Albert Haynesworth and Mike Shanahan: An unlikely win-win situation?

Accountability is huge with Shanahan, and that explains his decisions regarding AH, and probably DM as well. It sounds like you'd rather sacrifice accountability and principles for a win.

As for Rabach, I'm willing to bet he's the hardest working guy on the team. And, sadly, he is probably our best option at center.

I think we're overstating the accountability issue here and it's now becoming more of a talking point, and masking some of Shanahan's short comings, rather than something that actually fosters trust and maturity in your locker room. If your approach yields confusion and mistrust, then you need to check yourself. This ain't Pop Warner and it ain't the collegiate ranks. You're only going to be able to get so far with the hard nose approach with professional athletes that play at this level. And Shanny needs to find the line between effective accountability as an NFL coach and letting professionals be professionals.

I think we're overstating the accountability issue here and it's now becoming more of a talking point, and masking some of Shanahan's short comings, rather than something that actually fosters trust and maturity in your locker room. If your approach yields confusion and mistrust, then you need to check yourself. This ain't Pop Warner and it ain't the collegiate ranks. You're only going to be able to get so far with the hard nose approach with professional athletes that play at this level. And Shanny needs to find the line between effective accountability as an NFL coach and letting professionals be professionals.

Belichick is the epitome of the "hard-nosed" coach, and I'd say it's worked pretty well for him. He's built a team where none of his players would *ever* question any of his decisions. They work hard, and they do what they're told to the best of their abilities. If Shanahan's approach is causing confusion and mistrust, it could be because he's got the wrong kind of players.

Belichick is the epitome of the "hard-nosed" coach, and I'd say it's worked pretty well for him. He's built a team where none of his players would *ever* question any of his decisions. They work hard, and they do what they're told to the best of their abilities. If Shanahan's approach is causing confusion and mistrust, it could be because he's got the wrong kind of players.

Totally agree.

I don't think there's any real confusion or mistrust anyway. The whole situation with Haynesworth was blown out of proportion and I think the dust will settle on this McNabb issue as well.

Belichick is the epitome of the "hard-nosed" coach, and I'd say it's worked pretty well for him. He's built a team where none of his players would *ever* question any of his decisions. They work hard, and they do what they're told to the best of their abilities. If Shanahan's approach is causing confusion and mistrust, it could be because he's got the wrong kind of players.

Well Belichick has had the fortune of winning three Superbowls to back him up on his tactics. Unless you intimately know the details of pre-SB Patriots, I say that his tactics have become better known after he started to win. Maybe he started out this way in New England, but it is hard to question anyone when they win.

Belichick didn't become a hard ass when they won, he wore out his welcome in Cleveland because of that. The best coaches are the ones that do things their way, no exceptions.

Belichick didn't become a hard ass when they won, he wore out his welcome in Cleveland because of that. The best coaches are the ones that do things their way, no exceptions.

Apparently......not here?

Belichick didn't become a hard ass when they won, he wore out his welcome in Cleveland because of that. The best coaches are the ones that do things their way, no exceptions.I think the progression of Coughlin and Belichick from my-way-or-the-highway to more adaptive styles is evidence to the contrary. As is the transition of Parcells from a guy who won a lot of games and super bowls to a .500 coach in his last two stops.

I think the progression of Coughlin and Belichick from my-way-or-the-highway to more adaptive styles is evidence to the contrary. As is the transition of Parcells from a guy who won a lot of games and super bowls to a .500 coach in his last two stops.

I don't see any evidence that supports the notion that Coughlin or Belichick have become any less stubborn or demanding. They simply suffered through the growing pains -- alienating, cutting or trading anyone without unconditional support for them -- and now they have good teams full of professionals who don't question anything, show up to meetings on-time, and work hard at their jobs. That is a strategy for success, regardless of your profession.

People usually respond well to people who know what they want. Coaches like Coughlin and Belichick, spend a lot of time and effort to devise a solid long-term plan, and then they stick to it. The plan wasn't pulled out of thin air -- it was decided upon for many good reasons, and you'd never see coaches like them abandoning their plans mid-season. However, if they came to realize that a guy on their team didn't fit their plan as well as they originally thought, they wouldn't hesitate to make a change. The plan > the player.

Belichick didn't become a hard ass when they won, he wore out his welcome in Cleveland because of that. The best coaches are the ones that do things their way, no exceptions.

Belichick also drafted a hall of fame QB with a 7th rounder. A little luck goes a long way too.

Accountability is huge with Shanahan, and that explains his decisions regarding AH, and probably DM as well. It sounds like you'd rather sacrifice accountability and principles for a win.

As for Rabach, I'm willing to bet he's the hardest working guy on the team. And, sadly, he is probably our best option at center.


I am starting to seriously question Shanahan's "principles". Anyone noticed that McNabb is "out of shape" according to Shanahan. Seriously?

At least saying a 340 pound lineman, who you don't like, is out of shape passes the eye test. Trying to sell that McNabb is now "out of shape"? I am not buying.