***OFFICIAL*** Washington Redskins 2011 Season Thread (2 Viewers)

[dgreen]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck.

I think the media and fans are idiots for believing most of what Shanahan says. I don't believe for a second that he thought Grossman or Beck were capable of leading this team to great heights.

 

[fatness]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck.

I think the media and fans are idiots for believing most of what Shanahan says. I don't believe for a second that he thought Grossman or Beck were capable of leading this team to great heights.

I don't care about the 'reputation' part one way or the other because I think it's irrelevant. I don't think going into your 3rd season as a head coach without knowing who your starting QB will be is a good idea in the NFL. It's certainly not an idea anyone here would have thought was good when Shanahan was hired.

 

[Apple Jack]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck.

I think the media and fans are idiots for believing most of what Shanahan says. I don't believe for a second that he thought Grossman or Beck were capable of leading this team to great heights.

I don't care about the 'reputation' part one way or the other because I think it's irrelevant. I don't think going into your 3rd season as a head coach without knowing who your starting QB will be is a good idea in the NFL. It's certainly not an idea anyone here would have thought was good when Shanahan was hired.

What would you guys have done about the QB situation?

 

[Marvelous]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck. Not only did he give up a 4th round pick to get Beck, he signed him to an extension. Brilliant.

The Redskins traded CB Doug Dutch to the Raven for John Beck. Dutch was not going to make the Redskins roster, so they basically gave up nothing to get Beck. Dutch did not make it onto the Raven's roster.

 

[Marvelous]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck.

I think the media and fans are idiots for believing most of what Shanahan says. I don't believe for a second that he thought Grossman or Beck were capable of leading this team to great heights.

I don't care about the 'reputation' part one way or the other because I think it's irrelevant. I don't think going into your 3rd season as a head coach without knowing who your starting QB will be is a good idea in the NFL. It's certainly not an idea anyone here would have thought was good when Shanahan was hired.

What would you guys have done about the QB situation?

My top choice would have been work with Jason Campbell and not trade for McNabb. I have no problem them bringing in Grossman and Beck. But if they kept Campbell, more than likely, neither would have been pressed into service unless Campbell was injured. Or Campbell may have flopped like McNabb did, and we would be where we are now.I thought signing Tavaris Jackson in the offseason was a possibility. I have no idea how he would fit in Shanahan's offense. The other possibility was Matt Hasselback, but I think the goal was to get younger, not older.

 

[Sebowski]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck.

I think the media and fans are idiots for believing most of what Shanahan says. I don't believe for a second that he thought Grossman or Beck were capable of leading this team to great heights.

I don't care about the 'reputation' part one way or the other because I think it's irrelevant. I don't think going into your 3rd season as a head coach without knowing who your starting QB will be is a good idea in the NFL. It's certainly not an idea anyone here would have thought was good when Shanahan was hired.

Under the circumstances I don't see anything wrong with not having "his guy" right now. The mistake wasn't r"staking his rep on Grossman or Beck" like dcgangstas is saying, it was staking his rep on McNabb last year. That was a mistake (that some of us called out right from the beginning). And it sounds like you're implying Shanny won't know who his QB is be the start of next season He will draft someone in the first round this year. We will know in April, before Shanny's 3rd year, who our QB is. I'm going it rhymes with Suck, but there are some very good consolation prizes as well.

 

[Apple Jack]

The line is the issue more than QBs, though that is certainly something that could use an upgrade too. But there is no depth whatsoever on the line. It's not a coincidence that the season fell apart when KL went out. Shanahan inherited a disaster area. He's still rebuilding and that takes time.

 

[FavreCo]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck.

I think the media and fans are idiots for believing most of what Shanahan says. I don't believe for a second that he thought Grossman or Beck were capable of leading this team to great heights.

I don't care about the 'reputation' part one way or the other because I think it's irrelevant. I don't think going into your 3rd season as a head coach without knowing who your starting QB will be is a good idea in the NFL. It's certainly not an idea anyone here would have thought was good when Shanahan was hired.

What would you guys have done about the QB situation?

Tried for Matt Flynn. the price probably would have been too high though. They must draft a QB this year. They passed on it last year. Matt Moore would have been better than what they have. He's as good as bums like Sanchez.

 

[fatness]

Kevin Sheehan said today that the worst the Skins can do is 5-11 this year, and the best is 11-5 and winning the division. His prediction: 10-6 and a wild card berth.Thom Loverro laughed out loud.

Kevin Sheehan has revised his worst and best predictions today to "an ugly 4-12 or an ugly 5-11".

 

[fatness]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck. Not only did he give up a 4th round pick to get Beck, he signed him to an extension. Brilliant.

The Redskins traded CB Doug Dutch to the Raven for John Beck. Dutch was not going to make the Redskins roster, so they basically gave up nothing to get Beck. Dutch did not make it onto the Raven's roster.

This is correct, about the trade of Dutch for Beck. However it's also true that they gave Beck an extension.

 

[fatness]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck.

I think the media and fans are idiots for believing most of what Shanahan says. I don't believe for a second that he thought Grossman or Beck were capable of leading this team to great heights.

