***Official*** Washington Redskins 2014 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)

[fatness]

There's a lot of pro-Haslett stuff coming from local sports media. I don't know how much of it is true and how much is lobbying. Chris Russell is by far the biggest Haslett pimper.

 

[dgreen]

There's a lot of pro-Haslett stuff coming from local sports media. I don't know how much of it is true and how much is lobbying. Chris Russell is by far the biggest Haslett pimper.

Yep. The other night on Twitter, Keim and Paulsen were getting on Russell with jokes like: "Chris, someone just said something about Haz. Quick, tweet in his defense!" It was pretty funny.

It's one thing to argue that Haslett has been held back, but it's quite another to argue that Haslett has shown anything in his career to suggest he's a really good DC. He may be worthy of 1 of the 32 DC spots in the NFL, and he may even approach being average, but I see no evidence to label him as "good".

 

[MattFancy]

There's a lot of pro-Haslett stuff coming from local sports media. I don't know how much of it is true and how much is lobbying. Chris Russell is by far the biggest Haslett pimper.

Yep. The other night on Twitter, Keim and Paulsen were getting on Russell with jokes like: "Chris, someone just said something about Haz. Quick, tweet in his defense!" It was pretty funny.

It's one thing to argue that Haslett has been held back, but it's quite another to argue that Haslett has shown anything in his career to suggest he's a really good DC. He may be worthy of 1 of the 32 DC spots in the NFL, and he may even approach being average, but I see no evidence to label him as "good".

Agreed, I'm willing to give him a chance after the Shanny debacle since it seems like Shanny kind of hamstrung him a bit. But when I think of top defensive coordinators in the league, Haslett doesn't come close to that.

 

[Hang 10]

Who was undermining Haslett in his previous jobs? Hasn't he always been mediocre to bad?

 

[Ted Mullins]

Interesting details here, in Griffin's response to a question about why he wears a sleeve.

I wear a sleeve because....well the same reason Pierre Garcon wears a fang mouthpiece-S. Moss wears a hand warmer when it's 70 degrees-Will Montgomery wears elbow pads-Alfred Morris wears shin guards-London Fletcher doesn't wear sleeves in below freezing weather-Adam Carriker does bicep curls and tricep extensions before a game-Chris Baker dances before every game in the locker room-Logan Paulsen does 2 handed spikes when he celebrates touchdowns-Chris Chester does ninja spins to block people-Some guys wear sleeves & some don't-Some guys wear wristbands & some don't-Etc Etc You see WE do these things because they make us comfortable. Not to be different.

Somewhere somehow there has to be a video of Chris Baker dancing before a game. Please internet, please.

Robert seems like a smart guy, so I don't understand in what universe he thinks responding to fans criticism with a facebook rant is a good look. He obviously is concerned with his image. Ironically the best way for him to do this is to stop caring so much what people say and think about him and just let it go. He needs thick skin, people would respect him more.

I'm not sure in what capacity the Redskins have talked about bringing Doug Williams in, but I think he could serve as a good mentor for Robert.

I thought this was really weird too. Like you said, he really needs to have thicker skin to play QB for the Skins - he's gonna get way too much press (both good and bad) to let people commenting about his elbow sleeve get to him. I don't buy into all of the stuff that came out (likely from Shanny) that he is a bad guy - as you said, he just seems very concerned about his image. If you read into his post it does scome off as he is trying to make it about the team - he made note of a bunch of other guys' little superstitions/rituals, pointing out that he is in tune with what everyone else does and it's not all about him. Hopefully he was just overwhelmed with the benching, bad season, Shanny debacle, etc. and just had to blow off steam. He's gonna make himself miserable if he is spending much time worrying about what people are saying on facebook and twitter.

 

[fatness]

Who was undermining Haslett in his previous jobs? Hasn't he always been mediocre to bad?

Yes, he has.

