"Snyder, RG3 made mistakes, but Skins disaster is Shanahan"

[Smithian]

"Snyder, RG3 made mistakes, but this Redskins disaster is all Shanahan(s)"

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jas ... -shanahans

I already felt this way, but even more so now. Mike Shanahan is by far the most liable for this failure. Hope this is his last job so he goes out a loser. Joe Gibbs went out with a playoff run and dignity, Shanahan won't.

[Kilmer72]

From the same article

Shanahan is a calculated, Machiavellian, micromanaging, demanding, autocratic football demagogue who came to Washington to make his case for enshrinement in Canton and establish his son as a future NFL head coach. This isn't some football rube who got to Washington and was shocked to suddenly find out that Snyder can be a difficult boss who gets too cozy with players. That Shanahan was somehow the one guy who didn't realize that Redskins Park tends to get tainted by a star culture is impossible to believe. He had to know what he was getting into. The reality is, Shanahan has had Snyder at arm's length far more than any of his predecessors. By Snyder's historical standards, this is as good as it gets.

"He knew what he was getting in to," said one NFL executive who has dealt with the Snyder/Shanahan regime with some frequency. "When you make $35 million, that's part of the hazard pay. If anything, it sounds like now, with it over, Shanahan is using Snyder's reputation against him, but we never got the sense he was dealing with a meddling, overbearing owner."

[OldSchool]

There is plenty of blame to go around. I start with Snyder because he poisons the environment during every regime, I don't think the Skins will be really successful under Snyder's ownership. Second, I blame whoever decided to spend 3 first round picks and a second pick for college option quarterback without pocket passing skills that is built like a wide receiver. I don't know how much responsibility Shanahan has in this selection as outsiders how can we know. If it was Shanny's idea they he made his own bed betting so much on this prima Donna. I thought it was a reckless and stupid pick when the made it and it is working out even worse they expected.

In any case the constant is Snyder and I expect he will mess up the next coaching regime also. I know Snyder will be able to find a man with a decent resume who will be willing to join the cast of Snyder's soap opera and deal with Griffin during act three of this drama because Snyder will pay him a small fortune every year and the coach will earn it in frustration.

I hope we get three weeks of fun to watch football and the Skins start a winning streak the players and fans can enjoy that will give them some momentum before the new guy arrives. We could use some fun games. But I'm not drinking the koolaid again.

[Burgundy&Wha?]

JLC summed it up pretty well. We wanted Shanny to succeed, but he's been his own worst enemy. If you think back to his days in Denver post-Elway, they were up one year and down the next. He had a problem with drafting good db's, which is why he traded for Champ. His zone blocking scheme has more to do with stringing out D-Linemen until they overrun or fall down thus allowing the RB to make a cut. His pick of linemen for this scheme aren't well suited for pass blocking. His staff seems incapable of developing talent or teaching young players -- that goes for O-line as well as QB. They used Robert as a RB and limited his instruction as a drop back passer. Now that the pistol formation has played out, they need a drop back passer but don't have the quality line to allow Robert to develop those skills. It's a mess. And it's a mess of Shanny's making.

Trading a 2nd round pick for McNabb? We should have seen it all for what it was with that one move.

[SkinsJock]

Nothing new here - everyone knows that most if not all of the 'reports' and 'story lines' are way overblown and mostly completely fabricated to try and get attention

and everyone knows that 'the blame' for anything and everything is complete - give me a name of a player, a coach, anyone connected in any way to the Redskins and one can find something

this mess is on everyone except of course the fans and the media

this is 'good' for everyone who enjoys pointing the finger and painting the all too familiar doom and gloom that is the Washington Redskins



I am VERY sure that things are NOT nearly as bad as many are making it out to be - and, it's going to be interesting watching things get better here …

bring it on

[riggofan]

Man... did anybody else hear McNabb on Lavar's show yesterday? BRUTAL. The full interview is available here, well worth a listen:

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/12/ ... lar-to-me/

“But what we’re seeing right now, is the fact that he wanted to put Kirk Cousins in there, because he felt better suited that he was ready to go to run that type of offense that Kyle Shanahan is used to running. Now we know through the offseason with Robert and his rehab, and while that was televised each and every time he was out there on the field – which was shocking to me because, for a franchise in the NFL, when you have an injured player, you want that injured player to focus more on his rehab, not so much on the marketing ability of trying to promote the team.

“And that’s part of the problem that I had early on was, how can you have your franchise quarterback who’s coming off a knee injury out there at OTAs and mini-camps, with the rest of the injured players on the other side of the field where the healthy players are practicing, but we’re not hearing about the other offensive or defensive players who are practicing? We’re focusing on the injured players. And to me it was more or less, we’re gonna ride the wave of making the playoffs, and thinking that next year will be the same, and we’ll come out the block and dominate the NFC East.”