I don't care about the 'reputation' part one way or the other because I think it's irrelevant. I don't think going into your 3rd season as a head coach without knowing who your starting QB will be is a good idea in the NFL. It's certainly not an idea anyone here would have thought was good when Shanahan was hired.

What would you guys have done about the QB situation?

Kept Jason Campbell. But that wasn't going to happen because we had a new coach who wanted to sweep out the old and bring in "his system".Once the trade for McNabb was done, I would have kept McNabb as starter and built the offense around what he could do best. But the OC had to insist on "his system" so McNabb had to go, and the changes they could have made to the offense (more bootlegs and rollouts) had to wait until he was gone.Exactly what is this "system", anyway, besides a revolving door at QB and low point totals?

 

[fatness]

An interesting point came up on radio this morning on ESPN980. When Gibbs was here the first time he was 0-5, and was willing to try anything to start winning games and avoid ending any further head coaching chances he'd have beyond that season. That's why he abandoned his aerial circus approach to the offense and began running the ball more -- because it's what the players did best. When Gibbs returned the second time he was financially secure, was comfortable, and didn't show the same willingness to adapt.

Shanahan makes $7 million a year, has already made his reputation in the league, and is pretty comfortable. He knows that if he's fired Dan Snyder will be vilified, not himself, and he'll still be financially secure. We don't like players finally getting a big contract, getting comfortable, and not trying as hard any more. I don't think it's any more excusable in coaches, and that may be the current situation.

 

[Born to Run]

Like to get your opinion of Armstrong's future. I stashed him away a couple years back when it looked like he might be Santana's eventual successor. Seems to have taken a step backwards this year with Hankerson moving up. Are guys like Kerley and Sanzenbacker a better stash? I'm on the West Coast so I don't see a lot of the 'skins.

 

[Marvelous]

Mike Shanahan is an idiot for staking his reputation on Rex Grossman and John Beck. Not only did he give up a 4th round pick to get Beck, he signed him to an extension. Brilliant.

The Redskins traded CB Doug Dutch to the Raven for John Beck. Dutch was not going to make the Redskins roster, so they basically gave up nothing to get Beck. Dutch did not make it onto the Raven's roster.

This is correct, about the trade of Dutch for Beck. However it's also true that they gave Beck an extension.

I don't think the extension is an issue. Beck is being paid like a backup/3rd string qb. Grossman is also on the low end for a back up. Now, if you want to make a joke about getting what you pay for, that's a different story.

 

[valhallan]

An interesting point came up on radio this morning on ESPN980. When Gibbs was here the first time he was 0-5, and was willing to try anything to start winning games and avoid ending any further head coaching chances he'd have beyond that season. That's why he abandoned his aerial circus approach to the offense and began running the ball more -- because it's what the players did best. When Gibbs returned the second time he was financially secure, was comfortable, and didn't show the same willingness to adapt.Shanahan makes $7 million a year, has already made his reputation in the league, and is pretty comfortable. He knows that if he's fired Dan Snyder will be vilified, not himself, and he'll still be financially secure. We don't like players finally getting a big contract, getting comfortable, and not trying as hard any more. I don't think it's any more excusable in coaches, and that may be the current situation.

It certainly seems to be no coincidence that most, if not all, coaches with recent success were first-timers. Shanahan's stubbornness combined with a barren cupboard makes this is a really bad marriage.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Hankerson placed on IR.

Obviously another bad coaching/personnel decision, to draft another WR that can't stay healthy. FIRE SHANAHAN!

 

[Marvelous]

Hankerson placed on IR. Obviously another bad coaching/personnel decision, to draft another WR that can't stay healthy. FIRE SHANAHAN!

The Redskins really can't catch a break on injuries.I said before they really need a young wr to step up with Moss out. Hankerson got his 2nd start and started looking good, and now IR.So we are left with Gaffney, Austin, Armstrong, and Anderson. I am assuming Moss and Paul are still out and Banks is only returning kicks. Maybe 8 wrs wasn't enough to start the season.

 

[dgreen]

Hankerson placed on IR. Obviously another bad coaching/personnel decision, to draft another WR that can't stay healthy. FIRE SHANAHAN!

The Redskins really can't catch a break on injuries.I said before they really need a young wr to step up with Moss out. Hankerson got his 2nd start and started looking good, and now IR.So we are left with Gaffney, Austin, Armstrong, and Anderson. I am assuming Moss and Paul are still out and Banks is only returning kicks. Maybe 8 wrs wasn't enough to start the season.

Stallworth has been re-signed.

 

[thayman]

Hankerson placed on IR. Obviously another bad coaching/personnel decision, to draft another WR that can't stay healthy. FIRE SHANAHAN!

The Redskins really can't catch a break on injuries.I said before they really need a young wr to step up with Moss out. Hankerson got his 2nd start and started looking good, and now IR.So we are left with Gaffney, Austin, Armstrong, and Anderson. I am assuming Moss and Paul are still out and Banks is only returning kicks. Maybe 8 wrs wasn't enough to start the season.

I'd like to see one of the young guys step up. However I feel like none of them have the ability to be a #1 guy.

 

[fatness]

DE Andre Carter is fourth in the NFL in sacks for the New England Patriots and CB Carlos Rogers has five interceptions, tied for first in the NFL.

