Random Commanders Thoughts

[Win4us]

Did Aldrick drop a couple today?

 

[Bulldog]

No, but that was his MO his first 3-4 years in the league with us.

You give a guy chance after chance and he fails to execute and you have to move on.

Belichick would have cut him after Year 1 or 2.

Wide receiver is a position around the NFL where outside of the top guys there is a lot of movement from season to season.

Given how Pierre Garcon has played here since 2010, one has to wonder if the Colts are regretting letting a 1,000 yard receiver go in order to sign guys like Andre Johnson that were done in the NFL.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Speaking of Bellichek, have we ever thought about implementing his defensive strategy.
Make if your first priority, to do everything you can, to eliminate their #1 offensive weapon.

 

[Ax]

I don't think you can do that until you have a well established system, with the majority of the players experienced in it.

And a HOF QB that can help recover from failed attempts. Which happens often.

 

[Win4us]

So if McVay & Barry go on to championships that means Gruden's coaching tree is legit, right?

 

[tr1]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...699938-e19a-11e6-a547-5fb9411d332c_story.html

Terrific piece in the WP today.

The problem is Danny!

 

[Knightingale]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...699938-e19a-11e6-a547-5fb9411d332c_story.html

Terrific piece in the WP today.

The problem is Danny!

This is essentially what I was saying over in the Kirk thread.

It's going to take time and stability to change this perception. Going to be a long road!


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[Miles Monroe]

Watching Alex Mack protect the interior of the Falcons OL with Chris Friggin Chester next to him blows my mind! Atlanta could well win the SB and if they do the 2 worst OL on our team 2 years ago will win Super Bowls in consecutive years with another team.

I believe that this organization as a whole is not built to win on the field. Sure, Danny will make them profitable franchise, but I am now convinced we will never be a winning franchise as long as Snyder owns the team...which is likely my lifetime.


Edit: I also think, watching this Falcons team, if Shanahan had not been strapped with RG3 and been smart enough to bring Wade Phillips in his 2nd year, we'd be looking at a much different organization with Kyle prpeared to take over.

This is essentially what I was saying over in the Kirk thread.

It's going to take time and stability to change this perception. Going to be a long road!


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I don't know...... lot of speculation in that piece. Do we know that we offered the job to anybody ? Makes a lot of difference, not offering in comparison to being turned down. If Bradly had been offered, and turned it down, it would be on 1000 news sites.... but it hasn't been.

 

[Fear The Spear]

So if McVay & Barry go on to championships that means Gruden's coaching tree is legit, right?

Great OC's don't always make great HC's.
There's a long list of examples of that.
And very very few HC's (if any at all) in their early 30's have had any success at all.
So we should probably cautiously await and see on McVay.
I like your optimism on the Gruden Tree.
Although that would be a weird tree, if only the branches succeeded, and the original (Gruden) did not, wouldn't it ?

 

[Win4us]

Great OC's don't always make great HC's.
There's a long list of examples of that.
And very very few HC's (if any at all) in their early 30's have had any success at all.
So we should probably cautiously await and see on McVay.
I like your optimism on the Gruden Tree.
Although that would be a weird tree, if only the branches succeeded, and the original (Gruden) did not, wouldn't it ?

It very well could happen but the post was meant with a hint of jest. If that sumbitch McVay ends up in the NFC championship game before us there may be some mental breakdowns lol.

At this point the Gruden tree reminds me more of a Kentucky family tree. Missing branches and some that curve back into the trunk.

 

[Win4us]

I'm still on record of liking the Cavanaugh/Manusky promotions. A bit more balance on offense with a mediocre rise on D woulda gave us 2-3 more wins imho.

 

[Fear The Spear]

I'm still on record of liking the Cavanaugh/Manusky promotions. A bit more balance on offense with a mediocre rise on D woulda gave us 2-3 more wins imho.

