***Official*** Washington Redskins 2013 Thread (2 Viewers)

[dgreen]

Like in Rudy, all the players are going to come into Shanahan's office, put their jersey on his desk, and say, "Coach, I want Robert to have my spot on the active roster."

 

[Marvelous]

Shanahan has this set up to try to get Griffin to complain to Snyder.

Shanahan reportedly plans to sit Griffin and go with Cousins — unless Griffin can convince Shanahan otherwise.

The situation has been explained in a series of tweets from Jay Glazer of FOX, who reports that it appears Cousins will get the start this week, but that it won’t be a done deal until practice starts on Wednesday. Glazer adds that Shanahan could change his mind, if Griffin convinces Shanahan otherwise.

If, as Shanahan explained it on Monday, the goal of shutting down Griffin would be to protect him for the 2014 offseason program, what could Griffin say to change Shanahan’s mind? I strenuously object?

This is now about making Griffin more than a passive pawn in the head coach’s power play. Shanahan apparently hopes that Griffin will go to Snyder and complain about the manner in which Shanahan is disrespecting the quarterback who, after Shanahan recklessly left him in a January playoff game with an injured knee that eventually imploded, has busted his ### to get healthy and make a positive contribution.

While the blame for the current fiasco lands in the laps of Shanahan, Snyder, and Griffin, it’s now becoming obvious that Shanahan is simply pushing buttons in the hopes of getting fired — and getting paid.

This whole thing is so absurd. It's obvious to everyone that Shanahan is just playing games with the owner. I wish Snyder would just fire him for cause and call him on it.

It apparently takes more than a few days to plan out the firing of a coach. And Snyder was not looking at firing Shanahan until after the season until last Sunday erupted.

The big question is: why is Shanahan suddenly so eager to get out of Washington that he could not wait 3 more weeks and go quietly with his dignity intact?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I still think you could conceivably play Cousins without it having to be perceived as some Machiavellian ploy to get fired or to undermine Robert.

Well, I think it's clear that a move to Cousins would have nothing to do with Griffin's health, so at the very least I think you have Shanahan lying. Lying happens in the NFL, so I guess that's not necessarily a huge deal. But, if it's not about giving Griffin a healthy offseason, then what is it about? I think the two main options are:

1) Machiavellian ploy to get fired. This theory is supported by the conveniently-timed stories the last few weeks and the reputation Mike has with using the media to release rumors.

2) Shanahan believes Cousins gives them the best chance to win these last three games. Shanahan knows he's gone after the season and it would be best for his future to get some wins here.

I would tend to gravitate towards the much more sensible #2 theory, but I'm buying #1 a bit. I don't think I tend to buy into the Machiavellian stuff, but for some reason I am here.

The other reason is to see what they've got in Cousins. Either to evaluate going forward or to determine his trade value.

Maybe it's Shanahan agitating to get fired, but if it is, Dan's doing the right thing in ignoring it. Just move on after the season. If he tries to fire him for cause, every negative Dan Snyder stereotype story gets perpetuated. It just isn't worth it to the Redskins to save the money on principle. It's almost impossible to prove a Shanahan is leaking, so the most likely result is that he still pays Shanny and runs up a bunch of legal fees in the bargain anyway.

If I'm Dan Bruce, I call Robert and tell him to keep his head down and assure him that he'll be the franchise QB for the next coach.

 

[thayman]

There is a part of me that is loving this because if anyone deserves to get screwed it is Dan Synder gives his history of coaches (Jim Zorn), media (suing grandmothers, screaming anti semitism at reporters) , fans (increased ticket prices, ####ty fan experience at game), etc. But this is so blatantly ####ty and toxic for the team and fan base that you can't help but slapping the crap out of Shanny and kick him out of the league

Boswell said it best: they both deserve each other but the fanbase doesn't deserve either of them

Snyder is a ####. However I've been happy with how he's handled this so far. Since he fired Vinny he's done exactly what we've all asked him to do; back off don't meddle and sign checks. Its the first time in awhile I've felt he's acting with the best long term interests of the team.

