Remember back in the offseason, when Rex Grossman stated that the Redskins would be the team to beat in the NFC East for 2011? That notion seemed to be as insane as any proposed sequel for Ishtar. So, everyone laughed it off, and basically thought that the NFL drug policy obviously does not check for hallucinatory drugs. Then the Redskins started off the season 3-1, and suddenly people were jumping on their bandwagon, thinking that maybe Rex Grossman was really not that insane all along.
Funny thing about terrible teams – they will eventually revert back to the mean. Week One, the Redskins beat an injured New York Gians team that was still trying to figure out who to start in the secondary. In Weeks Two and Four, they defeated terrible teams in Arizona and St. Louis. Not exactly a murderer’s row of competetion there, especially since half of the teams in the college ranks could defeat them.
The most damning statistic to come out of the first twelve weeks is the flat ineptitude that the offense has shown. Previously, Shanahan had success in plugging in just about anyone as a starting running back, and getting them to produce. But how much of this was the ‘genius’ of Shanahan, and how much was the zone blocking scheme of Gary Kubiak? Fascinating to note that the Texans, who Kubiak coaches, can run the ball with ease, while Shanahan’s Redskins are 29th in the league in rushing yards.
The quarterbacks have been equally, and predictably, atrocious. Aside from Mike Shanahan, did anyone really expect the Disasterous Duo of Rex Grossman and John Beck not to suck? After all, John Beck has NEVER won an NFL game. Think about that for a moment. And this is the guy that Shanahan felt he could turn into an actual NFL quarterback? No wonder they have the sixth fewest points scored in the entire league.
Again, this really comes back to that overgrown Oompa Loompa Shanahan having a reputation for being better than he actually is. For all of the success that he is perceived to have, it all came riding the coattails of one John Elway. In fact, when not coaching Elway, Shanahan is 1-5 in playoff games. Yes, that’s right – one win and five losses. That is worse than the poster boy for playoff futility, Marty Schottenheimer. He’s 5-13 in playoff games. So, without Elway, how good a coach is Mike Shanahan? Answer – not that good.
So, as the Redskins prepare to face a good Jets team this weekend, get ready to laugh, cry, and be astonished. Not that the Jets are as great as they are going to look, but that the Redskins are that terrible. There will be no improvement until Dan Synder comes to his senses, asks What The Shanahan, and makes a coaching change.
Showing posts with label Mike Shanahan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Shanahan. Show all posts
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
What The Shanahan - Part 4
Just when the decision making of Mike Shanahan cannot seem to get worse, he proves everyone wrong.
Last year, Shanahan looked at his roster, and thought to himself that he did not have a quarterback. As such, he went out and traded for Donovan McNabb, giving the Philadelphia Eagles a second round draft pick in 2010, and another draft choice in 2011. Well, the thought that McNabb was better than Rex Grossman or the immortal John Beck lasted for 13 weeks, before he was benched. On July 27, Shanahan traded him to Minnesota for a sixth round draft choice in 2012 and a conditional sixth round pick in 2013. Hell of a return on a second and a fourth.
Next, we come to Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth, when motivated, is a stud defensive lineman. Yet, early on in his tenure with the Redskins (pretty much in the first hour), Shanahan went out of his way to alienate his best defensive lineman. Yes, Haynesworth ended up quitting on the Redskins (who can forget him laying down in the middle of the field during play?) but he never felt respected by the current regime. In the end, Haynesworth got his wish, and was traded to the New England Patriots for a fifth round pick in 2013. Seems that $100Million doesn’t get what it used to anymore.
Now, to further compound the idiocy that is the roster construction of the Washington Redskins, they did nothing to address their quarterback situation. Unless Shanahan sees something in John Beck that no one else does, or if Beck has compromising pictures of Shanahan and farm animals, there is no way that he should be starting for a CFL team, let alone in the NFL. They also neglected the offensive line until the seventh round, way too late for them to have a significant upgrade at any point in the near future.
