Collinsworth blames cap for Redskins' woes

[Kilmer72]

I'm not a Chris Collinsworth fan either. You have to admit though when he said something like They need to explain to me how spending money in an uncapped year.....

At least he has enough nads to confront it nationally.

[SkinsJock]

I'm not a Chris Collinsworth fan either. You have to admit though when he said something like They need to explain to me how spending money in an uncapped year.....

At least he has enough nads to confront it nationally.

certainly got my attention - good for him

[Bee_Skins_Fan]

Collinsworth is spot on- any coach would struggle with the type of cap hit the 'Skins had to endure. I also thought that was pretty bold to even mention that topic much less express how ludicrous it was given the contracts were "approved by the league".

It sure doesn't make it any easier to watch team after team roll over our beloved team, but it does help to explain it.


Hail!

[oj]

I am not a Collingsworth fan - loved him as a player, but he is a whuss as commentator (a very smart whuss) - but when he made comments about the salary cap i was astonished! For him that was very bold, when he went ballastic about the 1st down call reverting to 4th down he made a strong statement. very strong.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

It was nice to get some love from the announcer for a change.. usually they have their head so far up the other teams anus that they can't even see the blatant mistreat from the officials.
Winning cures all I'm afraid... Last night was just the icing on the cake of the crap we've been dealt nearly every game w the zebras this year... Hopefully w some spending cash and an off-season we can become a fierce competitor... Winning will hopefully change the crap officiating and maybe rgiii becomes the poster boy for the NFL instead of the scape goat for empty minded journalists and fans that don't enough about the game

[RayNAustin]

I'm with CC to the extent that common sense must obviously recognize the severity of the cap hit on personnel. Of course it hurt the team ... very painful to be sure. But that does not explain (or make disappear) years 1&2, and the glaring errors made then.

And while acknowledging the fact that Mike S. has done a very good job in his draft picks (yes I said a very good job), other areas, not so much. And it's possible that my concern is more related to Kyle, rather than Mike, but the two are a package deal, so at the end of the day, it still comes back to Mike.

Furthermore, to those willing to give Mike and Kyle a pass, but condemn Haz is just beyond my grasp, since I strongly believe that the defense has been impacted more by the cap hit. True, a couple of oline upgrades might do wonders ... the defensive secondary is by far the weakest area on the team, and also one of the worst areas to be deficient.

But if someone can explain to me how having more cap money will promote better decision making ... i. e. choose not to use your already damaged franchise QB as a running back in a game that means nothing in a season that is lost ... I'mal ears.

[Deadskins]

Whether Allen/Shanahan are here next year or not, one thing I will always admire them for is the way they refused to mortgage our future in dealing with the cap hit. No shuffling contracts to make 2014 and 2015 more difficult; they took the full hit right now so that the team has a brighter long-term future. It certainly has had an impact on their job security, but it was the right thing to do, and this fan is grateful for it.

+1

[Deadskins]

I forgot to add: I was very impressed when Collinsworth had the guts to say on national television last night: "Of course, I still need someone to explain to me how you can be penalized for violating the salary cap in an uncapped year — that doesn't make any sense to me." As common-sense as the position is, that's still a bold statement for a color commentator to make. Especially with Mara/Goodell likely to hear about it.

I was really surprised he said that too, but was glad he did. I wish he had made it clear it was Mara behind the deal to strip two division rivals of 46 million in cap space.

[StorminMormon86]

I'm with CC to the extent that common sense must obviously recognize the severity of the cap hit on personnel. Of course it hurt the team ... very painful to be sure. But that does not explain (or make disappear) years 1&2, and the glaring errors made then.

And while acknowledging the fact that Mike S. has done a very good job in his draft picks (yes I said a very good job), other areas, not so much. And it's possible that my concern is more related to Kyle, rather than Mike, but the two are a package deal, so at the end of the day, it still comes back to Mike.

Furthermore, to those willing to give Mike and Kyle a pass, but condemn Haz is just beyond my grasp, since I strongly believe that the defense has been impacted more by the cap hit. True, a couple of oline upgrades might do wonders ... the defensive secondary is by far the weakest area on the team, and also one of the worst areas to be deficient.

