DT Can't Keep His Mind Off Football

EXACTLY. The coaching and gameplanning last season was a joke. Players are expressing that and expressing confidence that Shanahan is able to improve the on field product. I want to think that it is a good sign that when Lewis came in, DTs production rapidly improved. He broke screens, played with intensity, and really did make a name on our inept offense. I believe that the Shanahans will use him Cooley and Davis extensively. MK is the odd man out, he really has yet to make that turn, but time will tell.



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I wouldn't be surprised to see fades thrown to Marko Mitchell instead of Santana Moss either.

Unlike Vinny Cerrato, Shanahan actually some record of drafting Olinemen in the upper rounds and his ability to gameplan hasn't gotten rusty yet. This team just needs backup depth and to develop a knack for making plays.

Ok...I'm completely fine with that premise. But we're in need of 3 to 4 quality offensive linemen and 2 to 3 serviceable backup linemen.

I don't care how talented Shanahan is at drafting or coaching, that need simply cannot be met in one year's time.

In addition to those needs he'll need to fill a roster with other offensive players who are going to fit the system he plans on using. Oh, and we're switching to a 3-4 defense from the 4-3. That alone will have it's own personnel need positions like MLB2 and DT (Haynesworth has stated he wants to rush the QB and not be a space eater)


Not being a downer, but all those holes will not be filled with 5 draft picks and a free agency with an abundance of restricted free agents due to the unsigned CBA agreement.

God bless Shanny, but the Phil Jackson comparisons will need to be put on hold until he finds his own Jordan and Pippen. Whatever we'll be with Shanahan won't show itself for a another 2+ years. Devin may not be around long enough to see it.

Ok...I'm completely fine with that premise. But we're in need of 3 to 4 quality offensive linemen and 2 to 3 serviceable backup linemen.

I don't care how talented Shanahan is at drafting or coaching, that need simply cannot be met in one year's time.

In addition to those needs he'll need to fill a roster with other offensive players who are going to fit the system he plans on using. Oh, and we're switching to a 3-4 defense from the 4-3. That alone will have it's own personnel need positions like MLB2 and DT (Haynesworth has stated he wants to rush the QB and not be a space eater)


Not being a downer, but all those holes will not be filled with 5 draft picks and a free agency with an abundance of restricted free agents due to the unsigned CBA agreement.

God bless Shanny, but the Phil Jackson comparisons will need to be put on hold until he finds his own Jordan and Pippen. Whatever we'll be with Shanahan won't show itself for a another 2+ years. Devin may not be around long enough to see it.
Yes, O-line and a defensive transition will make certain that a SB is not forthcoming next year. However...

Part of the woes of the team last year was a "staying on a sinking ship" approach in playcalling style. Zorn and Blache both were rather fossilized in how the tried to attack the opponent and didn't adapt well at all. By the few accounts of Shanahan I've seen, he is much more thorough in gameplanning and makes adjustments after what the defenses do on the scripted plays. There were a few games last year that were winnable but we managed to choke them away with silly mistakes. Good coaching will help minimize these mistakes and the Skins may have an outside shot at being 10-6.

You also overstate the need for players in the O transition. OL is certainly a problem and QB is also something that needs to be addressed when the time is right, whether it's this year or next year, but the other skill positions are not a major priority. We have the TEs and WRs. Hell, Scheffler may even make the roster if McDaniels can't handle him. McCardell has firsthand experience in preparing as a WR. Campbell and the OL haven't given a really good environment for everyone to see what the WRs can do. I'd bet Shanahan would be drooling over having three good big receivers though who all have potential to be better than just good.
There are many options to handle RB. If drafting one is not feasible, then Shanahan may bring in some of his old guard (Hillis).

Ok...I'm completely fine with that premise. But we're in need of 3 to 4 quality offensive linemen and 2 to 3 serviceable backup linemen.

I don't care how talented Shanahan is at drafting or coaching, that need simply cannot be met in one year's time.

In addition to those needs he'll need to fill a roster with other offensive players who are going to fit the system he plans on using. Oh, and we're switching to a 3-4 defense from the 4-3. That alone will have it's own personnel need positions like MLB2 and DT (Haynesworth has stated he wants to rush the QB and not be a space eater)


Not being a downer, but all those holes will not be filled with 5 draft picks and a free agency with an abundance of restricted free agents due to the unsigned CBA agreement.

God bless Shanny, but the Phil Jackson comparisons will need to be put on hold until he finds his own Jordan and Pippen. Whatever we'll be with Shanahan won't show itself for a another 2+ years. Devin may not be around long enough to see it.
Not saying that we're a Super Bowl bound team but we've seen some teams go far recently without much of a line.. GB, Pitt, Arizona (though they had a much improved line this year)

Not saying that we're a Super Bowl bound team but we've seen some teams go far recently without much of a line.. GB, Pitt, Arizona (though they had a much improved line this year)

You've also seen those team have other standout qualities that make up for their offensive line being a liability, like Pittsburgh's scoring defenses, Zona's ability to to have 2, 1000 yard receivers and GB's stable offensive output from their QB play.

If you are seeing standouts in any facet of our team please let me know because I am not seeing them. Our defense is stout but they don't score or cause enough turnovers to impact or win us games. We're switching to a 3-4 next year so our production there will be a whole new ballgame.

The offensive side I think we can both agree by saying they are the cause for concern. My contention is that coaching will have more of an impact if OL and DL are setting the foundation for a scheme. After that we'll be able to better see Shanahan's merit on the field.


Our lines the way they are now could make any well respected coach look like a dunce.

That's part of why I said we don't appear to be Super Bowl bound this year, there are definitely other factors. However there's a bit more than just the O-Line to focus on, if we can't do it all in a year it's safe to say that the line won't be done in just a year either, likely anyways, just as you did.

I misread a bit of your post though so I would've pointed out some other agreements as well. I think that one promising thing could definitely be our coaching staff.

For those saying that Thomas and Kelly suck, I ask you what chance they've been given to prove otherwise. We always give the excuse that with guys like Portis or whoever that we let the higher paid guys hold their positions too easily, WR falls into that slot just as much. Kelly often got a key catch or 3 a game, Thomas showed some real promise on plays; neither made constant mistakes. They often weren't on the field when they'd be most valuable (especially Kelly, when it was said he did great in practice with red zone plays) and often weren't real options on pass plays. Between the coaching and yes, improved line play, I can see them becoming a big part of our offense.. and making Campbell look good.