Schoolhouse Rock shaped my childhood. Did I purchase the commemorative box set? Maybe. So when I was told to hip it up for the Redskins Nation preview, what better way than a 70′s cartoon series and some kicking lyrics?

–”Well, it’s a long, long journey to the Capital City, it’s a long, long wait while were stuck in running back committee.” (I’m Just a Bill)

Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Mike Shanahan has a cornucopia of running backs, any of which may see the most carries depending on the cycles of the moon and the rising of the tides. Just replace names like Tim Hightower and Ryan Torain, and put in Roy and Robert Helu, Evan Royster, and Alfred Morris. Heck, there’s probably someone working the night shift on a UPS truck somewhere who will get 20 carries in week 13. Only Shanny knows.

–”Three is a Magic Number, Oh yes it is. It’s a Magic Number.” (Three is a Magic Number)

The Redskins traded up for RG III in hopes to turn around the franchise. This is the third year of the Shanahan era. Washington is hoping that somewhere in the ancient trinity, the football gods will look down and determine that three is indeed a magic number.

–”Lolly, lolly, lolly, get your adverbs here. Father, son and Lolly get your adverbs here.” (Lolly, Lolly, Lolly)

With Mike and Kyle Shanahan as father and son, LOL-ly gets to be Daniel Snyder, naturally. Washington has been slow, soft, and sure at various times during the Snyder era. Now, though, they’ve got the -LY attachment. Everything thing will surely be better, even if it comes along slowly in Griffin’s first year.

–”You simply melt right in, it doesn’t matter with the Skins, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, or your position, you jump right in” (The Great American Melting Pot)

From London (Fletcher) to French Speaking Haiti (Pierre Garcon) to the tiny country of (Kory) Lichtensteiger, the Redskins have quite the names. Brian Orakpo would like to play some Scrabble now.

–One thing you will discover, when you get next to one another, is everybody needs some elbow room, elbow room. (Elbow Room)

Trent Williams missed six games last year, after missing three as a rookie. Kory Lichtensteiger missed eleven games. By the end of the season, the offensive line was a mish mash. If the Redskins hope to make a leap in 2012, they will need more continuity and health along the line to create some elbow room.

–”Conjunction Junction, what’s your function? Sacking up QB’s and making ‘em suck-tion. (Conjunction Junction)

Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. Ryan Kerrigan or Brian Orakpo. Last year’s selection of Kerrigan was a positive and gives the team a dual pass rushing threat. The problem? All the ifs, nors, and buts in the secondary, where DeAngelo Hall continues to be overpaid, and where the team has brought in Brandon Meriweather.

–”Folks, we guarantee the show that we perform is never dull, if there’s a lull, it’s just the calm before the storm.” (The Greatest Show on Earth)

The Washington Redskins may not always be successful, but they are never dull. Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis may both be now officially gone, but now we have Fred Davis, statesman and lawyer.

In truth, I feel like the Redskins are being undersold this year. I’m not sure about the postseason, but I don’t think it’s unattainable. Sometimes I just like to look back. Last year, I talked about the improvements on the roster, but the issue was the Rex and Beck Gamble. Well, that is something that has changed. Griffin doesn’t have to be Cam Newton in year one for this team to approach playoff contention, he just needs to be an upgrade.

The roster still has holes, and the offensive line must stay healthy to get continuity in Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme. So do lots of teams. I would go over on the 6.5 number that I have seen on the Redskins. If you take out Rex and Beck, and add in a different quarterback, well, improvement seems elementary, my dear, elementary.

[photo via US Presswire]

2012 NFL Previews: Tampa Bay Bucs| Indianapolis Colts | New England Patriots | Seattle Seahawks |Minnesota Vikings | St. Louis Rams |Cleveland Browns | Arizona Cardinals| San Diego Chargers | Atlanta Falcons | Chicago Bears | Oakland Raiders | Carolina Panthers| Cincinnati Bengals | San Francisco 49ers | Philadelphia Eagles | New Orleans Saints |Jacksonville Jaguars | New York Giants | Dallas Cowboys | New York Jets