Yea, I think the defense just went from awful to mediocre. I'll take it. Maybe even better than mediocre, depending on our talent aquisitions the next few months, and whether they can finally glue Junior Gallette back together for good this time.

 

[Ax]

This is essentially what I was saying over in the Kirk thread.

It's going to take time and stability to change this perception. Going to be a long road!

All due respect............horse hockey.

1. I hope the appearance of the one who posted the garbage article was just some sick joke.
2. To try and suggest that responsibility for coaches maybe not wanting to come here lies with Snyder, is just more typical WP assaults on the man for long past transgressions.
3. The aspect that Gruden is quite possibly "Dead Man Walking" is legit. And the fault lies with him alone.

If the narrative was how he had his guys playing above their abilities down the home stretch to another playoff berth. Or how his deft in-game adjustments had snatched yet another victory from the jaws of defeat. He'd already have an extension. There would be NO talk of his imminent departure.

4. To go along with that, had Kirk Cousins not looked below average during big games down the stretch....and his last pass was a game winning, playoff clinching TD, instead of a season ending Rex Grossman-like interception, he may well too be under the long term contract he desires. A win on wildcard weekend would have guaranteed it.

So, if someone wants to say that coaches didn't want to come here because of the status of the HC and starting QB, they'll get no argument from me.
But if you try and place the blame on anyone other than the two guys most responsible, Gruden and Cousins, then there's a problem.

And it ain't Dan Snyder. Not this time.

 

[Knightingale]

All due respect............horse hockey.

1. I hope the appearance of the one who posted the garbage article was just some sick joke.
2. To try and suggest that responsibility for coaches maybe not wanting to come here lies with Snyder, is just more typical WP assaults on the man for long past transgressions.
3. The aspect that Gruden is quite possibly "Dead Man Walking" is legit. And the fault lies with him alone.

If the narrative was how he had his guys playing above their abilities down the home stretch to another playoff berth. Or how his deft in-game adjustments had snatched yet another victory from the jaws of defeat. He'd already have an extension. There would be NO talk of his imminent departure.

4. To go along with that, had Kirk Cousins not looked below average during big games down the stretch....and his last pass was a game winning, playoff clinching TD, instead of a season ending Rex Grossman-like interception, he may well too be under the long term contract he desires. A win on wildcard weekend would have guaranteed it.

So, if someone wants to say that coaches didn't want to come here because of the status of the HC and starting QB, they'll get no argument from me.
But if you try and place the blame on anyone other than the two guys most responsible, Gruden and Cousins, then there's a problem.

And it ain't Dan Snyder. Not this time.

Maybe I should have clarified, I don't think Snyder is the problem. I truly believe though that our teams history is a big factor when people make their decision to come here.
We're not the 90's Redskins. Not by a long shot.

When I go for a new job there are criteria I look at. Money obviously. Stability. Future prospects. The tools I'll be given (Laptop, phone car etc). Company reputation to name a few.
In NFL terms that's - How many millions. Is the team staying where it is or will I be uprooted in a year? How long will I keep the job for?. What's the player talent base like? What's the team like to work for?

People KNOW that the Redskins will pay money to get talent. Traditionally they always have so that's not the problem.

The talent here on the D side is poor. BUT... in any interview I'm sure we had with prospective coaches they would have underlined the fact that we had money to spend and that a push would be made to give them talent.

So you can rule out money and talent (going forwards) as reasons not to come here.

And we know the team isn't going anywhere. Maybe a name change is in the future (depending on which way the wind blows) but that's about it.

Which leaves job security and reputation.

Both of which the Redskins have stunk at for 25 years.

As you pointed out, the fact that they haven't extended Gruden and the Redskins are not an attractive prospect and won't be until we can prove that we are a franchise where you might actually want to consider putting your signature on that House rental agreement for more than a year. But this isn't a Gruden issue... Historically we've had 9 coaches in 23 years. That's an average term of 2.5 years per coach. Gruden is about to start year 4... I don't think 2 years of winning records, one playoff appearance give the appearance of a franchise with any stability and as you say there's no long term contract in place.

