Snyder Hires Shanahan Not the GM

I am afraid to say everybody is missing the point. The desire to have a GM who is responsible for everything in the organization is being circumvented already. This is Dan's hire (Shanahan) and this will not be called out till the next season or the one after that is another failure. As fans many of us have expressed our views to have the owner step aside but it is clear that this is business as usual at Redskin Park.

Just curious what other peoples thoughts are on this. While I love that Shanahan is a discipline guided coach who generally has great offensive schemes he has a history of some bad things. Hiring the wrong Defensive Coordinator, only winning Super Bowls with a QB named Elway, and an ego the size of the Rocky Mountains.

Ok, what would make you feel better? Give the keys to Allen and have him do what? Hire Fassel? News flash.... DS did try to hire Shanahan last summer and the coach told him no give Zorn another year. DS did try to hire Shanahan at the break and the coach told him no he would not be able to make the team better until after the season.

But the key to this whole situation, and this is the biggie for those of you who say "Allen does not have the keys"..... Shanahan being a big high profile proven HC told suiters that where ever he landed he wanted Bruce Allen as his GM. I would presume Shanahan had already talked with Allen and "Both" decided they wanted to work together at their next gig. I'm betting Allen already made a pact that if he got a GM spot he would try to bring in Shanahan as his HC.

All our beloved owner did was facilitate the bringing in of Shanahan by hiring Allen. You guys like the idea of Allen being the GM then quickly say his balls are cut off cause he has to bring in a HC that the owner wanted. Maybe take a moment and put that aside and look at the bigger picture. Allen wanted to work with Shanahan and Shanahan wanted to work with Allen. They already made up their minds. In order to get Shanahan, DS had to let his best friend Cerrato go and bring in Allen. DS decided in order to get the coach he wanted he had to fire Vinny and bring in Allen. He did that. The keys have been turned over. Allen is basically doing what he promised Shanahan he would do and that is bring him on board wherever he was hired.

Now, Please get off Danny's back and allow the GM to do his job. It's like it's not enough that Vinny was fired. It's not enough that DS hired a true GM. It's not enough that he's letting the GM take control and bring in a HC for which he had an agreement with. You people have to bitch about something.... namely the owner so you come up with some cockamamy idea that DS is still pulling strings and telling the GM to hire specific people so you have a reason to bitch.

Bitch on brother but I'm not listening or buying into it. I guess missery loves company so I'm sure someone will be one board with you.

I like the shanahan hire mainly because he has the credentials and respect around the league to get away with giving snyder no say. We need someone capable of running an offense that will likely be very different from this years offense. If not him, fortunately there are many people around with out HC jobs with a lot of respect.

For those who are unhappy with the hiring of Allen and Shanahan, I'm curious to hear what alternative strategy YOU think would be better for the team right now. All ears. Let's hear it.

Bill Cowher, if he was genuine expressing interest.

If not, Shanahan's the next best thing. (Assuming we want a "proven" coach).

Given Snyder's meddlesome ways in the past, i don't think there's anything wrong with expressing concern when we see some of the same things. snyder has not earned the benefit of the doubt. in 2-3 years - maybe, but he hasn't earned it yet. if there's anyone here who's not atleast somewhat suspicious of him, please PM me. I have a great investment opportunity i would love to offer you.

Should snyder have some involvement with hiring shanahan - absolutely. but it should only come in the form of a "second interview" after Allen has conducted "first interviews" with Shanahan and other coaches.

There really isnt a reason to rush things here. Whats wrong with interviewing other candidates? If Bill Cowher is interested, why wouldnt Allen atleast interview him? Think about it. What would we have to lose? The only other job available right now is the bills job - and shanahan's already turned them down. we have all the leverage in the world. why not use it?
Its called Due Diligence. Its something every GM worth his salt would perform before hiring a head coach. Unless, you know, the owner is calling the shots and has already made up his mind.

I truly believe Snyder hears the voice of the fan and is responding. Here is a direct quote after releasing Zorn.

Snyder addressed Zorn's firing in a written statement, released by the team's public relations staff.

"This has been an extremely difficult season for our organization and for the fans," the owner said. "Bruce Allen spent many hours examining the football operations, and we are both determined to do whatever it takes to build a championship team. That process begins today.

"No one in the organization is satisfied with our record over the last two years, and I am sure that Jim would concur with that statement. It has been painful for him too," Snyder's statement continued. "I certainly accept responsibility for mistakes that I have made. I am hopeful that our fans will accept my commitment and pledge to deliver a franchise that can compete in the NFC East every season."

Snyder accepts responsibility for the teams failure and is looking to right the ship. What more can we ask for as fans? We complained about the piss poor play calling and they brought in a consultant. We complained about the banning of signs on stadium property and that was lifted. We complained about lack of leadership and a dysfunctional organization and a true General Manager was hired. We complained about a head coach that lacked experience and the new General Manager is committed to bring in a head coach with winning experience. I like the direction. I'm looking forward to Shanahan's first press conference.