There's a great segment in there where McNabb talks about how you need to tailor your offense to suit your players. Not the other way around. He's talking about QBs, but also players on the defense. He's like, "Andy Reid didn't have Trotter out there trying to cover TEs. He played to his strengths." Really worth listening to if you get a chance.

[SkinsJock]

not sure I understand riggofan - we all have ideas and thoughts on what has happened here
MOST of what I have heard (both positive and negative) have VERY little that is 'factual' and a lot of 'stuff & fluff' that suits the agenda …

not sure what your point about McNabb is that is different than anything we've heard recently

help me out here …

[Smithian]

Nothing new here - everyone knows that most if not all of the 'reports' and 'story lines' are way overblown and mostly completely fabricated to try and get attention

and everyone knows that 'the blame' for anything and everything is complete - give me a name of a player, a coach, anyone connected in any way to the Redskins and one can find something

this mess is on everyone except of course the fans and the media

this is 'good' for everyone who enjoys pointing the finger and painting the all too familiar doom and gloom that is the Washington Redskins



I am VERY sure that things are NOT nearly as bad as many are making it out to be - and, it's going to be interesting watching things get better here …

bring it on

The Redskins are 3-10, the franchise QB has just been bench "for his own good" after an awful season, the media are blasting the Redskins worse than ever, Shanahan is 24-37 even counting the winning streak last season, and the team is coming off a 45-10 blasting by the Chiefs. There isn't even a high first round pick to add an impact player.

I think it is just as bad as it seems right now. If you can dress this up I'd be willing to listen because I am disgusted by this team.

[SkinsJock]

you want some good news - we might have the 34th pick in the draft

"beauty (or ugly) is in the eye of the beholder"

for sure, things are a mess here but the situation is being blown WAY out of proportion - this is the Redskins - we are a lightning rod

I'm not buying into the hype - most of the 'stuff' being reported is being totally overblown by everyone

[SkinsJock]

If 3-10 is 'important' then beating the Chargers 'counts' … last night, they beat the best team in the NFL

[Chris Luva Luva]

I can't agree. This is the same result we've had in the past, regardless of coach. Snyder intentionally, or unintentionally sets up every regime to fail. He's is the main reason for all of this.

[markshark84]

What I don't understand is why in DC when a Snyder - HC relationship goes sour it always must end with the blame game. It is what it is. Things didn't turn out the way it was anticipated. I wish MS and Danny boy would just work stuff out between themselves quietly and transition the role without all the media hoopla.

[riggofan]

not sure what your point about McNabb is that is different than anything we've heard recently

help me out here …

No point at all at least in the way you're asking. I was just pointing out what a brutal interview McNabb gave on the radio yesterday. If other people have suggested or guessed at similar things recently, McNabb really laid it all out there. I thought the interesting part of that interview was that four weeks ago, nobody was giving McNabb much credence. He sounded mostly like sour grapes. In light of recent events people may have to reconsider at least some of what he's claimed about Shanahan. I definitely did.

[SkinsJock]

I can't agree. This is the same result we've had in the past, regardless of coach. Snyder intentionally, or unintentionally sets up every regime to fail. He's is the main reason for all of this.

Basically I agree Chris - Dan Snyder's the main culprit for where we are and he's the main reason that the 'reports' are so volatile - this is his world

as the expression goes "he's earned this … "

However Chris, this franchise has changed recently and the way things are managed and run have gotten better - OK we're at 3-10 but I contend that we have some things going for us and we need to bring in the right people who can continue to help this franchise recover despite the things that Dan Snyder does and did

Snyder needs to support the NFL guys he pays a lot of money to and keep their focus on improving the way this franchise is managed and run

Snyder can come out of this quite well if he behaves as an NFL owner should and manage and control things through his NFL people, not business or marketing guys

[SkinsJock]

not sure what your point about McNabb is that is different than anything we've heard recently - help me out here …

No point at all at least in the way you're asking. I was just pointing out what a brutal interview McNabb gave on the radio yesterday. If other people have suggested or guessed at similar things recently, McNabb really laid it all out there. I thought the interesting part of that interview was that four weeks ago, nobody was giving McNabb much credence. He sounded mostly like sour grapes. In light of recent events people may have to reconsider at least some of what he's claimed about Shanahan. I definitely did.

