The Best Thing Mike Shanahan Brings to Washington Is…

The positives of bringing in Mike Shanahan have been talked about and made crystal clear in the weeks of speculation prior to the official hiring as the Redskins next head coach and after.

There is his winning pedigree, which includes appearing in ten conference championships and six Super Bowls in some role as a coach, not to mention his two Super Bowl victories in back-to-back seasons as a head coach with the Denver Broncos (’97-’98). With his accomplishments he draws a lot of respect from players and has a no nonsense approach towards his players and discipline.

However, little has been made about the personnel that will follow Mike Shanahan to the nation’s capital. Mike Zimmer, the current Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator, is rumored to follow Shanahan.

But the big name that I am personally excited about is our offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The son of the new head coach looks to be a chip off the off the old block with the resume that he has already built in the NFL.

Now the reason I bring this up is because Mike Shanahan is 57 years old and has been around the league for the past 26. He did sign a five year contract, but I find it unlikely he will stay more than four.

As history shows, NFL coaches don’t really coach much into their sixties, with just a few exceptions. Most great aging head coaches move on into the front office where they become in charge of player personnel once the stress of the day-to-day grind becomes too great.

Looking at Kyle Shanahan, he is already in the making of becoming a great coach. At age 30, he has already had six years working with NFL teams. The past four seasons he has been with the Houston Texans, most recently as their offensive coordinator.

In 2006 he was the teams wide receivers coach, a season in which he worked with Andre Johnson, who had his first 100+ catch season.

The following season Shanahan moved to quarterbacks coach where he was a part of improving a 27th ranked passing attack a season ago to 11th. Even having to work with both Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels, who both had over 200 attempts after an injury to Schaub.

From 2008-2009 Shanahan has been the teams offensive coordinator, and after the 2009 season the Texans finished first in the league in passing. And throughout his tenure with the team, it is obvious that he has been an important piece to the success that the Texans have been having.

Some of you are wondering why I still bring this up, it probably won’t happen. But Mike Shanahan was brought in to be kind of a quick fix. That is why you hire a guy who has been at the top to come in and change things fast. But again, given his age he will most likely and tire and fade out in a few years.

Any franchise would agree that they are always looking for a coach that would be their man for years and years to come, and I believe that Kyle could do that.

From the author (side note): I mainly wrote this article because I’m tired of seeing all these Mike Shanahan articles by everyone, especially when they are all saying the same thing.

Please comment your thoughts.

 

 

 

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What Chris Henry Has In Common With The Late Sean Taylor

The whole sports community has had different reactions to the news of Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry’s death. Most have had the decent courtesy to respect Chris Henry as a person, and loving father of three. But some have referred to him as “just another thug.”

Whatever the circumstances are surrounding his dispute and death with fiancee Loleini Tonga, nothing takes away from the fact that a man lost his life and left behind a huge family, including his immediate family and the whole team of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The NFL has seen this before.

Just over two years ago, Redskins safety Sean Taylor died after suffering a gunshot wound to the leg. It was thought at first around the sports community that it must have been gang related, that whatever happened to Taylor might have been his fault. It was later discovered that Taylor’s murder was a random home robbery that went wrong.

Both Sean Taylor and Chris Henry had troubled pasts.

But they were doing the very best they could to re-model their lives in the best interest of their kids and fiancee. They re-dedicated themselves to the game they loved to play, and both organizations realized that. It is just a shame that the rest of the community couldn’t see it.

Luckily for Taylor and Henry, they are in a better place, no longer judged and hated on for their past. They will be able to look down and protect their family. I personally wish the best to Chris Henry and his family and friends.

 

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Brighter Spots On A Dark Night: Redskins Loose To Eagles on MNF

The Washington Redskins have been talked about on the national stage for the past couple of weeks. But tonight they finally showed the country just how bad it is in the nation’s capital.

In a game driven by momentum, Antwaan Randle El essentially ended the Redskins night with a botched punt that quickly turned into points shortly before half time. The second half was sloppy on both sides, with both teams missing out on easy opportunities, of course the Redskins missing more than their fair share.

But as the Redskins go in to their bye week with a dismal 2-5 record, I did see some bright spots on Monday night.

