Analyzing Mike Shanahan at the Midway Point

[SBXVII]

The topic of McNabb's benching seems to be the sticking point for most fans. So I ask, could it be that MS is taking a page out of Bilicheats scripts and used the wrong script at the wrong time?

When he was fired he went to see how the Steeler's and Patriots run their 3-4 defense. He was pretty set on running a 3-4. I think the rumblings about the team maybe running some 4-3 schemes was to throw off other teams game planning. But I still think he (MS) kinda looks up to what Bilicheat has done in New England and is trying to model his coaching style a little after him.

The problem is (I think) MS is not used to fans who are so well knowledged or the media from this area asking such detailed questions for their fans. He even said it after one of the preseason games that the DC media is so much different from the Denver media and he evaded a question which I think he felt might have helped out opponants for our future. I think he might even take offense to our media asking questions which would require him to divulge too much info.

I see the Haynesworth issue as the same sort of thing. He didn't want to divulge too much info for other teams to start game planning around AH. So MS was evasive and kept saying well he'll play if he's fit to play. Then you had AH running around taking offense to the media questioning him about what MS said about him which AH might not have known was said.

I guess basically I see the media as the problem. No offense to any media guys out there but perhaps cutting back on the questions that divulge too much info might be helpful even though its the detailed questions thats news worthy.

However I just have a hard time penalizing him for a crappy offense when he's trying to use the hand he's been dealt. Give him credit he picked up a LT. Now if he goes out and picks up a Center or RT this coming draft it will say a lot to me that he's doing his best to fix the problem. But I still have to give him an "A" at this point for making this team look and play competative each week. Look past the Rams and Lions. Both teams are better then I thought they would be. We beat the Packers who I figured would be one of the play off teams and probably will. We have a close game with Indy. Again another play off team I figured. I think the second half of the season will tell us more about us and our division rivals since we start playing teams they played already.