 

[hammerva]

If you ever needed proof that Adam Schefter is a media puppet for Shanny, that interview with Sheehan and Loverro today proved that. complete tap dance on his part and a defense of the action of Shanny.

You have to think that Synder fires Red Lobster at the very latest before the Cowboys game because as much as you hate Shanny right now (and you should) if they beat the Cowboys and stick a knife in their playoff hopes this fan base will just love it. Plus if they did beat the Cowboys Shanny can go all Stone Cold Steve Austin and threw middle fingers all over the place.

 

[fatness]

If I'm Dan Bruce, I call Robert and tell him to keep his head down and assure him that he'll be the franchise QB for the next coach.

I have to think this has been done already, probably by numerous people. If everyone in the front office is paralyzed by Shanahan then by players, assistant coaches, former players, etc. There's no shortage of support and common sense except in management and coaching.

 

[fatness]

If you ever needed proof that Adam Schefter is a media puppet for Shanny, that interview with Sheehan and Loverro today proved that. complete tap dance on his part and a defense of the action of Shanny.

I didn't hear the interview but Schefter's been in the tank for Shanahan for a long time. Good to see Schefter taking some heat on twitter for this.

 

[RGIII HTTR]

Like in Rudy, all the players are going to come into Shanahan's office, put their jersey on his desk, and say, "Coach, I want Robert to have my spot on the active roster."

Doubt anything like that would ever happen. Kirk Cousins is liked and respected by many and the fact that RG3 is not loved or disliked within the locker room. Every player, even Fred Davis, knows that they have a better chance staying the Redskins than Shanny does...

 

[fatness]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/files/2013/12/Cousins_Rex_Kyle_Griffin_Newton_982w.jpg

Rex looks like such a goof.

 

[fatness]

WTOP Sports ‏@WTOPSports 1m
Griffin said he has not spoken to Dan Snyder. He said he doesn't talk to him about that stuff "it's coaches decision"

 

[dgreen]

He looked a tad pissed. So far, I'd say he's passing the "test".

 

[MattFancy]

He looked a tad pissed. So far, I'd say he's passing the "test".

Can you blame him for being pissed?

 

[dgreen]

He looked a tad pissed. So far, I'd say he's passing the "test".

Can you blame him for being pissed?

Of course not.

 

[fatness]

Grant Paulsen ‏@granthpaulsen 3m
Robert Griffin : "It's tough. God's testing me. I still feel blessed to be in the NFL, be with the guys in that locker room."

WTOP Sports ‏@WTOPSports 4m
Griffin on if last year played into this at all: I don't know, All I know is coach shut me down."

Rob Carlin ‏@RobCarlinCSN 9m
Robert says he expressed desire to play.. Coach explained reasoning.. End of day, coach's decision..

Dianna Marie Russini ‏@NBCdianna 10m
RG3: I have to sit here and do whatever I can to help Kirk and this team win

 

[hammerva]

Jason Reid: "The nonsense that you've seen, the things that go on here that should not be allowed to go on, has this broken your spirit?"

Hell of a question/comment

 

[MattFancy]

Sounds like RG3 said all the right things, good for him. What he's going through is just so stupid. Please let this season end.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Shanahan talked with Snyder about sitting Griffin weeks ago. Says Snyder and Allen supported the decision (or at least the thought process).

Link

 

[MattFancy]

Shanahan talked with Snyder about sitting Griffin weeks ago. Says Snyder and Allen supported the decision (or at least the thought process).

Link

Still don't buy it. Again, if he was so worried about his health, why was he in there last week in the snow in a game that meant nothing to this team?

 

[hammerva]

Dan Steinberg ‏@dcsportsbog 4m

Shanahan: "Dan could care less about the other positions." Oh man this is going well

Probably true but wow at saying that out loud

To say that Red Lobster is belligerent is an understatement.

