Most likely changes we'll see from Shanahan

[redskins14ru]

If the run game makes it to the 2nd and 3rd levels and runs the defense the way it should then ya Gibbs loved his deep ball, but when the defense is setting back taking the deep routes away while the QB gets pressured time and time again on every down then there is a problem. I would dare to say that even the best Qb in the league has been effected by consistancy of one kind or another, whether it be a pass rush or the great play in the secondary and in his young career Cambell is no exception.
In Shanahans scheme and with the wideouts that we have now, I bet that with a little blocking there should be no problem for Campbell warming up the arm and getting one downfield a few times in a game. He may even earn the nickname rocket arm lol
Shanahan is after all a proven playcaller and has had great success as a head coach.

[redskins14ru]

Anybody know Jasons numbers and how many games played while under Gibbs? just curious.

[Champsturf]

...and Campbell is a proven turd. I want him gone, but I honestl think that he will be our best option next year. Let's all get ready for a very nice 2012!

[Chris Luva Luva]

I think most of the changes we'll see will be behind the scenes and in ways we can't see.

Zorn was a terrible coach IMHO and terrible at putting talent to use. UNDER ZORN!!! Devon and Davis were busts. As soon as we get a play caller in here that isn't mentally deficient, the guys are lighting the field up!


The biggest change I expect to see is an elevation of our current talent. I think we'll see some of the younger linemen step up and get some burn. I expect to see our 3 receivers from the 2008 draft shine.

[fleetus]

From what I gathered from his press confrence and interviews. He is going to take a look at the roster and make a playbook according to the Rosters strengths.
Like some have already mentioned this is the NFC East. The Eagles have the leagues biggest offensive line. The Cowboys also have a big offensive line. The Giants are not far behind either. So Shanahan and Allen may assemble a hefty offensive line as well? We will just have to see.

I wont be surprised if the final Roster does not resemble what he had in Denver.

All in all I like what I hear.

I like the addition Kyle too. Maybe his youth will add some "edge" to what his father does as a coach.

This whole thing of NFC EAST offensive lines makes no sense. I keep hearing sports reporters asking Shanny about this. Who cares what size the Eagles and Cowboys line is? Our O-line isn't playing their O-line. Now if you told me Philly has the largest D-line ever, I'd be interested.

People used to say theat NFC East was traditionally a 4-3 Defense division too. Cowboys are doing fine with 3-4. People used to say NFC EAST was traditionally a run first division too. Philly passes more than just about any team in the league. All the NFC EAST means is you have to compete against 3 really good teams for 6 games a year and a few of those games are likely to be in cold weather. Other than that, the other traditions are BS.

[fleetus]

what ever the o line will be, alot of this 2010 season will fall on the shoulders of Clinton Portis.

I wouldn't assume Clinton will be a starter for us in 2010 just yet.

[fleetus]

I bet that with a little blocking there should be no problem for Campbell warming up the arm and getting one downfield a few times in a game.

I remember when JC17 first became starter, everyone marveled at his deep out passing accuracy and touch. He had a knack for dropping a pass right over the WR shoulder in stride along the sidelines. Our WR's have only gotten older, slower and more drop prone since that year and we've been waiting two season for Kelly or Thomas to begin filling the void. Give JC17 a decent line and Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal and I bet his deep arm would magically reappear. Personally, where I worry about JC17's future is with his slow recognition skills and his Intermediate passing accuracy on those bread and butter timing passes like 15 yard out routes. Sometimes he just misses them inexplicably. and many times he seems lost and indecisive in the pocket. But this criticism of his deep accuracy is more a result of his O-line and WR's not getting it done.

[Redskin in Canada]

... They also praise his accuracy and long pass ability.

One of the top five most inaccurate posts I have read on this board since joining. No question.

Not as inaccurate as JC. This post landed in -almost- the right thread. Many of Jason's throws land outside the field.

You have to wonder if people actually watch games.

[Countertrey]

... They also praise his accuracy and long pass ability.

One of the top five most inaccurate posts I have read on this board since joining. No question.

Not as inaccurate as JC. This post landed in -almost- the right thread. Many of Jason's throws land outside the field.

You have to wonder if people actually watch games.