OK - that's fair enough - I don't agree with you about McNabb but I understand what you're getting at

I have always felt that Mike was a lying, conniving, SOB, like a lot of 'good' HCs - BUT … he did get control away from Snyder
he may lose this battle but hopefully from now on the Redskins will be managed in a different way than before Mike came in and thats a good thing

McNabb did not like (hated?) what was going on - I did not think he handled it well either - that's just my take

[riggofan]

I can't agree. This is the same result we've had in the past, regardless of coach. Snyder intentionally, or unintentionally sets up every regime to fail. He's is the main reason for all of this.

You could be right. I hope you're not.

Am I wrong or did I see "Snyder was the one who drafted RGIII" stories starting to float around today...? Oh yeah here they come!

The fissure between head coach and owner originated when Snyder surrendered a "king's ransom" for the opportunity to draft Griffin, Silver reported. Contrary to previous speculation, Snyder -- not Shanahan -- was the "impetus" behind the blockbuster trade.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumo ... ref=sircrc

[Deadskins]

What I don't understand is why in DC when a Snyder - HC relationship goes sour it always must end with the blame game. It is what it is. Things didn't turn out the way it was anticipated. I wish MS and Danny boy would just work stuff out between themselves quietly and transition the role without all the media hoopla.

Because one of the first things Snyder did as owner was to pull all the Washington Post's season tickets. They've had it in for him ever since.

[Kilmer72]

I can't agree. This is the same result we've had in the past, regardless of coach. Snyder intentionally, or unintentionally sets up every regime to fail. He's is the main reason for all of this.

You could be right. I hope you're not.

Am I wrong or did I see "Snyder was the one who drafted RGIII" stories starting to float around today...? Oh yeah here they come!

The fissure between head coach and owner originated when Snyder surrendered a "king's ransom" for the opportunity to draft Griffin, Silver reported. Contrary to previous speculation, Snyder -- not Shanahan -- was the "impetus" behind the blockbuster trade.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumo ... ref=sircrc

I heard that rumor too. If true it still doesn't explain why Shanahan was extremely happy to have Robert. He was nothing but smiles once he knew we were going to draft him.

[DaSkinz Baby]

I think this is BS. If Snyder and RGIII were as close as the media speculated, number one RGIII would have never been benched. Secondly let's not act like Snyder has all of a sudden become some miser when it comes to money. Shanacrap is only owed 7 million and that's toilet paper to Snyder, I am sure if it was as bad as all media reports are trying to make it out to be, that he would have been fired when all this crap started smelling! I would assume that with Allen here as the point man/GM Allen would be out there looking for the next HC. I think if anything Snyder and Shanahan tanked this season for drama, this team loves drama, we have no cap penalty and many contracts expiring. MONEY WILL BE SPENT!! If anything Snyder has told Shanacrap to get some new coordinators which is why Kyle said what he said and we all know Burns and Haslett are OUTTA HERE and may I add ABOUT TIME!! I think we get some good lineman on offense, get a new DC and ST coach and see if Shanny get's an extension by mid season next year. This is what my gut is telling me and if you ask why tank the season? Two fold, number one to appear less of a threat to Mara and Goodell who are in bed together, secondly to pay Fischer back for the RGIII trade. Why do you think we got that pick when Cleveland offered more??? Why else does a 10 win team go 3-13 the next year with the same roster??? Some of you people refuse to use and see common sense and you media writers refuse to see what's really going on, with your unnamed source crap!!

[StorminMormon86]

Snyder wants to protect his investment, IMO. He knows what he gave up for him, so I get the feeling that he really was on board with this decision 100%.

[Colorado Skin Fan]

i've been a big Shanahan supporter all along until the last few weeks. I can't forgive his behavior during this debacle. The dude makes $7M a year. He's paid premium executive money to deliver a premium executive experience for the Washington Redskins, not himself. His me first, I'm always right, conniving behavior at the expense of our proud franchise is disgraceful. He's turned us into a joke again. "Robert needs all the reps he can get", now "wait a minute, I don't want him to get hurt so we'll shut a healthy QB down". If it's performance, say so, but don't spin it and then not leave open the possibility of him getting a few more reps. No shifts in receivers, the line, or anything else that is the problem purely indicates to me this is a vendetta, not a rationale personnel move. He's a 2-bit football coach trying to pose as an NFL executive and doing a poor job. Dan has his issues but what he's owed is $7M of performance and loyalty. He paid premium dollars for that when he hired the guy. He knew what he was getting into when he hired on but the shiny pot of gold was too big a lure to turn down. No respect any more for Shanahan's character.

