Coach is merely covering for poor coaching by his son.

[Kilmer72]

Then I could understand some of the craziness this season but he cost us draft picks playing this game. Too late now. I say if you spend draft picks on Mcnabb and you have the mentality of win now then you do better than this. I see us at 4 and 4 we don't suck but we aren't very good either. We can and should be better than this even if slightly.

[VetSkinsFan]

what if, im just gonna throw this out there...

what if shanny has planned all along for this season to be a practice season. for him to judge the talent and see what is needed and what is to be done. what if he had no aspirations of success in the first year but instead intended only to use mcnabb as a stepping stone, a guy to run the offense who is pretty good in order to see what the guys around him could do with a good qb. and now that the experiment is over he is using the rest of the season to put guys in take guys out and find who is going to be cut this offseason.

You don't give 2 picks away for a 'practice season'

[VetSkinsFan]

they question his practice habits and pace ...

They aren't the only ones, though. Tim Hasselbeck said on Sports Center last night that when he was in Philly the Eagles coaches had the same issue with McNabb. Hasselbeck also said that in Philly, in their O, McNabb had more freedom to improvise, whereas in DC he is being asked to play within the offense, and Hasselbeck said that he thinks that McNabb is having trouble adjusting to that. Hence the "WTF" reaction from Kyle during the game.

Funny this comes out NOW...

[1niksder]

Or any of these guys 4 guards, 3 Tackles and center who were all UFA:

Alan Faneca (G/NYJ) UFA
Justin Hartwig (C/Pittsburgh), UFA
Chad Clifton (T/Green Bay), UFA
Mike Gandy (T/Arizona), UFA
Nick Kaczur (T/New England), UFA
Stephen Neal (G/New England), UFA
Mark Tauscher (G/Green Bay), UFA
Bobbie Williams (G/Cincinnati), UFA

Half these guys are still ARE UFA because 31 other teams didn't want them or they wanted more than what they are worth, the other half re-signed with their old team only two have played all year.
All of them are 30+ and more than likely have no idea what the ZBS is. Good O-lineman general stay put.

they question his practice habits and pace ...

They aren't the only ones, though. Tim Hasselbeck said on Sports Center last night that when he was in Philly the Eagles coaches had the same issue with McNabb. Hasselbeck also said that in Philly, in their O, McNabb had more freedom to improvise, whereas in DC he is being asked to play within the offense, and Hasselbeck said that he thinks that McNabb is having trouble adjusting to that. Hence the "WTF" reaction from Kyle during the game.

Funny this comes out NOW...

Hasselbeck was with McNabb in Philly for what.... a year, and never threw a pass. He's a talker and that's it. If the Skins hadn't been so desparate in 2003 no one would know anything about him, other than for being Matt's little bro (why teams even looked at him) and being married to Liz from the view (might have had something to do with him getting a gig with the 4 letter network). Only other person to confirm this RUMOR was T.O.

[VetSkinsFan]

Or any of these guys 4 guards, 3 Tackles and center who were all UFA:

Alan Faneca (G/NYJ) UFA
Justin Hartwig (C/Pittsburgh), UFA
Chad Clifton (T/Green Bay), UFA
Mike Gandy (T/Arizona), UFA
Nick Kaczur (T/New England), UFA
Stephen Neal (G/New England), UFA
Mark Tauscher (G/Green Bay), UFA
Bobbie Williams (G/Cincinnati), UFA

Half these guys are still ARE UFA because 31 other teams didn't want them or they wanted more than what they are worth, the other half re-signed with their old team only two have played all year.
All of them are 30+ and more than likely have no idea what the ZBS is. Good O-lineman general stay put.

they question his practice habits and pace ...

They aren't the only ones, though. Tim Hasselbeck said on Sports Center last night that when he was in Philly the Eagles coaches had the same issue with McNabb. Hasselbeck also said that in Philly, in their O, McNabb had more freedom to improvise, whereas in DC he is being asked to play within the offense, and Hasselbeck said that he thinks that McNabb is having trouble adjusting to that. Hence the "WTF" reaction from Kyle during the game.