 

[fatness]

John Keim thinking out loud:

• Bruce Allen wanted to be in charge and now he is, which means his Redskins tenure is now officially on the clock. That’s what the Washington Post’s Jason Reid wrote and it’s hard to disagree with the column.
• Allen did handle things this way with Tampa Bay, but when he was there Jon Gruden had all sorts of power. In Oakland, it was Al Davis. There’s no doubting who’s in control of football matters in Washington. Is that a good or bad thing? I remember when he was hired and how people around the league described him as being a good politician. Those skills will come in handy when trying to build a consensus. I also think Jay Gruden’s personality will help in this effort. As a first-time head coach he’s not in position to demand more power.
• That doesn’t mean it will work. But the personalities, when it comes to those in the front office and on the staff, at least seem like they will co-exist well. They just have to make sure it’s the football people making the football decisions.

 

[fatness]

More from John Keim about possible coaches. I swear he's the best Redskin reporter around. I'm glad he's still covering them after making the step up to ESPN.

• Yes, Earnest Byner will interview with Washington for the vacant running backs position. Coaches and front office people who worked with him in the past consider him an excellent coach. He can be a tough coach, but the word is that he’s fair.
• Byner has been caught in some bad timing in his coaching career since leaving Washington. He was fired by Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher after two seasons, but quickly took the same position in Jacksonville. But he lasted only two years because there was another regime change. And he lasted in two years with Tampa Bay for the same reason.
• The New York Daily News reported that Washington interviewed Jets special teams coach Ben Kotwica on Tuesday. Kotwica reportedly has been offered a contract to stay in New York, but was told he could interview with other teams. It does not sound as if the Jets were wowed by the job he did, but he also wasn’t a disaster. But he also was replacing a legend there in the retired Mike Westhoff.
• Kotwica’s situation could depend on the length of the contract offer with New York. I can’t imagine he’d turn it down if it was a multi-year deal considering how long he’s been with the Jets (seven years). But maybe sometimes you feel a change is necessary. Or it could be dependent on whether or not Rex Ryan receives a contract extension, which would provide his staff more job security. If you land with a team that has a new coach, you’ll have that security.
• Kotwica was Westhoff’s assistant for six years before taking over the top job last season after the longtime coach retired. Kotwica wasn’t afraid to try different things, like using three gunners in a game against Carolina rather than the traditional two. Alas, while it worked two times it failed on the third as Carolina adjusted and blocked a punt.

I really want Earnest Byner to be Alfred Morris's RB coach. Very good coach, very good RB.

 

[Swing 51]

More from John Keim about possible coaches. I swear he's the best Redskin reporter around. I'm glad he's still covering them after making the step up to ESPN.

It is strange seeing Keim "in person" doing live spots on Sportscenter after just seeing his name in print all these years. Always liked his reporting.

 

[southeastjerome]

More from John Keim about possible coaches. I swear he's the best Redskin reporter around. I'm glad he's still covering them after making the step up to ESPN.

It is strange seeing Keim "in person" doing live spots on Sportscenter after just seeing his name in print all these years. Always liked his reporting.

I'm in with the Keim lovefest. I remember way back when he would banter on a few skins message boards. Now we see him on Sportscenter. Seems like a really nice guy to boot and I always find his tweets/blogs/articles interesting.

 

[southeastjerome]

Alex Marvez ‏@alexmarvez 6m

Not sure if this is out but source tells @FOXSports that Ben Kotwica of the @NYJets is new @Redskins special teams coach

Retweeted by John Keim

Kotwica's bio

 

[fatness]

More from John Keim about possible coaches. I swear he's the best Redskin reporter around. I'm glad he's still covering them after making the step up to ESPN.

It is strange seeing Keim "in person" doing live spots on Sportscenter after just seeing his name in print all these years. Always liked his reporting.

I'm in with the Keim lovefest. I remember way back when he would banter on a few skins message boards. Now we see him on Sportscenter. Seems like a really nice guy to boot and I always find his tweets/blogs/articles interesting.

I read a couple weeks ago that Keim is 66. I don't think I've seen him on TV, but on radio and online I would have guessed he was at least 20 years younger than that. Whatever age he is, he's really thorough with information-gathering and doesn't put opinion ahead of information.

 

[fatness]

The Bengals have reportedly promoted Guenther from LB coach to defensive coordinator now that Zimmer's coaching the Vikings. So that leaves an opening for Haslett as LB coach. I wouldn't let him have any more responsibility than that.

