Most likely changes we'll see from Shanahan

[SkinsJock]

But people who've spoken with Shanahan say he's not bowled over by Campbell, has some concerns about his mechanics and don't feel he's the long-term solution in Washington.

All that proves is that he's watched the team play for the past 5 seasons.

agreed - I have the feeling that Shanahan has not spent the time away from coaching, playing golf or whatever - this guy seems to have spent a great deal of time carefully analyzing both players and coaches - I am looking forward to seeing a much better run franchise

I am not going to say that we are suddenly going to be in the playoffs but I do look for a better decision making process regarding players and coaches than we are used to here

I think that Shanahan is going to let the players' actions make his decisions about who will be here and who will not, a lot easier - I don't think anyone is going to be around this franchise that does not show that they are totally committed to making themselves and the players around them better - we are a 4-12 franchise, there are a lot of things to be done to be consistently competitive again

it's going to take a little time and I hope that Snyder keeps his distance

[tribeofjudah]

I don't think JC is the answer, but he is definitely better when protected and will benefit from Shanahan I think.

I hate to break the news to you: JC is not Shanahan's man and he will not gamble his tenure as a HC with JC.

I do not want us to turn this thread into yet another JC thread. He is simply not Shanahan's QB. Period. It will not happen. Say what you guys might.

Let the Colt Brennan era begin............hehehe

[Redskin in Canada]

I don't think JC is the answer, but he is definitely better when protected and will benefit from Shanahan I think.

I hate to break the news to you: JC is not Shanahan's man and he will not gamble his tenure as a HC with JC.

I do not want us to turn this thread into yet another JC thread. He is simply not Shanahan's QB. Period. It will not happen. Say what you guys might.

Let the Colt Brennan era begin............hehehe

Did Shanahan draft Colt? There is your answer. Case closed. Next ...

[PulpExposure]

But people who've spoken with Shanahan say he's not bowled over by Campbell, has some concerns about his mechanics and don't feel he's the long-term solution in Washington.

All that proves is that he's watched the team play for the past 5 seasons.

agreed - I have the feeling that Shanahan has not spent the time away from coaching, playing golf or whatever - this guy seems to have spent a great deal of time carefully analyzing both players and coaches - I am looking forward to seeing a much better run franchise

He quite specifically has not. He basically took this year and went back to Coaching U. For example, he spent time in New England with Belecheat, then down in Florida with Urban Meyer to review his offense.

Btw, I just read this chat transcript from a guy who knows Shanahan really well. Really impressed me how professional Shanahan appears.

Also, this:

A Brave New World: Do you think Shanahan is wedded to the zone blocking scheme? What about the complaint that it sometimes generates chop blocks on opposing players?

Thanks for your time!

Stefan Fatsis: I honestly don't know whether Mike is wedded to zone blocking. It certainly was a signature of his successful offenses in Denver. But he's a pretty practical guy. He'll look at the current personnel, look at possible free agents and college players, and assess what makes the most sense now.

Adapting your schemes to fit your personnel...well that appears to be a novel concept in DC...

[SkinsJock]

.... He quite specifically has not. He basically took this year and went back to Coaching U. For example, he spent time in New England with Belecheat, then down in Florida with Urban Meyer to review his offense.

Btw, I just read this chat transcript from a guy who knows Shanahan really well. Really impressed me how professional Shanahan appears.

Also, this:

A Brave New World: Do you think Shanahan is wedded to the zone blocking scheme? What about the complaint that it sometimes generates chop blocks on opposing players?

Thanks for your time!

Stefan Fatsis: I honestly don't know whether Mike is wedded to zone blocking. It certainly was a signature of his successful offenses in Denver. But he's a pretty practical guy. He'll look at the current personnel, look at possible free agents and college players, and assess what makes the most sense now.

