DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

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[LEFT]Over the last two-seasons as head coach, Mike Shanahan has been ridiculed by some fans for not turning the franchise around. Now, with current QB rumors of Peyton Manning and Kyle Orton coming to D.C, those talks have increased. Fear not Redskins fans, Mike Shanahan is leading the team in the right direction.

Lately, Mike Shanahan has been viewed as either a genius, or an idiot, thanks to rumors of Peyton Manning coming to Washington D.C. Naturally, each side have their pros and cons. If Manning is 100% healthy, you are getting a very accurate and deadly QB. If not, you’re going to get something less than a ‘bad Rex’ Grossman – but would Mike Shanahan risk his job for an unhealthy Manning? Probably not.

Mike learned his lesson after he traded for Donovan McNabb, whom he hoped could be his next John Elway, unfortunately, McNabb was the complete opposite of that. McNabb was lazy, uneager to learn and wouldn’t wear an armband, things which weren’t able to be evaluated. Thankfully, unlike the past, Shanahan made sure to get rid of him immediately, earning not only a 6th round draft pick in this years draft, but also saving $78 million-dollars.

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Tell me what you guys think, this is my blog (hence the name), I don't usually post links and what not, unless it's via Twitter, but just want to know what some people think and what not, would be appreciated.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

i'm fine sticking with a head coach for years in order to create stability. it takes a long time to clean up someone else's mess. i believe shanahan is a good coach and i don't see many bad apples in this basket. HTTR!

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

I agree that Mike Shanahan is leading the Redskins to the promise land. It's just going to take a bit of time for the Redskins to get there. There have been setbacks along the way so far, namely Donovan McNabb, John Beck, and Rex Grossman, none of whom were the answer at quarterback. Once Shanahan lands the right QB in conjunction with the Redskins ferocious defense, then the Redskins will be worthy of being a contender.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

^ that plus the fact had Allen and MS came here and did not continued the Cerrato way of doing business with the same outcome we had I'd be wanting them gone. They didn't no matter how you look at it. Old FA's at a low cost, not trading away the future of the team for said FA's or using multiple draft picks to move up. Instead we got a solid draft out of their first year and trading back for more picks in their second. In yrs past only one player maybe two would have stayed with the team instead we kept the majority and most have started.

Yes their record was not that much better from year two but the actual play on the field was better and made me believe the getting younger and healthier was a good idea. It's nice to see consistancy for a change because of the small improvement on the field this last year and not much changing we will see a much better team this coming year. I can only hope DS does not get impatient and after year 3 decide to can everyone and actually keep his word along with the full 5 yr contract and if that does not work then make the changes, but I don't see him needing to do that.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Good read, and we're glad you're a member of this board. But moving forward understand that we have a srict policy about using threads to pimp your blog. We don't allow it. One person ruined it for everyone by clogging the board with multiple threads that were just links to his blogs. And others started following suit. You're more than welcome to put a link to DCT in your sig

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=SmootSmack;884794]Good read, and we're glad you're a member of this board. But moving forward understand that we have a srict policy about using threads to pimp your blog. We don't allow it. One person ruined it for everyone by clogging the board with multiple threads that were just links to his blogs. And others started following suit. You're more than welcome to put a link to DCT in your sig[/quote]

Just to expand on that slightly, I'm going to borrow from someone else's thoughts on the subject (not sure if it was yours' or Matty's, SS), but nobody reads a blog of a guy who shows up out of the blue and then barely settles in before hawking his shit. It's better to do (as Matty said), sign up, take an active interest in the community, put the link to your blog in your sig, and then maybe as you become more familiar with us we'll start taking an active interest in your blog.

I don't want to sound disrespectful, but you haven't really done much to separate yourself from all the other people that join here interested in self promotion, and that's why I don't have much interest in reading your blog. To me you're just another blogger looking for attention, and when you try your brand of self promotion on here it actually makes it look like you have no respect for what Matty does here. Not trying to start anything, just putting my :twocents: out there.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=mooby;884795]Just to expand on that slightly, I'm going to borrow from someone else's thoughts on the subject (not sure if it was yours' or Matty's, SS), but nobody reads a blog of a guy who shows up out of the blue and then barely settles in before hawking his shit. It's better to do (as Matty said), sign up, take an active interest in the community, put the link to your blog in your sig, and then maybe as you become more familiar with us we'll start taking an active interest in your blog.

I don't want to sound disrespectful, but you haven't really done much to separate yourself from all the other people that join here interested in self promotion, and that's why I don't have much interest in reading your blog. To me you're just another blogger looking for attention, and when you try your brand of self promotion on here it actually makes it look like you have no respect for what Matty does here. Not trying to start anything, just putting my :twocents: out there.[/quote]

I don't think DCTailgate necessarily fits that mold. He's been a solid addition.