 

[southeastjerome]

The Bengals have reportedly promoted Guenther from LB coach to defensive coordinator now that Zimmer's coaching the Vikings. So that leaves an opening for Haslett as LB coach. I wouldn't let him have any more responsibility than that.

Just a guess, but I bet they name Haslett "Assistant Head Coach - Defense" and name Morris D Coordinator. I bet they do it on Friday late afternoon/evening because as any PR person knows, that is the best time to let out what might be perceived as negative news.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

The Bengals have reportedly promoted Guenther from LB coach to defensive coordinator now that Zimmer's coaching the Vikings. So that leaves an opening for Haslett as LB coach. I wouldn't let him have any more responsibility than that.

Just a guess, but I bet they name Haslett "Assistant Head Coach - Defense" and name Morris D Coordinator. I bet they do it on Friday late afternoon/evening because as any PR person knows, that is the best time to let out what might be perceived as negative news.

Morris' contract is up in February and he's free to leave. I don't think we're pinning any hopes on him.

 

[southeastjerome]

The Bengals have reportedly promoted Guenther from LB coach to defensive coordinator now that Zimmer's coaching the Vikings. So that leaves an opening for Haslett as LB coach. I wouldn't let him have any more responsibility than that.

Just a guess, but I bet they name Haslett "Assistant Head Coach - Defense" and name Morris D Coordinator. I bet they do it on Friday late afternoon/evening because as any PR person knows, that is the best time to let out what might be perceived as negative news.

Morris' contract is up in February and he's free to leave. I don't think we're pinning any hopes on him.

I know this. And he could very well leave, that's why it was just a guess. It certainly wouldn't be a shock if he stayed and there have been reports linking him to the job, so you should not be shocked if that happens.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

The Bengals have reportedly promoted Guenther from LB coach to defensive coordinator now that Zimmer's coaching the Vikings. So that leaves an opening for Haslett as LB coach. I wouldn't let him have any more responsibility than that.

Just a guess, but I bet they name Haslett "Assistant Head Coach - Defense" and name Morris D Coordinator. I bet they do it on Friday late afternoon/evening because as any PR person knows, that is the best time to let out what might be perceived as negative news.

Morris' contract is up in February and he's free to leave. I don't think we're pinning any hopes on him.

I know this. And he could very well leave, that's why it was just a guess. It certainly wouldn't be a shock if he stayed and there have been reports linking him to the job, so you should not be shocked if that happens.

I wouldn't be shocked, it's just that I'd expect us to be working on some sort of extension if he's in our plans at all. And there's been no word on that. I wouldn't be overly excited about Morris anyways, but I want a completely fresh start and to break from Haslett for anyone just on principle.

 

[fatness]

As of right now I don't think they know yet what the defensive coaching staff is going to look like. Whether spoken or unspoken, the message to Gruden from Allen retaining Haslett and Morris was "see if you can make something work out of this." And I don't think Gruden's come up with how to make it work.

I suggest he watch some more film of the Redskins defense.

 

[5 Digits]

Kotwica is in as ST Coordinator

 

[fatness]

Jay Gruden has reportedly hired Kirk Olivadotti as an assistant coach, according to the Macon Telegraph. Olivadotti was an assistant for the Redskins from 2000-2010 but has spent the past three seasons at Georgia as the Bulldogs’ inside linebackers coach.

During his first stint in Washington, Olivadotti served in a variety of assistant roles, including defensive quality control, defensive backs, special teams, defensive line and linebackers. Gruden will be the eight head coach he has worked under in Washington.

Earlier Wednesday, the Redskins announced the hiring of Brian Baker as the team’s new outside linebackers coach and Ben Kotwica as special teams coach.

http://www.csnwashington.com/football-washington-redskins/talk/kirk-olivadotti-returns-redskins

 

[MattFancy]

As of right now I don't think they know yet what the defensive coaching staff is going to look like. Whether spoken or unspoken, the message to Gruden from Allen retaining Haslett and Morris was "see if you can make something work out of this." And I don't think Gruden's come up with how to make it work.

