Quick changes for Redskins under Shanahan, Allen

[1niksder]

Quick changes for Redskins under Shanahan, Allen

It sure didn't take long for Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen to begin remaking the Washington Redskins.

The changes have been swift and widespread in the 2 1/2 months since Shanahan was hired as the team's coach and executive vice president. He's been working alongside Allen, the new general manager, in the aftermath of a 4-12 season under the now-departed Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato.

``There's a new sheriff in town,'' former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann said in a telephone interview Thursday. ``Make no bones about it, Mike is going to run that ship in a very tight, disciplined way, and everyone will be held accountable.''

There's the overhaul of the staff of assistants, a planned switch to a 3-4 defense, 100 percent attendance at voluntary offseason workouts this week - the sorts of things that might be expected.

Less anticipated? The suddenly measured approach to free agency under free-spending owner Dan Snyder, especially considering there is no salary cap.

``Everybody said, 'It's a non-capped year. Boy, those Washington Redskins, they're going to go out and spend, spend, spend, spend, spend,''' Theismann said. ``But it's one thing to have the ability to go and do it. It's another to be able to have the patience to figure out what you need and do it the right way.''

As someone who came to the Redskins as a free agent himself, starting linebacker London Fletcher is familiar with how the team tends to operate in the offseason.

Not this time around, though.

`They always knew how to create excitement or anticipation during free agency in years past,'' Fletcher said at Redskins Park. ``But it's a new regime here now.''

Instead of getting a LaDainian Tomlinson or Julius Peppers, say, the Redskins began the free-agent signing period with these pickups: offensive lineman Artis Hicks, who started only 13 games over the last three seasons with the Vikings; nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu, who spent last season on injured reserve with the Panthers; and tight end Sean Ryan, who has two touchdown catches in six NFL seasons.

``I guess it was a breath of fresh air, so to speak. Not thinking, 'Oh, here we go again, same old situation, going out, trying to buy a championship,''' Fletcher said. ``So by them not doing that, being very deliberate in their approach to free agency, targeting the guys that they wanted to target, I was definitely excited about the way they approached it.''

Washington recently added running back Larry Johnson and quarterback Rex Grossman, two players who could push incumbent starters Clinton Portis and Jason Campbell, respectively.

Still, Johnson only was given a base pay of $3.5 million over three seasons, while Grossman got a one-year deal. Hardly the big-bucks payouts given to guys such as Deion Sanders and Adam Archuleta in the past, not to mention the $100 million, seven-year contract with $41 million guaranteed that defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth received a year ago.

``They're being very judicious ...

[So Cal Skin Dude]

Hell yeah! I like it.

I argued with another hardcore Skins fan when Allen, then Shanny were brought in that there would be a new way of doing things in DC.

He replied, not with Dann-o running the team. I told him wait and see.

So now here is the proof. It feels great have a sophisticated FO and coaching staff running things. Got to give credit to Danno he made it happen.

It will be awesome to see Shanny in Skin's gear roaming the sidelines... finally some legitimacy!!

Hail!

[TincoSkin]

the proof is in the pudding. lets wait till the season starts

[So Cal Skin Dude]

ahhh...

Another non-beleiver. Yep, willl have to wait and see, but tell you what in 2.5 months I have already seen plenty.

No worries, we'll see how drafting goes, training camp, etc.

One thing that I cannot figure out with most of the THN posters; we have been clamoring for legit GM for over 10 years now, and we finally have one and it seems as though the posters are still having a wait and see attitude.

Let's get excited, the recent pick-ups would have NEVER have teane place with SnyderRatto. Never.

But, I digress.

Hail!!

[crazyhorse1]

Quick changes for Redskins under Shanahan, Allen

It sure didn't take long for Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen to begin remaking the Washington Redskins.

The changes have been swift and widespread in the 2 1/2 months since Shanahan was hired as the team's coach and executive vice president. He's been working alongside Allen, the new general manager, in the aftermath of a 4-12 season under the now-departed Jim Zorn and Vinny Cerrato.

``There's a new sheriff in town,'' former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann said in a telephone interview Thursday. ``Make no bones about it, Mike is going to run that ship in a very tight, disciplined way, and everyone will be held accountable.''

There's the overhaul of the staff of assistants, a planned switch to a 3-4 defense, 100 percent attendance at voluntary offseason workouts this week - the sorts of things that might be expected.

Less anticipated? The suddenly measured approach to free agency under free-spending owner Dan Snyder, especially considering there is no salary cap.