Phillip Daniels, points it out:

Carlos Rogers with another pick and all he needed was his eyes checked. Told #Redskins this and nobody would listen. Good job by 49ers on getting that done. I played with a player in Seattle with a similar situation and he exploded after getting them checked.

Redskins Roundup: The nightmare of year two

 

[fatness]

There’s no guarantee that we can win another game. If we don’t play better there’s no reason to expect to win any games. The ball’s not gonna bounce our way. So it could get very ugly. It could get historically ugly. Hopefully guys are fearful of that. Hopefully guys focus in and do what it takes to get a win because if we don’t it will be a very long winter.

Barry Cofield

 

[fatness]

Dan Daly

Yes, Redskins Nation, what’s going on here also is going on in Cleveland, where Otto Graham and Jim Brown once strode the earth. Granted, Holmgren is operating exclusively from the front office, while Shanahan is still toiling at field level. But there are many similarities between the two situations, it’s almost scary. For instance:

• The Redskins are 3-6 and last in the NFC East. The Browns are 3-6 and last in the AFC North.

• The Redskins have lost five in a row. The Browns have lost five of their past six (the only win a 6-3 classic over Seattle).

• The Redskins are averaging 15.1 points, 28th in the NFL. The Browns are averaging 14.6, 29th in the NFL.

• Sunday, the Redskins lost to previously 1-7 Miami. The same afternoon, the Browns lost to previously 1-7 St. Louis.

Shall I go on?

In their two seasons under Shanahan, the Redskins are 9-16. In their two seasons under Holmgren, the Browns are 8-17.

The biggest difference between the clubs is that the Browns are at least trying to develop a young quarterback: Colt McCoy, their third-round pick last year. The Redskins, on the other hand, have reached into the recycle bin for the likes of Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman and John Beck. But let’s face it, neither coach has done much to enhance his candidacy for Canton. In fact, they look like any other struggling team-builder, save for the Super Bowl rings on their fingers. If they weren’t Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren, the gallows might already be going up outside their office windows.

I don’t think for a second that the game has passed Shanahan and Holmgren by. I mean, they still know an X receiver from a Y receiver. It’s just that everybody can’t be Bill Parcells - and handle the personnel end of things as ably as the coaching. Holmgren had his best years, don’t forget, when Ron Wolf, then the Packers‘ general manager, was finding talent for him. And Shanny’s record was decidedly better before “football operations” became part of his title. Behind almost every top coach is Another Set of Eyes, perhaps even a More Discerning Set of Eyes. Do Shanahan and Holmgren really have one now? (And would they listen to him if they did?)

 

[fatness]

Rich Campbell's breakdown of the offense

Game Balls

None

Gassers

Fred Davis

Sean Locklear

Chris Chester

Maurice Hurt

Logan Paulsen

Graham Gano

Other notes

QB Rex Grossman played well, but his few mistakes were so costly they outweighed the positives.

WR Leonard Hankerson would have received a game ball if he hadn’t slipped out of his break on a second-quarter pass that resulted in an interception. QB Rex Grossman‘s throw was on time and accurate, but Hankerson just lost his balance. He had a great game otherwise, but such mistakes are killing the Redskins right now. Staying balanced is part of quality route-running, and Hankerson’s breakdown cost the Redskins a scoring opportunity.

Otherwise, Hankerson was a true bright spot. His ability to catch passes within a wide radius of his frame helped clean up some of Grossman’s high throws. He ran a great route to get open on the 22-yard catch that preceded Grossman’s second interception. He ran vertically to 12 yards, where he opened CB Will Allen’s hips to the outside with a hard step with his left foot. That turned Allen around while he cut sharply across the field and separated. And he came back to the ball in the air.

That play showed why Hankerson ascended the depth chart in recent weeks. For an offense in desperate need of hope, it’s a shame his progress will be delayed.

 

[fatness]

Another Holmgren/Shanahan comparison, from Jason LaCanfora

In the winter of 2010, the Redskins and Browns made bold moves, giving gobs of money and total control to Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren, respectively. Shanahan would have final say over Washington's roster moves as coach. Holmgren took over the entire organization as team president in Cleveland, putting together a coaching staff and front office. These were splashy moves, meant to invigorate long-suffering franchises. Two of the greatest offensive minds, nearing the end of their careers, would finally find a quarterback of the future for these starved fans, and begin piling up the yards and points after playing stale offensive football for so long.

And what do you know, the results in both Washington and Cleveland -- through the first season and a half of their tenures -- have been almost exactly the same. Shanahan is 9-16; Holmgren is 8-17. Both are sitting in last place. Both are still muddling through their quarterback situations, both have abysmal offenses with marginal talent and the future is decidedly murky. Both made critical hires of less experienced coaches they were close with: Mike's son Kyle Shanahan as Washington's offensive coordinator and Pat Shurmur, nephew of longtime Holmgren defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur, as Cleveland's coach (but also, in essence, its offensive coordinator, play-caller and quarterback mentor). Both teams passed on what looks like it could be a banner class for rookie quarterbacks to instead address defense high in the 2011 draft.

Both teams could be looking at some staff changes come January, and, one has to wonder, at this stage of their careers, how long either man sticks around.