Adapting your schemes to fit your personnel...well that appears to be a novel concept in DC...

thanks for the link - good read

I am still cautious about Snyder BUT everything about this guy just sounds so good that everyone here should be very encouraged about the possibilities here - I agree that they will be very adaptable to both players and schemes - also that this is what has been lacking around here and we are kind of lucky that Shanahan has not just left another coaching job and then come here to try and turn things around - he's had a year off, if you will, to look at the game from a lot of different ways because he has had the time and he knew he would be better off for it

Shanahan is a great hire - all we need is for Snyder to stay away and as long as Shanahan & Allen look like they have a handle on things I'm very hopeful that he will

[Redskin in Canada]

Three Q & A stood out (the emphasis is mine):

Atlanta: Does Campbell have a shot at sticking around? He'll be more competent next year than a rookie, and without an improvement for the 'Skins o-line, a new QB will be running for his life anyway. As we've seen in the past, rookie QBs with terrible o-lines don't develop very well (yeah, David Carr, we're looking at you).

Stefan Fatsis: I'd be shocked if Shanahan didn't have a plan for quarterback already. My understanding is that he wasn't impressed by Campbell coming out of college, but that was a while ago. I do know that Shanahan takes great pride in the O-line, so rebuilding it through free agency and the draft seems like a given.

Baltimore: Stefan: The billion dollar question here is whether Shanahan was given an absolute guarantee of autonomy by Dan Snyder. If he was and Snyder fails to keep the bargain (as he failed to keep it with Marty Schottenheimer), what would Shanahan's likely reaction be? Thanks.

Stefan Fatsis: Shanahan's no fool. I'm sure he and Snyder talked extensively over steaks and expensive wine about this very issue, which is largely unique to Washington (and Dallas). The issue to me is less whether Mike was promised ultimate authority -- I'm sure he was -- than whether Snyder will be able to take a step back. To me that means still playing an active role in big decisions -- it is his team, after all -- asking questions and stating preferences but being willing to defer.

How would Shanahan react if Snyder didn't live up to the bargain? It would be a new experience for him, that's for sure. This will be a fascinating relationship to watch.

Los Angeles: What about Shanahan as a talent evaluator? That is one of the few knocks on him coming out of Denver. Is the criticism fair?

Stefan Fatsis: I don't think it's unfair. I think every NFL coach, Shanahan included, needs a strong GM/player-personnel director whose opinions he is not only willing to listen to but also accept and implement. That to me is another big issue here. I don't know Bruce Allen, but I've read and heard that his strengths run more to the administrative side of the GM job, not to the personnel side. How they get on will be crucial.

They will bring a personnel guy.

[SkinsJock]

I have a feeling your right - I think that Snyder has decided to try and have an incredible FO here - I just know that he will not be able to not be a part of things but we have a chance at having guys that know what they're doing here now with Allen and Shanahan and I still think they may bring in another guy - it seems to me this was aluded to in the Allen press conference

[redskins14ru]

I hope joe Bugel stays
I am not sure how long Shanahan has been a coach in the NFL or how a few years will change his outcomes, expecially running the ball.
I do know that the owner D. Snyder, has to many years here to say much more than he made a few bad moves ( possibly a ton of bad moves)
I really think that Shanahan will be able to make a clear relationship with the FO and bring a more stern leadership with his coaching style eliminating alot of the guessing games in evaluating the players on the field, that should help bring some positives concerning the leadership that the players can provide as players.

[RayNAustin]

I remember when JC17 first became starter, everyone marveled at his deep out passing accuracy and touch. He had a knack for dropping a pass right over the WR shoulder in stride along the sidelines.

I don't remember it that way at all.
Can you go back and show me even one quote of anyone "marvelling" over Jason's long-ball accuracy?

Me either. But I do marvel at the notion that accuracy and touch would dare be used in describing what we've seen the past three seasons.

It's gettin' deep in-cheer

[Redskin in Canada]

I have a feeling your right - I think that Snyder has decided to try and have an incredible FO here - I just know that he will not be able to not be a part of things but we have a chance at having guys that know what they're doing here now with Allen and Shanahan and I still think they may bring in another guy - it seems to me this was aluded to in the Allen press conference

Some former Super Bowl winning Skins QB ending his tenure in Tampa has been rumored to be a candidate. Also a former Skins staff member now working with Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore has been mentioned together with a couple of brothers that Shanahan may want to bring.

But let us be clear: We need such a personnel group. NONE of Allen, Shanahan, let alone Danny, have had great records of success on personnel choices as described above.