LOL. I keep hearing "analysts" talk about his deep accuracy, and wonder the same thing. I'm sure that all they are doing is checking the stats, seeing a certain number of completions over 20 yards, and calling it good. I think he hit a streaking deep receiver in stride ONE TIME this year (that nice pass to Kelly in the last game). Other than that, he either led them out of bounds, over-threw them, or threw short, so that they had to turn back and slow down for the ball. Sure... he's had a number of deep receptions... but, they were hardly "accurate" throws.

[Deadskins]

Okay, and here's what that same Scouts Inc. says before the 2009 season:

Comment: Campbell had a very solid season as the Redskins' starting signal caller in 2008. He has progressed over his four years in the league. He adjusted to a new system under first-year head coach Jim Zorn and showed the ability to be patient in the pocket to find second and third options in the passing game. He can power the ball into tight windows or get it deep on long throws as well as showing good touch on shorter routes. He has improved his vision and ability to read defenses over the past two seasons which has made him a much more efficient passer in Zorn's West Coast offense. He runs well for his size and position and can ball the ball down to move the chains. He has improved his improvising in 2008 but needs to continue to improve in this area. Campbell has all the tools to be an excellent quarterback in the NFL and should continue to improve in his second season in Washington's new offensive philosophy. .

So, professional scouts say he's improved since college, and predict he'll improve in 2009 (he did). They also praise his accuracy and long pass ability. They tout his patience and his physical tools.

They kind of pass over the fact that he's had so many systems to learn and he's managed a degree of success in all of them. He's arguably the toughest QB in the league both physically and mentally. Also, look at all the players who jumped up to his defense as a leader.

There's not really any denying his talent. He just had the best season of a Redskins QB in nearly 20 years.

I strongly disagree with the highlighted portion.

[Deadskins]

I remember when JC17 first became starter, everyone marveled at his deep out passing accuracy and touch. He had a knack for dropping a pass right over the WR shoulder in stride along the sidelines.

I don't remember it that way at all.
Can you go back and show me even one quote of anyone "marvelling" over Jason's long-ball accuracy?

[fleetus]

I remember when JC17 first became starter, everyone marveled at his deep out passing accuracy and touch. He had a knack for dropping a pass right over the WR shoulder in stride along the sidelines.

I don't remember it that way at all.
Can you go back and show me even one quote of anyone "marvelling" over Jason's long-ball accuracy?

Okay, maybe not "marveled", exactly. But I remember early in his career he seemed to connect on some deep outs and it was said by more than one analyst that it seemed to be his favorite route. I'm not talking about 20 passes here. But it was noticeable. But seriously, since when have any of our receivers gotten open past 20 yards? I don't think JC is the answer, but he is definitely better when protected and will benefit from Shanahan I think.

[Redskin in Canada]

I don't think JC is the answer, but he is definitely better when protected and will benefit from Shanahan I think.

I hate to break the news to you: JC is not Shanahan's man and he will not gamble his tenure as a HC with JC.

I do not want us to turn this thread into yet another JC thread. He is simply not Shanahan's QB. Period. It will not happen. Say what you guys might.

[skinpride1]

One of the things that have caught my attention right away about Shanny is what he said in some of his interviews. When asked about Portis,Haynesworth, and older veteran players it was simple to him..You work hard in the off season programs to keep your body in shape for the season and to produce at a high level.(not let them do what ever they want)

Sounds like fat boy and clown man have got to get there act together.

[SkinsJock]

I've got news for you - the fact is that any player that does not make a concerted effort to be better on and off the field is in for a big shock - the 'country club' atmosphere has closed, gone, not here anymore

everybody from Shanahan down will be held accountable - things are going to be very, very different

as they both have intimated, we are a 4-12 franchise and that is not acceptable - they have both been watching what has been happening around this franchise and they both plan to not have anything like that going on at all

Shanahan is a disciplinarian - there will be no players allowed who do not want to make themselves better than they think they are

[Chris Luva Luva]

Okay, and here's what that same Scouts Inc. says before the 2009 season:

Comment: Campbell had a very solid season as the Redskins' starting signal caller in 2008. He has progressed over his four years in the league. He adjusted to a new system under first-year head coach Jim Zorn and showed the ability to be patient in the pocket to find second and third options in the passing game. He can power the ball into tight windows or get it deep on long throws as well as showing good touch on shorter routes. He has improved his vision and ability to read defenses over the past two seasons which has made him a much more efficient passer in Zorn's West Coast offense. He runs well for his size and position and can ball the ball down to move the chains. He has improved his improvising in 2008 but needs to continue to improve in this area. Campbell has all the tools to be an excellent quarterback in the NFL and should continue to improve in his second season in Washington's new offensive philosophy. .

