury reserves – makes a full recovery from knee surgery.

Reasons for hope

Young’s arrival gave the Redskins the talent to make a frightening line of defense, when Young joined Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, DaRon Payne and Jonathan Allen. This commitment is clearly seen, because the Redskins were the first team in NFL history to use a first round pick in four consecutive drafts on a defensive line. Young is the favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and he can punish the NFC East quarterback for years to come.

Reason for despair

Early Cornerbacks were Fabian Moreau (third round pick of 2017) and Fuller, signed from Chiefs. Charles, who was taken in the fourth round of the LSU, could better start at one of the offensive tackle points or else Haskins would run for his life in his pocket. Williams did not play in 2019 but losing Pro Bowler seven times is not a good thing.

Last word

Rivera is the NFL Coach twice this year and always makes the Panthers play hard. He is popular with his players and will set the tone throughout the organization. But his background is in defense. As such, he would entrust the violation to young Scott Turner, son of longtime NFL coach Norv Turner.

Prediction is too early

Last place on NFC East.