While there were several picks that were steals in Leonard Hankerson and Roy Helu, they made moves in free agency that limited the logic of these selections. They signed Brandon Stokley and Donte Stallworth, and traded for Jabar Gaffney – moves that would have been exciting three years ago. At quarterback, they brought in another less than exciting option in Kellen Clemens. Yeah, these are moves that will lead the Redskins back to the promised land.
This year may be the final nail in the ‘Shanahan Is A Genius’ coffin. This team is now unquestionably molded in his image. Now we all get the joy of watching it blow apart.
Last year, Shanahan looked at his roster, and thought to himself that he did not have a quarterback. As such, he went out and traded for Donovan McNabb, giving the Philadelphia Eagles a second round draft pick in 2010, and another draft choice in 2011. Well, the thought that McNabb was better than Rex Grossman or the immortal John Beck lasted for 13 weeks, before he was benched. On July 27, Shanahan traded him to Minnesota for a sixth round draft choice in 2012 and a conditional sixth round pick in 2013. Hell of a return on a second and a fourth.
Next, we come to Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth, when motivated, is a stud defensive lineman. Yet, early on in his tenure with the Redskins (pretty much in the first hour), Shanahan went out of his way to alienate his best defensive lineman. Yes, Haynesworth ended up quitting on the Redskins (who can forget him laying down in the middle of the field during play?) but he never felt respected by the current regime. In the end, Haynesworth got his wish, and was traded to the New England Patriots for a fifth round pick in 2013. Seems that $100Million doesn’t get what it used to anymore.
Now, to further compound the idiocy that is the roster construction of the Washington Redskins, they did nothing to address their quarterback situation. Unless Shanahan sees something in John Beck that no one else does, or if Beck has compromising pictures of Shanahan and farm animals, there is no way that he should be starting for a CFL team, let alone in the NFL. They also neglected the offensive line until the seventh round, way too late for them to have a significant upgrade at any point in the near future.
While there were several picks that were steals in Leonard Hankerson and Roy Helu, they made moves in free agency that limited the logic of these selections. They signed Brandon Stokley and Donte Stallworth, and traded for Jabar Gaffney – moves that would have been exciting three years ago. At quarterback, they brought in another less than exciting option in Kellen Clemens. Yeah, these are moves that will lead the Redskins back to the promised land.
This year may be the final nail in the ‘Shanahan Is A Genius’ coffin. This team is now unquestionably molded in his image. Now we all get the joy of watching it blow apart.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
What the Shanahan - Part Three
It has been roughly six months since the last installment of the popular 'What the Shanahan?' posts here on the ol' blog. Part of this is due to the NFL lockout, where things such as trades and free agency cannot happen. Thankfully, Mike Shanahan is not stopped from talking during this lockout, making this third installment possible.
Apparently, Shanahan, in his infinite wisdom and knowledge of the quarterback position, is ok with the idea of having John Beck as his starting quarterback. Yes, the same John Beck that was the main quarterback during the Miami Dolphins' 1-15 season. The same John Beck that has not seen an NFL field, except from the sidelines, since 2007, when he was a 26 year old rookie. The John Beck that has a total of 559 passing yards and one touchdown. Yup.
Now, it would be one thing if the Redskins did not have better options. They did neglect the position during the draft, focusing on attempting to upgrade the defense and the receiving position. However, they do have a Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback on the roster in Donovan McNabb. While McNabb may not have played overly well in 2010, the only way that Beck would be an upgrade would be in McNabb turned into Helen Keller. Even then, it may be a tie.
It bears repeating that the Redskins gave up a second round draft choice last year and an additional draft pick in 2011. Also, for all the claiming that Shanahan is a genius as a coach, he has won exactly ONE playoff game since John Elway retired. Maybe it was Elway that made him look good.
Now, there is speculation that Shanahan is talking up Beck in an attempt to not seem desperate to get a starting caliber quarterback, and is trying to appear as though he is in a position of strength. News flash - saying that John Beck or Rex Grossman (who also claims that he is the starting quarterback, although he is not on the Redskins roster) is going to be your quarterback going forward is NOT a position of strength. Saying so is roughly akin to denying the existence of gravity and jumping off of Mount Thor on Banfin Island.
