The 2008 season was the Washington Redskins' 77th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Jim Zorn.
They failed to improve upon their 9–7 record from 2007 and finished with an 8–8 record despite starting the season 6–2. In addition to their regular games with NFC East rivals, the Redskins played teams from the NFC West and AFC North as per the schedule rotation, and also played intraconference games against the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints based on divisional positions from 2007.
Offseason The 2008 offseason opened with the announcement on January 8, 2008, of the retirement of head coach Joe Gibbs. The Redskins immediately began a national search for a new head coach. On January 25, 2008, Jim Zorn was hired as offensive coordinator. The following day, associate head coach Al Saunders and assistant head coach Gregg Williams were fired and Greg Blache was named defensive coordinator. On February 9, Jim Zorn was hired to be head coach. On February 15, Sherman Smith, the former running backs coach for the Tennessee Titans, was hired as an offensive coordinator.Smith Is Named Offensive Coordinator
Key departures On February 26, 2008, the Redskins released WR Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd later signed with the Chicago Bears.
Mark Brunell, Reche Caldwell, Rick DeMulling, Randall Godfrey, Brian Kozlowski, David Macklin, Keenan McCardell, Pierson Prioleau, Mike Pucillo, and Omar Stoutmire were free agents and not re-signed by the Redskins.
On August 30, the Redskins released veterans Ryan Boschetti (DT), Derrick Frost (P), and Todd Wade (OT) .
Key additions On May 27, 2008, the Redskins traded a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for DE Erasmus James. According to the terms of the deal, James must play in at least one regular season game in order for the Vikings to receive the draft pick.
On July 20, 2008, the Redskins traded a 2009 second-round draft pick and a 2010 sixth-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins for DE Jason Taylor.Skins trade for Dolphins' Taylor after Daniels goes down
On November 6, 2008,Redskins Sign DeAngelo Hall the Redskins signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a one-year contract.Ex-Raiders CB Hall agrees with Redskins on 1-year deal
Free agents heading into the 2008 season RFA: Restricted free-agent, UFA: Unrestricted free-agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent
Position Player Free agencytag Date signed 2008 team DT Ryan Boschetti UFA March 12 Washington Redskins FB Nehemiah Broughton ERFA April 2 Washington Redskins QB Mark Brunell UFA March 13 New Orleans Saints WR Reche Caldwell UFA March 25 St. Louis Rams RB Rock Cartwright UFA March 7 Washington Redskins QB Todd Collins UFA February 29 Washington Redskins OL Rick DeMulling UFA OL Jason Fabini UFA March 25 Washington Redskins P Derrick Frost UFA March 24 Washington Redskins LB Randall Godfrey UFA TE Brian Kozlowski UFA CB David Macklin UFA March 20 St. Louis Rams WR Keenan McCardell UFA S Pierson Prioleau UFA April 30 Jacksonville JaguarsJaguars sign Prioleau in search of depth at safety OL Mike Pucillo UFA S Omar Stoutmire UFA K Shaun Suisham ERFA February 29 Washington Redskins
2008 NFL draft
The Redskins traded their #21 (1st round), #84 (3rd round), and #154 (5th round) selections to the Atlanta Falcons for their #34 (2nd round), #48 (2nd round), and #103 (4th round) selections. They then traded their #103 selection to the Tennessee Titans for their #124 (4th round) and #157 (5th round) selections. Lastly, they traded their #157 and #228 (7th round) selections to the St. Louis Rams for their #168 (6th round) and #180 (6th round) selections.
Personnel
Staff / Coaches 2008 Washington Redskins staff Front office Owner – Daniel Snyder General Manager / Executive VP of Football Operations: Vinny Cerrato Director of Football Operations – Paul Kelly Vice president of football administration – Eric Schaffer Director of player personnel – Scott Campbell Director of pro personnel – Morocco Brown Administrative Assistant - Kathy Weyzen
Head coaches Head coach / Quarterbacks – Jim Zorn Assistant head coach / running backs – Stump Mitchell
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Sherman Smith Wide receivers – Stan Hixon Tight ends – Scott Wachenheim Assistant Tight Ends Coach - Bill Khayat Offensive line – Joe Bugel Offensive assistant – Chris Meidt Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Greg Blache Defensive line – John Palmero Linebackers – Kirk Olivadotti Defensive Passing Game Coordinator – Steve Jackson Defensive Quality Control – Chris Garber
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Danny Smith Assistant special teams – Richard Hightower Video Assistant - Bobby Slowik
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – John Hastings Strength and conditioning – Bobby Crumpler Strength and Conditioning Assistant - Harrison Bernstein
Roster
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue RecapHOF August 3 Indianapolis ColtsW 30–16 1–0 Fawcett StadiumRecap 1 August 9 Buffalo BillsW 17–14 2–0 FedExFieldRecap 2 August 16 at New York JetsW 13–10 3–0 Giants StadiumRecap 3 August 23 at Carolina PanthersL 3–47 3–1 Bank of America StadiumRecap 4 August 28 Jacksonville JaguarsL 3–24 3–2 FedExField Recap
Hall of Fame Game vs. Indianapolis Colts
Washington started the game on a high note when they recovered a surprise onside kick by the Colts. Three plays later, quarterback Jason Campbell threw a touchdown pass to Antwaan Randle El and gave the Redskins a 7–0 lead. The Colts responded on their own drive which ended in a field goal by K Adam Vinatieri. In the second quarter, Colts C Jamey Richard snapped the ball over the head of the QB and it sailed out of the endzone for a safety. Later in the quarter, the Colts scored a touchdown when QB Quinn Gray threw a 30-yard pass to WR Onrea Jones. After a missed field goal attempt by Shaun Suisham, the Colts were able to end the first half with a field goal of their own making the halftime score Colts 13 – Redskins 10. The Colts received the ball following halftime and marched down the field to score another field goal. The Redskins responded with a drive resulting in a 20-yard touchdown pass from QB Colt Brennan to WR Maurice Mann. The Redskins were able to follow up with another touchdown drive when Brennan hit RB Marcus Mason on a 5-yard pass. After the Colts got the ball back a couple of series later, QB Jared Lorenzen threw an interception to Redskins CB Matteral Richardson who took it back for a touchdown and sealed the victory for the Redskins. The Redskins had two former players, WR Art Monk and CB Darrell Green, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Preseason Week 1 vs. Buffalo Bills
The Redskins received the ball first but immediately gave it to the Bills when RB Marcus Mason fumbled during the kick return. After the turnover, the Redskins defense was able to hold the Bills to a field goal. Later in the 1st quarter, the Redskins drove down the field and RB Clinton Portis scored on a 1-yard rushing play on a 4th down. Two series later, the Redskins drove down the field again and QB Todd Collins passed to RB Ladell Betts on a screen play which resulted in a 12-yard touchdown. Buffalo responded with a drive of their own which resulted in a field goal. When the Redskins got the ball back after the field goal, Collins threw a pass which was intercepted by CB Ashton Youboty. QB J. P. Losman threw a touchdown pass to WR James Hardy and the Bills completed a successful 2-point conversion to tie the game before halftime. The second half was dominated by both defenses and the only score was a 46-yard field goal by Redskins K Shaun Suisham in the 3rd quarter.