Funny this comes out NOW...

Hasselbeck was with McNabb in Philly for what.... a year, and never threw a pass. He's a talker and that's it. If the Skins hadn't been so desparate in 2003 no one would know anything about him, other than for being Matt's little bro (why teams even looked at him) and being married to Liz from the view (might have had something to do with him getting a gig with the 4 letter network). Only other person to confirm this RUMOR was T.O.

Exactly, a virtual nobody and TO, one of the biggest drama queens in the league. I'm still not buying it.

[1niksder]

Exactly, a virtual nobody and TO, one of the biggest drama queens in the league. I'm still not buying it.

That makes 2 of us

[Skinsfan55]

Let me ask you ... would you rather have Flozell Adams on the line, or Heyer ? You think he wouldn't come in handy right now, with Williams and Brown both banged up?

Or any of these guys 4 guards, 3 Tackles and center who were all UFA:

Alan Faneca (G/NYJ) UFA
Justin Hartwig (C/Pittsburgh), UFA
Chad Clifton (T/Green Bay), UFA
Mike Gandy (T/Arizona), UFA
Nick Kaczur (T/New England), UFA
Stephen Neal (G/New England), UFA
Mark Tauscher (G/Green Bay), UFA
Bobbie Williams (G/Cincinnati), UFA

So tell me ... who on the offensive line is getting the job done ... anybody? (besides Williams)

And save the snide remarks and sarcasm .... you always resort to that when you have nothing else.

Adams has lot a step and is one of the most penalized players in the league, and he's only appeared in one game for the Steelers. Also, to run down the list:

Faneca is too old and hadn't been effective for years.
Hartwig was released and is not much of an upgrade on any of our current players.
Clifton was brought in for a workout during free agency but he didn't have much intention of leaving Green Bay.
Gandy is terrible.
Kaczur had NO intention of leaving the Pats. Ditto for Neal.
Tauscher is injured and wasn't interested in leaving the Packers anyway.
Williams is good but totally wrong for the system and the Bengals re-signed him.

I mean, in addition to those points, those guys are all older what what we have now.

[SkinsJock]

Exactly, a virtual nobody and TO, one of the biggest drama queens in the league. I'm still not buying it.

That makes 2 of us

I agree with you both - this is sports' typical talking heads over analyzing and trying to throw "stuff" out there to make out like they're "informed"

Is it just this stupid Aussie or are there not a lot of really dumb guys making money on TV & radio that know better but just spew out BS all week long?

I'm not saying that what we saw was anything but a V stupid decision that was then compounded by lies and BS - it's over! let's move on, please



hopefully this angst is just amongst us and the stupid media - HOPEFULLY the players and coaches are into what they need to be doing

[VetSkinsFan]

Exactly, a virtual nobody and TO, one of the biggest drama queens in the league. I'm still not buying it.

That makes 2 of us

I agree with you both - this is sports' typical talking heads over analyzing and trying to throw "stuff" out there to make out like they're "informed"

Is it just this stupid Aussie or are there not a lot of really dumb guys making money on TV & radio that know better but just spew out BS all week long?

I'm not saying that what we saw was anything but a V stupid decision that was then compounded by lies and BS - it's over! let's move on, please



hopefully this angst is just amongst us and the stupid media - HOPEFULLY the players and coaches are into what they need to be doing

We don't know if it's over yet. Time will tell, though. The ego tripping has been going on all year. I have a hard time believing that it's over now and ego tripping will not rear its ugly head again in the near future.

[Kilmer72]

I thought these guys patched things up and were best buds again....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=n ... van_mcnabb

[1niksder]

I thought these guys patched things up and were best buds again....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=n ... van_mcnabb

Yeah but there was a microphone and camera in the area, that means all bets are off with T.O.

[RayNAustin]

Adams has lot a step and is one of the most penalized players in the league, and he's only appeared in one game for the Steelers. Also, to run down the list:

Not according to NFL Dot Com .... stats show 7 Games Started this year.