How about 2/3 of the first three draft picks from 2008 showing up when they were needed. Devin Thomas caught his first career touchdown pass and finished with three catches for 45 yards.Next, Fred Davis who had to step up after an injury to Chris Cooley (who by the way I lost a lot of respect for with that bleach-blonde hair), filled in nicely. He was called on a lot and came through with 8 catches for 78 yards. He did drop a touchdown pass, but turned around the next play and made up for it.

As far as the play calling is concerned, I will just say it was better. I thought Sherm Lewis dialed up some great well timed plays, then there were just a few plays that were called, that I thought maybe Jim Zorn had called? But really the execution was poor once again. No surprise, but Jason Campbell showed once again he is incapable of giving his offense a chance to move down the field and be successful.

The scrap offensive line protected as well as they could against the best blitzing defense in the NFL, but Jason Campbell has no confidence and it continues to bleed through.

The defense which continues to do play as well as it can, yeah it gave up some big plays, but they gave up 20 points, including times when they were put on the field with their backs against the wall with a short field. But inopportune penalties and offensive muffs cost us the game tonight.

Going into the bye week, if I were the Redskins I would be slightly encouraged. The sad part about it is though, is that there is no leadership on this team, everyone’s heads are down. The divas on the team who are throwing their helmets down on the side line are only adding to the troubles, and no one is taking command. I see the facade in the locker room of everyone talking like its being taken care of, but every Sunday, and on this case Monday night, you see that nothing is being done.

Moving forward, I would question whether or not it is worth moving forward with Jason Campbell? Is it worth keeping Jim Zorn, who let me say I have all the respect in the world for, but what is he doing with this team, if he isn’t calling the plays, and he probably doesn’t have the respect of everyone in the locker room. Those are big questions, and an answer to any one of those could definitely alleviate the pressure. Pressure that won’t leave though until the season is over and then whole sale changes are made.

 

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If I Was The Owner Of The Washington Redskins, I Would… (Part Two)

This is the second part exploring what I would do if I was the owner of the Washington Redskins. I went over the front office changes in the first part . Now it is time to focus on the personnel.

Now I’ve got to bring in the players that will fit the coaches and their schemes that I previously brought in. Meaning a strong balanced offense featuring a down the field passing game and the switch to a 3-4 defense.

Here it goes:

 

Quarterbacks

Jason Campbell becomes a free agent after this season and I am going to show him all the money he wants, then slap him in the face with it and then kick him out the door.

Now I go out and draft a franchise quarterback. Sam Bradford (OU), Colt McCoy (TEX), and Tony Pike (CINN) would be my top guys, with Jimmy Clausen (ND), Jake Locker (WAS), and Jevan Snead (MISS) as secondary options.

I will hold on to Todd Collins who will serve as a valuable mentor, and once again let him and Colt Brennan fight for the backup job.

 

Running Backs

As much as I am losing faith in Clinton Portis, with John Ramsdell as offensive coordinator I’m hoping he could help save Portis a bit by relieving with him guys like Anthony Alridge and Marcus Mason.

That said, I do what I can to shop around Ladell Betts and get what I can for him. Now I have a four running backs, Clinton Portis is still the main guy, but Anthony Alridge will be the game changing scat back, with Marcus Mason seen in short yard situations.

Rock Cartwright will continue to be the special teams captain, but not necessarily the returner anymore.

 

Wide Receivers

Santana Moss has provided us with big plays over the year, but he doesn’t make my cut. He is a diva and provides no leadership for this team.

Now I don’t necessarily trust Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas as the number one and two receivers, so I look at the free agents and really consider Vincent Jackson with connections to new offensive coordinator John Ramsdell.

If Jackson gets resigned by San Diego, or the asking price is too much then I will shift my attention to Kevin Walter, who is the consummate professional who would provide great leadership and hands.

Antwaan Randle El will stay on the team as the possible slot receiver but will certainly not be the punt returner. Instead I’m going to look at the draft for a late round pick like Trindon Holiday (LSU) or Brandon Banks (KSU).

 

Tight Ends

No changes needed here really. Chris Cooley is one of the best in the NFL, and Fred Davis is emerging as a valid threat once he learns to protect the ball.

Todd Yoder is the third string tight end, and deserves to get re-signed only because Chris Cooley would probably be highly upset if he was let go.