But if someone can explain to me how having more cap money will promote better decision making ... i. e. choose not to use your already damaged franchise QB as a running back in a game that means nothing in a season that is lost ... I'mal ears.

I was going to post something similar, thanks for beating me to it.

[riggofan]

I'm with CC to the extent that common sense must obviously recognize the severity of the cap hit on personnel. Of course it hurt the team ... very painful to be sure. But that does not explain (or make disappear) years 1&2, and the glaring errors made then.

And while acknowledging the fact that Mike S. has done a very good job in his draft picks (yes I said a very good job), other areas, not so much. And it's possible that my concern is more related to Kyle, rather than Mike, but the two are a package deal, so at the end of the day, it still comes back to Mike.

Furthermore, to those willing to give Mike and Kyle a pass, but condemn Haz is just beyond my grasp, since I strongly believe that the defense has been impacted more by the cap hit. True, a couple of oline upgrades might do wonders ... the defensive secondary is by far the weakest area on the team, and also one of the worst areas to be deficient.

But if someone can explain to me how having more cap money will promote better decision making ... i. e. choose not to use your already damaged franchise QB as a running back in a game that means nothing in a season that is lost ... I'mal ears.

I was going to post something similar, thanks for beating me to it.

I don't know. I don't really see what years 1 & 2 have to do with it at this point. There is no doubt that Shanahan made some mistakes those years, most notably completely underestimating the rebuilding job he was faced with. This whole thing about "will the cap space keep him from making bad decisions in the future" is just snarky and irrelevant. No coach is going to be right 100% of the time. Ask Pete Carroll how right he was to spend millions on Matt Flynn. We just need our coach to be right more often than he is wrong. And give Shanahan some credit, he's not afraid to change course and move on when he's made a mistake (see: McNabb, Donovan).

You either believe that Shanahan has established a solid foundation for the team and give him another year free of the cap penalty, or you think its time to move on. That's just a guess from any of us. I think our offense is really close, especially with a fully healthy RGIII next year. But I will admit its hard to imagine turning around that defense in one offseason.

[SkinsJock]

OK - I'll try - I do NOT think that having more cap money is going to help the 'on field' decision making … however the FO has managed to make some pretty good additions recently - I don't see that by just changing the coaching staff, that's going to suddenly improve the on-field decision making

Kyle has not done a great a job helping RG3 transition from the read option to a more complete QB - that might have more to do with not having a very good O line

we do have many issues on defense but again that is more player related than by bad coaching IMO - not that I think that Haslett is a great DC

I HOPE that we see this FO work some more magic here and find some players that can make the good players we have (on offense and defense) better

Special Teams coach Ken Burns is gone - is it possible that he just does not have the players either


BASICALLY - I do think that the guys in charge here (Bruce and Mike) should get another year based on what they've done here the past 2 seasons

It's going to be interesting to see … IF Mike is still here and I think he's staying, which players and coaches he wants here

[riggofan]

It's going to be interesting to see … IF Mike is still here and I think he's staying, which players and coaches he wants here

I think Mike will stay and probably have to replace Haz. Totally agree that its not entirely fair to Haslett, but fans are going to demand something like that.

[SkinsJock]

^^ +1 - I don't think that Mike's EGO makes him feel that he 'needs' to do anything, but …

I think he's got to make some changes in order to stay

I will say that if the defense next season is not a huge improvement - Mike has to take the hit for that - not the DC

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Am I the only one thinks raheem morris should get a shot? He's groomed our rookie dbs well enough, hall has been playing well.. but the "help" is never there.. is this on the player or the play call? #twocents

[riggofan]

^^ +1 - I don't think that Mike's EGO makes him feel that he 'needs' to do anything, but …

I think he's got to make some changes in order to stay

I'm sure you're right about that! I just wouldn't be surprised if there is some pressure from Snyder on that front. Even Shanahan has to understand that there is a business part to all this whether he is happy with Haz or not. I think changing the DC would take a little heat off the team if they want to give Shanahan one more year.