Now we can blame each coach for his lack of tenure if we want, but this is more than that... it's a trend. With that track record as an organisation would you want to come here? When it looks very much like we're about to revert to type and keep that trend going?

Snyder has backed off for now... but how many of use REALLY think that he wouldn't weigh in and start throwing his power around if things don't keep heading North in the next year or so? We can blame Gruden and Kirk if you like, but they're only been here a few years and this problem goes back ALOT further than that. Why did we get Gruden in the first place? Was it because top flight coaching talent wouldn't come here? After Shanahan left this place was so toxic, it was the HC positon that no one wanted. And Shanahan only came here under condition he got to run the show.

Wade Phillips is a case in point. He would rather go work at a team that was dreadful this year, hasn't had a winning record since 2003, under a 34 yr old head coach having his first year in the job and who's come from Gruden's system, where they have Jared Gough at QB and a projected $5M in cap space... He didn't even want to interview here for Due Diligence purposes. That's more than doubts about Gruden and Kirk... that was a man who was dicked by the Redskins a few years ago and had no intention of coming here at all, as much as we all wanted to dream the impossible dream.

Not that I'm necessarily advising it, but if they wanted to project stability then the first thing that they probably should have done at an organisational level is sign up Gruden to an extension. Put that lame duck status to bed. Doesn't mean we can't get rid of him a year from now if we wanted to, buyouts happen all the time. Not great to do that, but it's an option.

The truth is that the Redskins are a once great Franchise with a history of 25+ years of organisational dysfunction, whether we blame Snyder for that or not is kinda irrelevant, it simply is what it is. As a Franchise we've been a laughing stock, there's a reason that our nickname lately has been the 'Deadskins'. If we want to attract top flight talent we need to prove we're a top flight organisation, and that takes time to establish, especially when you start from a hole as deep as the one we've dug ourselves since the early 90's.

We've stopped being dysfunctional lately. We've shown we can be professional. But it's kinda like that crazy psycho ex girlfriend that's still around. She looks normal now, says she's changed, smiles nicely, flirts occasionally, you even hang out sometimes and have a good time... But you don't want a relationship with her because you still can't quite sweep under the carpet that she's a nutter.

 

[Ax]

As you pointed out, the fact that they haven't extended Gruden and the Redskins are not an attractive prospect and won't be until we can prove that we are a franchise where you might actually want to consider putting your signature on that House rental agreement for more than a year. But this isn't a Gruden issue... Historically we've had 9 coaches in 23 years. That's an average term of 2.5 years per coach. Gruden is about to start year 4... I don't think 2 years of winning records, one playoff appearance give the appearance of a franchise with any stability and as you say there's no long term contract in place.

Look, Gruden is getting a 4th season. This is a production league. I don't believe many coaches in the league get a 5th year without producing more than flashy stats, on one side of the ball, and a lack of playoff appearances. Especially after two season of easy layups. One made, the other air balled. Gruden hasn't earned an extension. He likely, and fairly, has a season to do it.

Now we can blame each coach for his lack of tenure if we want, but this is more than that... it's a trend. With that track record as an organisation would you want to come here? When it looks very much like we're about to revert to type and keep that trend going?

Win, and a coach here could right his own ticket. That's what they are paid to do. Win. So yeah, I'd take the job here in a heartbeat. Confident I would get the job done.

Snyder has backed off for now... but how many of use REALLY think that he wouldn't weigh in and start throwing his power around if things don't keep heading North in the next year or so? We can blame Gruden and Kirk if you like, but they're only been here a few years and this problem goes back ALOT further than that. Why did we get Gruden in the first place? Was it because top flight coaching talent wouldn't come here? After Shanahan left this place was so toxic, it was the HC positon that no one wanted. And Shanahan only came here under condition he got to run the show.