Faneca is too old and hadn't been effective for years.

Again, Faneca was an anchor on the Jet's line in 2008, and 2009. He's started every game this year for Arizona .. playing for Russ Grimm, who I think knows a little more about playing offensive line than you do.


I'm not going to dissect the rest ... CLEARLY you are just making false statements and voicing personal opinion as facts.

The way Heyer has consistently failed to perform at an NFL level, including being a penalty machine with holds and false starts, and the way Rabach has been used as a battering ram to collapse the middle, prventing any possibility of off tackle running or a consistent passing pocket at center tells me you couldn't do much worse than what we've seen thus far.

Jamal Brown has been hampered by injury so I won't right him off at this point, aside from him and Trent Williams .... the rest of the line has performed poorly .... Heyer HAS NEVER PERFORMED WELL . At the end of the day, when the leader of your o-line is a Rookie ... and nobody else has done anything except draw negative attention ... I DON'T BUY IT that these were the very best available linemen at the start of the year.

I'd take Faneca over Lictenwhatever, and Flozell Adams MOTHER over Heyer, and both were available ..... Flozell should have been signed for depth at T ... especially since Brown's health was iffy to begin with, and Williams was a rookie.

[CanesSkins26]

they question his practice habits and pace ...

They aren't the only ones, though. Tim Hasselbeck said on Sports Center last night that when he was in Philly the Eagles coaches had the same issue with McNabb. Hasselbeck also said that in Philly, in their O, McNabb had more freedom to improvise, whereas in DC he is being asked to play within the offense, and Hasselbeck said that he thinks that McNabb is having trouble adjusting to that. Hence the "WTF" reaction from Kyle during the game.

Funny this comes out NOW...

Well it's not like everything was smooth in Philly with McNabb. He did get benched by Reid and the Eagles did trade him. Who knows why exactly they did that but if everything is great between a HC and starting qb you don't trade him.

[SkinsJock]

Exactly, a virtual nobody and TO, one of the biggest drama queens in the league. I'm still not buying it.

That makes 2 of us

I agree with you both - this is sports' typical talking heads over analyzing and trying to throw "stuff" out there to make out like they're "informed"
I'm not saying that what we saw was anything but a V stupid decision that was then compounded by lies and BS - it's over! let's move on, please
hopefully this angst is just amongst us and the stupid media - HOPEFULLY the players and coaches are into what they need to be doing

We don't know if it's over yet. Time will tell, though. The ego tripping has been going on all year. I have a hard time believing that it's over now and ego tripping will not rear its ugly head again in the near future.

I'm sure that we'll see more of that - this guy is really more of a control freak than we thought - not that that's a bad thing

this franchise needed a major shake up and while we couldn't jettison all the older players that we really needed too, the one thing that Mike & Bruce are all about is having every player and coach be accountable

Nobody here is safe from Mike going bananas again - I'm sure that even Kyle will lose his job if Mike doesn't think he's good enough for it

I think he'll lighten up in a year or 2 when he starts to see the type of effort and desire from the coaches and players that he expects - he's not about wins right now, he wants to see players and coaches getting to where he wants them to be - results will follow

[CanesSkins26]

I'd take Faneca over Lictenwhatever, and Flozell Adams MOTHER over Heyer, and both were available ..... Flozell should have been signed for depth at T ... especially since Brown's health was iffy to begin with, and Williams was a rookie.

You make some valid points about the oline, but you're also blatantly making up facts to fit your argument. Flozell Adams was signed by the Steelers to be a starter after their starting RT was lost for the year. Why would he have wanted to come to the Skins to be a backup behind Jammal Brown when he had an opportunity to go to the Steelers and compete for a starting job?

And you say you wanted the team to sign Faneca....at the time that he signed with Arizona (April 27th), the Skins still thought that Mike Williams would be in the mix at guard. His condition didn't come to be known until July.

Everyone can see that oline is an issue, but it's also unrealistic to expect the team to be able to remake the entire line in one offseason. Yes, some of the decisions were questionable, but I think that some people are expecting too much change in just one offseason.