Actually, let's see Shanahan go out there with John Beck as his quarterback. When this fails in epic fashion, maybe we can finally put to rest the 'Shanahan is a Genius' rhetoric that has been spewed forth for years.
Apparently, Shanahan, in his infinite wisdom and knowledge of the quarterback position, is ok with the idea of having John Beck as his starting quarterback. Yes, the same John Beck that was the main quarterback during the Miami Dolphins' 1-15 season. The same John Beck that has not seen an NFL field, except from the sidelines, since 2007, when he was a 26 year old rookie. The John Beck that has a total of 559 passing yards and one touchdown. Yup.
Now, it would be one thing if the Redskins did not have better options. They did neglect the position during the draft, focusing on attempting to upgrade the defense and the receiving position. However, they do have a Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback on the roster in Donovan McNabb. While McNabb may not have played overly well in 2010, the only way that Beck would be an upgrade would be in McNabb turned into Helen Keller. Even then, it may be a tie.
It bears repeating that the Redskins gave up a second round draft choice last year and an additional draft pick in 2011. Also, for all the claiming that Shanahan is a genius as a coach, he has won exactly ONE playoff game since John Elway retired. Maybe it was Elway that made him look good.
Now, there is speculation that Shanahan is talking up Beck in an attempt to not seem desperate to get a starting caliber quarterback, and is trying to appear as though he is in a position of strength. News flash - saying that John Beck or Rex Grossman (who also claims that he is the starting quarterback, although he is not on the Redskins roster) is going to be your quarterback going forward is NOT a position of strength. Saying so is roughly akin to denying the existence of gravity and jumping off of Mount Thor on Banfin Island.
Actually, let's see Shanahan go out there with John Beck as his quarterback. When this fails in epic fashion, maybe we can finally put to rest the 'Shanahan is a Genius' rhetoric that has been spewed forth for years.
Monday, December 27, 2010
What the Shanahan - Part 2
The biggest moves of the Washington Redskins offseason was to hire Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen as the head coach and general manager, respectively. Shanahan was given the ultimate authority to make football decisions in terms of what players he wanted on the Redskins roster. In theory, having a two time Super Bowl winning coach come over to run a team gives instant credibility. However, a closer examination of Mike Shanahan is truly in order.
Shanahan was originally the coach of the Oakland Raiders, where over a combined twenty games, he went 8-12. Keep in mind that these were not the Raiders of current times, but back in 1988 and 1989, when the team had Bo Jackson, legitimate talent on both sides of the ball, and Al Davis wasn't quite a vampire yet. In fact, in 1990, they went 12-4 and made the playoffs. Shanahan then resurfaced in 1995 with the Denver Broncos, going 8-8 in his first season before winning back to back Super Bowls with John Elway under center. After 1997 and winning his second Super Bowl, Shanahan only made the post season a total of four times, winning only one more playoff game. Following the 2008 season, after he went a combined 24-24 over the past three season, he was fired by the Broncos.
Once in Washington, Shanahan's moves have been interesting. He brought in Donovan McNabb, a player that has a history of choking in the playoffs, and casting away a solid, and respected in the locker room, player in Jason Campbell. He completely changed the alignment of the defense while ignoring the personnel assembled on the team, eschewing the 4-3 in favor of his beloved 3-4. This, despite the fact that the Redskins defense was actually decent last season, ranking 10th in total yards in 2009. This year, they rank 19th in total yards. He has publicly feuded with arguably the best defensive lineman on his team in Albert Haynesworth, forcing him to run a pointless conditioning exercise over and over again as a means of humiliating him. Eventually, Haynesworth was forced off the team and suspended for the remainder of the year.
The roster was constructed using older, veteran players that did not have anything left in the tank. Until recently, Joey Galloway was serving as the number two receiver for the Redskins. This, despite them having two second round picks from 2008 in camp. However, Shanahan, in yet another power trip, demoted both to third string, then subsequently released one and placed the other on IR. Larry Johnson and Willie Parker were brought in, and expected to serve as the backup and third string running backs. Both are no longer with the team. McNabb was given a five year extension, then demoted to backup quarterback, and now, third string. He will be released in the offseason, after Shanahan traded a second round draft choice in 2010 and a fourth round selection in 2011 for him.