I will say that if the defense next season is not a huge improvement - Mike has to take the hit for that - not the DC

Free agency, the draft, whatever. Shanahan and Bruce Allen for that matter HAVE to bring in some better players on defense next year or its not going to matter who the DC is, right?

Btw did I see like 7 of our starters on defense are set to become free agents this offseason? Those guys have their work cut out for them.

[riggofan]

Am I the only one thinks raheem morris should get a shot? He's groomed our rookie dbs well enough, hall has been playing well.. but the "help" is never there.. is this on the player or the play call? #twocents

Not my first choice, but I don't think its a bad one.

Let me go crazier. We bring in Kubiak as OC and Rex Ryan as DC when they're both canned at the end of the season.

[StorminMormon86]

It's going to be interesting to see … IF Mike is still here and I think he's staying, which players and coaches he wants here

I think Mike will stay and probably have to replace Haz. Totally agree that its not entirely fair to Haslett, but fans are going to demand something like that.

I think the writing is on the wall that he'll have to fire both Haslett and Kyle in order to save his own job next year.

[rskin72]

The salary cap fiasco, and the injury to Robert last season and subsequent recovery period are the two main reasons I am onboard with giving Mike another season here. And that implies that Kyle would be here as well. I think Mike has done a decent job of evaluating talent, especially in the draft. We have gotten better under Mike talent wise. I mean, Reed, Robert, Morris, Kerrigan, Williams, Amerson....Helu, Cousins........but even with the talent upgrade (speed and youth) since Mike took over, have we upgraded enough to be competitive consistently with the top tier teams in the NFL? Right now that answer looks like a resounding NO.....but we may not be that far away. As for Kyle, I am not sure if he is being stubborn as an OC and not working with Robert....or if he is just limited in playcalling due to the lack of progress Robert has made at the QB position this season. I heard ey imply the other day that it seemed during the Giants game that our OC was more concerned with running every play on his playsheet vice running the plays that worked (especially in the first half). Of course, whatever the state of affairs is between Mike, Kyle and Robert....that needs to get resolved this offseason.

I do not have the same patience with our DC. I was even less a fan of Haz than I was of our HC. While we may not have the talent to be a top flight D like San Fran or Seattle yet....certainly we can do better than this. I think scheme....and adjustments....are some key ingredients that are missing right now for the D. I don't expect a #1 defense.....but with the players we have, we should be better IMHO.

And....ST coach should have been gone a long time ago. Has there been maybe one game where we did not have some ST gaff, and a costly gaff at that?

So....once again....I look forward to next season.....a common theme for far too long.

[riggofan]

Here's what Don Banks/SI wrote about it on Tuesday:

Sources close to the situation in D.C. say they don't think Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has made up his mind yet on whether he wants to bring Shanahan back in 2014, and things could still go either way. But the key sub-plot to watch may be offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the coach's son. I'm told that if the Redskins decide they want to part ways with Mike Shanahan with one year at $7 million left on his contract, they'll likely ask him to fire Kyle as OC, knowing he won't do it, but hoping he'll walk away from the fifth and final season of the deal.

That seems optimistic and way too easy of a conclusion, and I'm not sure why Mike Shanahan wouldn't call their bluff, make them fire him and collect his money.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/ne ... z2mXo5aP4b

[SkinsJock]

Mike's EGO is HUGE but I think he's got to make some changes in order to stay

I'm sure you're right about that! I just wouldn't be surprised if there is some pressure from Snyder on that front. Even Shanahan has to understand that there is a business part to all this whether he is happy with Haz or not. I think changing the DC would take a little heat off the team if they want to give Shanahan one more year.

I will say that if the defense next season is not a huge improvement - Mike has to take the hit for that - not the DC

Free agency, the draft, whatever. Shanahan and Bruce Allen for that matter HAVE to bring in some better players on defense next year or its not going to matter who the DC is, right?
BTW - did I see like 7 of our starters on defense are set to become free agents this offseason? Those guys have their work cut out for them.