 

[dgreen]

Shanahan talked with Snyder about sitting Griffin weeks ago. Says Snyder and Allen supported the decision (or at least the thought process).

Link

Still don't buy it. Again, if he was so worried about his health, why was he in there last week in the snow in a game that meant nothing to this team?

He said they considered sitting him last week. And, he hasn't mentioned it yet, but they weren't mathematically eliminated from the playoffs until they lost to KC. Being eliminated from the playoffs is the timing he also used to go from McNabb to Grossman.

 

[hammerva]

Dan Steinberg ‏@dcsportsbog 1m

Quote of the year from Shanny: "I'm trying to be as honest as I can, and I don't normally do that

 

[MattFancy]

Shanahan talked with Snyder about sitting Griffin weeks ago. Says Snyder and Allen supported the decision (or at least the thought process).

Link

Still don't buy it. Again, if he was so worried about his health, why was he in there last week in the snow in a game that meant nothing to this team?

He said they considered sitting him last week. And, he hasn't mentioned it yet, but they weren't mathematically eliminated from the playoffs until they lost to KC. Being eliminated from the playoffs is the timing he also used to go from McNabb to Grossman.

Thought we were eliminated after the Giants game? The game where RG3 had all those designed runs because Shanny said the Giants took away Alf.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Shanahan talked with Snyder about sitting Griffin weeks ago. Says Snyder and Allen supported the decision (or at least the thought process).

Link

Still don't buy it. Again, if he was so worried about his health, why was he in there last week in the snow in a game that meant nothing to this team?

He said they considered sitting him last week. And, he hasn't mentioned it yet, but they weren't mathematically eliminated from the playoffs until they lost to KC. Being eliminated from the playoffs is the timing he also used to go from McNabb to Grossman.

Thought we were eliminated after the Giants game? The game where RG3 had all those designed runs because Shanny said the Giants took away Alf.

He was asked directly about playing him last week. Shanahan said they considered sitting him then, but because KC only had 2 sacks in 5 games (or something like that) they went ahead with playing him.

 

[dgreen]

Shanahan talked with Snyder about sitting Griffin weeks ago. Says Snyder and Allen supported the decision (or at least the thought process).

Link

Still don't buy it. Again, if he was so worried about his health, why was he in there last week in the snow in a game that meant nothing to this team?

He said they considered sitting him last week. And, he hasn't mentioned it yet, but they weren't mathematically eliminated from the playoffs until they lost to KC. Being eliminated from the playoffs is the timing he also used to go from McNabb to Grossman.

Thought we were eliminated after the Giants game? The game where RG3 had all those designed runs because Shanny said the Giants took away Alf.

Hmm, I thought it was after KC.

Either way, Shanahan is sticking with this: He considered sitting him before KC, but thought KC would be ok since the Chiefs only had 2 sacks in their previous 5 games (or whatever the stat was).

I actually found that PC to be somewhat believable. Shanahan had some pretty decent answers for some of the questions.

 

[Sidewinder16]

FWIW, Chris Cooley agrees it's better for Griffin to sit.

But for Cooley it’s simple.

“Robert shouldn’t be on the field at this point in the season,” Cooley said. “It’s not only because of his health, but in his developmental progress he is regressing. He goes out and gets worse every week and I think it’s going to continue to hurt his confidence.”

That doesn’t mean Cooley is down on Griffin’s future.

“I believe he's a guy that's going to be very good,” Cooley said. “And I think he's shown us over the first year, and I think he's shown us over parts of this year, that he can grow, that he can develop. He's a smart kid. But I don't think he's doing that at this point in the season, and I think you only hinder his progress and you also increase his chances of getting hurt through the rest of the year if you have him out there.”

 

[MattFancy]

Shanahan talked with Snyder about sitting Griffin weeks ago. Says Snyder and Allen supported the decision (or at least the thought process).

Link

Still don't buy it. Again, if he was so worried about his health, why was he in there last week in the snow in a game that meant nothing to this team?

