So far a number of the personnel moves haven't turned out (yet).
Niles Paul? Has done little at TE.
Jarvis Jenkins? A former #2 pick that has been tasteless, colorless and odorless on the defense. An anticipated impact player that has made little impact.
Josh LeRibeus? On an OL that is average at best, this guy is so hideous that Mo Hurt a former #7 pick continues to beat this guy out of an active spot each week?
Brandon Banks? His punt return averages and tendency to fumble should have been enough to open up a roster spot weeks ago.
Leonard Hankerson? Another former high draft choice like Jenkins that is a big guy that doesn't play big. He makes his catches each week, but drops balls as well. Rarely does he get significant yardage after the catch and doesn't seem to be able to use his height and size to really physical up the corners and safeties that are covering him.
When Garcon went out you would have expected Morgan to step up and be more of a factor and while he has more catches the past few weeks, he has not been a difference maker.
Another guy with size and athletic ability we signed that doesn't seem to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to play more and become a core performer.
To me he is a backup receiver on a good offense. We are paying him to be more than that. Another over-reach IMO.
As to the 3-4 vs. the 4-3 defense - I don't understand why Shanahan was hell bent on using the 3-4 when the Giants have shown a 4-3 defense can continue to win Super Bowls.
Since we moved to the 3-4 in 2010, it has been a case of not having Player X or Player Y.
We don't have a space eating NT that is a consistent double team threat. Cofield at 305 is about 15-20 pound lighter than many of the other NTs in the NFL in the 3-4.
We don't have linebackers that are James Harrison type nightmares on the pass rush but at the same time don't have any that are demons in coverage either.
When you look at the Steelers in 2005, 2008 or 2010 their linebackers excelled in rushing the passer and their inside guys including the safeties could cover the short and intermediate routes.
Even with all 11 starters healthy, the Redskins defense lacks that athlete that you put down as 'one of the best at his position'.
The team has some solid guys and good work ethic guys in the front seven that can play but the defense needs that difference-maker.
In the backfield, the Redskins have been awful since Shanahan arrived. The decisions made on personnel in the backfield, at corner and safety, have been boomerangs that came back to hit the team in the back of the head.
None of the free agents have turned into playmakers. None of the draft picks have emerged as gems. And the guys that have been holdovers from the old regime, DeAngelo Hall and Reed Doughty, both need to go from a talent/production standpoint.
In fact, I will go as far as to say until Reed Doughty is let go this team won't be serious about contending.
Why do I say that?
Because the team is in denial. Every year they bring in someone to start at safety but due to injury, poor performance, suspension, etc. Doughty ends up getting back on the field as a spot starter.
Then he ends up playing 8 or 9 games as a regular, despite the fact we just completed a prior season where everyone agreed he was too slow and limited physically to be more than a special teamer.
Letting Doughty go will force the team to develop some legitimate options at the safety position and not delude themselves into thinking Doughty constitutes 'solid' depth.
Because he doesn't.
Oh, and among the busts let's add in OJ Atogwe and Jammal Brown.
Some serious cap dollars wasted there.