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;884797]I don't think DCTailgate necessarily fits that mold. He's been a solid addition.[/QUOTE]

I'm not trying to say he fits the "10 posts before self-promote" mode, I'm trying to say it would be better if he stuck the link to his blog in his sig and left it at that. I don't have anything against him honestly.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

I think Smootsmack already stated what needed to be stated, no sense in piling on. Besides, DC Tailgate has been a great contributor so far.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Meh.....the blog has the same old same old stuff. I breezed thru it. Basically the same angst thats been re hashed here all year.

Mike Shanahan does not have my full support right now because he has screwed the pooch in the QB situation since he got here.
He needs to hit a home run this year or I'm calling for his head.
He needs to work with Kyle more also (or replace him).
I dont trust Kyles play calling for squat.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Pretty much what Alvin said ^. Im big on motivation, but after seeing Kyle's motivational speech before the last game this year I'm pretty much out on him.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

My oh my, people are bit feisty these days. Maybe we should have a penalty box set up in the "Super Happy Fun" and "Pics for Sharing" threads to chill people out. :)

Anyway, back to the article. I wish MS would have done in his first offseason, what I hope he does this offseason: sign a FA QB (without giving up picks) and draft a rookie QB to develop. I think people would have cut him a bit more slack had this happened. Unfortunately, he needs more time because of these wasted two years.

I think this offseason, MS really needs to make some good decisions and no more head-scratchers such as "I'm going with John Beck as my QB" or "I'm giving up a 2nd rounder for McNabb". Also, I'd like to see MS getting the team to win the big games....well I want him to get the team to win all the games, I just don't want to see some of the half-a$$ed performances I saw this season. Finally, I'd like to see some improvisation from this coaching staff. I see Bill Belichick winning games with a make-shift defense that includes a WR playing CB. That guy to me is the king of adjustments. I don't see that in MS, and I'd like to see more of that. I think if the Redskins are going to have a losing season, it better be like Carolina's season, not like that one we just had.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Mooby needs to relax .... He/she clearly didn't know .....

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Que GTripp's arrival in t-minus 5....4.....3....2....

:silly:


Good article, and I've been saying the same thing. He's taken this team from being one of the oldest into a direction of youth, talent, and lower salaries. Vinny/Joe's team never had any depth whatsoever so when the inevitable injury came along, the team would spiral down because there was no young talent brought in because dummy was pissing all the picks away for high priced vets.

I think the thing that bothers me the most is the fans. All too often, you see them wanting Shanahan to do the exact same things that Vinny did. Piss away draft picks on a gamble or sign the big name on the market (Nnamdi).

I love this direction the team is going in, and I think it'll pay off big in the future. This doesn't mean that Mike hasn't made mistakes along the way (McNabb), but more often than not his moves have been justified (cutting portis, thomas,kelly,etc..)


Glad to have you aboard. Nice to see quality posters and don't mind the guys above, they've had their share of blog spammers...lol (not that you fit that profile)

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=NC_Skins;884819][B]Que GTripp's arrival in t-minus 5....4.....3....2....

:silly:[/B]


Good article, and I've been saying the same thing. He's taken this team from being one of the oldest into a direction of youth, talent, and lower salaries. Vinny/Joe's team never had any depth whatsoever so when the inevitable injury came along, the team would spiral down because there was no young talent brought in because dummy was pissing all the picks away for high priced vets.

I think the thing that bothers me the most is the fans. All too often, you see them wanting Shanahan to do the exact same things that Vinny did. Piss away draft picks on a gamble or sign the big name on the market (Nnamdi).

I love this direction the team is going in, and I think it'll pay off big in the future. This doesn't mean that Mike hasn't made mistakes along the way (McNabb), but more often than not his moves have been justified (cutting portis, thomas,kelly,etc..)


Glad to have you aboard. Nice to see quality posters and don't mind the guys above, they've had their share of blog spammers...lol (not that you fit that profile)[/quote]

Ha, I was skimming the thread to see his input on how Shanahan has destroyed the team, gutting the roster of young difference makers like Keiland Williams, Justnin Tryon and Chad Rinehart..

Seriously though, without rehashing everything said already, I feel that next offseason-regardless of the direction we go at QB-we will be having a completely different discussion about Mike & Kyle and the direction of the team.

I haven't heard one analyst (and I don't consider Brian Mitchell an analyst) who blames Kyle's scheme or even play calling for our offensive woes. With either Manning or a drafted QB who will fit what the scheme calls for we will see a dramatic improvement in offensive production.

Mike & Allen have done a nice job bringing in some young contributors and done a good job of bringing in good fits through free agency. Now this is the offseason to 'go for it' and plug obvious holes at WR and at least one OL.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

just win baby

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Shanahan knows how to rebuild a team and to build it so that it becomes a Championship team. He rebuilt Denver...yes he had a major piece already there in John Elway, but still, he built a back to back Super Bowl team in Denver. He's coached in San Fran when they won the Super Bowl in '94. The guy knows championship football. He knows how to find the right pieces. He knows what it takes.

