Shanahan will not announce team's starting qb (1 Viewer)

[Dr. Awesome]

Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Monday he won’t announce a starting quarterback for the regular season until “right before” the Sept. 11 opener against the New York Giants.That means two more weeks of suspense as Rex Grossman and John Beck compete the No. 1 job. Even after he makes the decision, Shanahan isn’t going to let the world know because he wants to keep the Giants guessing.“Probably have the team get ready for both quarterbacks,” he said.Grossman started the first preseason game, Beck the second. Both played well against good defenses.“We’ve got two guys that we believe in, two guys that are very close right now,” Shanahan said. “I’d feel very comfortable going into our first game with either quarterback. We’ll have to make one of those tough decisions, and we won’t make it ‘til the end.”The third game was the subject of an entertaining father-son disconnect after Monday’s practice. First, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was asked if he knows who will start Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens.“Yeah, I do,” Kyle Shanahan said. “But I’m not going to let you know.”Moments later, Mike Shanahan was asked to spill the beans and name Thursday’s starter.“I’m not even sure right now. We haven’t even talked about it,” the head coach said. “I couldn’t tell you. We haven’t made a decision.”Told that his son said the decision had been made, Mike Shanahan replied: “Well, he hasn’t told me about it then.”Regardless of which one starts, Kyle Shanahan said both quarterbacks will play with the starters in the game considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season.Notes: S LaRon Landry (hamstring), TE Chris Cooley (knee), LB Edgar Jones (concussion), WR Brandon Banks (knee), WR Malcolm Kelly (foot) and RB Ryan Torain (hand) are among those who won’t play Thursday. ... RT Jammal Brown was scheduled for X-rays on the ring finger of his right hand, but he’s expected to play. ... RB James Davis, who abruptly left training camp a week ago, was released from the reserve/left squad list. ... Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau was a special guest at practice Monday, at the invitation of special teams coach Danny Smith. “I thought maybe I could pick up something and see if it could work with us,” Boudreau said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/shanahan-wont-announce-redskins-starting-qb-until-right-before-season-opener-vs-giants/2011/08/22/gIQADagzWJ_story.html

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Shanahan has gone out of his way to practically hand the job to Beck on a silver platter. The only way he doesn't start is if he completely tanks and Grossman plays well.

 

[Sabertooth]

Shanahan has gone out of his way to practically hand the job to Beck on a silver platter. The only way he doesn't start is if he completely tanks and Grossman plays well.

I think its Beck as well.

 

[Insein]

Shanahan has to be the most overrated coach in the last 30 years of football. He's getting more mileage out of Elway and TD's rings than I ever imagined.

 

[Please See Mine]

If those were my two choices, I wouldn't want to announce it either.

 

[Sabertooth]

Shanahan has to be the most overrated coach in the last 30 years of football. He's getting more mileage out of Elway and TD's rings than I ever imagined.

By definition winning back to back Super Bowl means he really can't be overrated. Nobody talks about him in the Lombardi, Shula, Walsh tier. He's won just as many Super Bowls as Bill Parcells. Of active coaches, only Belichick has more Super Bowls if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Shanahan has to be the most overrated coach in the last 30 years of football. He's getting more mileage out of Elway and TD's rings than I ever imagined.

Yes, Shanahan had nothing to do with those two winning Super Bowls.

 

[Insein]

Shanahan has to be the most overrated coach in the last 30 years of football. He's getting more mileage out of Elway and TD's rings than I ever imagined.

By definition winning back to back Super Bowl means he really can't be overrated. Nobody talks about him in the Lombardi, Shula, Walsh tier. He's won just as many Super Bowls as Bill Parcells. Of active coaches, only Belichick has more Super Bowls if I'm not mistaken.

I get it. Guy won two super bowls over a decade ago. He's been largely ineffective since then. People still tout him like he's in that HOF echelon of coaches. I just see a guy who's too stubborn to change.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Monday he won’t announce a starting quarterback for the regular season until “right before” the Sept. 11 opener against the New York Giants.That means two more weeks of suspense as Rex Grossman and John Beck compete the No. 1 job. Even after he makes the decision, Shanahan isn’t going to let the world know because he wants to keep the Giants guessing.“Probably have the team get ready for both quarterbacks,” he said.Grossman started the first preseason game, Beck the second. Both played well against good defenses.“We’ve got two guys that we believe in, two guys that are very close right now,” Shanahan said. “I’d feel very comfortable going into our first game with either quarterback. We’ll have to make one of those tough decisions, and we won’t make it ‘til the end.”The third game was the subject of an entertaining father-son disconnect after Monday’s practice. First, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was asked if he knows who will start Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens.“Yeah, I do,” Kyle Shanahan said. “But I’m not going to let you know.”Moments later, Mike Shanahan was asked to spill the beans and name Thursday’s starter.“I’m not even sure right now. We haven’t even talked about it,” the head coach said. “I couldn’t tell you. We haven’t made a decision.”Told that his son said the decision had been made, Mike Shanahan replied: “Well, he hasn’t told me about it then.”Regardless of which one starts, Kyle Shanahan said both quarterbacks will play with the starters in the game considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season.Notes: S LaRon Landry (hamstring), TE Chris Cooley (knee), LB Edgar Jones (concussion), WR Brandon Banks (knee), WR Malcolm Kelly (foot) and RB Ryan Torain (hand) are among those who won’t play Thursday. ... RT Jammal Brown was scheduled for X-rays on the ring finger of his right hand, but he’s expected to play. ... RB James Davis, who abruptly left training camp a week ago, was released from the reserve/left squad list. ... Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau was a special guest at practice Monday, at the invitation of special teams coach Danny Smith. “I thought maybe I could pick up something and see if it could work with us,” Boudreau said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/shanahan-wont-announce-redskins-starting-qb-until-right-before-season-opener-vs-giants/2011/08/22/gIQADagzWJ_story.html

