The Tempered Expectations Thread

[GMScud]

So I've done some reading, some thinking, and some presser watching today. We've known Shanahan was going to be named coach for a while. After reading hundreds of posts on here today, there is plenty of elation. Everyone is stoked. Plenty of "FINALLY!" type statements.

Don't get me wrong, I think Shanahan/Allen is a positive move for sure. But I'm skeptical nonetheless. I've gotten too excited by this franchise before. "Oh wow, we signed HIM?? Oh wow, HE'S gonna be our coach?? Man I can't wait till training camp!!" Sound familiar? We've all been down this road too many times in the past 10+ years.

Marty Schottenheimer? Oh man, he's going to have complete control. He'll turn this thing around... Steve Spurrier? What an innovator he is. He'll surely revolutionize our passing game... Joe Gibbs? My gosh, the Lord of the Rings will without question boost us back up to the NFL's elite...

Yeah, not so much. I'm happy Mike Shanahan is our head coach. I'm also happy that Bruce Allen is running the show. If he is in fact running the show. I love the Washington Redskins. But at this point, I'll believe it when I see it. Hail.

A few good reads:

washingtonpost.com
washingtonpost.com
washingtonpost.com

[AnonEmouse]

Word seems to be that Snyder has realised he must step away from his meddling and let SHanahan and Allen do their jobs. Time will tell, but I still feel more positive than I have in months.

[rbanerjee23]

Come on man, let us have a few months of unbridled optimism before the season starts and all our dreams slip away lol. No, but you're right, we should all be cautiously optimistic and the best we can do at this point is hope to get better

[dgw090767]

Since I've seen this story line before I'm in a wait and see mode. I do think this will be a postive change and a much better product two years from now.

[mlmdub130]

gm, i'm right there with you, almost started a thread just like this last night, we have definitely seen this a few times before. the things that stick out to me are marty was the first coach he hired unless you want to count robiske, and that was early on. other than marty he hasn't hired a succesful nfl coach that is not far removed from the game. and the second is the fact the he didn't go up there with shanny and allen during the presser even though you know it was driving him nuts not to be up there.

again i'm in the same boat as you wait and see, and i definitely have my homer glasses off and want to see this thing done the right way, with no real expectations of having a record anything better than 7-9 next year and maybe still last in the division, but with the look of promise for the seasons to come, i just hope danny boy is veiwing it the same way

[CRedskinsRule]

Bah Humbug! Shanahan is an experienced motivator/coach and we will reap immediate benefits from that and a quality staff. Our offense has several High skill players that have suffered indignities and want to prove themselves. Our D can be a top 12 very quickly.
It is Jan 7th, I will ride with the high feelings, because I can

[53Fan]

Ok. I'll temper my expectations. It may take as long as 2 years to win the Super Bowl! We'll see how it goes but it's honestly hard not to get excited by the recent moves. Just knowing we have a real GM and a HC who is known for having great success on the offensive side of the ball is very encouraging. At least to this point they are saying all the right things and discipline and hard work from the players seems like a reality that we've needed. I'm definitely encouraged.

[irish]

I agree, it seems like a good move but its very much in the same as when Marty & Gibbs were hired. As for DS stepping back, a leopard doesnt change his spots and I think DS hasnt really changed but knows how to make it look that way.

Bottom line, I'll believe it when I see it because I've seen the beginning of this movie before.

[MTK]

Let's just call it the debbie downer thread, lol, j/k

Seriously though, I'm in wait and see mode like a lot of folks. At face value though, this feels different to me than past moves. This is the first time we've seen Snyder step aside and completely hand off the football ops. There's no way either Allen or Shanahan would have agreed to come here unless they were 110% sure that Snyder will be playing the role of owner, and owner only. Snyder had established relationships with both guys coming in so I think there's a trust factor there and that's important to him.