RIGHT ON - No matter who is the DC there will be a lot of new guys - there has to be - the critical part is not just adding players but finding the right mix

new DC or not - the defense has to be a lot better and that's a huge challenge for Mike

like you alluded to - Snyder may not want him back and that could get very interesting

[StorminMormon86]

Here's what Don Banks/SI wrote about it on Tuesday:

Sources close to the situation in D.C. say they don't think Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has made up his mind yet on whether he wants to bring Shanahan back in 2014, and things could still go either way. But the key sub-plot to watch may be offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the coach's son. I'm told that if the Redskins decide they want to part ways with Mike Shanahan with one year at $7 million left on his contract, they'll likely ask him to fire Kyle as OC, knowing he won't do it, but hoping he'll walk away from the fifth and final season of the deal.

That seems optimistic and way too easy of a conclusion, and I'm not sure why Mike Shanahan wouldn't call their bluff, make them fire him and collect his money.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/ne ... z2mXo5aP4b

This is precisely what I think (and kind of hope) will happen. I think he'll be pressured into firing Kyle, won't do it, and then resign from the position.

[Kilmer72]

Here's what Don Banks/SI wrote about it on Tuesday:

Sources close to the situation in D.C. say they don't think Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has made up his mind yet on whether he wants to bring Shanahan back in 2014, and things could still go either way. But the key sub-plot to watch may be offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the coach's son. I'm told that if the Redskins decide they want to part ways with Mike Shanahan with one year at $7 million left on his contract, they'll likely ask him to fire Kyle as OC, knowing he won't do it, but hoping he'll walk away from the fifth and final season of the deal.

That seems optimistic and way too easy of a conclusion, and I'm not sure why Mike Shanahan wouldn't call their bluff, make them fire him and collect his money.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/ne ... z2mXo5aP4b

This is precisely what I think (and kind of hope) will happen. I think he'll be pressured into firing Kyle, won't do it, and then resign from the position.

People can say what they want about Kyle but his offense works. He does call some boneheaded plays but he also has put out an offense that works out there. He seems to have the Giants number. They can't really stop us, it is usually us that gets us unhinged. Even when Rex was out there receivers run wrong routes and QB makes a bad throw. I hear from ESPN radio from ey talking about what is in house is a totally different story from what we think on the outside. For example, people wonder why Rex is even on the team. ey says they know who Rex is, and many of those interceptions are a product of people running bad routes and people tipping balls and so forth. He says you need Rex on your team. (I think he is insinuating that talent is a problem) Makes me wonder just how bad Robert is really struggling.

I personally get ticked off at the strategy on offense at times. I also see that our receivers are wide open and something else screws it up. I also see dropped balls when they can make some kind of acrobatic catch and then drop one right in the bread basket.

It's not Kyle. I think it is a head coach that just doesn't jump in there enough to help out in the coaching woes. They are position coaches for a reason.

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

No cap hit next year, and even if we gave up what turns out to be a high 1st rounder, that just means all of our other picks are high in their round too. And in 2015, we'll not only have all of our money, but all of our picks too.

Hang on, are you saying that our record this year affects the draft picks for EVERY round next year? I was under the impression it only applied to the 1st round.

I'd love for it to apply every round. All this draft placement and compensatory picks never made much sense to me.

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

I personally get ticked off at the strategy on offense at times. I also see that our receivers are wide open and something else screws it up. I also see dropped balls when they can make some kind of acrobatic catch and then drop one right in the bread basket.

I literally laughed out loud at these lines...

You see Hank making a one-arm catch that could make a gazelle look like a sloth bear. Throw him a perfect pass, its dropped.

[SkinsJock]

No cap hit next year, and even if we gave up what turns out to be a high 1st rounder, that just means all of our other picks are high in their round too. And in 2015, we'll not only have all of our money, but all of our picks too.

Hang on, are you saying that our record this year affects the draft picks for EVERY round next year?
I was under the impression it only applied to the 1st round.

I'd love for it to apply every round. All this draft placement and compensatory picks never made much sense to me.

- OK, how did you think the draft order was established after the first round?