[Irn-Bru]

I can't believe anyone thinks we should have gotten Flozell Adams this past offseason. (Did they not watch the playoffs?) The man was coming off of a garbage season, was 35 years old, and was basically a free agent until Pittsburgh signed him in desperation after losing a starter for the year. I don't follow the Steelers so I don't know whether he's been good or bad for them, but talk about taking a gamble on a player. There's no way he'd have lasted here in DC even if we brought him in.

Actually, maybe I shouldn't be incredulous about this. But I can also only imagine the reactions on this board if we had picked him up. "The man is 35 years old with knees made of glass. Another dumb move by the FO trying to buy a line instead of draft one! etc."

[SkinsJock]

^^^ what the man said

[Justice Hog]

Gotta say it, this team misses Portis. He has got to be one of the best RBs in picking up the blitz. I can't wait until he gets back. Our offense should improve dramatically when Portis, not Torain, is in back of McNabb.

[chiefhog44]

Ray, you should really listen to the P.C.'s because Kyle specifically (many times in fact) stated that Donovan was not out of shape, and is not lazy, and you are the first one I have heard bring up stupid. You are taking quotes and exagerating them to make some sort of personal agenda of attacking Kyle. Kyle has not done anything here but coach a good game and be upfront (as much as he can without opening up pandora's box) about the entire thing.

What's your beef with this guy? You obviously know something that I do not.

What alternate universe have you been residing in for the past 48 hours?

Not sure. I'm just asking you simply why are you making things seem as though Mike or Kyle called Donovan Lazy, Stupid and not in football shape?

1) Post game presser - Mike S. says that he put Rex in because Donovan didn't know the terminology well enough to run the 2 minute offense as was Rex ... that, after OTA's, Pre-season, and the entire first half of the regular season, and he doesn't get the terminology yet ? How does he play the other 58 minutes? This equals - not very bright .... and that is according to Ex-head coaches that say that such an excuse or statement is a terrible indictment of McNabb's grasp of the offense by his coaches.

He said that he didn't know the two minute drill as well as Rex. He never called him dumb if that is your point. That's my point is that you are exagerating his responses. It doesn't equal anything, but that he is not as familiar with the two minute offense as Rex. I'm not putting words in people's mouths...you are.

On the record, I believe this was a bad excuse for pulling him after a bad decision on Donovans part, but just to educate you a bit on this, the two minute drill is completely different than running the regular offense since you make it seem like they are they same. It requires a QB to run to the line and he has two or three plays at his disposal to exploit the defense. Typically this is called on the run as "check with me pass". The QB will run up, and based on the personel in the game, call a play that will work against that specific defense in that situation. It is a quicker form of no-huddle (which by the way he has not run this year yet...hmmm, wonder why?)

2) Monday presser - Mike S. claims that it was a cardio issue that made him decide to pull McNabb ... a cardio issue? He's not in football shape? Where have we heard that before? So now, he doesn't know the terminology (not very bright) and also is out of shape ... not up to snuff from a cardiovascular standpoint.

Not sure if you heard but Kyle clarified those remarks, but never said that he not in football shape. Again, you are twisting words. You should listen to his press conference on Monday and you may have a better understanding of what he meant. And again, I think this was a bad excuse to pull McNabb

3) Inside sources reveal that there have been issues that the Shanahan clan have been trying to get McNabb to step up the pace in practices ... work on his fundamentals, etc. So that questions his work habits.

He has never questioned anything. "Inside sources" did. Kyle was quoted saying the following...

“I think Donovan has perfect work habits. He has done everything that I ever asked him to do. I think where this got blown out of proportion is this whole last week. It is hard to go full speed in practice when you got two pulled hamstrings and that is really what the case has been the last few weeks. Last week was more of the case then any. He was hurting and when you are like that you can’t go full speed. But, being the competitor that he is, he went. He tried to go and really the first time he was trying to go full speed was on Sunday.”