As a team, the Redskins have a 68 quarterback rating, behind only the Curtis Painter-led Colts and the Blaine Gabbert-led Jaguars. Washington quarterbacks have combined for eight passing touchdowns and 15 interceptions (tied for most in the NFL).

Since its Week 5 bye, Washington is 0-5, scoring four, yes, four, total touchdowns (two runs by Beck, and two passes by Beck), this despite not exactly facing elite foes (Philadelphia, Carolina, Buffalo, San Francisco and Miami). The Redskins have scored one touchdown in the past three games -- a garbage time pass by Beck in the loss to the 49ers and against a prevent defense to boot.

The cupboard is bare at all skill positions. This team isn't a draft away. It's several drafts and free-agent classes from fielding a competitive offense.

 

[Sebowski]

We get it. The Redskins stink. We knew that before the season started. Congrats to those brave reporters for their top notch journalism.

 

[Marvelous]

We get it. The Redskins stink. We knew that before the season started. Congrats to those brave reporters for their top notch journalism.

All of the Cleveland/Washington comparisons just highlights how difficult it is to find a qb when you don't have one. Holmgrem is working with a 3rd round draft pick. And if that does not work out, everyone will be yelling about how much time they wasted on Colt McCoy.

 

[valhallan]

This team isn't a draft away.

Duh.I thought everyone was over LaCanfora's "captain obvious" shtick.

 

[nittanylion]

IT'S DALLAS WEEK!!!

#### THE COWBOYS

 

[dgreen]

IT'S DALLAS WEEK!!! #### THE COWBOYS

You can just feel the electricity all over town!

 

[dgreen]

This team isn't a draft away.

Duh.I thought everyone was over LaCanfora's "captain obvious" shtick.

One draft away from what? Taken in context, JLC is saying one draft away from fielding a competitive offense:

It's several drafts and free-agent classes from fielding a competitive offense.

It's conveniently vague. What's a "competitive offense"? Last year, he could have said:

It's several drafts and free-agent classes from fielding a competitive defense.

Then, we could have a super fun argument on whether they are currently a "competitive defense" after just one draft and one free-agent class. Even if someone concludes they aren't a "competitive defense" this year, I think it's clear they can easily reach that vague threshold in 2012. Of course, they can also easily regress. It's not that easy to really know what's coming up in the future.This offense is badly missing a QB, RT, OL depth, and a #1 WR. WR and OL depth could potentially come from guys already rostered, leaving QB and RT as the main positions of need in the draft and free agency. It's conceivable that they can address those needs along with providing an upgrade or two on the defense in less than "several" drafts and free-agent classes. Am I saying it will happen? Of course not. 20 years of it not happening that way really affects my predictions. But, I also wouldn't say they can't do it. So much really depends on hitting on a QB in the draft and finding a solid RT. If they can do that, there's no doubt in my mind that they CAN be a "competitive offense" pretty quickly. We can then quibble about what a "competitive offense" is. And maybe we can argue about what "several" means!

 

[Dexter Manley]

THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!

Let's take a step back, leave emotion out of the equation, and look at what's gone down this season:

- With all the oline starters and other key starters healthy, this was a .500ish type of team. And they showed as much the first month of the season when they went 3-1 (and really should of been 4-0).

- Then Lichtensteiger goes down for the year on the 2nd play of the Philly game. TWill also gets injured that game. And the wheels fall of the bus. TWill comes back a few weeks later and then Brown goes down immediately. The oline has been crippled since the start of the Philly game. The oline injuries have been compounded by the losses of Moss, Cooley, Hightower, and now Hankerson.

- Eric Mangini says that teams don't win in the nfl by playing well or having more talent, they win by making the fewest mistakes. And mistakes are what is killing the Redskins offense right now. A monster surge in blown assignments on the oline since the rash of injuries. Young wr's learning on the job and obviously not executing flawlessly. The qb (Beck) holding onto the ball too long and getting sacked or missing big plays downfield by checking down too soon. The qb (Grossman) making some inexcusable decisions that result in turnovers or sacks. Offensive players committing penalties at the most inopportune times.

The Redskins left double digit points off the board against Miami, due to making a plethora of simple mistakes. There was no excuse for them losing that game. If the offense had executed well, they would of won the game (probably by double digits). Mistakes also killed them against SF, another team they could have beaten had they executed well. But the Skins made a lot of mistakes while the 49ers played nearly mistake free football.

In conclusion, if you take an average football team that has paper thin depth (after Jenkins went down for the year in the preseason the only quality depth this team had was at TE, ILB and SS), and they get unlucky and suffer a bunch of crippling injuries, your likely result is what we've seen the last 5 weeks.

In hindsight, I think the biggest personnel mistakes Shanahan/Allen made going into this season were not resigning Heyer (I never thought I'd write this statement) and cutting Hicks. Sure, those guys were never going to be quality starters, but they were decent backups. Better than what the team has right now, imo.

Going forward, I hope the Skins start winning some games, because the last thing this organization needs is for Shanahan to be fired and start over with another coach. This offseason looks promising as the team is in good shape wrt the salary cap and they have their full array of draft pick (plus the Raider's 4th round pick) for the first time in seemingly forever. They have the opportunity to keep building the oline in FA and the draft. There are several talented qb's which should be coming out in this draft class. And they'll be getting back all of their injured players.