So, professional scouts say he's improved since college, and predict he'll improve in 2009 (he did). They also praise his accuracy and long pass ability. They tout his patience and his physical tools.

They kind of pass over the fact that he's had so many systems to learn and he's managed a degree of success in all of them. He's arguably the toughest QB in the league both physically and mentally. Also, look at all the players who jumped up to his defense as a leader.

There's not really any denying his talent. He just had the best season of a Redskins QB in nearly 20 years.

I strongly disagree with the highlighted portion.

His accurazy is non existant... He his 0 touch on short passes. His long ball accuracy is garbage and he rarely every connects with Moss after 200 seasons of playing with him. He's constantly overthrowing WR's... I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said he needed taller guys, and what does he do? He throws the ball even higheR!! LOL

[fleetus]

From Coach Ditka:

I want to see if Mike Shanahan can get Clinton Portis and Albert Haynesworth to start earning their salaries.

'nuf said.

[fleetus]

Offense - this is Shanahan's background. He worked for SF, under Seifert, and brought the West Coast system to Denver.
1. QB - Campbell is an enigma. He's a solid player physically, has solid character on and off the field, but has not developed markedly. Sort of a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. If you let him go, who do you replace him with? I don't think it would be smart to burn the #4 pick on a QB, especially with the QB's in this years draft. I see Shanny keeping Campbell to see what he can do with an imporoved O-line. Then maybe drafting a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round or waiting until next years draft.
2. O-line - Alex Gibbs or not, get ready for a whole new blocking scheme. Zone Blocking Scheme (ZBS) is largely believed to be the #1 reason Elway, TD, Gary and Anderson all had such great success. Redskins Offensive Line will have to undergo major changes. ZBS requires, speed, agility and intelligence. Big lumbering 340lbs lineman will likely not be a good fit. Expect to see at least a couple draft picks used on smaller, athletic lineman. (Charles Brown, USC, where Shanny's former OC Jeremy Bates is the Asst. HC) (also guys like Selvish Capers, West Virginia and Alonzo Durham, Nevada in later rounds) I don't see Mike Williams staying.
3. Defense - this is a big question mark because Blache has led the Skins to a solid defense each of the last two years, but he is gone. Shanahan was never known for good defenses. Also, the scheme will likely change to either a 4-3 with more speed at LB and DE (Zimmer) or a 3-4. The 3-4 idea is more likely I think. Both Zimmer and Haslett (top two rumored to become the DC) have coached both the 4-3 and 3-4. But I think Shanahan is leaning toward a 3-4 and will likely hire someone who agrees. Shanny spent time this past year at New England and Pittsburgh practices observing, among other things, the 3-4. So don't be surprised if Orakpo stays at OLB, Haynesworth moves to NT with Montgomery as backup and a rotation of Griffin, Daniels, Golston and JArmon at DE.
4. Discipline - Only time will tell how much of a shakeup we'll see. But surely some of the players who continue to complain to the media, skip practices or play below 100% will be shown the door. Shanahan has a track record of having a short fuse with players who mouth off Remember when he shipped Portis here? speculation at the time was that Portis got big-headed and mouthy and Shanahan showed him the door. He dispensed with Griese too. Expect a more disciplined team approach.

Here's a similar run down from ESPN:

Now that we know Mike Shanahan is going to be the coach of the Washington Redskins, it's time to look at five of his top priorities. Bruce Allen might have the title of general manager, but it looks as if Shanahan will have final authority on football decisions. If that's really the case, here are five things he needs to address -- in no particular order:

Figure out what he's going to do at quarterback: Dan Snyder and his old pal Vinny Cerrato made a mess of this situation last offseason by pursuing every quarterback not named Jason Campbell. Allen has been complimentary of Campbell's work, but this is something Shanahan needs to figure out. I talked to Campbell about Shanahan last week, and he expressed excitement about the coach's credentials. Shanahan obviously won the two Super Bowls with John Elway, had some success with Jake Plummer and appeared to have Jay Cutler headed in the right direction. I think Shanahan will look to draft a quarterback and groom him for the future, but you don't want to throw a kid to the wolves behind this offensive line. If Shanahan believes Campbell could elevate his game, I think it behooves him to invest some time in him. Campbell had the best statistical season of his career while playing behind perhaps the worst collection of offensive linemen in the league. I'd like to see what a quarterback guru such as Shanahan could accomplish with Campbell, who has handled this entire situation with a lot of grace.

