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If this is the last year of the Shanahan era in Washington, I think it will be remembered most for its collective stubbornness.
For 4 years the Redskins have fielded an undersized and slightly talented offensive line and then expected somehow to develop consistency on that side of the ball.
Go ask Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells or Jimmy Johnson if the success if your qb and skill players is limited by the potential of the guys up front.
While the team did draft Trent Williams in 2010, that was it in terms of meaningful investment.
In free agency the team paid salaries and bonus to players like Josh Morgan and Brandon Meriweather instead of looking for any upgrades on the suspect line.
The truth is that Shanahan's system of using undersized linemen to boost the running game has been made obsolete by the rules changes that now see the Super Bowl teams usually be ones that rely first on the pass and then on the run. Protecting the qb is a team's job no. 1.
On defense the same kind of thinking about absolutes had the team mired in a 4 year pattern of bottom third units because the personnel to run that 3-4 scheme effectively are still not here.
Meanwhile the New York a Giants have won 2 Super Bowls in the past 5 plus years running a traditional 4-3.
The personnel here in the front seven both in terms of talent and experience look to be better suited to the 4-3. And after finishing at 30th overall what does the team have to lose?
Well, the head coach who is also the GM and father of the OC has a lot to lose in terms of ego and prestige if he were to come out and admit some changes in approach are necessary.
And that's why I feel he will never make any significant changes and so needs to go.
For 4 years the Redskins have fielded an undersized and slightly talented offensive line and then expected somehow to develop consistency on that side of the ball.
Go ask Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells or Jimmy Johnson if the success if your qb and skill players is limited by the potential of the guys up front.
While the team did draft Trent Williams in 2010, that was it in terms of meaningful investment.
In free agency the team paid salaries and bonus to players like Josh Morgan and Brandon Meriweather instead of looking for any upgrades on the suspect line.
The truth is that Shanahan's system of using undersized linemen to boost the running game has been made obsolete by the rules changes that now see the Super Bowl teams usually be ones that rely first on the pass and then on the run. Protecting the qb is a team's job no. 1.
On defense the same kind of thinking about absolutes had the team mired in a 4 year pattern of bottom third units because the personnel to run that 3-4 scheme effectively are still not here.
Meanwhile the New York a Giants have won 2 Super Bowls in the past 5 plus years running a traditional 4-3.
The personnel here in the front seven both in terms of talent and experience look to be better suited to the 4-3. And after finishing at 30th overall what does the team have to lose?
Well, the head coach who is also the GM and father of the OC has a lot to lose in terms of ego and prestige if he were to come out and admit some changes in approach are necessary.
And that's why I feel he will never make any significant changes and so needs to go.
With this team there isn't anything to cheer about.