Quarterback Jason Campbell, who had made 20 straight starts, suffered a season-ending dislocated kneecap against the Bears.

And yet, against all odds, the Redskins rallied behind backup quarterback Todd Collins, who shook off a decade of rust to lead convincing victories over the Bears, the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants, talented Minnesota and NFC regular season king Dallas to seal a second playoff spot in three years.

As the 2008 season approaches, much is the same. Every 2007 starter is back except Taylor and defensive end Phillip Daniels, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL on the first play of training camp. So are most of the coaches.

However, Gibbs retired in January and not only did neither of his right-hand men, Gregg Williams and Al Saunders, get promoted, they were both fired by owner Dan Snyder. Jim Zorn, Seattle's quarterbacks coach the past seven seasons, was the surprising choice to replace Saunders and two weeks later to succeed Gibbs. Defensive line coach Greg Blache was elevated to coordinator, a position he formerly held in Chicago.

The Redskins looked great in camp and in manhandling the Colts in the Hall of Fame Game. They were solid in their home preseason opener against Buffalo, less impressive against the New York Jets and just dreadful at Carolina in the game in which the starters played the most.

So what to make of this team?

Zorn wisely kept the running game intact except for bringing Stump Mitchell with him from the Seahawks to coach the backs. With a veteran line and proven runners in Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts, the potential to control the clock is there.

The passing game remains a work in progress as everyone adjusts to Zorn's West Coast scheme which features shorter drops and quicker routes than that of Saunders. Campbell and top receiver Santana Moss were both hurt last year and receiver Antwaan Randle El and rookie wideouts Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly missed time this summer. Only Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley seems a given especially since Campbell tailed off as August went on and the pass protection was so poor against the Panthers.

The defense showed it could stop the run in 2007, raking fourth overall and holding Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson to 27 yards on nine carries. However with Daniels out and linebacker Marcus Washington and safety LaRon Landry nursing injuries, Carolina's DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart embarrassed the defense with touchdown runs of 50 and 60 yards just 2:55 apart. Pass rusher supreme Jason Taylor, acquired from Miami after Daniels was hurt, isn't the force against the run that his predecessor was. Neither is fellow end Andre Carter. That puts more pressure on outside linebackers Washington, who has been battered the past couple of years, and Rocky McIntosh, who's coming off a torn ACL, to join middle backer London Fletcher in shutting down the ground game.

If Landry can effectively replace Sean Taylor, a tall order, the pass defense should be improved thanks to the return of cornerback Carlos Rogers, who missed the second half of the year with torn knee ligaments, and the addition of Jason Taylor, whose 117 sacks are the most of any active player and 14th all-time.

Special teams, particularly the coverage units, have been a strength under assistant coach Danny Smith and could remain so with youngsters Kareem Moore and Chris Horton added to the mix. Kicker Shaun Suisham must prove that his excellent first full season was a harbinger not a fluke, especially if rookie Durant Brooks wins the punting battle with Derrick Frost and also replaces the incumbent as the holder.

This is a veteran team which could have eight or nine rookies on the roster. The 55-year-old coach is new to his role. The schedule is rough early and smoother late. If Zorn fits the job as well as it seemed this summer, Campbell plays well and Jason Taylor gives the defense the expected boost, the Redskins could be a playoff team again. But they could just as easily finish in the NFC East basement with a sub-.500 record.

COACHING: Jim Zorn, 1st year.

REMEMBERING: 2007 record: 9-7 (3rd in NFC East); lost in wild-card game to Seahawks, 35-14.

PREDICTING: 2008 regular season record 7-9 (4th in NFC East).