Was Shanahan Wrong Deactivating Haynesworth vs. Indy

[over the mountain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I could really care less about Al's feelings. I'm guessing this was strictly a football related decision, and not about ego or some sort of personal vendetta that some fans think Shanahan has with him.

I also think this was purely football related, what is best for our team. Just a real cold football decision.

Unlike you I do care about AH's feelings with regards to this particular matter.

[SmootSmack]

Some talk that Haynesworth was supposed to return on Wednesday but didn't show up until Thursday. Don't know if that's true

[SBXVII]

This was 7pm on Sat the 16th...

Jay Glazer: Skins strongly leaning towards deactivating Haynesworth..

but I was sure Shanahan also addressed this issue mid week when asked by the media if AH would play when it was learned AH would be back mid week.

[SBXVII]

Here is the direct quote from AH and MS.

Haynesworth participated in the Redskins’ jog-through practice, which was moved to an airport hangar due to heavy rains in the Washington, D.C., area.

Head coach Mike Shanahan said that Haynesworth’s availability for this Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts would be a “game time decision.”

“Anytime you’re away for six days, there’s a loss of conditioning obviously,” Shanahan said. “We’ll want to see where he’s at both physically and mentally. We understand what happened, and we understand the crisis that he was dealing with. Hopefully he can get back in shape.”

That was written Oct. 14th. Even if the team had no plans to use him why tell him so he can go to the media and blab that he's mad he's not going to play? Then the Colts can game plan around that. No, let the player keep guessing cause it keeps the opponants guessing.

News & Notes: Haynesworth Rejoins Redskins

[MTK]

I find it very hard to believe AH didn't see it coming, or didn't have any sort of communication with the coaches throughout the week.

[mooby]

I'm not gonna question whether Shanny was wrong or right to deactivate Haynesworth. I'm looking forward to playing Chicago, and barring injury or something unforeseen like a trade before tomorrow, Haynesworth will be ready to play and will be in the lineup, and hopefully for the rest of the season as well.

Why bother questioning who's wrong or right about it anymore? It's not gonna change the result of the Colts game. Let's just hope he's in the lineup against Chicago.

[The Goat]

Lively thread!

Bottom line: we have the worst defense in the league. That's doubly important because last year we were top 10 and arguably a piece or 2 from elite. Sooooo...anything and everything the FO and coaching staff has done w/ the defense is suspect. Everything!!! Shanny historically has struggled to pick winners on defense (coaches and players) AND he let's his ego/pride get in the way.

So far what I see are flashes out there. Trent. Torrain. Landry. Orakpo. But defensively it's hard to argue this regime has done anything but screw the pooch when you consider where we were just a year ago.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Lively thread!

Bottom line: we have the worst defense in the league. That's doubly important because last year we were top 10 and arguably a piece or 2 from elite. Sooooo...anything and everything the FO and coaching staff has done w/ the defense is suspect. Everything!!! Shanny historically has struggled to pick winners on defense (coaches and players) AND he let's his ego/pride get in the way.

So far what I see are flashes out there. Trent. Torrain. Landry. Orakpo. But defensively it's hard to argue this regime has done anything but screw the pooch when you consider where we were just a year ago.

Honestly, regardless of the defense we have, our offense is still not good enough to compliment whatever the defense can do. Even by giving up a ton of yards and dropping 4 (or 5) picks, the defense still gave our offense a lot of opportunities to win the game.

Ideally, I think last year's defense with the slightly improved offense of this year would be the ideal situation, but that's just wishful thinking.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Lively thread!

Bottom line: we have the worst defense in the league. That's doubly important because last year we were top 10 and arguably a piece or 2 from elite. Sooooo...anything and everything the FO and coaching staff has done w/ the defense is suspect. Everything!!! Shanny historically has struggled to pick winners on defense (coaches and players) AND he let's his ego/pride get in the way.

So far what I see are flashes out there. Trent. Torrain. Landry. Orakpo. But defensively it's hard to argue this regime has done anything but screw the pooch when you consider where we were just a year ago.

I believe that we're only 2 players from being an elite D, even in the 3-4. Give Haslett a stud nose tackle and a playmaking LB to complement Orakpo, and we may be about there. Haynesworth could have been the first ingredient, but hasn't demonstrated a willingness to get with the program for the greater good. He can still be a strong contributor, but you can bet that Shanny will run him out of town before next season.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

I believe that we're only 2 players from being an elite D, even in the 3-4. Give Haslett a stud nose tackle and a playmaking LB to complement Orakpo, and we may be about there. Haynesworth could have been the first ingredient, but hasn't demonstrated a willingness to get with the program for the greater good. He can still be a strong contributor, but you can bet that Shanny will run him out of town before next season.

Haslett's scheme, along w/ his history, is too suspect for me to agree here. I know Blache was boring defense, but you have to consider his units spent tons of time out there in large part because our offense has been so anemic the last few years. Given more rest Blache's D would have been more potent and probably generated a few more turnovers.

Honestly, Blache's scheme w/ Landry @ SS and a legit FS would have been scary.

Our D line is terribly weak w/o AH playing...sooo we're at least a couple/few players short right there. Then help at LB and FS. Compare that picture of 4 to 6 new talented players needed presently to just a player or 2 needed in the 4-3...

If the defense isn't back to top 10 or 5 next year I will have to say the regime effed up royally. As the zen master says...we'll see.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

I believe that we're only 2 players from being an elite D, even in the 3-4. Give Haslett a stud nose tackle and a playmaking LB to complement Orakpo, and we may be about there. Haynesworth could have been the first ingredient, but hasn't demonstrated a willingness to get with the program for the greater good. He can still be a strong contributor, but you can bet that Shanny will run him out of town before next season.

Given the crazy formations that Haslett showed, the Redskins need a true NT. Not a pass rushing NT like Ratliff, but we need a massive 350+ lbs, true 3-4 NT, who's low to the ground and can just plug the hell out of the middle of the opponents offensive line.

[SirClintonPortis]

Anyone who thinks Blache would have lasted this year are kidding themselves. You think Blache would even bother to expand the playbook? They've got two years of film on him to look at what he runs. Hell, Kevin Gilbride always seemed to be one step ahead of him every stinking game. I remember when one time when Blache called an all out blitz and Gilbride had called a screen to Ward.

[CRedskinsRule]

still, the bigger question to me, is why wasn't he on the sideline with the team? I don't get that part.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

still, the bigger question to me, is why wasn't he on the sideline with the team? I don't get that part.

Well Shanahan said that most of the inactive players weren't down on the sidelines. That the coaches just keep a couple the players one the sideline to help the team. First I've heard if it quite honestly