I suggest he watch some more film of the Redskins defense.

I get the feeling Haslett isn't going to be the DC, I could be wrong though. I just feel like if he was going to be the DC, why wouldn't they have announced that by now? It's not like they gain anything by delaying the announcement.

 

[RGIII HTTR]

There's a lot of pro-Haslett stuff coming from local sports media. I don't know how much of it is true and how much is lobbying. Chris Russell is by far the biggest Haslett pimper.

Yeah, got into with him on twitter earlier in the season as he was coming across as a paid Redskins media official with the pro Haz and Burns stuff.

 

[RGIII HTTR]

As of right now I don't think they know yet what the defensive coaching staff is going to look like. Whether spoken or unspoken, the message to Gruden from Allen retaining Haslett and Morris was "see if you can make something work out of this." And I don't think Gruden's come up with how to make it work.

I suggest he watch some more film of the Redskins defense.

I get the feeling Haslett isn't going to be the DC, I could be wrong though. I just feel like if he was going to be the DC, why wouldn't they have announced that by now? It's not like they gain anything by delaying the announcement.

Here is hoping you are right Matt, if you can only be right about one thing this whole off-season...I hope this it. Of course, it would be okay with me if you were right about more than one thing though...

 

[MattFancy]

As of right now I don't think they know yet what the defensive coaching staff is going to look like. Whether spoken or unspoken, the message to Gruden from Allen retaining Haslett and Morris was "see if you can make something work out of this." And I don't think Gruden's come up with how to make it work.

I suggest he watch some more film of the Redskins defense.

I get the feeling Haslett isn't going to be the DC, I could be wrong though. I just feel like if he was going to be the DC, why wouldn't they have announced that by now? It's not like they gain anything by delaying the announcement.

Here is hoping you are right Matt, if you can only be right about one thing this whole off-season...I hope this it. Of course, it would be okay with me if you were right about more than one thing though...

Lol well I was wrong on hiring Bevell so its gotta get better right?

 

[fatness]

There's a lot of pro-Haslett stuff coming from local sports media. I don't know how much of it is true and how much is lobbying. Chris Russell is by far the biggest Haslett pimper.

Yeah, got into with him on twitter earlier in the season as he was coming across as a paid Redskins media official with the pro Haz and Burns stuff.

Pro-Burns stuff?



Chris Russell is developing into the new Larry Michael.

 

[fatness]

According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com, Cowboys tight ends coach Wes Phillips is interviewing with the Redskins.

Phillips’ contract with the Cowboys has expired, so he’s free to take a lateral move. He’s been with the Cowboys since 2007, when his father Wade Phillips was the head coach. He has bounced all over the staff, working with wide receivers, offensive linemen and special teams before being named tight ends coach in 2013 during the offensive shakeup there last offseason.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/16/redskins-interviewing-cowboys-assistant-wes-phillips/

 

[RGIII HTTR]

There's a lot of pro-Haslett stuff coming from local sports media. I don't know how much of it is true and how much is lobbying. Chris Russell is by far the biggest Haslett pimper.

Yeah, got into with him on twitter earlier in the season as he was coming across as a paid Redskins media official with the pro Haz and Burns stuff.

Pro-Burns stuff?



Chris Russell is developing into the new Larry Michael.

Yeah, at one point I asked him how the two of them could still be employed and it started from there...

 

[5 Digits]

Jay Gruden has reportedly hired Kirk Olivadotti as an assistant coach, according to the Macon Telegraph. Olivadotti was an assistant for the Redskins from 2000-2010 but has spent the past three seasons at Georgia as the Bulldogs’ inside linebackers coach.

During his first stint in Washington, Olivadotti served in a variety of assistant roles, including defensive quality control, defensive backs, special teams, defensive line and linebackers. Gruden will be the eight head coach he has worked under in Washington.

Earlier Wednesday, the Redskins announced the hiring of Brian Baker as the team’s new outside linebackers coach and Ben Kotwica as special teams coach.

http://www.csnwashington.com/football-washington-redskins/talk/kirk-olivadotti-returns-redskins

I like this hire. I remember hearing good things about this guy during his last time here.