He said they considered sitting him last week. And, he hasn't mentioned it yet, but they weren't mathematically eliminated from the playoffs until they lost to KC. Being eliminated from the playoffs is the timing he also used to go from McNabb to Grossman.

Thought we were eliminated after the Giants game? The game where RG3 had all those designed runs because Shanny said the Giants took away Alf.

He was asked directly about playing him last week. Shanahan said they considered sitting him then, but because KC only had 2 sacks in 5 games (or something like that) they went ahead with playing him.

Guess he forgot coming into that game that KC was top 10 in sacks and the only reason they had so few was because 2 of those games were against Peyton Manning? Where does Atlanta rank in sacks coming into this one you ask, 27th. They have 27 sacks all season. 8 sacks over the last 5 games and 5 of those came last week against GB. But right, he's worried he could get hurt playing in a dome, on field turf, against the 27th ranked team in terms of sacks. Makes perfect sense to me!

 

[dhockster]

FWIW, Chris Cooley agrees it's better for Griffin to sit.

But for Cooley it’s simple.

“Robert shouldn’t be on the field at this point in the season,” Cooley said. “It’s not only because of his health, but in his developmental progress he is regressing. He goes out and gets worse every week and I think it’s going to continue to hurt his confidence.”

That doesn’t mean Cooley is down on Griffin’s future.

“I believe he's a guy that's going to be very good,” Cooley said. “And I think he's shown us over the first year, and I think he's shown us over parts of this year, that he can grow, that he can develop. He's a smart kid. But I don't think he's doing that at this point in the season, and I think you only hinder his progress and you also increase his chances of getting hurt through the rest of the year if you have him out there.”

If Cooley doesn't think RGIII is growing or developing at this point in the season, what does that say about RGIII if it is true? Is he the guy you want to run your franchise for the next 10 years? Someone whose progress will be hindered by playing more on a bad team? Aren't great players supposed to make those around them better?

 

[fatness]

“Even as I start this week, I believe that this is Robert’s team going forward into next season,” Cousins said. “The reason they’re resting Robert is because this is his team, he is the franchise quarterback. They wouldn’t rest him if that wasn’t the case. So my job is to help this team get a win against Atlanta and then the last two weeks after that. I’m going to try to excel in my role as a backup quarterback to Robert.”

 

[fatness]

If Cooley doesn't think RGIII is growing or developing at this point in the season, what does that say about RGIII if it is true? Is he the guy you want to run your franchise for the next 10 years? Someone whose progress will be hindered by playing more on a bad team? Aren't great players supposed to make those around them better?

It says:

1. Cooley is not a coach of anything for anybody.

2. Cooley works for ESPN980 is paid by Dan Snyder. He's not rocking the boat.

 

[jbz]

the more i hear cooley talk on national radio, the more I'm convinced he's a shanny lapdog somehow. but he does speak well of Snyder

 

[dgreen]

I don't understand how Cooley says Griffin is regressing. It seems to me that he has had a very up-and-down year. He'll have a good game followed by a bad game which is followed by a good game and another bad game. I don't think he's getting worse week-to-week.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Cousins is an awesome guy, in general. What great responses. You guys know how I feel about all this, but I'll say one thing--if Robert had Cousins' common sense at the podium, the controversy and negative attention surrounding this team would 100% be on Shanahan, where it belongs, instead is split between he, Snyder, and RG3.

 

[Sidewinder16]

I don't understand how Cooley says Griffin is regressing. It seems to me that he has had a very up-and-down year. He'll have a good game followed by a bad game which is followed by a good game and another bad game. I don't think he's getting worse week-to-week.