And Mike said his tempo was fine. So again, you are twisting words now from inside sources and saying they came from Shannahan and I can't figure out why. You still have not answered me as to why you continue to do this. You are exagerating and stretching the truth.

What do you think .... do you think I'm making this stuff up?

No, I just think you exagerate a TON!

Kyle S. said yesterday that the three of them ... Mike, Donovan, and himself discussed the possibility that he might be pulled if he struggled on Sunday .... that was in contradiction to what Mike S. said in his presser on Monday when asked if he discussed that possibility with either Kyle or Donovan before the game ... which he responded NO. Donovan said yesterday "I never heard that part".

Again, I'm not disputing that I believe this was a poor excuse and seems like a lie.

The bottom line is that actions were taken that show they didn't trust their starting QB to play the final 2 minutes of the game down by 5 points. The reason for why Mike S. made that decision was initially stated as McNabb not understanding the terminology well enough to run the 2 minute drill, then after sleeping on it .. he came back with the cardio and the hammys and the quad injuries excuses ... though McNabb wasn't being treated on the sideline for any injury during the game, and McNabb said he was fine.

I think you have to consider what their actions have clearly stated, which doesn't jibe with what Kyle Shanahan is NOW saying ....

But that's just me ... AND THE REST OF THE NFL who seems to see the situation as I see it.

The rest of the NFL is not saying he is stupid, lazy or out of shape. YOU ARE. YOU ARE DILUTIONAL and I can't figure out why.

Let me ask you this ... where do you think Mike S. gets the idea that McNabb doesn't understand the terminology well enough to run the 2 minuet offense? Kyle, his son, that's who.

Where do you think he get's the idea that McNabb's cardio isn't up to speed? Kyle ... obviously ... he's in charge of the offense and McNabb.

Where does Mike S. get the idea that Rex Grossman would perform better ... Rex's history versus McNabb's career history? Or from Kyle, who had Rex with him in Houston, and is in charge of the offense?

Certainly the Head Coach has the final say ... but where do they get their input when making such decisions? From the respective coordinators, be it offense or defense.

Do you think that Mike made the decision on his own ... with Kyle saying "No dad ... don't pull Donovan, he's our only chance" ?

Get real.

You are grasping for staws my man. You think Mike Shannahan is going to pull his starting QB with less than 2 minutes and face all this because someone else suggested it? No way. This is on Mike alone, and again, I don't think his excuses were the truth. All I am saying is that no where did Kyle or Mike say that Donovan was lazy or stupid. You are exagerating, and twisting words. With the longest winded answer I've ever suffered through reading you proved absolutley nothing.

[VetSkinsFan]

My interpretation of anything related to being pulled from a game based on cardio is not in "football shape" and I think that's Ray's angle as well as myself and others.

And I would believe that the terminology would be the same in the offense. How it's used (calling multiple plays, ect) would probably differ, but I don't believe they have two sets of terminologies for different facets of the offense.

[KazooSkinsFan]

My interpretation of anything related to being pulled from a game based on cardio is not in "football shape" and I think that's Ray's angle as well as myself and others

Sure, it's technically accurate, but the objection I have is that it's being used in a way to imply that it's similar to the AH situation which is a world of difference. AH started in bad shape and is only getting in "football shape" now. It's been an ongoing discussion. McNabb was injured and didn't practice all out. Yes, calling it not in "football shape" is technically accurate, but I'd never that term used that way until McNabb now and given the ongoing completely different AH use of the phrase I flat out don't buy it's not being used for an agenda to tie them.

[SkinsJock]

I happen to think that the 2 players situations are completely different and while the terminology used for both may seem like a reason for some here to point out things that the HC is doing wrong - I don't have any problem with it at all

I think that Haynesworth's attitude and lack of any effort to help his coaches and the defense led to his being treated the way he was by Shanahan

Unlike Haynesworth, I think McNabb and the coaches know that he's trying to be the best QB he can be and will give it his best effort to help the other players and coaches in any way possible

To me it's a completely different set of circumstances and while I understand that it's a double standard - Haynesworth made the choices that he made - I have absolutely no problem with how they've treated him


I wish that Mike would learn from the mistakes that he's made here recently but I do not think his treatment of Haynesworth is a mistake at all - that's just me

[RayNAustin]

I can't believe anyone thinks we should have gotten Flozell Adams this past offseason. (Did they not watch the playoffs?) The man was coming off of a garbage season, was 35 years old, and was basically a free agent until Pittsburgh signed him in desperation after losing a starter for the year. I don't follow the Steelers so I don't know whether he's been good or bad for them, but talk about taking a gamble on a player. There's no way he'd have lasted here in DC even if we brought him in.

