PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 23

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The Redskins are one of the most financially successfully teams in all of pro sports.  But, alas, they don't give out trophies based on profitability.

In 2007, the non-prize for making the most money likely will be the only non-trophy the Redskins win.  Again.

Though the problems with this team aren't obvious, there's a fundamental dysfunction in the organization that constantly conspires against its ability to succeed. 

The common denominator over the past nine years has been owner Daniel Snyder, so it's easy to tab him as the root of the problem.  And perhaps he is.

Or maybe it's the fact that the organization has too many high-priced chefs.  There isn't one head coach on the team, there are three.  And so when it's crunch time, there are three voices, not one.  Kids in their 20s need their lives to be a little simpler than that. 

Also, the team's bizarre refusal to build a foundation through the draft is a potential cause of the chronic cloud over the franchise, especially when the organization annually rolls out the red carpet for veteran free agents and rarely rewards the handful of players who have grown up in the Redskins system with big-money long-term deals.

Regardless of how the Redskins got into this funk, they're in it.  And they'll be there again this year.

The defense has some real talent in the secondary, and that's a good thing.  Since they'll be making most of the tackles. 

The offense is led by a first-time full-time starting quarterback, who'll be running the overhyped (and overly complex) offense of Al Saunders, who did such a great job in Kansas City as the offensive coordinator that he didn't even get an interview when the boss retired after the 2005 season.

Meanwhile, running back Clinton Portis is starting to show plenty of wear, and the receivers are a collection of career No. 2 guys. 

Though we think there's enough raw talent around for this team to win as many as eight games, there will be a point in the season where it will be critical for the players to come together as a team. 

And it won't happen.  Again.

Key departures:  G Derrick Dockery.

Key arrivals:  LB London Fletcher-Baker; CB Fred Smoot.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  S LaRon Landry.

Coach's current job security:  Lifetime, but we'll be shocked if he sticks around after this season.