 

Offensive Line

Oh boy, will this be tough.

Stephon Heyer, Mike Williams, D’Anthony Batiste, and Will Montgomery will all be free agents. I will re-sign just Mike Williams and Will Montgomery, so they will join Chris Samuels, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Chad Rinehart, and Edwin Williams.

I hope Randy Thomas will call it a career. He is a great professional, but the injury he suffered and his age just don’t make him a part of the future. So now I have holes to fill at RT and RG.

First I try to acquire two first round picks, preferably both within the first 15 picks—one for the franchise quarterback and the other for the offensive line. Then I’d use our second round pick on the next offensive lineman.

As far as top prospects go I would look at tackles Russell Okung (OKSU), Trent Williams (OU), Charles Brown (USC), and Ciron Black (LSU). At guard I would consider Mike Iuptai (ID), Jon Asamoah (ILL), and Mike Pouncey (FLA).

I would give both rookies the chance to start as long as they don’t lose it in the offseason.

As far as free agents are concerned I would only consider Jahri Evans, Marcus McNeill, and Jared Gaither, but all of them are more likely to be re-signed by their current team.

 

Defensive Line

From the looks of it early on in this season, the Albert Haynesworth effect hasn’t exactly panned out.

So how would I fix it? With the 3-4 defense coming to D.C. with the help of Bowles and Butler.

First off, four free agents to consider letting go or re-signing are Philip Daniels, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, and Lorenzo Alexander. I re-sign Anthony Montgomery who is the bigger bodied of the group and could be in the NT rotation with Haynesworth and Griffin.

I also re-sign Lorenzo Alexander who is a hard worker and could fit in at any position on the defensive line.

Andre Carter, Brian Orakpo, and Chris Wilson should flourish in this system as they would see time at OLB and DE.

To address the hole at DE I look at some young guys who can play physical against the run. Looking at the 4-5 round for guys like C.J. Wilson (ECU), Brandon Deaderick (AL), and Lawrence Wilson (OSU).

 

Linebackers

With the switch to a 3-4 defense, linebacker depth is key. Therefore so is re-signing Rocky McIntosh. But still I would look at a free agent to play next to London Fletcher, so I look at D’Qwell Jackson who hopefully will want out of Cleveland, a team which is in certainly a more dire situation than the Redskins.

I also look at Gary Brackett, Larry Foote, and Omar Gaither. Again Andre Carter, Brian Orakpo, and Chris Wilson will provide depth at this position as well.

 

Cornerbacks

No doubt DeAngelo Hall has been our most productive cornerback since he came from Oakland close to a year ago.

But Carlos Rogers has quietly become at times an elite shutdown cornerback and now becomes a free agent. I would do whatever I could to re-sign him, because after Hall we have nothing.

Fred Smoot I would show the door. To replace him I look at free agents Marlin Jackson, Richard Marshall, and Fabian Washington.

We’ve drafted two corners in the past two seasons, but none have panned out. I do like Stephan Virgil (VT) and Chris Hawkins (LSU) as potential mid-round picks.

 

Safeties

Reed Doughty has been a pleasant surprise so far this season, but after the season I would let him go. LaRon Landry, I hate to say, is becoming slightly overrated, but I blame it more on the current defensive philosophy.

Chris Horton can make plays if given the opportunity, and Kareem Moore can be a solid backup.

I would try to bring in former Redskin Ryan Clark, who is a veteran of the 3-4 defense with Pittsburgh. I felt we should have never let him go, but now we need him back to mentor these young safeties we have.

 

Special Teams

Both Shaun Suisham and Hunter Smith are free agents, and both I don’t re-sign. I would have considered re-signing Smith, but the groin injury worries me too much. I’m not going to mess with rookie kickers, so I’m going straight to free agency and getting whoever I can not named Shaun Suisham.

Now that I’ve brought in a new front office and coaches, and got some quality players, I’m going to back off and let the people I hired do their jobs, something Dan Snyder could have done.

That concludes this series of what I would do If I was the owner of the Washington Redskins. I know this article is just one big fantasy, but a guy could only dream of something like this.

If one of these moves is done by the Redskins this offseason I will forever be in bliss.

 

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