 

[fatness]

Olivadotti --- ILB coach

Jacob Burney --- D-line coach

Raheem Morris --- DB coach

All hired/rehired.

http://espn.go.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/4901/redskins-announce-three-coaching-hires?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

You know what that means. Another year of Haslett, with "his guys" and "no HC interference" so he can finally do things "his way". Which, when it doesn't work out, will be blamed on "barren roster" which "takes a few years to remedy" buying Haslett some more years. Of bad.

 

[fatness]

Article on Jim Haslett when he was hired by Allen/Shanahan.

There are lots of stats but the main thrust of it was that he was, at best, mediocre.

The facts are that Jim Haslett has coordinated six defenses in his NFL career. One of those six teams ('97 Steelers) had a winning record. One made the playoffs (that same Steeler team beat New England in the divisional round, then lost the AFC title to Denver).

His highest defensive ranking was 6th ('97 Steelers). His lowest, 23rd ('06 Rams). His average finish ... 14th.

I think maybe that's what has me digging in my heels. When I look at Jim Haslett's record, I see average.

The same writer just wrote another article about Haslett.

Well, four years later, Mr. Haslett is still the Redskins DC, and nothing--nothing--in his record, before or since, has provided the slightest empirical, objective reason for me to believe it's going to change now.

The only X-factor I can see that make any sense are that new HC Jay Gruden has enough history with Haslett (who hired him as an assistant when Haslett coached in the United Football League) that he was too uncomfortable and/or unwilling to let him go. And maybe, just maybe, the last four years of general defensive ineptitude really weren't Haslett's fault. Maybe he really did fall victim to some witches brew of inadequate talent, the cap penalty, and Shanahan's rumored heavy-handedness. One can only hope.

One can also only hope things will change in 2014 and beyond. Unfortunately, there is nothing that would stand up in court as evidence to support that notion.

I've been asking for four years, and have yet to get a substantive answer. Why Jim Haslett?

BTW the writer is Mark "Om" Steven.

Redskins fan since arriving in DC as 10-year-old in 1970.
Co-owner BGObsession.com, a Redskins community geared to mature discourse and civility. (I know right? What were we thinking?) Former Co-owner of Extremeskins.com; fan columnist/blogger for Redskins.com.

 

[fatness]

Zac Boyer says Haslett has been retained.

Olivadotti’s hiring seems to be the last for an assistant coach on the defensive side under coach Jay Gruden. The team hired Brian Baker to be its outside linebackers coach on Wednesday and kept defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, defensive line coach Jacob Burney and defensive backs coach Raheem Morris from last year’s staff.

 

[TxBuckeye]

I'm stunned. I mean it. Just stunned. Haslett? Really???

 

[jbz]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

 

[RGIII HTTR]

You know what that means. Another year of Haslett, with "his guys" and "no HC interference" so he can finally do things "his way". Which, when it doesn't work out, will be blamed on "barren roster" which "takes a few years to remedy" buying Haslett some more years. Of bad.

Yeah, the excuse that will be used is too many new players playing for the first season together...they need time to gel. SMH

Let's just hope he truly has 1 year to prove that he is a legit DC, if not...change. Another thought I had to Haz and several other coaches staying is the angle if Gruden is a 1st time coach, let's ease the transition by keeping part of the structure in place so he can walk before he's asked to run. Basically, let Gruden get his feet wet and maybe his ideal DC is still under contract elsewhere for the next year. Who knows, but it is a thought.

 

[RGIII HTTR]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

Huh? Who's that? I stopped going there basically after they were bought be the 'Skins.

 

[MattFancy]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

I'm still on there pretty regularly, but it's not the same place it used to be. I don't mind BGO, but its so small that there isn't really much chatter going on there. This thread is as good as any for Skins news. Fatness does a good job of posting the newest links to stories and tweets.

 

[fatness]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

Huh? Who's that? I stopped going there basically after they were bought be the 'Skins.

Mark Stevens. Om. This guy.

 

[fatness]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

I'm still on there pretty regularly, but it's not the same place it used to be. I don't mind BGO, but its so small that there isn't really much chatter going on there. This thread is as good as any for Skins news. Fatness does a good job of posting the newest links to stories and tweets.

