Speaking of that success, if the dominant one sided Shanahan is a jerk and he's wrong in every public squabble, then why aren't we hearing that from other Skins and why is the team playing with such heart?
Come on, Kaz... the nature of this coaching staff makes this question a red herring... Jobs are at stake. Who is going to speak up if even the great Donovan McNabb gets benched??? I don't think I'd classify it as fear, so much as being prudent...
Apparently there is some depth on the defensive side of the ball that we were not aware of. Everyone of those players sees this as his shot... wouldn't YOU play YOUR butt off in this circumstance?
I consider that a tribute to the competence that Shanahan has historically demonstrated... but you have to remember, this is definitively NOT a players coach. He has demonstrated that he's perfectly willing to slice off one of the team's arms, if he thinks it's best for the team's future... Let's just say that I'm finding him rather "Bellichick" like in terms of his viewing the team as a sum of it's parts (literally) vs a group of players with a unified goal. As they wear out, or show early signs of wear... you trade them in... or discard them.
Unfortunately, while this is clearly efficient, it smacks many as harsh, even brutal.
I find myself struggling with that. Being stuck up here in Maine, I see the Patriots play... a lot. I think Bellichick is a singularly unpleasant man. But, I do love to watch the incredible efficiency of that team... they are indomitable. I don't think there is any catastrophe that they cannot recover from... except, perhaps, the loss of Bellichick.
If Shanahan is able to duplicate that dynamic (which, I believe, is his goal), I would thoroughly enjoy watching my team... but I would have the same struggles in being comfortable with another version of Bellichick.
Could I learn to live with it? mmmmmmm we shall see...
I'm not seeing Shanahan and Billicheck in the same light. The Pats have always gone for the jugular. We've fizzled IMO on that front.
This coming season is my make or break for the Shanahans in scheme and players. With a full season to 'evaluate' his team, management should know exactly what they need and have a plan. I don't expect a SuperBowl in the immediate future, but I do expect to see 3-4 people brought in and the holes in the offense addressed. This FA market should be DEEP if we get a new CBA with similar RFA/UFA terms as the previous CBA, and we should be big players (not for the cream of the crop, but solid hungry players at the least). I expect leaps and bounds in execution and recruitment in 2011(provided we don't have a lockout).
...any given Sunday....
RIP #21 Sean Taylor. You will be loved and adored by Redskins fans forever!!!!!
GSPODS:
The National Anthem sucks.
What a useless piece of propagandist rhetoric that is.
I think that anyone that thinks we're going to get a HC that everyone "respects" like a Joe Gibbs, is in for a huge disapointment - this guy is not at all interested in his image or what the players, fans or ANYONE thinks about him - he's a major ASS - he just wants to make this franchise better - he'll get rid of ANYONE that stands in the way of that
ANYWAY - Something to think about and I still think that Bruce and Mike are thinking long term here
My only concern about the season next year comes from the NFL wanting to go to an 18 game schedule. That is going to be a huge uptick on the injury front, IMO - Although this will in a way help this FO as I think the combination of having guys in charge that know what they're doing and an owner that will spend whatever it takes PLUS, almost certainly, an increase in roster size, this could bode well for these guys
One other thing - IF there is an 18 game season, the QB position is going to be a very important component - we might see both Grossman and McNabb here
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
Jason Reid, Washington Post, Wednesday, December 29, 2010:
It would be best for McNabb if the Redskins released him immediately after the season, enabling him to choose his next team. But Mike Shanahan may not be in an accommodating mood, especially after last week's events. On Nov. 15, McNabb signed a multiyear contract extension. The Redskins could wait until the first game of the 2011 season to release McNabb and owe him nothing (if released due to injury, McNabb would receive $1.75 million).
I have a feeling Donovan is going to be around awhile if no trade happens.