If Gruden doesn't improve his overall production, he SHOULD get fired. He'd be on the hot seat on just about any team in the league right now.

Wade Phillips is a case in point. He would rather go work at a team that was dreadful this year, hasn't had a winning record since 2003, under a 34 yr old head coach having his first year in the job and who's come from Gruden's system, where they have Jared Gough at QB and a projected $5M in cap space... He didn't even want to interview here for Due Diligence purposes. That's more than doubts about Gruden and Kirk... that was a man who was dicked by the Redskins a few years ago and had no intention of coming here at all, as much as we all wanted to dream the impossible dream.

Gruden, not the organization, told Phillips to **** off 2 years ago. Because of his own ego, IMHO. I never thought for a second he would take the job now. So, I don't think him going to the Rams bolsters the argument one iota.

Not that I'm necessarily advising it, but if they wanted to project stability then the first thing that they probably should have done at an organisational level is sign up Gruden to an extension. Put that lame duck status to bed. Doesn't mean we can't get rid of him a year from now if we wanted to, buyouts happen all the time. Not great to do that, but it's an option.

Nope. Participation trophies are for losers. He'll either earn one this coming season, or he won't. As it should be.

The truth is that the Redskins are a once great Franchise with a history of 25+ years of organisational dysfunction, whether we blame Snyder for that or not is kinda irrelevant, it simply is what it is. As a Franchise we've been a laughing stock, there's a reason that our nickname lately has been the 'Deadskins'. If we want to attract top flight talent we need to prove we're a top flight organisation, and that takes time to establish, especially when you start from a hole as deep as the one we've dug ourselves since the early 90's.

Actually, our history includes numerous stretches of futility. And I've heard Deadskins since before Lombardi. So, that dog won't hunt either.

 

[CounterTrey]

To piggy back Ax a bit....

2 things:

1. Phillips has stated that his daughter living in L.A. had a BIG impact on that decision, he gets to spend time with her now. I'm not implying he would have come here if not for that but seems pretty likely he wasn't going anywhere but L.A., hence the very quick signing.

2. The bit about none of us REALLY believing that Snyder will keep his mitts off if things continue to go south...

First off the best thing anyone can do is not attempt to speak for anyone else, you have no idea what the rest of us think about Snyder, many of us it's a very mixed bag.
Second, ANY owner in the league with maybe the exception of the Rooneys or Browns in Cincy would be sticking their nose in and turning up the heat on the rest of their F.O. That argument -that Snyder would be unreasonable or impetuous or impatient by getting involved after 4-5 straight years of pure crap- just does not hold water.

 

[Knightingale]

Look, Gruden is getting a 4th season. This is a production league. I don't believe many coaches in the league get a 5th year without producing more than flashy stats, on one side of the ball, and a lack of playoff appearances. Especially after two season of easy layups. One made, the other air balled. Gruden hasn't earned an extension. He likely, and fairly, has a season to do it.

Agreed. My view is that Season 1 was always a write off. I don't really count it much, we were a mess. I think Season 2 we kinda overachieved mostly due to the East sucking. This year was a pretty fair representation of where we're at. He's shown some mistakes coaching, and that's worrying to a point. But I like the fact that this team has fight in it and even when they lose they never stay down for long. And I like the offensive developments.

But I do think this year is make or break.

If they spend on Defense this year he'll have no excuses for a bad season. We know what the offense is capable of, what we need is a Defense that steps up to average. At that point it all comes down to coaching.

Win, and a coach here could right his own ticket. That's what they are paid to do. Win. So yeah, I'd take the job here in a heartbeat. Confident I would get the job done.

You have my endorsement! Ax for Head Coach 2017!

If Gruden doesn't improve his overall production, he SHOULD get fired. He'd be on the hot seat on just about any team in the league right now.