I've got no problem with some skepticism. We've been doing the same song and dance for the last 10 years. So until we see some proof of real change, I can understand why there will be doubters. But yeah some of this stuff just rings a little hollow with me. Just sounds like complaining for the sake of complaining.

I know we have had a tough couple of years under Snyderatto and it seems some on this sight are little defensive. LOL. Some sound like a bunch of pussies.
Yes, my Skins have been beat up on the field and in the media. We are one of like 4 or 5 teams that are the laughing stock of the NFL.
But just like some post that we have a playoff roster, Devin Thoms/Malcolm Kelly were great draft picks because they are tall and we will be in the playoffs next season, I think a little skepticism is allowed.
I do not think there is anything wrong with questioning whether Allen might be bullied by Snyder and become another Vinny.

I love how people are going to start ripping on Shanahan just because he may in fact be a "Snyder" hire. "But he only won Super Bowls with a quarterback named Elway". Yet Dan Reeves couldn't win a Super Bowl with a quarterback named Elway who was also at the time a young sprout QB.

So Shanahan wins those Super Bowls with a gray-beard Elway at the end of his career. I say Shanahan is a good hire no matter who is the one responsible....Snyder or Allen or both guys.

I love how people are going to start ripping on Shanahan just because he may in fact be a "Snyder" hire. "But he only won Super Bowls with a quarterback named Elway". Yet Dan Reeves couldn't win a Super Bowl with a quarterback named Elway who was also at the time a young sprout QB.

So Shanahan wins those Super Bowls with a gray-beard Elway at the end of his career. I say Shanahan is a good hire no matter who is the one responsible....Snyder or Allen or both guys.

I don't think anyone is saying Shanahan isn't a good hire, but is he the best one? How can we know when he's the only one who we give a real interview to?

I don't believe there has ever been any significant interest from Cowher in coaching the Redskins.

Bill Cowher, if he was genuine expressing interest.

If not, Shanahan's the next best thing. (Assuming we want a "proven" coach).

Given Snyder's meddlesome ways in the past, i don't think there's anything wrong with expressing concern when we see some of the same things. snyder has not earned the benefit of the doubt. in 2-3 years - maybe, but he hasn't earned it yet. if there's anyone here who's not atleast somewhat suspicious of him, please PM me. I have a great investment opportunity i would love to offer you.

Should snyder have some involvement with hiring shanahan - absolutely. but it should only come in the form of a "second interview" after Allen has conducted "first interviews" with Shanahan and other coaches.

There really isnt a reason to rush things here. Whats wrong with interviewing other candidates? If Bill Cowher is interested, why wouldnt Allen atleast interview him? Think about it. What would we have to lose? The only other job available right now is the bills job - and shanahan's already turned them down. we have all the leverage in the world. why not use it?
Its called Due Diligence. Its something every GM worth his salt would perform before hiring a head coach. Unless, you know, the owner is calling the shots and has already made up his mind.

I honestly don't think I would want him now. Cowher. Especially after he has told many of media people he would not want the Redskins job or it's front office issues. Then the well dries up and all of a sudden the Redskins look like an oasis. Tampa says they are keeping their HC. Carolina says they are keeping their HC. Houston says they are keeping their HC. Browns hire Holmgren who is a WCO type of guys so most likely they will try to turn the page to a WCO style. Then you have the Bills. No one want to work in Buffalo. It sucks, it's cold, and the owner is cheap. Only then does Cowher decide the Skins look like a good situation and comes begging or calling Allen. I think I too would say have a nice day.

I truly believe Snyder hears the voice of the fan and is responding. Here is a direct quote after releasing Zorn.

Snyder addressed Zorn's firing in a written statement, released by the team's public relations staff.

"This has been an extremely difficult season for our organization and for the fans," the owner said. "Bruce Allen spent many hours examining the football operations, and we are both determined to do whatever it takes to build a championship team. That process begins today.

"No one in the organization is satisfied with our record over the last two years, and I am sure that Jim would concur with that statement. It has been painful for him too," Snyder's statement continued. "I certainly accept responsibility for mistakes that I have made. I am hopeful that our fans will accept my commitment and pledge to deliver a franchise that can compete in the NFC East every season."

Snyder accepts responsibility for the teams failure and is looking to right the ship. What more can we ask for as fans? We complained about the piss poor play calling and they brought in a consultant. We complained about the banning of signs on stadium property and that was lifted. We complained about lack of leadership and a dysfunctional organization and a true General Manager was hired. We complained about a head coach that lacked experience and the new General Manager is committed to bring in a head coach with winning experience. I like the direction. I'm looking forward to Shanahan's first press conference.

Watch what you say brother in arms the nay sayers will use the excuse that "DS is listening to the fans and not allowing the GM to do his job."