Actually, maybe I shouldn't be incredulous about this. But I can also only imagine the reactions on this board if we had picked him up. "The man is 35 years old with knees made of glass. Another dumb move by the FO trying to buy a line instead of draft one! etc."

No you shouldn't be ... because it is Baloney ..... since the man hasn't missed a start since 2000 freaking 5 .... knees of glass you say? The last 4 years he's started EVERY GAME for the Cowboys.

One of the big question marks entering the season for the Cowboys was whether Free would be able to fill Adams spot at left tackle .. and given the Cowboys situation, it's hard to say whether he has or hasn't, but that's irrelevant. What is relevant and true is that Adams has played very well for the Steelers at RT this year, glass knees and all ... on a new offense and new position.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 4836f.html

That he was sitting at home, not playing until signed by the Steelers at the end of September left him available, and no doubt, he would have listened to any offers ... including the Redskins.

I get that Williams and Brown were projected to be the starting LT & RT ... BUT ... Brown was coming off an injury, and Williams was a rookie, and Stephon Heyer was the backup ? Heyer? He shouldn't even be on the team ... ANY team.

Now, if you are capped strapped, then it makes sense not to sign him as a potential backup, but there was no cap this year ... and you just acquired McNabb ... so you HAVE TO look at the o-line as a PRIORITY, and given an injured Vet on one side and a Rookie on the other, Adams makes sense. You sign Adams and tell him he's competing for the spot at RT with Brown ... and you also gain a veteran backup at left tackle for Williams in the process.

Bottom line is, Adams IS PLAYING WELL at RT for the Steelers, and the Redskins are suffering on the line at almost every spot ... including RT.

Right now, Adams would certainly come in handy, given that Williams is banged up ... and there has been a constant shuffle at RT.

I swear ... glass knees ...

[Kilmer72]

I happen to think that the 2 players situations are completely different and while the terminology used for both may seem like a reason for some here to point out things that the HC is doing wrong - I don't have any problem with it at all

I think that Haynesworth's attitude and lack of any effort to help his coaches and the defense led to his being treated the way he was by Shanahan

Unlike Haynesworth, I think McNabb and the coaches know that he's trying to be the best QB he can be and will give it his best effort to help the other players and coaches in any way possible

To me it's a completely different set of circumstances and while I understand that it's a double standard - Haynesworth made the choices that he made - I have absolutely no problem with how they've treated him


I wish that Mike would learn from the mistakes that he's made here recently but I do not think his treatment of Haynesworth is a mistake at all - that's just me

I agree but...and this is a big but...haha...AH said coming to the skins that he was about playing the 43 and that is what was promised to him. On the other hand he should have at least come into camp or not taken the money so he could both help himself and the team. If he does that then there is no hard feelings or suck it up and be the team player I really believe he is. I think he gets a bad rep but some of it he brings on himself. I think he was lied to and I don't blame him. On the other hand once you take that money you better come in when it is mandatory.

The Mcnab crap is a bunch of bull. Under Gibbs who I think is a great coach and far superior to MS, let alot of players skip practice and start in the games. Alla Riggo or many others who went on to have great games and I know you know this Skinsjock you are from my era I know you remember and this is all crap. Just bull. Its a sham or Shan lol. No biggy we know whats up we all do.

On another note lets give MS a chance...He screwed up thats all. I wish he was more of a man but he isn't. I think he can still make us a team and that is all I am looking for out of this.