The links are pretty useless without anyone to talk with intelligently about the Skins. This place is as good as any to do that, I agree.

 

[MattFancy]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

I'm still on there pretty regularly, but it's not the same place it used to be. I don't mind BGO, but its so small that there isn't really much chatter going on there. This thread is as good as any for Skins news. Fatness does a good job of posting the newest links to stories and tweets.

The links are pretty useless without anyone to talk with intelligently about the Skins. This place is as good as any to do that, I agree.

I'd say the guys that post in here regulary are pretty knowledgebale Skins fans. Much better than most of the crazies on ES.

 

[fatness]

Coaches so far:

Head coach: Jay Gruden

Offensive coordinator: Sean McVay
Quarterbacks: Vacant (Gruden, a former quarterback, will no doubt work with this position)
Running backs: Vacant (Earnest Byner interviewing Friday)
Wide receivers: Vacant Ike Hilliard
Tight ends: Vacant Wes Phillips
Offensive line: Chris Foerster

Defensive coordinator: Jim Haslett (has not been officially announced)
Defensive line: Jacob Burney
Inside linebackers: Kirk Olivadotti
Outside linebackers: Brian Baker
Secondary: Raheem Morris

Special teams: Ben Kotwica

There's a writeup on most of those guys in the article.

The defense and special teams staffs are set. I imagine Gruden's going to be pretty careful with his offensive assistants.

 

[fatness]

Earnest Byner interviewing today. I really want them to hire him.

 

[MattFancy]

Earnest Byner interviewing today. I really want them to hire him.

I'd be fine with that. Seems like he's been the only one mentioned for it, so unless he bombs during the interview, I'd say it's his job to lose.

 

[avoiding injuries]

They're keeping Hasslett? Oh my

 

[RGIII HTTR]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

I'm still on there pretty regularly, but it's not the same place it used to be. I don't mind BGO, but its so small that there isn't really much chatter going on there. This thread is as good as any for Skins news. Fatness does a good job of posting the newest links to stories and tweets.

The links are pretty useless without anyone to talk with intelligently about the Skins. This place is as good as any to do that, I agree.

I'd say the guys that post in here regulary are pretty knowledgebale Skins fans. Much better than most of the crazies on ES.

I agree with the both of you...even though we are on a FF board, I treat our threads as more of just a regular Redskins talk thread. FF brought us here, but we talk Washington Redskins football in this thread opposed to any FF. Okay, maybe the occasional non-skins member comes in and asks a FF question, but you know what I mean.

I enjoy the regulars here and even the one season where we had our own FF Skins league, sadly several have disappeared and a few new guys have come in since.

 

[pablito]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

I'm still on there pretty regularly, but it's not the same place it used to be. I don't mind BGO, but its so small that there isn't really much chatter going on there. This thread is as good as any for Skins news. Fatness does a good job of posting the newest links to stories and tweets.

The links are pretty useless without anyone to talk with intelligently about the Skins. This place is as good as any to do that, I agree.

I'd say the guys that post in here regulary are pretty knowledgebale Skins fans. Much better than most of the crazies on ES.

I agree with the both of you...even though we are on a FF board, I treat our threads as more of just a regular Redskins talk thread. FF brought us here, but we talk Washington Redskins football in this thread opposed to any FF. Okay, maybe the occasional non-skins member comes in and asks a FF question, but you know what I mean.

I enjoy the regulars here and even the one season where we had our own FF Skins league, sadly several have disappeared and a few new guys have come in since.

Yeah, that league was fun a couple of years ago. I can't even remember who organized it.

 

[RGIII HTTR]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

I'm still on there pretty regularly, but it's not the same place it used to be. I don't mind BGO, but its so small that there isn't really much chatter going on there. This thread is as good as any for Skins news. Fatness does a good job of posting the newest links to stories and tweets.

The links are pretty useless without anyone to talk with intelligently about the Skins. This place is as good as any to do that, I agree.

I'd say the guys that post in here regulary are pretty knowledgebale Skins fans. Much better than most of the crazies on ES.

