The Tempered Expectations Thread

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Listening to the press conference, it did seem like Shanahan hired Allen, and not the other way around. If that's the case, we have even more reason for skepticism, because a deliberate effort was made to make us think it was the other way around. If we're being lied to about that, who knows what else we're being lied to about.

I also thought the comparison to gibbs-bethard-cooke was interesting. the impression i got (and this could just be my skepticism coloring my perception) was that Snyder would "mediate" between Allen and Shanahan. Snyder can't "mediate" if he's not at "the table." And why would he be at the table, if he's not going to remain very hands-on in all football matters?

I have no doubt that Shanahan's contract garauntees him total control. But how long will Snyder honor that?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Listening to the press conference, it did seem like Shanahan hired Allen, and not the other way around. If that's the case, we have even more reason for skepticism, because a deliberate effort was made to make us think it was the other way around. If we're being lied to about that, who knows what else we're being lied to about.

I also thought the comparison to gibbs-bethard-cooke was interesting. the impression i got (and this could just be my skepticism coloring my perception) was that Snyder would "mediate" between Allen and Shanahan. Snyder can't "mediate" if he's not at "the table." And why would he be at the table, if he's not going to remain very hands-on in all football matters?

I have no doubt that Shanahan's contract garauntees him total control. But how long will Snyder honor that?

What gave you the impression that Snyder would be mediating anything?

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

What gave you the impression that Snyder would be mediating anything?

During the press conference, Shanahan was asked (I beleive by Jason Reid but i'm not sure) if the organizational structure now was similar to how it operated with Gibbs, Bethard, and Cooke, with Cooke serving as mediator. Shanahan excitedly said "I would say that's a good comparison right there."

[MTK]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

During the press conference, Shanahan was asked (I beleive by Jason Reid but i'm not sure) if the organizational structure now was similar to how it operated with Gibbs, Bethard, and Cooke, with Cooke serving as mediator. Shanahan excitedly said "I would say that's a good comparison right there."

I can't listen to the audio but this is from the transcript

On if there are similarities between the new organizational dynamic and what existed between former owner Jack Kent Cooke, former general manager Bobby Beathard and former head coach Joe Gibbs:

"I would say that's a good comparison right there. I was lucky enough when I was an assistant coach [with Denver] in 1986 to come out here with Coach [Gibbs]. I was talking to Joe Bugel a little while ago and with the whole crew that used to be here. We came here for three days and we just talked about the NFC East and the AFC West. And we both went to the Super Bowl that year. I got a chance to get to know Joe [Gibbs], as well as the other coaches, and we've had relationships since then. That's what you want to do. As I've mentioned before, you want to get the best you can get at every position and I believe Bruce [Allen] is the best at what he does. I want people to challenge me, assistant coaches as well as personnel people. We're going to get the best guy in charge of college, the best guy in charge of pro and hopefully together we can do something special."

No mention of any sort of mediating, and he only mentions Allen. Reid may have asked about it, but MS doesn't specifically address that aspect.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I can't listen to the audio but this is from the transcript



No mention of any sort of mediating, and he only mentions Allen. Reid may have asked about it, but MS doesn't specifically address that aspect.

The part you bolded did not completely reflect that question that was asked. redskins.com made sure of that.The question clearly mentioned cooke as a mediator. i'll see if i can find a complete transcript with the reporters questions.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

The part you bolded did not completely reflect that question that was asked. redskins.com made sure of that.The question clearly mentioned cooke as a mediator. i'll see if i can find a complete transcript with the reporters questions.

I don't doubt it was asked, I was just saying Shanahan didn't mention Snyder being involved. I don't think that part was left off intentionally, the questions were clearly paraphrased.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I don't doubt it was asked, I was just saying Shanahan didn't mention Snyder being involved. I don't think that part was left off intentionally, the questions were clearly paraphrased.

I'm listening to the presser again and will repost verbatim.

Q: "the organization structure you talked about between you and bruce sounded a little bit like what joe gibbs had with bobby bethard and jack kent cooke offering a thought here and there, are there similiarities in that bobby and joe had some good arm wrestling matches with jack arbitrating?

A: "I would say thats a good comparison right there..." Then Shanahan goes on to ramble on about talking with Joe Bugel back in the 1980s. He completely side-stepped the most important part of the question. He eventually got back to part of the original question, saying that Bruce is the best guy at what he does and that he wants to get the best players, coaches etc. possible.