The defense is close. They just need to add a couple pieces in the secondary and they should be a championship caliber unit, imo. The offense needs to be the main focus this offseason. Continue to build the oline. Find a young qb who's a long term answer (easier said than done I know). Add a few other pieces (TE if Cooley is cut, a cheap rb(s) and wr(s)).

Do all this and the foundation will have been laid for a championship caliber team for the first time since the Gibbs I era.

 

[TobiasFunke]

THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!Let's take a step back, leave emotion out of the equation, and look at what's gone down this season:- With all the oline starters and other key starters healthy, this was a .500ish type of team. And they showed as much the first month of the season when they went 3-1 (and really should of been 4-0). - Then Lichtensteiger goes down for the year on the 2nd play of the Philly game. TWill also gets injured that game. And the wheels fall of the bus. TWill comes back a few weeks later and then Brown goes down immediately. The oline has been crippled since the start of the Philly game. The oline injuries have been compounded by the losses of Moss, Cooley, Hightower, and now Hankerson. - Eric Mangini says that teams don't win in the nfl by playing well or having more talent, they win by making the fewest mistakes. And mistakes are what is killing the Redskins offense right now. A monster surge in blown assignments on the oline since the rash of injuries. Young wr's learning on the job and obviously not executing flawlessly. The qb (Beck) holding onto the ball too long and getting sacked or missing big plays downfield by checking down too soon. The qb (Grossman) making some inexcusable decisions that result in turnovers or sacks. Offensive players committing penalties at the most inopportune times. The Redskins left double digit points off the board against Miami, due to making a plethora of simple mistakes. There was no excuse for them losing that game. If the offense had executed well, they would of won the game (probably by double digits). Mistakes also killed them against SF, another team they could have beaten had they executed well. But the Skins made a lot of mistakes while the 49ers played nearly mistake free football.In conclusion, if you take an average football team that has paper thin depth (after Jenkins went down for the year in the preseason the only quality depth this team had was at TE, ILB and SS), and they get unlucky and suffer a bunch of crippling injuries, your likely result is what we've seen the last 5 weeks. In hindsight, I think the biggest personnel mistakes Shanahan/Allen made going into this season were not resigning Heyer (I never thought I'd write this statement) and cutting Hicks. Sure, those guys were never going to be quality starters, but they were decent backups. Better than what the team has right now, imo. Going forward, I hope the Skins start winning some games, because the last thing this organization needs is for Shanahan to be fired and start over with another coach. This offseason looks promising as the team is in good shape wrt the salary cap and they have their full array of draft pick (plus the Raider's 4th round pick) for the first time in seemingly forever. They have the opportunity to keep building the oline in FA and the draft. There are several talented qb's which should be coming out in this draft class. And they'll be getting back all of their injured players.The defense is close. They just need to add a couple pieces in the secondary and they should be a championship caliber unit, imo. The offense needs to be the main focus this offseason. Continue to build the oline. Find a young qb who's a long term answer (easier said than done I know). Add a few other pieces (TE if Cooley is cut, a cheap rb(s) and wr(s)). Do all this and the foundation will have been laid for a championship caliber team for the first time since the Gibbs I era.

I agree with pretty much every word of this post. The stuff you say in the last few sentences is all easier said than done (especially finding pieces in the secondary and obviously finding a QB) and I think finding help for the WR corps is also a real issue, but otherwise I'm with you. Gotta take the long view. And in the meantime, hope for a miracle on Sunday. It would sure be nice to get one more moment of joy out of this season. They've been few and far between for a long long time now.

 

[dgreen]

And in the meantime, hope for a miracle on Sunday. It would sure be nice to get one more moment of joy out of this season.

 

[fatness]

In hindsight, I think the biggest personnel mistakes Shanahan/Allen made going into this season were not resigning Heyer (I never thought I'd write this statement) and cutting Hicks. Sure, those guys were never going to be quality starters, but they were decent backups. Better than what the team has right now, imo.

Yeah, I agree with that. Locklear is pretty awful in particular and Heyer is a starter elsewhere. To your list I'll add letting Carlos Rogers go. The secondary is thin and Josh Wilson is a noticeable step down from Rogers.

Going forward, I hope the Skins start winning some games, because the last thing this organization needs is for Shanahan to be fired and start over with another coach.

Regardless of whether they win 3, 4, 5, or 6 this year they're a bad team, and I think it's time for Shanahan to feel some heat for it. Not to be fired, but to be held accountable and to show some marked improvement on the field. He's made some bad personnel choices. He's got a substandard offensive coordinator, a pitiful offense, and, I think, a substandard defensive coordinator. He does not seem able to motivate his team. There have been too many games last year and this year where the Redskins just look either flat, unprepared, or abysmal. That doesn't go to talent, it goes to coaching. Frankly I think Shanahan is complacent and treating this like he's got all the time in the world at $7 million a year and unlimited do-overs. I think Shanahan knows that if he's fired that Snyder will look like the villain, not Shanahan, and that he'll continue to pocket $7 million a year without coaching if he's fired.

Do all this and the foundation will have been laid for a championship caliber team for the first time since the Gibbs I era.

I don't understand people talking about championship teams yet badmouthing reporters pointing out obvious player and coaching deficiencies on a bad team.

