Shanahan Presser This Morning (3/28)

[Lanky Livingston]

Don't have a link for the entire thing (probably on Redskins.com in a bit) but Rich Campbell did a terriffic job covering it. Here are some highlights - you can see all of his coverage on his Twitter feed:

Shanahan seems to have reasonable expectations for how quickly the team might contend w/ rookie QB. Preaching importance of supporting cast.

Hankerson should be ready by June 1.

Cooley (knee) is having a good offseason.

Shanahan: Trading for the No. 2 pick AND signing Peyton Manning "was definitely a possibility." Confirms they met with Manning.

Shanahan would not comment on how salary cap penalty is affecting offseason plans.

Shanahan on the cap penalty: "We found out an hour before" the start of free agency.

Shanahan on Eddie Royal getting away: "You've got to make some tough decisions relative to the cap."

Shanahan: Jammal Brown has regularly been at Redskins Park this offseason. Yoga classes have helped him break up scar tissue in right hip.

Shanahan on Luck vs. RG3: "Whichever one I get, I feel great." Says both QBs do different things well but can do everything.

Shanahan is praising London Fletcher's value. Says negotiations are ongoing. Wouldn't say how big the dropoff to Plan B is. I'll say it: big

Shanahan confirmed he and Kyle met with Peyton for five hours at Shanahan's Denver home. They watched film.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

The Jammal Brown and Hank news are the best in my mind - hope both of them are back and better than ever!

 

[TomE]

Shanny talks about rookie QB starting the opener via WAPO

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...season-opener/2012/03/28/gIQA3vIHgS_blog.html

....“You put him in there when you feel like he’s ready to go,” Shanahan said at the NFC coaches’ breakfast at the annual league meeting....

“When you make a move to the second pick in the draft, you’ve got to feel comfortable with both guys,” Shanahan said.

Either way, Shanahan said, the Redskins believe they’ll have their centerpiece player for quite some time.

“You get someone you feel like can be a franchise quarterback for years to come, that doesn’t happen very often. . . . To have that guy — they’re hard to find,” Shanahan said.

The Redskins re-signed last season’s starter, Rex Grossman, in free agency. Grossman is to help mentor the young quarterback and back up the prized rookie. He also could begin the season as the Redskins’ starter if the young quarterback is deemed not yet fully prepared to play.

“You don’t want to put him in there before he’s ready,” Shanahan said Wednesday.

On a side note- Overtime and replay rules have been changed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...-review-rules/2012/03/28/gIQACvQXgS_blog.html

 

[Bulldog]

For what the Redskins have spent on Brown, first a #3 pick to New Orleans, then a $9M bonus on an extended deal - it would be nice to see a return on that investment in the form of a starting RT that can be a veteran presence on an inexperienced front otherwise.

The fact the team is still talking to Bell and others is a sign that not all the eggs are in the Brown basket at this point, which is a smart strategy based on how many games he has missed or been limited in over the past 2 years.

After giving up all those draft choices and raving about his intelligence and work ethic, it would be a disappointment if Griffin is not ready to go for the opener.

We have a full offseason schedule this year and none of the issues which hampered Cam Newton and Andy Dalton last year.

 

[Goaldeje]

I didn't read Shanahans pressed as an indictment of RGIII (or any other QB), merely a coach looking to hedge his bets.

 

[Bulldog]

No, I am just hoping that based on everything we have heard about Griffin that we won't be sitting there in September hearing that RGIII is not starting because he doesn't know all the plays yet

 

[Neophyte]

I think he starts on Sept 9th even if he doesn't know ALL the plays (although my guess is he will know them). I think that to have his accuracy and athleticism on the field, the Shanahans would be willing to make some concessions as far as the play book goes.

 

[Bulldog]

With the selection of a qb and the addition of two WRs, I would think the focus has to turn now to shoring up the OL. Even if Brown is able to make it back and start, there is the question of depth at OT and the recovery of Kory Lichtensteiger at LG. We don't know he will be 100%.

Also, when I have seen reviews on Chris Chester at RG they back up what we saw from the stands and on TV - a big guy who for whatever reason has trouble holding up at the point of attack.

Everyone talks about the ZBS and the ability of linemen to move.

But as I recall in Denver, the Broncos teams that won the Super Bowl had a Hall of Famer in Gary Zimmerman at LT, a pro bowler in Mark Schlereth at LG and a pro bowl center in Dan Neil.

Both Zimmerman and Schlereth came from power rushing attacks in the NFC and brought an edge to their game that helped turn Denver into the one AFC team that could stand up to the NFC style of play.

 

[fansince62]

I think he starts on Sept 9th even if he doesn't know ALL the plays (although my guess is he will know them). I think that to have his accuracy and athleticism on the field, the Shanahans would be willing to make some concessions as far as the play book goes.

if it'll help...I'll get down on my knees and pray for this....I can't handle one more whiff of Sexy Rexy.

 

[drumlinboy]

I didn't read Shanahans pressed as an indictment of RGIII (or any other QB), merely a coach looking to hedge his bets.

I agree it's called due diligence

 

[McD5]

Great report. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Fear The Spear]

Hankerson should be ready by June 1. .

To be part of the June 1st cuts ?

 

[CarolinaSkin43]

if hank can stay healthy ... i believe he will be a beast...hard to cover...