Now or Never

Redskins look for struggling veterans finally to pay off

Capital punishment: After acquiring Dana Stubblefield to solidify their defense, the Redskins allowed 224 more rushing yards than the previous season. Allsport

The Washington Redskins, who haven't reached the postseason since 1992, opened their 1999 training camp at Frostburg (Md.) State University on July 25. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Redskins this season. SI's season preview will post August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know:

1) Is new boss Daniel Snyder's hero really George Steinbrenner? Who tipped him off that the way to turn things around is to storm through the office staff, lopping off heads?

2) Why can't Norv Turner, who did such a fine job with Troy Aikman in Dallas, find a QB? In his sixth year with the Skins he's on No. 4, Brad Johnson, who is damaged goods.

3) When will the curators from the Smithsonian finally come for Darrell Green, who is 39 and still playing that right corner like a dream?

4) Is the firm of Stubblefield & Wilkinson still in business? Fifty-seven mil is what it cost last year to bring these guys in to shore up a run defense that ended up allowing 224 more yards than the season before. Maybe they can teach Snyder to get down in a four-point stance.

5) Is wideout Michael Westbrook the classic coach-breaker? Which means that he makes just enough big plays to keep him in the league for 10 years, always as a "future star."

The Redskins can make the playoffs if: Turner is able to develop Johnson into the quarterback he has been looking for since his days in Dallas; Stubblefield returns to 49ers form and the defense (28th in the league) tightens up against the run; and third-down back Brian Mitchell continues to put up impressive all-purpose numbers.

Pivotal games: Oct. 17 at Arizona; Dec. 26 at San Francisco. The Redskins open with four of six on the road, and three of those games are against playoff teams. Washington then takes on Arizona in a Sunday night game before visiting Dallas Oct. 24. The team's playoff hopes could hinge on beating either the 49ers or Dolphins in the final weeks of the regular season.

On the hot seat: Just about everyone. New owner Snyder is a lifelong Redskins fan and visibly dissatisfied with the organization's inability to reach the playoffs for six consecutive seasons. His investment group forked over a record $800 million for the franchise and isn't likely to be satisfied with anything less than a playoff berth in '99. Snyder is giving Turner one chance to turn this team into a winner and prove he's more than just a good offensive coordinator. And he must do so with four new starters on offense and seven players in new or different positions on defense.

Up-and-comer: The team's top draft pick, cornerback Champ Bailey, can play defense, offense and special teams -- and was rated by many scouts as the best athlete in the draft. Bailey has a chance to be this year's Charles Woodson and make an immediate impact, but needs to get bigger and rely less on athleticism and more on technique.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 7 Champ Bailey CB Georgia 2 37 Jon Jansen OT Michigan 4 107 Nate Stimson OLB Georgia Tech 5 165 Derek Smith OT Virginia Tech 6 181 Jeff Hall PK Tennessee 7 217 Tim Alexander WR Oregon St.