 

[fatness]

When I asked Redskins receiver Anthony Armstrong if he was in Mike Shanahan’s doghouse, No. 13 disagreed. The playing time and production totals would suggest otherwise.

The Dallas game could be a huge – and last – chance for Armstrong to make an impact.

Game 7 vs. Buffalo: 19 of 56 snaps, no catches.

Game 8 vs. 49ers: Eight of 67 snaps, no catches.

Game 9 vs. Dolphins: Eight of 54 snaps, no catches.

The beneficiary of Leonard Hankerson’s injury must be Armstrong – the Redskins are running out of bodies and need some downfield production.

Ryan O'Halloran

 

[thayman]

In hindsight, I think the biggest personnel mistakes Shanahan/Allen made going into this season were not resigning Heyer (I never thought I'd write this statement) and cutting Hicks. Sure, those guys were never going to be quality starters, but they were decent backups. Better than what the team has right now, imo.

Yeah, I agree with that. Locklear is pretty awful in particular and Heyer is a starter elsewhere. To your list I'll add letting Carlos Rogers go. The secondary is thin and Josh Wilson is a noticeable step down from Rogers.

Going forward, I hope the Skins start winning some games, because the last thing this organization needs is for Shanahan to be fired and start over with another coach.

Regardless of whether they win 3, 4, 5, or 6 this year they're a bad team, and I think it's time for Shanahan to feel some heat for it. Not to be fired, but to be held accountable and to show some marked improvement on the field. He's made some bad personnel choices. He's got a substandard offensive coordinator, a pitiful offense, and, I think, a substandard defensive coordinator. He does not seem able to motivate his team. There have been too many games last year and this year where the Redskins just look either flat, unprepared, or abysmal. That doesn't go to talent, it goes to coaching. Frankly I think Shanahan is complacent and treating this like he's got all the time in the world at $7 million a year and unlimited do-overs. I think Shanahan knows that if he's fired that Snyder will look like the villain, not Shanahan, and that he'll continue to pocket $7 million a year without coaching if he's fired.

Do all this and the foundation will have been laid for a championship caliber team for the first time since the Gibbs I era.

I don't understand people talking about championship teams yet badmouthing reporters pointing out obvious player and coaching deficiencies on a bad team.

Shanny not being able to motivate the team has me very concerned. Also I was one of the few that wanted Rodgers resigned in the offseason. If his big problem with not catching INTs was just getting Lasik? That's another big personell blunder by Shanny and Allen.

 

[Marvelous]

In hindsight, I think the biggest personnel mistakes Shanahan/Allen made going into this season were not resigning Heyer (I never thought I'd write this statement) and cutting Hicks. Sure, those guys were never going to be quality starters, but they were decent backups. Better than what the team has right now, imo.

Yeah, I agree with that. Locklear is pretty awful in particular and Heyer is a starter elsewhere. To your list I'll add letting Carlos Rogers go. The secondary is thin and Josh Wilson is a noticeable step down from Rogers.

Going forward, I hope the Skins start winning some games, because the last thing this organization needs is for Shanahan to be fired and start over with another coach.

Regardless of whether they win 3, 4, 5, or 6 this year they're a bad team, and I think it's time for Shanahan to feel some heat for it. Not to be fired, but to be held accountable and to show some marked improvement on the field. He's made some bad personnel choices. He's got a substandard offensive coordinator, a pitiful offense, and, I think, a substandard defensive coordinator. He does not seem able to motivate his team. There have been too many games last year and this year where the Redskins just look either flat, unprepared, or abysmal. That doesn't go to talent, it goes to coaching. Frankly I think Shanahan is complacent and treating this like he's got all the time in the world at $7 million a year and unlimited do-overs. I think Shanahan knows that if he's fired that Snyder will look like the villain, not Shanahan, and that he'll continue to pocket $7 million a year without coaching if he's fired.

Do all this and the foundation will have been laid for a championship caliber team for the first time since the Gibbs I era.

I don't understand people talking about championship teams yet badmouthing reporters pointing out obvious player and coaching deficiencies on a bad team.

Shanny not being able to motivate the team has me very concerned. Also I was one of the few that wanted Rodgers resigned in the offseason. If his big problem with not catching INTs was just getting Lasik? That's another big personell blunder by Shanny and Allen.

I had always clained that Rogers is a good cover CB. He he could hang onto the interceptions, he would be a Pro Bowl CB, especially since interceptions seem to be greatly overvalued in the balloting.I also though Heyer was a decent backup who could fill in at a number of positions. It was impressive when he filled in at G last year. He was starting at G with the Raiders a week or two ago and looked ok. There is a lot of value in that flexibility.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Redksins records since Snyder took over. If you evaluate it based solely on record, it's been a slow decline from where it was under Norval. Interestingly, the second year of each coach except Gibbs was worse than their first, and Gibb's second year 10-6 team was the one that won their last 6? games. Lack of talent + lack of QB + lack of a long term coach = ugly record.