The roster is filled with players more interested in padding their statistics than in winning a football game. In the loss to Dallas last week, DeAngelo Hall made an ill advised attempt at an interception, badly misplaying the football. As a result, Jason Witten was able to walk into the endzone untouched. However, had he covered Witten and stayed in position, the Witten would have been stopped at around the ten yard line. Haynesworth wanted no part of the 3-4, in part because his statistics would suffer. On long scoring plays, barely anyone on the Redskins defense attempts to chase down the ball carrier, as most times there are not any maroon jerseys within twenty yards.
Just like the overrated players on this team, Shanahan is also completely overrated. He got his Super Bowl rings riding the coattails of John Elway, and when Elway retired, the true capabilities (or lack thereof) of Shanahan came to light. This is yet another million dollar, flashy mistake by Dan Snyder, who should be kept away from the football team for the Redskins well being.
Shanahan was originally the coach of the Oakland Raiders, where over a combined twenty games, he went 8-12. Keep in mind that these were not the Raiders of current times, but back in 1988 and 1989, when the team had Bo Jackson, legitimate talent on both sides of the ball, and Al Davis wasn't quite a vampire yet. In fact, in 1990, they went 12-4 and made the playoffs. Shanahan then resurfaced in 1995 with the Denver Broncos, going 8-8 in his first season before winning back to back Super Bowls with John Elway under center. After 1997 and winning his second Super Bowl, Shanahan only made the post season a total of four times, winning only one more playoff game. Following the 2008 season, after he went a combined 24-24 over the past three season, he was fired by the Broncos.
Once in Washington, Shanahan's moves have been interesting. He brought in Donovan McNabb, a player that has a history of choking in the playoffs, and casting away a solid, and respected in the locker room, player in Jason Campbell. He completely changed the alignment of the defense while ignoring the personnel assembled on the team, eschewing the 4-3 in favor of his beloved 3-4. This, despite the fact that the Redskins defense was actually decent last season, ranking 10th in total yards in 2009. This year, they rank 19th in total yards. He has publicly feuded with arguably the best defensive lineman on his team in Albert Haynesworth, forcing him to run a pointless conditioning exercise over and over again as a means of humiliating him. Eventually, Haynesworth was forced off the team and suspended for the remainder of the year.
The roster was constructed using older, veteran players that did not have anything left in the tank. Until recently, Joey Galloway was serving as the number two receiver for the Redskins. This, despite them having two second round picks from 2008 in camp. However, Shanahan, in yet another power trip, demoted both to third string, then subsequently released one and placed the other on IR. Larry Johnson and Willie Parker were brought in, and expected to serve as the backup and third string running backs. Both are no longer with the team. McNabb was given a five year extension, then demoted to backup quarterback, and now, third string. He will be released in the offseason, after Shanahan traded a second round draft choice in 2010 and a fourth round selection in 2011 for him.
The roster is filled with players more interested in padding their statistics than in winning a football game. In the loss to Dallas last week, DeAngelo Hall made an ill advised attempt at an interception, badly misplaying the football. As a result, Jason Witten was able to walk into the endzone untouched. However, had he covered Witten and stayed in position, the Witten would have been stopped at around the ten yard line. Haynesworth wanted no part of the 3-4, in part because his statistics would suffer. On long scoring plays, barely anyone on the Redskins defense attempts to chase down the ball carrier, as most times there are not any maroon jerseys within twenty yards.
Just like the overrated players on this team, Shanahan is also completely overrated. He got his Super Bowl rings riding the coattails of John Elway, and when Elway retired, the true capabilities (or lack thereof) of Shanahan came to light. This is yet another million dollar, flashy mistake by Dan Snyder, who should be kept away from the football team for the Redskins well being.
Friday, December 17, 2010
What the Shanahan?
Continuing a season in which he has made a number of, and this is being charitable, questionable moves within the organization, Mike Shanahan has stated that Donovan McNabb is being benched for the rest of the season in favor of Rex Grossman. To further the questionable nature of this move, after this weekend's game, McNabb is going to be demoted down to the third string option in favor of John Beck. Who? Exactly.
