Denver post reports--Shanahan DEAL IS DONE 5yrs 35MM.

CanesSkins26 · Post by **CanesSkins26** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:22 am

Redskins players praise hiring of Shanahan

(Updated 10:47 p.m.)

Clinton Portis called the hiring of Mike Shanahan "a great idea." London Fletcher said that Shanahan "instantly becomes the face of the franchise." Reporters Barry Svrluga, Rick Maese, Jason Reid and Dan Steinberg are rounding up reaction from the Washington Redskins. We'll be adding to this file as the night wears on.

"I think it's a great idea," running back Clinton Portis said Tuesday evening. Portis played under Shanahan in 2002 and '03 with the Broncos. "I really think it's the best direction you can head in. You're talking about a proven coach, a coach who's going to come in and get things done, a coach that's got something to prove. He's a hell of a coach. I think the players are going to love him, and I think he's going to bring in the right kind of guys."

Linebacker London Fletcher, who attended the Capitals' game at Verizon Center: "I think it's great. Being able to add a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, it's phenomenal. He commands respect from the players right away. ... He instantly becomes the face of the franchise."

"I think we needed a guy in here who people are going to respect off of his name alone and Mike Shanahan is that guy," said cornerback DeAngelo Hall. "You already knew he was going to come in here with a great scheme, a great mind because he's a great coach. You know he's a great leader. But to have that name, Mike Shanahan, associated with the Redskins is big for us, it's big for the fans, and it's just great news."

"I'm not really surprised. Everyone knew it was coming," said tight end Chris ey. "I think my first reaction is that I still feel for Jim Zorn. The guy worked hard, wanted to win but it just didn't come together. ... Moving forward, I'm excited to be a part of Mike Shanahan's and Bruce Allen's team. I think with that combination, it's a new vision, a new direction, which is good at this point."

As for Shanahan's offensive approach, ey said: "He's done great in the past. They run the ball extremely well. I remember looking at film and there was lots of play-action, lot of formations. It was an intelligent offense. He has the opportunity, with Fred [Davis]and I, to do a ton of different stuff."

"It's definitely a start," defensive end Andre Carter said. "You're talking about a man who's been to two Super Bowls, so he knows what it takes to build chemistry in an organization and have everyone start moving in the right direction. So I think this is a great hire. It's an honor to be working with Mike Shanahan."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/mike-shanahan/redskins-players-praise-hiring.html#more

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:59 am

SkinsJock wrote:Shanahan is highly regarded and is very strong in two areas of need; he's an offensive coach and he's a disciplinarian - this guy will help this franchise offensively and he will not tolerate anybody that does not adhere to the team first principles
H A I L

I agree, the best thing he brings, or maybe the thing the Skins need the most, is discipline. He isn't quite a "Belichick" disciplinarian, but he is close.

Not sure about his title of VP of Football. Didn't seem like he excelled in personnel decisions in Denver.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:03 am

One thing I heard today is that there is a good chance that Morocco Brown will stay in house but be the director of player personnel and scouting.

The review of the current scouts is going to be key in our ability to get the right group of players in house.

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:12 am

Also, I don't see Shanahan as the "magic bullet". His QB's, besides Elway who he inherited have been Plummer, Griese and Cutler. Decent, but not exactly a roster of Pro Bowlers.

Shanahan also had trouble finishing seasons. The Broncos won only one playoff game after Elway's retirement. :shock:

So, buyer beware. Shanahan will need to perform better than he did in Denver, assuming he won't luck into another John Elway, to return the Redskins to glory.

Skinned · Post by **Skinned** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:46 am

CanesSkins26 wrote:
Under the terms of the new deal, Shanahan will team with Redskins executive vice president and general manager Bruce Allen, but Shanahan will have the ultimate authority on football decisions. Shanahan will be introduced as the Redskins head coach at a 2 p.m. ET news conference Wednesday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4799532

Yup...That's the part that stood out to me, too. Shanahan's personnel decisions were abysmal in Denver.

I keep repeating a mantra that goes a little something like this... Bruce Allen will play a large role in any and all personnel decisions...Bruce Allen will play a large role in any and all personnel decisions...Bruce Allen will play a large role in any and all personnel decisions...Bruce Allen will play a large role in any and all personnel decisions...

But I can't shake this thought of Shanahan, Snyder and Allen all sitting at this grandiose conference table Snyder is sure to own. Shanahan and Snyder have come to the agreement that taking Tim Tebow @4 is the plan for the upcoming draft, while Bruce Allen does a classic Captain Picard facepalm but doesn't dare mutter a word.

It's the things nightmares are made of...

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:57 am

Shanahan doesn't just have final say. He is the Vice President of Football Operations AND Head Coach.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:33 am

So they had to give him control...so Allen is more of a teampresident than a GM??

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:31 am

It sounds that way. Sounds like Allen will oversee the year round duties of scouting, free agency and contract talks, but Shanahan will have ultimate decision making power for the draft and free agents.

We'll hear more details today, but that is the way I see it.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:46 am

Skinned wrote:It's the things nightmares are made of...

If we do not take the top OL in top picks, you will be right and we will stay where we are now. A nightmare scenaro for sure. Hopefully, the Draft gives us some hope for a different direction.

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:58 am

We're not gonna be saved by the draft, no matter how good we do in the draft. Drafted players have to be coached up into a successful system to become great drafted players. What Shanahan does will be way more important than the draft in and of itself.

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:11 am

Consensus amongst Broncos fans seem to be that Turner is a good RB coach and would probably like to leave the mess that McDaniels has made in Denver.

Dennison was a former OC after being the OL coach. Since Kyle is already named Skins OC, speculation is Dennison would be the logical choice to replace him as OC in Houston, rather than coming here as OL coach.

fleetus · Post by **fleetus** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:23 am

For me, Alex Gibbs is the KEY component for several reasons.

1. OL is our greatest area of need.
2. Shanahan's system (and much of his success) was dependent upon Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme. People talk about Terrell Davis, but it was the Denver O-line that made that offense go and resurrected Elways somewhat waning career.
3. Gibbs has immediately improved the OL and Offense of every team he has worked for (Broncos, Falcons, Texans)
4. The name "Gibbs" seems to work well with the Redskins. :wink:

He is on a year to year contact with the Texans as Assistant HC and OL coach. Since he has a strong relationship with both Mike and Kyle Shanahan, bot of whom work for the Redskins now, it would not surprise anyone if he came here. Let's hope he does, because more than the draft, more than the RB's, Alex Gibbs has the capability to fix the OL and running game.