Shanahan's discussion this week about sitting Griffin the last three games to protect him for the future ring hollow to me.
Here is my take:
1. Shanahan has taken a lot of heat for leaving Griffin in the Seattle playoff game and now that it seems clear he is leaving after the season doesn't want to held responsible for another injury to Griffin that conceivably could be laid back at his feet.
2. Shanahan's rationale is conveniently timed with all of the revelations in the news this week. Funny, with the Redskins season all but over at 3-8 and 3-9, Shanahan still had Griffin start games where the DL are a lot better than the ones he is bound to see against Atlanta and Dallas. Anyone see Dallas' DL against the Bears? Worst unit in the NFL bar none.
3. With the end of his tenure in sight Shanahan hopes to redeem his reputation with quarterbacks by starting Cousins and hoping he can play well and win a couple of these games. Shanahan called Cousins a first round pick in terms of talent after the draft.
Since Mike foolishly endorsed Rex and John Beck in 2011 and has crashed and burned in his relationship with RG3, he needs some positive note to go out on.
Isn't it ironic that 2 weeks ago Mike glared at reporters for suggesting we perhaps should see what some of the younger players can do and pull some starters and yet now that is what he is doing? What has changed in 2 weeks? Humm........
If Shanahan had been as adept at personnel and coaching hires as he has been in managing the media war with Griffin and Snyder his job would probably not been in jeopardy.
Here is my take:
1. Shanahan has taken a lot of heat for leaving Griffin in the Seattle playoff game and now that it seems clear he is leaving after the season doesn't want to held responsible for another injury to Griffin that conceivably could be laid back at his feet.
2. Shanahan's rationale is conveniently timed with all of the revelations in the news this week. Funny, with the Redskins season all but over at 3-8 and 3-9, Shanahan still had Griffin start games where the DL are a lot better than the ones he is bound to see against Atlanta and Dallas. Anyone see Dallas' DL against the Bears? Worst unit in the NFL bar none.
3. With the end of his tenure in sight Shanahan hopes to redeem his reputation with quarterbacks by starting Cousins and hoping he can play well and win a couple of these games. Shanahan called Cousins a first round pick in terms of talent after the draft.
Since Mike foolishly endorsed Rex and John Beck in 2011 and has crashed and burned in his relationship with RG3, he needs some positive note to go out on.
Isn't it ironic that 2 weeks ago Mike glared at reporters for suggesting we perhaps should see what some of the younger players can do and pull some starters and yet now that is what he is doing? What has changed in 2 weeks? Humm........
If Shanahan had been as adept at personnel and coaching hires as he has been in managing the media war with Griffin and Snyder his job would probably not been in jeopardy.