Now, this is not to say that McNabb is an elite option at quarterback any longer. In fact, this season he quite the roller coaster under center, having thrown a career high 15 interceptions with a quarterback rating of 77.1. Yes, this has been a bad season for him. However, McNabb over his career has a rating of 85.7, which ranks 23rd all time, ahead of such players as Roger Staubach, Len Dawson, and Troy Aikman. He has 230 touchdowns over his career, as opposed to 115 interceptions. Meanwhile, Rex Grossman has a career rating of 69.6, which is tied for 152 all time, with Steve Grogan and Pat Haden. In fact, Grossman's best rating was in his rookie season when he played in three games and produced a rating of 74.8. His career touchdowns and interceptions? 33 and 36, respectively. John Beck is even worse, with a rating of 62. He hasn't even been on the field since 2007 for the Miami Dolphins, in the season where they went 1-15.
Yes, McNabb has been overrated through his career. However, he is leagues better than either Grossman or Beck. Also, McNabb was just signed to a contract extension this season. What is going on in Washington? Did Shanahan completely lose his mind since being fired by Denver? What is he trying to prove here?
This could be overlooked, perhaps, if this was the first time he benched McNabb. Yet, in their loss to Detroit in Week 8 of the season, stating that Rex Grossman had a better grasp of the two-minute offense, that McNabb did not have the 'cardiovascular endurance' to run the offense, and that Grossman was a better option. He has surrounded McNabb with a terrible offensive line and a supporting cast of aging and decrepit supporting cast at receiver and running back. And let us not forget the entire feud with Albert Haynesworth from the moment he was named head coach. It sort of makes one think if the issues were truly the fault of Haynesworth, or if Shanahan was more to blame that thought.
In the end, this is just another sideshow in the circus that the Washington Redskins have become since Dan Snyder purchased the team. McNabb will probably be released at the end of the year, and will be picked up by a team that could desperately use a quarterback (like, maybe Minnesota or Arizona?) He deserves better than the insult of being benched for a collection of never-were's.
Now, this is not to say that McNabb is an elite option at quarterback any longer. In fact, this season he quite the roller coaster under center, having thrown a career high 15 interceptions with a quarterback rating of 77.1. Yes, this has been a bad season for him. However, McNabb over his career has a rating of 85.7, which ranks 23rd all time, ahead of such players as Roger Staubach, Len Dawson, and Troy Aikman. He has 230 touchdowns over his career, as opposed to 115 interceptions. Meanwhile, Rex Grossman has a career rating of 69.6, which is tied for 152 all time, with Steve Grogan and Pat Haden. In fact, Grossman's best rating was in his rookie season when he played in three games and produced a rating of 74.8. His career touchdowns and interceptions? 33 and 36, respectively. John Beck is even worse, with a rating of 62. He hasn't even been on the field since 2007 for the Miami Dolphins, in the season where they went 1-15.
Yes, McNabb has been overrated through his career. However, he is leagues better than either Grossman or Beck. Also, McNabb was just signed to a contract extension this season. What is going on in Washington? Did Shanahan completely lose his mind since being fired by Denver? What is he trying to prove here?
This could be overlooked, perhaps, if this was the first time he benched McNabb. Yet, in their loss to Detroit in Week 8 of the season, stating that Rex Grossman had a better grasp of the two-minute offense, that McNabb did not have the 'cardiovascular endurance' to run the offense, and that Grossman was a better option. He has surrounded McNabb with a terrible offensive line and a supporting cast of aging and decrepit supporting cast at receiver and running back. And let us not forget the entire feud with Albert Haynesworth from the moment he was named head coach. It sort of makes one think if the issues were truly the fault of Haynesworth, or if Shanahan was more to blame that thought.
In the end, this is just another sideshow in the circus that the Washington Redskins have become since Dan Snyder purchased the team. McNabb will probably be released at the end of the year, and will be picked up by a team that could desperately use a quarterback (like, maybe Minnesota or Arizona?) He deserves better than the insult of being benched for a collection of never-were's.
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