Shanahan's Parting Words til Training Camp

[Elephant]

Be accountable!

http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Shanahans-Final-Message-To-Team-Be-Accountable/aa86867a-0515-4e3d-858c-9598bb1dc3b6?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


So as the team headed off to their last and longest break since the 1st OTA this off-season, Shanahan left them with a valuable thought, "Be accountable."

As we head into the 3rd season of the Shanallen regime, I feel more comfortable than I have all off-season. Last year I got caught again after we went 3-1. I remained guarded until we were sitting in 1st place a quarter way through the season. Then it all fell apart.

I swore I would not let it happen again (again), but my excitement to see the product we have on the field for this season is strong. I have said throughout this off-season that I am going to remain guarded with my optimism once agin, but after reading this article I cannot. I cannot wait til the season starts!

For the first time since coming here, Shanahan has taken a very risky step exhibiting he wants to win for a long time! He spent a steep price for a franchise QB, but it looks like we may have one. I know he is a rookie and I still have many misgivings with this kid, but if the whole team can come together, I think we could have a 10 win season ahead of us. We will need the chips to fall in our favor, but it seems realistic.

The culture of this team is changing. I remember when my wife and I first started dating, she would come home after gigs in the Leesburg bar scene and there was a slew of Redskins' players getting rowdy, drinking and even some of them smoking cigarettes. I am not saying none of that will go on this year, but hearing the coach say words like "be accountable" makes me believe that sort of liberty (rowdy drinking with friends during the work week) will get them cut or in the dog house at least.

I hope that 7 months from now we are looking at a possible post-season berth. I truly think that is a possibility provided we steer clear of dreadful injuries and our offensive line progresses further from the improvement we saw toward the end of last year. I really think we have a chance to become that team that rises to the occasion and surprise many this season!

For the 1st time since he arrived, I truly have a little faith in Mike Shanahan. While the faith was accumulating slowly, a simple statement like "be accountable" has really made me believe! I am not saying Super Bowl this year, but I would not be surprised if we find ourselves in the hunt for the playoffs by late December.

 

[Goaldeje]

Be accountable!
For the 1st time since he arrived, I truly have a little faith in Mike Shanahan. While the faith was accumulating slowly, a simple statement like "be accountable" has really made me believe! I am not saying Super Bowl this year, but I would not be surprised if we find ourselves in the hunt for the playoffs by late December.

I literally don't know what I will do with myself if this happens. To be in the playoff hunt in RG3's rookie season? That may be more than I could bear.

 

[fansince62]

oh ye of little faith.

the corner has been turned...and I don't mean D-Hall chasing some fleet receiver!!

 

[Fear The Spear]

Shanahan's Parting Words til Training Camp.....
"We hardly had anybody that was out of shape, and that’s really a good sign....
You better come in shape, because if you don’t, you aren’t going to make the football team."

Speaking of parting words....was that one last parting shot at Fat Albert ?

 

[Elephant]

While I get that comment was in jest Fear, I doubt Shanny has a second thought about that fat ****!

 

[Ax]

I hope he told our resident retards that "being accountable" also meant not smoking dope, or driving while intoxicated.

 

[Henry]

Things may pick up this year, but just don't be too shocked or dismayed if we have one more year of growing pains. I'd say somewhere between 4-8 wins this year wouldn't be a big surprise. Next year, when the rookie class of '11 is entering their third season and Griffin has a year under his belt we can realistically expect some serious progress. This year anything remotely resembling a playoff season would be a bonus, in my opinion.

 

[Om]

To me this season could go anywhere from 5 or 6 wins to 10+. There are too many variables/unknowns to try to pin it down with any degree of certaininty.

Health--both ours and our opponents'--will be a huge factor.

RG3's development/comfort level will be another.

How quickly opponents can develop a book on him...and how well/quickly the Redskins and he then respond to the adjustments.

The development of guys like Riley, Kerrigan, Jenkins and the safeties on defense.

How the OL, finally released from having to pass protect statues, handles the "Shanahan offense."

Whether or not the WR corps---thinking Garcon and Hankerson primarily---is what I think it CAN be, as supported by a solid if unspectacular RB and TE group.

I'm feeling damn good about the long term---better than I have in years. But I'm not going to be surprised if the 2012 record doesn't necessarily reflect the sea change we're seeing unfold.

 

[Elephant]

I kept thinking to myself last year as Neo and Lanky continued to pound the idea that this team is a good QB away from being a playoff contender that I wasn't sold on that idea. As I watch tape of last season, I really think they may be on to something. I think you are absolutely correct Om, there are many variables that need to fall in our favor and I mentioned that when I expressed my excitement. I think you're right to suggest it is anywhere from a 5/6 - 10 win season. Not sure if 10+ is possible, but you never know. We could be the surprise of the league, right? Hell, with just 4 games left in the season last year, we still had a shot to win the Division.

I think that Griff alone is enough for at least 2 more wins. Yes he's a rookie and will make mistakes, but didn't we have that last year with a QB who cannot out run a slug?

Been thinking about the RB position. Unless Hightower is healthy from the start, I am excited to see if Morris can step in to add some excitement to that backfield. He reminds me of Ray Rice. I think our run game progresses from last year.

Our WR? Yeah, I think this is the biggest question mark on the offense, even over the O-line simply because of the injuries. Hank and Morgan are both coming off season ending injury, and Hank has yet to be cleared for drills. I like the Garçon signing, but is he a true number 1? It is nice to have Reggie Wayne on the other side. The other guys, Moss excluded, will battle it out to see who will remain on the roster. I am really interested to see what Niles Paul can do at the TE position.

I have mentioned this play before, but I still get excited when I see what it could net with the right players in place:
Rex rolls right, the Fred Davis stays in to block to disguise the play, then he releases at just the right moment when all the action is following Rex. Davis is wide open after sneaking out to the left and has to wait for the pass to get to him. It was a nice gain for a 1st down, but had Rex been able to hit Davis in stride he would have broke it open. Just think about Griff throwing that ball to Paul, he will never get caught on that play...if Paul can sell it at the line of scrimmage, it's a TD every time.


Our defense was solid and there have been no "down grades" in my estimation. Yes, there is uncertainty in the secondary, but there was the same uncertainty last year. I am thinking the defenses progresses more and this season they return to top 10 form. If they can do that, the onus lies on the offense to win us games. Well, isn't that what Griff does?

 

[Dead Money]

oh ye of little faith.

the corner has been turned...and I don't mean D-Hall chasing some fleet receiver!!

Love it!