[Jeremy81]

i've been a big Shanahan supporter all along until the last few weeks. I can't forgive his behavior during this debacle. The dude makes $7M a year. He's paid premium executive money to deliver a premium executive experience for the Washington Redskins, not himself. His me first, I'm always right, conniving behavior at the expense of our proud franchise is disgraceful. He's turned us into a joke again. "Robert needs all the reps he can get", now "wait a minute, I don't want him to get hurt so we'll shut a healthy QB down". If it's performance, say so, but don't spin it and then not leave open the possibility of him getting a few more reps. No shifts in receivers, the line, or anything else that is the problem purely indicates to me this is a vendetta, not a rationale personnel move. He's a 2-bit football coach trying to pose as an NFL executive and doing a poor job. Dan has his issues but what he's owed is $7M of performance and loyalty. He paid premium dollars for that when he hired the guy. He knew what he was getting into when he hired on but the shiny pot of gold was too big a lure to turn down. No respect any more for Shanahan's character.

I agree with you 100%. I too was a shanahan apologist up until about two weeks ago. and I actually don't mind the benching of rg3. the season's over. he's had 13 weeks of real game reps. and he's regressed from last year. but I agree that you don't have to put some crazy spin on it. just tell us he's being sat for performance reasons. if he's so upset about rg3 getting special treatment from the owner, then don't give him special treatment yourself. you're basically saying he's above every other player on the team. I've never heard of a healthy qb being shutdown. so you're not only telling the public that's it's ok if cousin's gets injured, but you're also telling the offensive line that's there's no shot of them blocking a barn door(rightfully so, but why do it publicly?) I just think his reasoning and rationale with his decisions have been just a blatant lie to our faces, it's almost as if he's doing it on purpose and laughing at the reactions. He's got one foot out the door and he's ok with it and the fans deserve better

JLC is loving every second of this redskins debacle. I'm not sure why he has such animosity towards this organization, but something must have happened since he stopped covering the redskins...but having said that, this article is pretty spot on

[Kilmer72]

Snyder wants to protect his investment, IMO. He knows what he gave up for him, so I get the feeling that he really was on board with this decision 100%.

Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder was informed of Coach Mike Shanahan’s plan to sit quarterback Robert Griffin III and did not raise an objection to it largely because he took the position that it was a coaching decision that should be made by Shanahan, according to several people familiar with the situation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/re ... story.html

[DaSkinz Baby]

Agreed 1000% however honestly how could anyone approve of this hiring from day one. If you take Elway out of Denver do you really think he would have been a Super Bowl winning coach? I surely don't. Shanahan has proved that he was in the right place at the right time on a couple occasions as a coordinator, and head coach. Matter of fact if anyone is going to crown him anything, he has to be one of the luckiest coaches to have been in the NFL. Whatever offensive prowess I hear Sims, or any other announcer talk about when it comes to running backs, I think it's not him, but the running back coach that he brought here that has done the same thing to Morris as he and Shanahan did out in Denver.

Shanahan has proven that if anything the only thing that can be deemed as a positive is there does seem to be better players here is some positions, and a lot of dead money will be off the books this season. Other than that, in terms of coaching and being more involved on Special Teams and Defense, sorry this simply showed without a doubt just how bad of a coach he really is, and what terrible hires he has made for his staff. He has shown little to no ability to adjust at halftime and I simply am sick and tired of seeing the team I love so deeply look so bad, and pathetic all because of some little arrogant twit that I honestly wish someone would blow away. For 7 million dollars he should have done a better job, and we as fans deserve A LOT BETTER than what this fool has produced and given us as a product out on the field of play.....

[SkinsJock]

I have never been a Mike Shahahan fan but he was available and he had the cache to be able to change the way this franchise was managed

Dan Snyder realized (maybe) that he needed to stop running this franchise as he had been doing - IT WAS NOT WORKING

Mike and Bruce may not have had much success on the field since they came here but they have started us out in a direction that has a lot better chance at 'working' than what we had for all those years with Snyder running things

I do think that Mike will be gone soon but I don't know that that time is at the end of this season - we do have some good things in place - the way the franchise is managed and there are a number of good young players plus a future great (we hope) QB

we do need someone to do a better job with the personnel (players AND coaching staff) than we've done but there is a much better chance at finding the best fit with the FO we have now than before - hopefully we get a GM that can take on that job - IMO it would be an advantage to have that guy here for a year so that if Mike is gone at the end of next season he can help Dan find the new HC

No matter who is the HC we have some coaching changes we are going to need to make

IMO the most important hire RIGHT NOW is a real GM
and
Bruce needs a different title so that he can continue to keep doing the contracts and managing the cap - no matter if Mike is here or not we need a good personnel guy