If Mike says it's going to take him the length of his contract to do it the right way, I think you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think any one of us here is qualified to argue against that point.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Pretty nice read, I'm in agreement w/all of it. Sure MS has made some mistakes, the McNabb deal the biggest, but he's also (along w/allen) changed the biz model & culture.

Big year comin up for Shanny for sure, the pressure will be on, that's why he's making some big $

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;884808]Meh.....the blog has the same old same old stuff. I breezed thru it. Basically the same angst thats been re hashed here all year.

Mike Shanahan does not have my full support right now because he has screwed the pooch in the QB situation since he got here.
He needs to hit a home run this year or I'm calling for his head.
He needs to work with Kyle more also (or replace him).
I dont trust Kyles play calling for squat.[/quote]

How do you define Shanny hitting a home run?

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=irish;884849]How do you define Shanny hitting a home run?[/quote]

By installing a new quarterback that gets us into the playoffs routinely.
I can handle 8-8 or 9-7 next year (learning curve) but if we falter after that because of our QB play then call me anti Shanahan.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Shanny & Allen have restored my confidence in this franchise. This team was in shambles. They're drafting well and picking up some solid Free Agents. As long as Danny stays patient the SKins will be back in the playoffs soon.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;884865]By installing a new quarterback that gets us into the playoffs routinely.
I can handle 8-8 or 9-7 next year (learning curve) but if we falter after that because of our QB play then call me anti Shanahan.[/quote]

If the best way to go is RGIII, then I'm all for it. However, I don't know if giving up draft picks is the best way to go...and really leaning toward that answer being no. If we pick him, and Griffin goes the way of Ryan Leaf, then it's not just the QB position that has suffered, it's the over positions that didn't get a draft pick that would have if the 'skins had either maintained #6 or traded down. But like I said earlier, it really depends upon Peyton Manning's arm. I don't think Redskins fans are patient enough to live through Kyle Orton as a starter.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;884808]Meh.....the blog has the same old same old stuff. I breezed thru it. Basically the same angst thats been re hashed here all year.

Mike Shanahan does not have my full support right now because he has screwed the pooch in the QB situation since he got here.
He needs to hit a home run this year or I'm calling for his head.
[B]He needs to work with Kyle more also (or replace him).
I dont trust Kyles play calling for squat.[/B][/quote]

What specifically are you looking for from Kyle to win you over? I'll couch that by saying we all need to see more scoring production and a higher conversion ratio in the red zone.

But with Kyle's detractors, I often wonder what it is that you perceive is missing purely from a coaching standpoint.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Paintrain;884883]What specifically are you looking for from Kyle to win you over? I'll couch that by saying we all need to see more scoring production and a higher conversion ratio in the red zone.

But with Kyle's detractors, I often wonder what it is that you perceive is missing purely from a coaching standpoint.[/quote]

Kyle cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=skinsguy;884881]If the best way to go is RGIII, then I'm all for it. However, I don't know if giving up draft picks is the best way to go...and really leaning toward that answer being no. If we pick him, and Griffin goes the way of Ryan Leaf, then it's not just the QB position that has suffered, it's the over positions that didn't get a draft pick that would have if the 'skins had either maintained #6 or traded down. But like I said earlier, it really depends upon Peyton Manning's arm. I don't think Redskins fans are patient enough to live through Kyle Orton as a starter.[/quote]

When dealing with QBs, it's always better to draft your own. Sometimes giving up draft choices in order to attain the QB you need is always the best way to go. At the 2004 draft, the NYG gave the San Diego Chargers a boat load of draft choices in order to land Eli Manning. Two Super Bowl championships later, I'd say that deal worked out pretty well for the Giants.

If the Redskins want to be successful, then they have to do what's best for the organization. I doubt if RG3 will be a bust. He'll undergo hardship in the NFL as a rookie, but he'll be fine once the game slows down for him.

As far as Kyle Orton, he's certainly better than Grossman and Beck. But this organization needs a young QB, not another free agent signed.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Paintrain;884883]What specifically are you looking for from Kyle to win you over? I'll couch that by saying we all need to see more scoring production and a higher conversion ratio in the red zone.

But with Kyle's detractors, I often wonder what it is that you perceive is missing purely from a coaching standpoint.[/quote]

Non bizarre play calling with people way out of position for starters.
His age makes me nervous also.
Notice that the Texans finally make the playoffs after he leaves.
I also dont like the father and son thing.
Makes it harder for Mike to fire him if hes blowing it.
His belief in Grossman was total fail.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=REDSKINS4ever;884898]When dealing with QBs, it's always better to draft your own. Sometimes giving up draft choices in order to attain the QB you need is always the best way to go. At the 2004 draft, the NYG gave the San Diego Chargers a boat load of draft choices in order to land Eli Manning. Two Super Bowl championships later, I'd say that deal worked out pretty well for the Giants.