Assemble a talented coaching staff: I think Shanahan brings a great deal of energy to the job after having a season off. But it's not like he played golf the whole time. He spent a lot of time visiting other coaches and watching film at an office in Denver. I have to believe he has basically had a coaching in staff in mind for the past six or seven months. His son, Kyle, will serve as offensive coordinator and there's a lot of speculation that Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will fill the same role for the Redskins. Keep your eye on whether Shanahan retains any members of the previous Washington regime. It will be an indicator of how much say Snyder has retained. Snyder loved special-teams coordinator Danny Smith and he's also fond of secondary coach Jerry Gray. My guess is Shanahan will pretty much clean house.

It's time to rebuild the offensive line: This goes hand in hand with the quarterback situation. You can't ask Campbell to endure another season behind this collection of former undrafted rookies and aging players. It as if your best offensive lineman Chris Samuels will probably retire because of a neck injury, and it's not like you received outstanding play from your other veterans. Randy Thomas is too old to count on, and Casey Rabach is just a serviceable center at this point. I supposed Derrick Dockery was your best lineman this season after Samuels was injured, but that's not saying much. Free agency is going to be limited because of the potential for an uncapped season. With the No. 4 pick overall, you need to take a long look at the left tackles in the draft. I know everyone will talk about Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford, but you don't have to pick a quarterback at that spot. Hopefully Shanahan and Allen will have a logical plan in place. Picking two wide receivers and a tight end in the same round isn't the way to go -- even if you argue that they were the "best players on the board."

It would be nice to figure out the running back situation: Starting running back Clinton Portis has talked about his uncertain future. He's set to make more than $7 million next season (Shanahan money), and at least $6 million of it is guaranteed. I know Shanahan once traded Portis from the Broncos, but I don't think he would have any trouble coaching him. The issue is that Portis talks a better game than he plays these days. He missed pretty much the entire second half of the season with a concussion -- yet he found time to criticize Campbell in recent days. He's a mouthy guy who loves to go behind the coach's back directly to Snyder. If Snyder allows Shanahan to dump Portis, I think that would be a good sign for the organization.

And that brings us to our fifth item, which deals with Snyder: All this talk of "ultimate say in football decisions" sounds good in theory, but we know how much Snyder likes to be involved. Shanahan needs to do a good job of making Snyder feel like he's involved in decisions. Snyder gave Joe Gibbs a lot of authority, but that was a different situation. He had idolized Gibbs as a kid and was sort of in awe of him. That won't be the case with Shanahan. The last time Snyder hired a coach with a similar demeanor to Shanahan's (Marty Schottenheimer), things ended pretty quickly. If Snyder doesn't give Shanahan and Allen enough breathing room, this could be another failed hire.

[frankcal20]

Yeah. One of the guys said that MS might have something with Jason Campbell - and that's when Ditka made that comment. They also said that MS has a lot to work with here. I think it's b/c of the defense being mostly ready to go.

[mastdark81]

He can power the ball into tight windows or get it deep on long throws as well as showing good touch on shorter routes

I stopped reading right here. You don't have to be a professional scout to see that JC has trouble with his accuracy on down field throws. That is obvious to anyone that watches the Redskins.

Classic. You use Scouts Inc. to backup your opinion, but quit reading them when they don't support what you're saying! C'mon, man...

I kind of agree with Canes on this one though. Campbell has a big arm, but his deep ball has just been woefully off target. I always get excited when he takes a shot downfield, then he overthrows or underthrows the WR by eight yards. If you're just going by what we've seen in games, I don't think that's really disputable.

He's definitely is inaccurate in most of his long throws. But he also doesn't take many of them. You can't throw one and then wait 2 or 3 games to take another...you have to repeatedly take shots, then I think you will see better accuracy.

