AP

With every team still at 0-0 in the standings that matter, it’s easy for every team to feel good about the coming year.

In Washington, the arrival of quarterback Robert Griffin III has folks feeling very good about the coming year.

It’s not just the fans. Players are getting swept up in the wave of optimism as well.

“I think it’s going to be a very big season for us,” linebacker Brian Orakpo said Tuesdsay, in comments distributed by the team. “We’ve got some high expectations in the locker room and you know, I can’t wait to get it started.”

His words of hope came right on the heels of candor regarding the team’s recent history.

“You can’t really look at the numbers, especially with our team,” Orakpo said. “We’re not winning any games you know, so stats really don’t mean anything. Once we start having leads and we get after it and win some ball games around here then things are going to change.”

One thing that will change if the team gets better is that Orakpo will get back to the Pro Bowl. Orakpo admits he draws a certain amount of motivation from the fact that he was snubbed in 2011.

“Somewhat, because I want to be a player that is in there every year, regardless of the situation, regardless of the stats, regardless of anything,” Orakpo said. “Being an alternate? No, I don’t want to be an alternate. I want to be there every year. That’s my goal. Also, winning would help. We need to win some games and be a team that is relevant. That would obviously help a lot of guys on this team. That is something we’ve got to make sure we take care of.”

They start the season with a great opportunity to attract attention. If the Redskins can roll into the Superdome at beat the Saints in Week One, the Redskins will be taken seriously in 2012.