If the Redskins want to be successful, then they have to do what's best for the organization. I doubt if RG3 will be a bust. He'll undergo hardship in the NFL as a rookie, but he'll be fine once the game slows down for him.

As far as Kyle Orton, he's certainly better than Grossman and Beck. [B]But this organization needs a young QB, not another free agent signed.[/B][/quote]

The Redskins will need to sign a viable FA starter, otherwise they'll lose some leverage in bargaining a trade to move up in the draft. BA can't go to the negotiating table without this, otherwise we'd get screwed in a trade in a big way.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;884899]Non bizarre play calling with people way out of position for starters.
His age makes me nervous also.
[B]Notice that the Texans finally make the playoffs after he leaves.[/B]
I also dont like the father and son thing.
Makes it harder for Mike to fire him if hes blowing it.
His belief in Grossman was total fail.[/quote]

I think this had more to do with the Texans finally getting a defense to go along with their top notch offense.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Ruhskins;884902]I think this had more to do with the Texans finally getting a defense to go along with their top notch offense.[/quote]

Yep, and Peyton sitting on the sidelines didn't hurt either

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=irish;884895]Kyle cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.[/quote]

Very specific, well done. :pffff:

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;884899]Non bizarre play calling with people way out of position for starters.
His age makes me nervous also.
Notice that the Texans finally make the playoffs after he leaves.
I also dont like the father and son thing.
Makes it harder for Mike to fire him if hes blowing it.
His belief in Grossman was total fail.[/quote]

Help me out with 'non bizarre play calling' because 3 of your 6 reasons have more to do with his birth certificate than his coaching ability. So you're saying if his name was Kyle Anderson and he was 54 yrs old you would have less of a problem with him as a coach? The Texans thing has zero to do with him and everything to do with the defense.

I agree that the belief that Grossman would reverse his turnover tendencies was a major mistake but again, what does that have to do with his ability as a play caller?

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Using Cooley as a fullback.....twice in the same set of downs is what I would call bizarre.
I would say Kyle got better at the end of the season but most games I watched I was saying WTF repeatedly at the play calling.

[url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=310926006]Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys - Box Score - September 26, 2011 - ESPN[/url]

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Kyle's bizarre play calling: a reverse to open the game

Kyle's problematic play calling: not sticking with the run enough to make defenses honest

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

Kyle has never coached a team that has made it to the playoffs.
He's still a pup.
I'd rather have someone with a little more gristle on his bones.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Lotus;884931]Kyle's bizarre play calling: a reverse to open the game

Kyle's problematic play calling: not sticking with the run enough to make defenses honest[/quote]

I'll agree with you on the early reverses, those are a little odd. I think the run game thing has more to do with talent/production than it does preference. Our YPC was awful until later in the season. Hightower was under 3.9 YPC, Helu wasn't much better early on. Torrain was abysmal. As the season went on and they found different ways to get Helu/Royster the ball (inside and outside pitches) the YPC increased.

He does get pass happy but with better talent I think that will be a strength of our offense rather than a cause for concern.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;884939]Kyle has never coached a team that has made it to the playoffs.
He's still a pup.
I'd rather have someone with a little more gristle on his bones.[/quote]

So again, you'd rather have someone with a different birth certificate. What does that have to do with his ability to coach effectively?

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=paintrain;884944]so again, you'd rather have someone with a different birth certificate. What does that have to do with his ability to coach effectively?[i][/quote]
[u][b][color="purple"]
[size="7"]experience[/size][/color][/b][/u][/i]

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;884953][u][b][color="purple"]
[size="7"]experience[/size][/color][/b][/u][/i][/quote]

Mike Shanahan has experience, and he oversees his son. Honestly, I feel that his age has nothing to do with it, and if MS is letting his son run a muck, then it is also on MS.

Personally, my beef with Kyle was that he called the game as though he still had Schaub and Johnson, instead of Grossmand and Gafney. I also hated that he never stuck with the run early on in the season. I think his gamecalling improved later in the season, when it was too late.

Our team needs talent and needs leadership from their head coach. I think Kyle learned through the season and I hope with improved talent he can do what he did in Houston. I really don't see the advantage of getting rid of him and bringing in a new play caller.

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

So you basically said Kyle doesn't need experience because his dad has it.
Thats a setback for us.
We've been losing for long enough.
The future is now.......

Re: DCT: Shanahan Leading Redskins in Right Direction
 

As a Texans fan, I've seen what Kyle can do with a talented offense. The dude started with a lazy ass in McNabb & Grossman/Beck. Give him some weapons and he will produce. The Skins rush offense was stunted since defenses put 8 in the box.