I'm no coach or expert, but I see his decision making, or at least his decisiveness, getting worse and worse. It's like he's thinking too much in the pocket which inevitably results in pressures, sacks, fumbles, scrambling when he doesn't need to scramble, bad throws, etc. I think we've seen it all year in his running, as well. It's like he doesn't know what his next step will, or should, be. Obviously, early on, part of that was getting used to playing on the knee again. I think a lot of it more recently is certainly affected by the beating he's been taking. And that's not just the sacks, which have been atrocious, numbers-wise. It seems like every game the TV crew puts together a reel of half a dozen or more hard hits he takes and shows it during the second half. It's been a little too David Carr-esque for comfort, IMO.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Cousins is an awesome guy, in general. What great responses. You guys know how I feel about all this, but I'll say one thing--if Robert had Cousins' common sense at the podium, the controversy and negative attention surrounding this team would 100% be on Shanahan, where it belongs, instead is split between he, Snyder, and RG3.

Agree, whole-heartedly, re: Cousins.

All I'll say though is I disagree whole-heartedly with the bolded. It's somewhat ridiculous, IMO, the complete pass Snyder and Griffin seem to be getting in all this. There seems to be enough smoke all around to suggest everyone has some culpability in all this.

 

[fatness]

I think a lot of it more recently is certainly affected by the beating he's been taking. And that's not just the sacks, which have been atrocious, numbers-wise. It seems like every game the TV crew puts together a reel of half a dozen or more hard hits he takes and shows it during the second half. It's been a little too David Carr-esque for comfort, IMO.

Yeah, I'll go along with that. It's as if he expects the pocket to collapse each time he drops back. There's a good chance it will collapse of course, but Griffin didn't used to react that way.

God this line is awful at pass protection.

 

[fatness]

It's somewhat ridiculous, IMO, the complete pass Snyder and Griffin seem to be getting in all this. There seems to be enough smoke all around to suggest everyone has some culpability in all this.

I think you're way off on that assessment. Shanahan has clearly wanted out for weeks now, and has been planting stories in the press designed to make himself look good and to make Griffin and Snyder look bad. Neither of them has done the same. This stink is entirely on Shanahan, because he's whoring for his $7 million next year and won't just quit.

 

[dgreen]

I don't understand how Cooley says Griffin is regressing. It seems to me that he has had a very up-and-down year. He'll have a good game followed by a bad game which is followed by a good game and another bad game. I don't think he's getting worse week-to-week.

I'm no coach or expert, but I see his decision making, or at least his decisiveness, getting worse and worse. It's like he's thinking too much in the pocket which inevitably results in pressures, sacks, fumbles, scrambling when he doesn't need to scramble, bad throws, etc. I think we've seen it all year in his running, as well. It's like he doesn't know what his next step will, or should, be. Obviously, early on, part of that was getting used to playing on the knee again. I think a lot of it more recently is certainly affected by the beating he's been taking. And that's not just the sacks, which have been atrocious, numbers-wise. It seems like every game the TV crew puts together a reel of half a dozen or more hard hits he takes and shows it during the second half. It's been a little too David Carr-esque for comfort, IMO.

Yeah, hard to know. I see him looking for somewhere to go with the ball and not pulling the trigger. Is that a lack of decisiveness or a lack of open receivers? Like the pass protection/sack issue, I'm guessing it's a mix of both.

 

[fatness]

#32!!!!!

 

[phrozen]

#32!!!!!

ooof I don't disagree though. Well a positive from this is at least we have a high draft pick to help improve the team for the 14 season.

oh wait

 

[fatness]

#32!!!!!

ooof I don't disagree though. Well a positive from this is at least we have a high draft pick to help improve the team for the 14 season.

oh wait

You see, this is Zorn's fault. Or if not Zorn, then it's Snyder's fault. Or if not Snyder, then it's Griffin's fault.

It certainly couldn't have anything to do with our powerless head coach who has only been here 4 years.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

What I do find interesting is that for all the talk about Schefter being Shanahan's mouthpiece, nobody is talking about the fact that Jason Reid is clearly speaking for someone named Robert Griffin. Either Griffin pere or Griffin fils.

The specificity of the charge that Griffin was mad that Kyle called the read option after Griffin aggravated the injury could only have come from the Griffin camp.