I'm excited, Allen and Shanahan bring an element of credibility to the front office that we've been sorely lacking. I think we're finally seeing a move in a new direction for the organization. A move that will emphasis some proven and more traditional methods of putting together a winner, not this willy-nilly approach of going for the big names, trading away picks on a whim, and ignoring glaring needs until everything bottoms out.

[GoSkins!]

Every time a thread like this is started, Sally Jenkins gets new wings.

[CrustyRedskin]

Originally Posted by rbanerjee23

Come on man, let us have a few months of unbridled optimism before the season starts and all our dreams slip away lol. No, but you're right, we should all be cautiously optimistic and the best we can do at this point is hope to get better

Yes, yes, yes!

[Schneed10]

My personality is too similar to Spock's. I can't get too high and can't get too low. Dare I say I'm naturally... medium? I totally agree with you Scud. There are areas where Shanahan can make an immediate impact, but others will take much longer.

Immediate Impact:
- Discipline. Players will toe the line or lose their jobs.

- Respect in the locker room. He brings immediate leadership credibility, so those in the locker room who didn't respect Zorn will respect Shanahan.

- Turnovers on defense. The switch away from Blache's scheme to a defensive coordinator who favors a more attacking style should help the turnover situation. This is not a certainty, we don't know who the new DC is yet, so we don't know the scheme. But if it happens, it will happen this year.

Long Term Impact:
- Offensive line personnel. Our line is so shitty that it will take multiple player acquisitions before it's built the way he wants.

- QB development. It will take Campbell or a new rookie more than one year to get up to speed.

- Running game scheme. Offensive linemen will be shuffling in and out of here over the next two years. Installing the new scheme for the running game will take time as the new line gels.

In the NFL, you can put together a decent season just by playing disciplined and winning the turnover battle. So it's possible Shanahan turns in a 9-7 season in 2010. I'm definitely not hoping for any better than that until 2011 and beyond.

[MTK]

Peter King and Randy Cross this morning were talking about the OL on NFL radio, and they were discussing the fact that it doesn't take as long to get the zone blocking scheme up and running effectively over man schemes. I guess because it's more scheme over talent.

[skinsguy]

I go back to when Marty Schottenheimer was hired. Yes, he started the season 0-5, but he turned the season around and got the Redskins playing disciplined, hard nosed football. The team finished 8-8. It wasn't THAT talented of a group either. Imagine what Schottenheimer could have done if allowed the time to stay and build the team. So, the BIGGEST mistake of Snyder's tenure here was firing Schotty before he even got started. This coaching carousel probably wouldn't have happened if he would have allowed Marty another season to build the team.

This is sort of a similar situation in that Shanahan is going to have final say with talent, much like Marty did. Like Matty said, this just seems much different on the surface than the other hires, including Joe Gibbs. I definitely expect an immediate improvement with this team come 2010. Like what Schneed said, I don't expect the Redskins to be completely built into a championship team come next season, but I do expect the team to be improved enough that playoffs (lol why do I hear Jim Mora's voice in my head) wouldn't be out of the question. I too think a 9-7 record is possible, which I would take in his first year over a 4-12 record any day of the week!

[Longtimefan]

Good thread GM...It demonstrates the power of positive thinking. I read all three of the links before going to bed last night, all three authors have consistently over the years pointed out the very same things they're demonstrating here.

Experience has taught me to always temper optimism and high hopes in exchange for common sense, patience and reality. People always get excited when change takes place, moreso when they've convinced themselves that the change they're moving into is going to be better than the one they're moving away from.

Someone, I think it was Landry44 posed the question; Why do people continue to think Snyder will not step back and let Allen & Shanahan run the show? Well the answer is simple, because his track record does not show that to be what he does. "Maybe" things will be different this time around, we don't know yet, but we will certainly find out. So it's only fair to those who are throughly convinced to share their moment. Many are and will remain in the W&S mode which based on all the things we've seen transpire here when it comes to coaches coming and going is an understandable attitude to take.