I agree with the both of you...even though we are on a FF board, I treat our threads as more of just a regular Redskins talk thread. FF brought us here, but we talk Washington Redskins football in this thread opposed to any FF. Okay, maybe the occasional non-skins member comes in and asks a FF question, but you know what I mean.

I enjoy the regulars here and even the one season where we had our own FF Skins league, sadly several have disappeared and a few new guys have come in since.

Yeah, that league was fun a couple of years ago. I can't even remember who organized it.

This guy did!

 

[RGIII HTTR]

John Keim's Gruden explains decision to retain HaslettThe numbers suggested a move could have been made. Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden looked beyond the numbers and decided he wanted to keep defensive coordinator Jim Haslett around.

In fact, Gruden said they will start talking Monday about a contract extension.

GrudenThe Redskins announced Friday that Haslett will remain as the defensive coordinator, which was expected from the time Gruden was hired. The Redskins’ defense the past four years ranked 21st, 21st, 22nd and 30th in points per game. They were 31st, 13th, 28th, and 18th in yards per game.

“It was a lot of issues, and schematically it wasn’t the issue,” Gruden said. “It was special teams and depth issues. But to see them compete on a weekly basis ... They played well. I know a lot of offensive coaches that have a lot of respect for what coach Haslett brings, and how difficult it is to go against them. I’m one of those guys.”

The Redskins did much better in the second half of the season, ranking 10th in yards per game (25th in points).

Gruden also said he wanted to keep the staff intact to maintain continuity in their system.

“With another year coaching them up I think they’ll be fine,” Gruden said. “I’ve gone against his defense. I know what he’s about, and I know the scheme he plays is very difficult. He’s done great against Dallas, and he did well against Philadelphia the second time around, and in the second half of the year they played well. They were put in a lot of difficult situations.”

Gruden also is allowing Haslett to hire members of the staff, something he was unable to do under Mike Shanahan. And Gruden will not be as involved in the defense as his predecessor.

But he also liked the fact that Haslett is a former head coach (as is secondary coach Raheem Morris), which he said will benefit a first-time head coach like himself.

“I wanted someone with experience,” Gruden said. “I have Raheem also, and I know obviously Jim has great experience, not just the coaching part, but setting up schedules and practice schedules and dealing with players. And just to have another guy to bounce ideas off of. If I have a screwed-up idea, I know he’ll tell me this is not going to work. I need people like that, who will be loyal and work their tail off and come up with good ideas.”

I wanted Jay Gruden here as he was my #1 choice, but hearing this makes me wonder now...I am one for second chances, but there is enough examples of Haz's work to know that what we have seen is the product he produces. Not only here in WAS, but Haz hasn't produced a top defense anywhere. I find it odd that he would be a guy to hitch your wagon to and now makes me wonder the judgement of our HC. If not the judgement, then maybe his inexperience in feeling he's better off with a DC who clearly is below average in his job, but provides experience to setting up the structure of your program.

 

[HittinHard]

First big mistake JGru.he is going to make your job harder.

 

[fatness]

didn't realize he left extremeskins...though i never go there anymore. it's a different place now

I'm still on there pretty regularly, but it's not the same place it used to be. I don't mind BGO, but its so small that there isn't really much chatter going on there. This thread is as good as any for Skins news. Fatness does a good job of posting the newest links to stories and tweets.

The links are pretty useless without anyone to talk with intelligently about the Skins. This place is as good as any to do that, I agree.

I'd say the guys that post in here regulary are pretty knowledgebale Skins fans. Much better than most of the crazies on ES.

I agree with the both of you...even though we are on a FF board, I treat our threads as more of just a regular Redskins talk thread. FF brought us here, but we talk Washington Redskins football in this thread opposed to any FF. Okay, maybe the occasional non-skins member comes in and asks a FF question, but you know what I mean.

I enjoy the regulars here and even the one season where we had our own FF Skins league, sadly several have disappeared and a few new guys have come in since.

Yeah, that league was fun a couple of years ago. I can't even remember who organized it.

This guy did!

That was a lot of fun. We should do it again.

 

[HittinHard]

Count me in if a Skins league gets underway.