 

[TxBuckeye]

If you read over the last four pages, it is the most depressing thing a football fan could ever see. How sad that this is all there is to talk about with three games left to go. Pathetic. The organization really has become a laughingstock.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I don't know. At least it's not boring.

 

[fatness]

What I do find interesting is that for all the talk about Schefter being Shanahan's mouthpiece, nobody is talking about the fact that Jason Reid is clearly speaking for someone named Robert Griffin. Either Griffin pere or Griffin fils.

The specificity of the charge that Griffin was mad that Kyle called the read option after Griffin aggravated the injury could only have come from the Griffin camp.

That was first reported by Mike Wise, who talked both to Shanahan and the Griffin family.

 

[fatness]

If you read over the last four pages, it is the most depressing thing a football fan could ever see. How sad that this is all there is to talk about with three games left to go. Pathetic. The organization really has become a laughingstock.

Once again.

We thought we got out of that status 4 years ago. Snyder picked the wrong coach, gave him too much authority, the guy had too little ability, and here we are again.

Kick this football, Charlie Brown.

 

[dcgangstas]

If you ever needed proof that Adam Schefter is a media puppet for Shanny, that interview with Sheehan and Loverro today proved that. complete tap dance on his part and a defense of the action of Shanny.

I didn't hear the interview but Schefter's been in the tank for Shanahan for a long time. Good to see Schefter taking some heat on twitter for this.

Definitely agree about Schefty. He's been a Shanahan Stooge for quite some time. I'm certain Shanny's leaked some stuff to him and let Schefty do his dirty work for him.

 

[Sebowski]

If you ever needed proof that Adam Schefter is a media puppet for Shanny, that interview with Sheehan and Loverro today proved that. complete tap dance on his part and a defense of the action of Shanny.

You have to think that Synder fires Red Lobster at the very latest before the Cowboys game because as much as you hate Shanny right now (and you should) if they beat the Cowboys and stick a knife in their playoff hopes this fan base will just love it. Plus if they did beat the Cowboys Shanny can go all Stone Cold Steve Austin and threw middle fingers all over the place.

That would make this whole season worth it.

 

[Sebowski]

I don't understand how Cooley says Griffin is regressing. It seems to me that he has had a very up-and-down year. He'll have a good game followed by a bad game which is followed by a good game and another bad game. I don't think he's getting worse week-to-week.

I'm no coach or expert, but I see his decision making, or at least his decisiveness, getting worse and worse. It's like he's thinking too much in the pocket which inevitably results in pressures, sacks, fumbles, scrambling when he doesn't need to scramble, bad throws, etc. I think we've seen it all year in his running, as well. It's like he doesn't know what his next step will, or should, be. Obviously, early on, part of that was getting used to playing on the knee again. I think a lot of it more recently is certainly affected by the beating he's been taking. And that's not just the sacks, which have been atrocious, numbers-wise. It seems like every game the TV crew puts together a reel of half a dozen or more hard hits he takes and shows it during the second half. It's been a little too David Carr-esque for comfort, IMO.

This is it exactly. Dude is taking a beating week in, week out. It is either play him and call 80%+ RB runs and max protection whenever you do actually pass, or sit him. Getting that kind of punishment isn't good for anybody. I'd probably lean towards the former, but this is better than trying to pretend we can keep him healthy the rest of the year while running our normal offense.

 

[jbz]

Yeah I can't even remember the last time RG3 just took his normal drop and let it fly and had a completion nice and smooth, all in one perfectly synchronized moment. Probably the Chargers or Vikings game. Now it's always, pump fake, clutch the ball, rotate, rotate, run, over/underthrow or sack. Sad what it's come to.

 

[valhallan]

As a fan but not a fan, I think Shanahan may actually be here next year. If he wasn't fired after a historic ###-kicking during a 10 loss season, he's surviving. This power play is just proof.. Snyder can't afford to throw away money like he used to.

Regarding the QBs - I would like to see Cousins do well and encourage an atmosphere of competition next year. Griffin will win but the fight will help everyone.