Maybe. I'm still not sold on Gruden to be honest... but I'd like to see him have all the tools at his disposal before I throw him out. He'll be on the hot seat from day one next year, especially if we do go on a spending spree defensively this off season. I think our records was fair this year, we were a flawed team. We won some we could have lost and lost some we could have won. Teams not getting up for games is not a problem confined to Gruden, neither is making stupid mistakes. See them in every game you watch regardless of the coaching staff.

But with a defensive influx and him calling the plays on Offense this year... We should be looking at at least 10 or 11 wins. It'll be tough, and winning the Division will be hard because of the strides that the Boys and the Giants made, but I think anything less and he's in trouble.

Gruden, not the organization, told Phillips to **** off 2 years ago. Because of his own ego, IMHO. I never thought for a second he would take the job now. So, I don't think him going to the Rams bolsters the argument one iota.

WE have no idea is ego was involved or not, that's just idle speculation and personal opinion. I have no idea and wouldn't like to speculate. But the fact is that as a team when we hired Gruden we couldn't attract top talent to the HC position without conditions. In a sea of coaching opportunities multiple coaches, including Phillips, have put us at the bottom of their "want to work here" list, and that's a trend that's worrying and can't all be attributed for Gruden, because this problem predates him.

Nope. Participation trophies are for losers. He'll either earn one this coming season, or he won't. As it should be.

Totally agree. All I'm saying is that if the franchise wanted to project stability then that's maybe what they should have done.

Actually, our history includes numerous stretches of futility. And I've heard Deadskins since before Lombardi. So, that dog won't hunt either.

Not really. Depends how far back you go. Pre Superbowl era yes we were habitually a bad team, but most people don't remember that. Only you old timers.
In the Superbowl era (1967 onwards) we had 5 losing seasons and only once (1967 and 1968) were they back to back up till 1992. That's a 26 year run of good teams bar a few outliers.
From 1993 onwards we've had 8 winning seasons in 23 years. And only twice had winning season back to back.

that's basically 2 eras of Redskins football. The Golden Years and the... Not so Golden years. I'm sure you can come up with a better term LOL

 

[Knightingale]

2. The bit about none of us REALLY believing that Snyder will keep his mitts off if things continue to go south...

First off the best thing anyone can do is not attempt to speak for anyone else, you have no idea what the rest of us think about Snyder, many of us it's a very mixed bag.
Second, ANY owner in the league with maybe the exception of the Rooneys or Browns in Cincy would be sticking their nose in and turning up the heat on the rest of their F.O. That argument -that Snyder would be unreasonable or impetuous or impatient by getting involved after 4-5 straight years of pure crap- just does not hold water.

I Never said "None of us really believe...", I said "How many of us..."

It was just me asking a question, not attempting to speak for you at all. For all I know you guys might totally trust Snyder to stop meddling now... but I know I don't. I suspect other people feel the same, that's totally up to you though.

And while what you say is true, the issue arises when Owners start dabbling in things they know nothing much about. Which is what Snyder has a history of doing.

Snyder didn't just turn up heat on the F.O... he actively meddled in football matters, like the drafting of RGIII.

He would have every right to get impatient after 4-5 years of crap, but to be honest we've not had 4-5 years of crap. Crap is a strong term for the first time we've had back to back winning seasons in 20+ years, especially knowing the problems we have on Defense.

 

[Boone]

Factor many don't ever consider...the D.C. Metro area is not exactly a destination of choice for a lot of these coaches guys. It's expensive, traffic is maddening, real estate costs are insane... Not bashing where I grew up, but it's hard to compete with some of the other NFL destinations available. Keep in mind, these coaches have wives, girlfriends, kids- and I'm not sure Washington has the curb appeal of some of the places we are competing with. Those things matter - it's not always about football.


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[Chris]

It seems some here are convinced that the offense is going to continue along as before and that the defensive side will be bolstered. Maybe, maybe not. With the status of the qb and both starting wideouts in question, I'm not taking either of those things for granted.