That strategy worked real well for Cleveland under Mangini a few years back. Teams really dread not knowing which mediocre QB they may face in week 1.

 

[Late225]

Well, it does give them an advantage because the team will need to study film of both quarterbacks. That doesn't necessarily translate into a win (because of mediocre talent), but it's a smart coaching decision.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Shanahan has to be the most overrated coach in the last 30 years of football. He's getting more mileage out of Elway and TD's rings than I ever imagined.

Yes, Shanahan had nothing to do with those two winning Super Bowls.

If it wasn't for Shanahan, Elway would probably have zero rings.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Shanahan has gone out of his way to practically hand the job to Beck on a silver platter. The only way he doesn't start is if he completely tanks and Grossman plays well.

Agreed.Also, everyone is going to know who the starting qb is before week 1, based on who is taking all the reps with the #1 offense.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Shanahan has to be the most overrated coach in the last 30 years of football. He's getting more mileage out of Elway and TD's rings than I ever imagined.

By definition winning back to back Super Bowl means he really can't be overrated. Nobody talks about him in the Lombardi, Shula, Walsh tier. He's won just as many Super Bowls as Bill Parcells. Of active coaches, only Belichick has more Super Bowls if I'm not mistaken.

I get it. Guy won two super bowls over a decade ago. He's been largely ineffective since then. People still tout him like he's in that HOF echelon of coaches. I just see a guy who's too stubborn to change.

How many other head coaches not only got Jake Plummer to play well, but got to a conference championship game with him? That aside, I think he is struggling a bit in Washington thus far (still not sure why he picked there to make his return to coaching), but he is still a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, and those guys just don't fall off of trees.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Well, it does give them an advantage because the team will need to study film of both quarterbacks. That doesn't necessarily translate into a win (because of mediocre talent), but it's a smart coaching decision.

Are the two quarterbacks really that different? It's not like one is Vick.

 

[adrenaline]

Shanahan has to be the most overrated coach in the last 30 years of football. He's getting more mileage out of Elway and TD's rings than I ever imagined.

Yes, Shanahan had nothing to do with those two winning Super Bowls.

If it wasn't for Shanahan, Elway would probably have zero rings.

Come on guys, those were TD's rings.

 

[Eastwood]

and let's be honest, how many coaches would have made the Skins a contender last year? He came to a team that has been in the bottom of the division for several years, without a franchise QB, and an old team. I think the man deserves a pass for year 1 and probably year 2. And the team is getting younger, keeping their draft picks (and trading down to get more) and so far looks much better than last year. I think Shanny deserves a lot of credit actually.

 

[fatness]

If those were my two choices, I wouldn't want to announce it either.

It's like announcing which one of your sisters you're taking to the dance.

 

[fatness]

Well, it does give them an advantage because the team will need to study film of both quarterbacks.

That will encourage the other team.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Well, it does give them an advantage because the team will need to study film of both quarterbacks. That doesn't necessarily translate into a win (because of mediocre talent), but it's a smart coaching decision.

Redskins beat writer, John Keim, thinks this is the case:

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said he would pick his starting quarterback "just before" the season opener vs. the New York Giants. Better bet: That's when he wants the public to find out. There's little doubt that Shanahan will have his starting quarterback taking all the first team reps on the Wednesday before the opener; he'll just try to protect it from getting out. But he'll let the Giants have to prepare for two quarterbacks as long as he can.

 

[charlatan]

Denver fan here.

Shanahan is a great x's and o's guy, but he can't pick talent (he had a FEW exceptions). Oh, and he goes through D coordinators like their coming from the head of a Mickey Mouse PEZ dispenser.

I made a bet with one of my friends here that he will not survive another year as the coach in WAS, and I'm sticking to it.

My .02

 

[Raider Nation]

Mike Shanahan said Monday he won’t announce a starting quarterback for the regular season until “right before” the Sept. 11 opener against the New York Giants.