``Everybody said, 'It's a non-capped year. Boy, those Washington Redskins, they're going to go out and spend, spend, spend, spend, spend,''' Theismann said. ``But it's one thing to have the ability to go and do it. It's another to be able to have the patience to figure out what you need and do it the right way.''

As someone who came to the Redskins as a free agent himself, starting linebacker London Fletcher is familiar with how the team tends to operate in the offseason.

Not this time around, though.

`They always knew how to create excitement or anticipation during free agency in years past,'' Fletcher said at Redskins Park. ``But it's a new regime here now.''

Instead of getting a LaDainian Tomlinson or Julius Peppers, say, the Redskins began the free-agent signing period with these pickups: offensive lineman Artis Hicks, who started only 13 games over the last three seasons with the Vikings; nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu, who spent last season on injured reserve with the Panthers; and tight end Sean Ryan, who has two touchdown catches in six NFL seasons.

``I guess it was a breath of fresh air, so to speak. Not thinking, 'Oh, here we go again, same old situation, going out, trying to buy a championship,''' Fletcher said. ``So by them not doing that, being very deliberate in their approach to free agency, targeting the guys that they wanted to target, I was definitely excited about the way they approached it.''

Washington recently added running back Larry Johnson and quarterback Rex Grossman, two players who could push incumbent starters Clinton Portis and Jason Campbell, respectively.

Still, Johnson only was given a base pay of $3.5 million over three seasons, while Grossman got a one-year deal. Hardly the big-bucks payouts given to guys such as Deion Sanders and Adam Archuleta in the past, not to mention the $100 million, seven-year contract with $41 million guaranteed that defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth received a year ago.

``They're being very judicious ...

Doesn't anyone really think Allen and Shany have actually improved the team by adding players who are only marginally equipped to play first string. Cut the hype, guys. They've done zip so far. I'll be the first to applaud when they do something more significant than getting rid of some older players.

[crazyhorse1]

ahhh...

Another non-beleiver. Yep, willl have to wait and see, but tell you what in 2.5 months I have already seen plenty.

No worries, we'll see how drafting goes, training camp, etc.

One thing that I cannot figure out with most of the THN posters; we have been clamoring for legit GM for over 10 years now, and we finally have one and it seems as though the posters are still having a wait and see attitude.

Let's get excited, the recent pick-ups would have NEVER have teane place with SnyderRatto. Never.

But, I digress.

Hail!!

Allen is not a legit GM. He was fired from the only GM position he ever had and has developed a reputation as a good executive but a poor judge of football talent. In a word, he's a "suit." Shany was also fired from the last job and been out of a job for awhile. The reason: poor personnel evaluation and failure to build the team. These are not two proven guys in regard to building a team. They are trying to redeam themselves.

[Snout]

Allen is not a legit GM. He was fired from the only GM position he ever had and has developed a reputation as a good executive but a poor judge of football talent. In a word, he's a "suit." Shany was also fired from the last job and been out of a job for awhile. The reason: poor personnel evaluation and failure to build the team. These are not two proven guys in regard to building a team. They are trying to redeam themselves.

I also remain skeptical, particularly about Shanahan. I don't think AFC-style football will work in the NFL East. However, even if Allen and Shanahan are not the best talent evaluators out there, they should be able to do a lot better than we have been doing. At least the show of restraint in free agency suggests that there might be a long term plan, and a commitment to follow through with the plan. That would be a good start.

[Kilmer72]

the proof is in the pudding. lets wait till the season starts

I don't blame you. I really thought 10 and 6 or maybe 9 and 7 or at worst 8 and 8 last year at this time. I will believe when I see it too. What scares me is Shanny really hasn't done much since Elway (HOF) retired.

[1niksder]

Allen is not a legit GM. He was fired from the only GM position he ever had and has developed a reputation as a good executive but a poor judge of football talent. In a word, he's a "suit."

His teams won two NFC South Titles and only had 1 losing team in four years in Tampa and in Oakland the Owner is the GM and as his top assistant they built three AFC West Championships. That's legit anyway you look at it

Shany was also fired from the last job and been out of a job for awhile.

He was out of coaching for the 2009 season. How is that out of a job for awhile.

The reason: poor personnel evaluation and failure to build the team.

He had one losing season in the last decade

These are not two proven guys in regard to building a team. They are trying to redeam themselves.

They do have short comings but they are working together.

[CanesSkins26]

My only disappointment with them so far is that they haven't brought in a real personnel guy and that they've kept the old scouting department in tact.