The Tempered Expectations Thread

So I've done some reading, some thinking, and some presser watching today. We've known Shanahan was going to be named coach for a while. After reading hundreds of posts on here today, there is plenty of elation. Everyone is stoked. Plenty of "FINALLY!" type statements.

Don't get me wrong, I think Shanahan/Allen is a positive move for sure. But I'm skeptical nonetheless. I've gotten too excited by this franchise before. "Oh wow, we signed HIM?? Oh wow, HE'S gonna be our coach?? Man I can't wait till training camp!!" Sound familiar? We've all been down this road too many times in the past 10+ years.

Marty Schottenheimer? Oh man, he's going to have complete control. He'll turn this thing around... Steve Spurrier? What an innovator he is. He'll surely revolutionize our passing game... Joe Gibbs? My gosh, the Lord of the Rings will without question boost us back up to the NFL's elite...

Yeah, not so much. I'm happy Mike Shanahan is our head coach. I'm also happy that Bruce Allen is running the show. If he is in fact running the show. I love the Washington Redskins. But at this point, I'll believe it when I see it. Hail.

A few good reads:

washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010602367.html)
washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010604596.html)
washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010604736.html)

Word seems to be that Snyder has realised he must step away from his meddling and let SHanahan and Allen do their jobs. Time will tell, but I still feel more positive than I have in months.

Come on man, let us have a few months of unbridled optimism before the season starts and all our dreams slip away lol. No, but you're right, we should all be cautiously optimistic and the best we can do at this point is hope to get better

Since I've seen this story line before I'm in a wait and see mode. I do think this will be a postive change and a much better product two years from now.

gm, i'm right there with you, almost started a thread just like this last night, we have definitely seen this a few times before. the things that stick out to me are marty was the first coach he hired unless you want to count robiske, and that was early on. other than marty he hasn't hired a succesful nfl coach that is not far removed from the game. and the second is the fact the he didn't go up there with shanny and allen during the presser even though you know it was driving him nuts not to be up there.

again i'm in the same boat as you wait and see, and i definitely have my homer glasses off and want to see this thing done the right way, with no real expectations of having a record anything better than 7-9 next year and maybe still last in the division, but with the look of promise for the seasons to come, i just hope danny boy is veiwing it the same way

Bah Humbug! Shanahan is an experienced motivator/coach and we will reap immediate benefits from that and a quality staff. Our offense has several High skill players that have suffered indignities and want to prove themselves. Our D can be a top 12 very quickly.
It is Jan 7th, I will ride with the high feelings, because I can :)

Ok. I'll temper my expectations. It may take as long as 2 years to win the Super Bowl! ;) We'll see how it goes but it's honestly hard not to get excited by the recent moves. Just knowing we have a real GM and a HC who is known for having great success on the offensive side of the ball is very encouraging. At least to this point they are saying all the right things and discipline and hard work from the players seems like a reality that we've needed. I'm definitely encouraged.

I agree, it seems like a good move but its very much in the same as when Marty & Gibbs were hired. As for DS stepping back, a leopard doesnt change his spots and I think DS hasnt really changed but knows how to make it look that way.

Bottom line, I'll believe it when I see it because I've seen the beginning of this movie before.

Let's just call it the debbie downer thread, lol, j/k

Seriously though, I'm in wait and see mode like a lot of folks. At face value though, this feels different to me than past moves. This is the first time we've seen Snyder step aside and completely hand off the football ops. There's no way either Allen or Shanahan would have agreed to come here unless they were 110% sure that Snyder will be playing the role of owner, and owner only. Snyder had established relationships with both guys coming in so I think there's a trust factor there and that's important to him.

I'm excited, Allen and Shanahan bring an element of credibility to the front office that we've been sorely lacking. I think we're finally seeing a move in a new direction for the organization. A move that will emphasis some proven and more traditional methods of putting together a winner, not this willy-nilly approach of going for the big names, trading away picks on a whim, and ignoring glaring needs until everything bottoms out.

Every time a thread like this is started, Sally Jenkins gets new wings.