1999 10-6 Norval

2000 8-8 Norval

2001 8-8 Marty

2002 7-9 Spurrier

2003 5-11 Spurrier

2004 6-10 Gibbs

2005 10-6 Gibbs

2006 5-11 Gibbs

2007 9-7 Gibbs

2008 8-8 Zorn

2009 4-12 Zorn

2010 6-10 Shanny

2011 3-6 Shanny

 

[Dexter Manley]

In hindsight, I think the biggest personnel mistakes Shanahan/Allen made going into this season were not resigning Heyer (I never thought I'd write this statement) and cutting Hicks. Sure, those guys were never going to be quality starters, but they were decent backups. Better than what the team has right now, imo.

Yeah, I agree with that. Locklear is pretty awful in particular and Heyer is a starter elsewhere. To your list I'll add letting Carlos Rogers go. The secondary is thin and Josh Wilson is a noticeable step down from Rogers.

Going forward, I hope the Skins start winning some games, because the last thing this organization needs is for Shanahan to be fired and start over with another coach.

Regardless of whether they win 3, 4, 5, or 6 this year they're a bad team, and I think it's time for Shanahan to feel some heat for it. Not to be fired, but to be held accountable and to show some marked improvement on the field. He's made some bad personnel choices. He's got a substandard offensive coordinator, a pitiful offense, and, I think, a substandard defensive coordinator. He does not seem able to motivate his team. There have been too many games last year and this year where the Redskins just look either flat, unprepared, or abysmal. That doesn't go to talent, it goes to coaching. Frankly I think Shanahan is complacent and treating this like he's got all the time in the world at $7 million a year and unlimited do-overs. I think Shanahan knows that if he's fired that Snyder will look like the villain, not Shanahan, and that he'll continue to pocket $7 million a year without coaching if he's fired.

Obviously, the Redskins are going to be a bad team the rest of the year since they've been crippled by injuries. That's stating the obvious. And Shanny is already feeling heat. As competitive as he is, I'm sure he's a lot more upset right now than any of the fans here.I flip flopped on keeping Rogers this past offseason. I was for keeping him until I saw the stat where qb's had nearly a 100 qb rating throwing at him. That combined with his inability to catch the pigskin and his stated desire for big $ changed my opinion on keeping him, and I had no problem with the team letting him go. It appears the team committed a gaffe wrt to him getting lasik and Wilson is definitely a downgrade over him. The defense really misses Rogers on passing downs as they have no one that's nearly as good as he was covering the slot.

We can agree to disagree on Kyle, that's already been covered. I think your crazy if you think Haslett is a substandard DC. The defense is what has been keeping the Skins in games. Despite their atrocious offense and the team's penchant for committing disastrous turnovers that put the defense in bad spots, the Skins defense has still only allowed the 2nd fewest point in the nfc. Like I said earlier, this defense is only a couple of quality pieces away in the secondary from being elite.

Not sure where you're getting this Shanahan can't motivate the team stuff either. Hell, earlier in the year the whole team came in on their day off because they were so motivated! When is the last time that happened? The team is still playing hard, imo. If you want to criticize Shanahan about something right now, I would say the players making too many mistakes (mostly on offense) would be #1 on the list. They've go to start playing mistake free football and executing on offense. That's the main thing I'll be watching for and judging this coaching staff and team on the rest of the season.

 

[Eastwood]

I'm still kinda horny for Zorny (that was about the funniest thing to come out of Redskins park over the last decade)

 

[NickyHatton]

In hindsight, I think the biggest personnel mistakes Shanahan/Allen made going into this season were not resigning Heyer (I never thought I'd write this statement) and cutting Hicks. Sure, those guys were never going to be quality starters, but they were decent backups. Better than what the team has right now, imo.

Yeah, I agree with that. Locklear is pretty awful in particular and Heyer is a starter elsewhere. To your list I'll add letting Carlos Rogers go. The secondary is thin and Josh Wilson is a noticeable step down from Rogers.

Going forward, I hope the Skins start winning some games, because the last thing this organization needs is for Shanahan to be fired and start over with another coach.

Regardless of whether they win 3, 4, 5, or 6 this year they're a bad team, and I think it's time for Shanahan to feel some heat for it. Not to be fired, but to be held accountable and to show some marked improvement on the field. He's made some bad personnel choices. He's got a substandard offensive coordinator, a pitiful offense, and, I think, a substandard defensive coordinator. He does not seem able to motivate his team. There have been too many games last year and this year where the Redskins just look either flat, unprepared, or abysmal. That doesn't go to talent, it goes to coaching. Frankly I think Shanahan is complacent and treating this like he's got all the time in the world at $7 million a year and unlimited do-overs. I think Shanahan knows that if he's fired that Snyder will look like the villain, not Shanahan, and that he'll continue to pocket $7 million a year without coaching if he's fired.

Do all this and the foundation will have been laid for a championship caliber team for the first time since the Gibbs I era.

I don't understand people talking about championship teams yet badmouthing reporters pointing out obvious player and coaching deficiencies on a bad team.

Shanny not being able to motivate the team has me very concerned. Also I was one of the few that wanted Rodgers resigned in the offseason. If his big problem with not catching INTs was just getting Lasik? That's another big personell blunder by Shanny and Allen.

I had always clained that Rogers is a good cover CB. He he could hang onto the interceptions, he would be a Pro Bowl CB, especially since interceptions seem to be greatly overvalued in the balloting.I also though Heyer was a decent backup who could fill in at a number of positions. It was impressive when he filled in at G last year. He was starting at G with the Raiders a week or two ago and looked ok. There is a lot of value in that flexibility.