But yeah good defensive coordinators will eat you alive if you can't throw the long ball consistently with or without a line.

Even if you can't hit them we should have been at least taking more shots these last few years, even with Brunell.

We play to lose and scared to be aggressive offensively and defensively.

[fleetus]

Yeah. One of the guys said that MS might have something with Jason Campbell - and that's when Ditka made that comment. They also said that MS has a lot to work with here. I think it's b/c of the defense being mostly ready to go.

Okay, thanks. I tuned in right as he was saying it and didn't know the background.

The things I feel the best about with Shanny are that he's known as a disciplined coach. He sets a disciplined tone early and players will either respect it or move on.

He is also known for the running game. In this day and age, everyone passes most and I would love to see the Skins return to their roots and win a SB running the ball well. Not that Shanny doesn't have great passing game. As recently as 2008, Cutler had an amazing season passing.

I also am more excited about Shanahan BECAUSE he took a year off and studied the game around the league. A guy as detailed and organized as Shanny reportedly is, this has to mean he has re-evaluated every aspect of his coaching. I'm excited to see what he has come up with. Add his son to the staff, with his experiences in Houston with MAtt Schaub and Andre Johnson and I bet there will many wrinkles and new schemes.

I know everyone has all but given up on JC17 and I have too, at least about 90% given up. But Matt Schaub is a good example I think. You can draft QB's in the 3rd round and groom them to be starter. We could draft a smart, accurate QB like Schaub was and let him back up JC17 for a season.

[SkinsJock]

Yeah. One of the guys said that MS might have something with Jason Campbell - and that's when Ditka made that comment. They also said that MS has a lot to work with here. I think it's b/c of the defense being mostly ready to go.

... The things I feel the best about with Shanny are that he's known as a disciplined coach. He sets a disciplined tone early and players will either respect it or move on.

He is also known for the running game. In this day and age, everyone passes most and I would love to see the Skins return to their roots and win a SB running the ball well. Not that Shanny doesn't have great passing game. As recently as 2008, Cutler had an amazing season passing.

I also am more excited about Shanahan BECAUSE he took a year off and studied the game around the league. A guy as detailed and organized as Shanny reportedly is, this has to mean he has re-evaluated every aspect of his coaching. I'm excited to see what he has come up with. Add his son to the staff, with his experiences in Houston with MAtt Schaub and Andre Johnson and I bet there will many wrinkles and new schemes.

I know everyone has all but given up on JC17 and I have too, at least about 90% given up. But Matt Schaub is a good example I think. You can draft QB's in the 3rd round and groom them to be starter. We could draft a smart, accurate QB like Schaub was and let him back up JC17 for a season.

Shanahan is going to be the HC - he has brought in his son who was responsible for Houston having the most prolific passer in the NFL in Matt Staub this past season

I think this means we are going to see an OC that likes to have a really good passing game to go along with a decent running game - I think that most successful offenses in today's NFL are not close to what Gibbs liked to do and I do not see Shanahan as wanting to be like that at all



people talk about wanting to see Campbell play behind a decent offensive line but I'm hoping that as soon as we have a decent offensive line, we have a decent QB ready to go - that will not happen this year but maybe in 2011 (IF we have any games in 2011) - I have no problem keeping Campbell if there are no free agents that Shanahan is interested in but Campbell's not getting us to the top of the NFC and that is who we should be getting ready to play here

[Countertrey]

you have to repeatedly take shots, then I think you will see better accuracy.

Which explains why Collins' first pass a few weeks ago was a deep pass hitting Moss in stride.

[CanesSkins26]

The buzz continues to be that Shanahan will nab a quarterback in the draft and try to mold him into something that suits his offense. If Jason Campbell doesn't get blown away with a multi-year free agency contract, the Redskins could bring him back next year for a relatively low cost.

But people who've spoken with Shanahan say he's not bowled over by Campbell, has some concerns about his mechanics and don't feel he's the long-term solution in Washington.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/jason-campbell/shanahan-on-quarterbacks-an-ea.html#more

[Deadskins]

But people who've spoken with Shanahan say he's not bowled over by Campbell, has some concerns about his mechanics and don't feel he's the long-term solution in Washington.

All that proves is that he's watched the team play for the past 5 seasons.