Mike Shanahan

[ethat001]

Couple of points:

1) We can't judge our team on wins - yet. -- Ppl have said there has been no improvement over the past 2-3 years. However, I think the two big reasons were:
-- Quarterback MS made the choice to go with Rex & Beck & McNabb, so he deserves all the blame for this. But Rex had 20 interceptions and 5 fumbles playing only 13 games. No other QB in the LEAGUE turned the ball over more -- 1.9 turnovers per game! (Josh Freeman had 22 / 5 but in 15 games). Note that A.Rodgers had 40% more sacks, but NO fumbles and only 6 interceptions all year. Just saying.
-- Injuries - We were again devastated with injuries/suspensions to T.Williams,FDavis,C.Cooley,Moss,THightower,Landry, Jenkins,Hankerson.. Injuries are part of the game, and the Giants still made the playoffs with tons of injuries, I'm just saying our rebuilding/shallow roster cannot yet handle injuries to all of our top talent. My point here is --> our team is better than our record with a QB that doesn't turn the ball over almost 2 times a game & with above guys returning next year.

2) Our team is getting younger. MS has consistently gone after young talent, builiding for the future. Now we have younger players & better depth at most positions for the upcoming years. In the future, younger players should have less injuries, and the developing depth will help us better handle injuries when they inevitably come.

3) Good draft / FA moves. Kerrigan alone justifies the last draft, but all the rest were solid pickups. Couple of years of drafts like this and we'll be restocked. Cap space.

4) We play the best players, not the highest paid players. MS plays guys that play well regardless of their age/tenure/salary. P.Riley,Gomes, Helu/Royster, Hurt/W.Smith, Neild -- by playing these guys at times over the veterans, it motivates the ppl to play harder, knowing that if they play well or badly, they could get promoted or benched. Different philosophy than allowing Portis to not practice, etc.


It's absolutely clear they're going after a QB next year, they've said it. Many other teams are as well, so they'll have to be aggressive / lucky to get one. A good QB pickup will make this team a playoff contender for years to come, a great QB pickup will make us Super Bowl contenders in 2-3 years. We haven't seen many results, but I think we're headed in a good direction & we should be patient with the rebuilding process for another 1-2 years.