Good post. I was always a fan of Rogers, though his dropped INT's always frustrated me. Easily the best cover corner we've had since Champ, he just always seemed to be the guy to blame in the secondary the last few years because of the non-picks. It's nice to see him doing well, but he wanted out badly and there was no chance he would stay. Heyer was a different case. The guy was a miserable tackle, routinely getting beat because of his lousy footwork. We should have just kept him at RG since that was pretty much the only good game he's had for us since his 1st year.

 

[Assani Fisher]

- With all the oline starters and other key starters healthy, this was a .500ish type of team. And they showed as much the first month of the season when they went 3-1 (and really should of been 4-0).

The Redskins were very healthy during those games, while the Giants had major injury issues and the Cowboys were severely hurt by having their center out(and Miles Austin). Their other two games in that stretch were one score wins over St Louis and Arizona.

 

[Assani Fisher]

Regardless of whether they win 3, 4, 5, or 6 this year they're a bad team, and I think it's time for Shanahan to feel some heat for it. Not to be fired, but to be held accountable and to show some marked improvement on the field. He's made some bad personnel choices. He's got a substandard offensive coordinator, a pitiful offense, and, I think, a substandard defensive coordinator. He does not seem able to motivate his team. There have been too many games last year and this year where the Redskins just look either flat, unprepared, or abysmal. That doesn't go to talent, it goes to coaching. Frankly I think Shanahan is complacent and treating this like he's got all the time in the world at $7 million a year and unlimited do-overs. I think Shanahan knows that if he's fired that Snyder will look like the villain, not Shanahan, and that he'll continue to pocket $7 million a year without coaching if he's fired.

agree with this

 

[Assani Fisher]

Despite their atrocious offense and the team's penchant for committing disastrous turnovers that put the defense in bad spots, the Skins defense has still only allowed the 2nd fewest point in the nfc. Like I said earlier, this defense is only a couple of quality pieces away in the secondary from being elite.

agree with this too...people underrate how much a bad offense hurts a defense.

 

[MikeApf]

Redskins vs. Cowboys -- do we have any chance of winning this game? I mean, I know theoretically we do, cuz "any given Sunday, yadda yadda yadda." But, I mean, what do we need to do to be competitive in this game and get a win.

1. Rex -- no turnovers. He can actually move the ball down the field but just has a penchant for the turnover. Is there any way he can trim that ####e back to at least one turnover?

2. Defense -- has been stout at times, but they need to create turnovers. Even though Cowboys are better, turnovers are the great equalizer. And if you intercept it, run that sucker in because we may not score from the 1!

3. Special Teams -- what has happened to Brandon Banks? Special teams, like defensive turnovers, can be a game changer.

I am not foolish enough to think our offense is going to turn it around and be Air Grossman all of a sudden. But I do wonder if by eliminating mistakes the few times that Rex moves it down the field, if they can score 1 offensive TD, a few field goals, and then hope for a big play on defense or special teams to turn the game. Don't get me wrong, I am not predicting victory, I'm just wondering, what must we do to have a chance in this game.

The playoffs are out, and I know a win puts you a slot back on a draft choice, but as Herm Edwards says, "You play to win the game." Your pride should be enough. Losing, while it helps your draft, is far more damaging to the ongoing development of many good players we have on the team currently. How can we do it this week?

 

[Sidewinder16]

Regardless of whether they win 3, 4, 5, or 6 this year they're a bad team, and I think it's time for Shanahan to feel some heat for it. Not to be fired, but to be held accountable and to show some marked improvement on the field.

How do you hold him accountable for poor job performance without firing him? Fine him? Suspend him?He either has the ability to build the team, or he doesn't. There's not much, if any, middle ground. So, the only prudent question is, can he build the team, or not? If he can't, he has to go now and someone who can needs to be brought in. If he can, then he needs to be given the opportunity to do so (and I reject any notion that suggests that all the problems with the organization leading up to Shanahan and Allen being hired can be reversed in less than 2 seasons).

 

[dgreen]

1. Rex -- no turnovers. He can actually move the ball down the field but just has a penchant for the turnover. Is there any way he can trim that ####e back to at least one turnover?

John Beck should be the redzone QB. Let Rex move them into striking distance and let Beck punch it in.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

"Like I said earlier, this defense is only a couple of quality pieces away in the secondary only needs to ditch D'Angelo Hall and Laron Landry for draft picks to be elite."

Now I agree.

 

[dgreen]

If guard Maurice Hurt (knee) and tackles Jammal Brown (groin) and Sean Locklear (ankle) are unable to play, Tyler Polumbus and Willie Smith could both start for the first time this season.

Oof.

 

[MikeApf]

1. Rex -- no turnovers. He can actually move the ball down the field but just has a penchant for the turnover. Is there any way he can trim that ####e back to at least one turnover?

John Beck should be the redzone QB. Let Rex move them into striking distance and let Beck punch it in.

I've heard others talking about this and I think, sure, give it a try. What do they really have to lose? Most likely neither of these guys is gonna be starter for long so what's the point in coddling their egos...