On to something else...I din't post and probably should have but Jake the Snake said MS expects his quarterbacks to be like Elway which doesnt happen. MS sort of ruined Jake in a way. That is why he got out and gave up millions. He is happy now playing handball and doing well with out the drama that MS brings. I don't see the Jake article anymore but I believe it was yahoo news.

[RayNAustin]

My interpretation of anything related to being pulled from a game based on cardio is not in "football shape" and I think that's Ray's angle as well as myself and others

Sure, it's technically accurate, but the objection I have is that it's being used in a way to imply that it's similar to the AH situation which is a world of difference. AH started in bad shape and is only getting in "football shape" now. It's been an ongoing discussion. McNabb was injured and didn't practice all out. Yes, calling it not in "football shape" is technically accurate, but I'd never that term used that way until McNabb now and given the ongoing completely different AH use of the phrase I flat out don't buy it's not being used for an agenda to tie them.

Who says he started out in bad shape? The same guy who thinks Grossman gave the Redskins the better chance to win last Sunday? THAT'S THE POINT HERE.

Haynesworth came in 30 LB's lighter than he was in 2009, not typical of a fat slob out of shape. Shanahan got his arse on his back because Haynesworth wasn't there for the "voluntaries" ... meaning they really were not voluntary. So he was going to punish Albert for his insolence. And that conditioning test was not some "no brainer" as Shanahan claimed to the media "anybody can do it in there sleep" ... further insulting Haynesworth ... all of the guys ... ex-football players on the networks explained how difficult that test was for a big man to pass, and they all saw it for what it was ... punishing him for not bowing to the Boss.

Good coaches remove themselves from contractual issues, and focus on football, which is why great coaches who become those quasi GMs always fail. And Haynesworth's issues were contractual in nature ... the Redskins promised him he'd play in a 4-3, then they switch to the 3-4, and simply told Haynesworth, TOUGH ... DEAL WITH IT. So he did. Apparently, the arrogance of the coaching staff prevented them from feeling the need to assuage Haynesworth's fears about how he would fit into the 3-4, ... meaning, EXPLAIN to him the advantages of the new defense ... and entice him onboard with the changes. No, they decided to DICTATE to him ... you got your paycheck, now you do as you are told!

That's old school for sure ... but "used to" doesn't live here anymore. Today, you have to temper that hard line with some common sense ... such as not going out of your way to alienate players ... especially the star players on a team not exactly loaded with them.

Shanahan personalized the issues with Haynesworth, and retaliated once he joined camp. And I think it has negatively impacted the team by impacting Haynesworth's progress in the system ... all because Shanahan needs to constantly prove who has the bigger ______

All teams need discipline, but it needs to be instilled in a reasonable and fair manner .... you don't do this by holding grudges and never missing an opportunity to poke someone in the eye who you feel has challenged your authority. It's beginning to look as though this Mike Shanahan character has a Napoleon complex that is detrimental to the team, IMHO, and he needs to be reined in. Save for John Elway, the man would be a 500 coach who never held a Super Bowl Trophy.

My personal opinion is that Mike and Kyle are somewhat embarrassed by the status of the offense at this stage, though their MASSIVE EGOS won't allow for the finger of blame to be pointed in their direction.

Look at the whole picture .... nobody has been able to run consistently behind this line ... so Parker and Johnson were cut ... meaning they were to blame. Portis is injured ... Torain injured, and we're down to one back. They can't pass protect either .... but it's the QB to blame.

I've never seen a head coach publicly disrespect his own players the way Shanahan has .... from the Haynesworth fiasco, to this McNabb debacle. He says McNabb didn't have a firm enough grasp of terminology to run the 2 minute offense .... then he claimed it was a cardio issue ... then he answered a question by saying Dockery wasn't good enough to start, while praising the play of a guy being OWNED on the line.

Anyone missing this is just not paying attention. Either Shanahan isn't smart enough to understand how damaging his statements and actions are, or he's just too arrogant to concern himself. I think it's the latter.

To him ... IT HAS TO BE THE CAR losing the race ... because it can't be the driver (him).