Preseason Week 2 at New York Jets
The Jets scored first in this game when newly signed QB Brett Favre completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to TE Dustin Keller. The Redskins responded with a drive that ended with a 30-yard field goal from K Shaun Suisham. The Redskins had another chance to score later in the 2nd quarter, but that drive ended when QB Derek Devine threw an interception to CB James Ihedigbo at the Jets' 19-yard line. Neither team scored for the rest of the half. The Redskins received the ball first starting the 3rd quarter and ended a 51-yard drive with a 36-yard field goal from Suisham. Later in the 4th quarter, the Jets scored when K Mike Nugent kicked a 43-yard field goal. After two more drives stalled, the Redskins received the ball with 2:04 left in the game. QB Colt Brennan and the Redskins drove down the field and scored a touchdown when Brennan threw a short pass to TE Jason Goode who took it 33 yards to the endzone. The Jets received the ball again and had a chance to tie the game, but K Mike Nugent missed a 23-yard field goal as time expired.
Preseason Week 3 at Carolina Panthers
Although the game was close after the first quarter, the Panthers dominated the second quarter. Both RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams rushed for a 50 and 60 yard TDs, respectively. WR Steve Smith scored on a fumble recovery and QB Jake Delhomme threw a 24-yard TD pass to TE Dante Rosario. The Redskins were finally able to get on the scoreboard with a field goal in the 3rd quarter, but only after Delhomme threw a screen pass to Steve Smith for a 33-yard touchdown. The high note for the Redskins was holding the Panthers to just 6 points (two field goals) in the 4th quarter.
Preseason Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
For the second week in a row, the Redskins were held to just a field goal. The Jaguars scored on their second drive when QB David Garrard threw a 3-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams. The Jaguars were able to score again early in the second quarter when QB Cleo Lemon threw a 4-yard TD pass to TE Greg Estandia. Early in the 4th quarter, the Jaguars scored on their first play of the drive when QB Todd Bouman threw a 51-yard TD pass to WR Troy Williamson. After a 3–0 start to the pre-season, the Redskins suffered two consecutive defeats to close out their exhibition games.
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Time (ET) Result Game Site TV Record Match Report 1 September 4, 2008 at New York Giants 7:00 pm L 7–16 Giants Stadium NBC 0–1 Recap 2 September 14, 2008 New Orleans Saints 1:00 pm W 29–24 FedExField Fox 1–1 Recap 3 September 21, 2008 Arizona Cardinals 1:00 pm W 24–17 FedExField Fox 2–1 Recap 4 September 28, 2008 at Dallas Cowboys 4:15 pm W 26–24 Texas Stadium Fox 3–1 Recap 5 October 5, 2008 at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 pm W 23–17 Lincoln Financial Field Fox 4–1 Recap 6 October 12, 2008 St. Louis Rams 1:00 pm L 17–19 FedExField Fox 4–2 Recap 7 October 19, 2008 Cleveland Browns 4:15 pm W 14–11 FedExField CBS 5–2 Recap 8 October 26, 2008 at Detroit Lions 1:00 pm W 25–17 Ford Field Fox 6–2 Recap 9 November 3, 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers 8:30 pm L 6–23 FedExField ESPN 6–3 Recap 10 Bye 11 November 16, 2008 Dallas Cowboys 8:15 pmL 10–14 FedExField NBC 6–4 Recap 12 November 23, 2008 at Seattle Seahawks 4:15 pmW 20–17 Qwest Field Fox 7–4 Recap 13 November 30, 2008 New York Giants 1:00 pmL 7–23 FedExField Fox 7–5 Recap 14 December 7, 2008 at Baltimore Ravens 8:15 pmL 10–24 M&T Bank Stadium NBC 7–6 Recap 15 December 14, 2008 at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 pmL 13–20 Paul Brown Stadium Fox 7–7 Recap 16 December 21, 2008 Philadelphia Eagles 4:15 pmW 10–3 FedExField Fox 8–7 Recap 17 December 28, 2008 at San Francisco 49ers 4:15 pmL 24–27 Candlestick Park Fox 8–8 Recap
Standings
Week 1: at New York Giants