Analyzing Mike Shanahan at the Midway Point

Perhaps we could add a poll to this thread to rate Shanahan so far, A, B, C, D or F?

I didn't expect Shanahan to take this team to the promised land, or even make it to the play-offs in one season. In his first year with Denver he was 8-8 and took 3 seasons to win the SB, even with one of the all-time greatest QBs, so I can't expect higher expectations than that. The Skins are clearly more improved than last season with our weakest spot being the porous OL and our shaky core of receivers. I don't expect a coach to be flawless, though he expects his teams to perform flawlessly. He has a knack for spotting talent (Armstrong, Torain) and will continue to scout where no one else scouts, and pick up players that will perform. Next season we will be ready for greatness.

I think Shanahan has made some adjustments to the offensive line, but that's not enough. He was supposed to upgrade the offensive line so the QB would have a decent chance to throw a pass without getting tramped on by every defensive line we face. Why is the offensive line just about the same as it was last year? Why don't we have capable backups on the line? And last, why don't we put somebody in for Casey Rabach, who can't block anybody?

Also, we had a better defense last year. With last year's defense, we could have been maybe 6-2 at this point, with wins over Houston and Detroit. If you throw in a win over the Rams, we could have been 7-1, with McNabb's best games yet to come. The defense was overwhelmed by the Colts and Manning, so we just lost that game regardless of how well we could have played.

Personally, I would have claimed Moss on waivers, but Moss probably wouldn't have liked to play for Shanahan.

So I give Shanahan a C-, and I think I'm being generous there. I think he deserves a D because he didn't do anything to upgrade the O-line. He thought he did, but bringing in different bodies, two of whom were reserves on other teams, just isn't enough to make a good O-line.

I disagree with just about everything you have said. Is Trent Williams not an upgrade? Jamaal Brown isn't as far along with his recovery as expected, but when healthy he's definitely an upgrade. Dockery hasn't worked out for whatever reason, but he was brought back to upgrade the interior. You can't overhaul the entire offensive line in one offseason. It takes at least two years and some good fortune with injuries and such.

The defense is in transition...Yeah, it was probably better last year, but it hasn't been horrible. We are on pace to have way more turnovers than last year, and if our offense could capitalize on them...this probably wouldn't even be much of a discussion. Again, when you change schemes (4-3 to 3-4) it takes time to acquire the right personnel to run that defense. That is why we haven't exclusively run the 3-4 this year...we've given up alot of yards, but I think that is part of the "bend don't break" concept...and for the most part I think that is working, but again the offense needs to capitalize on the TOs and the short fields. BTW, what defense doesn't have a hard time with Peyton Manning? And we had a chance to win that game...

I'm completely happy that we didn't make a move for Randy Moss. Why add someone mid-season that plays hard only when he wants to, that can't run routes very well, and that could potentially add more unnecessary drama to this locker room...we're good with what we have, the offense just needs to gel better which I expect to happen in the second half.

Other than the McNabb benching, I'm pleased with Shanahan. Even the McNabb benching, I'm ok with it, since I don't completely know everything that led to that...Shanahan doesn't owe me, you, or the media an explanation or the truth. As long as he's straight with the guys on the team, I don't care what he says...

I think its amazing what the Little General has done with this team. He doesnt have a lot of talent to work with but he has them better coached and better schemed and because of that they are a competitive team this year and that's something they havent been for a few years.

I think its amazing what the Little General has done with this team. He doesnt have a lot of talent to work with but he has them better coached and better schemed and because of that they are a competitive team this year and that's something they havent been for a few years.

Wow! Who knew? I don't agree 100%, but for the sake of celebrating your optimism Irish, I concur.

I think its amazing what the Little General has done with this team. He doesnt have a lot of talent to work with but he has them better coached and better schemed and because of that they are a competitive team this year and that's something they havent been for a few years.


I totally thought of this when you said that!

https://www.thegeneral.com/images/theGeneral.gif

General Car Insurance.

I have not read the article but from what I have seen MS reminds me of Tom Coughlin. He is a great coach but he needs to lern how to deal with players in tadays world and not like he did back in the 90's. I could see how he could loose the team like TC almost did a few years back.

He's been solid. Should anyone around here complain? Especially after Zorn? As fans we always tend to bitch and moan. But the reality is this isn't a good football team. It's probably a below average football team so to be 4-4 is pretty good.

I think Shanahan has made some adjustments to the offensive line, but that's not enough. He was supposed to upgrade the offensive line so the QB would have a decent chance to throw a pass without getting tramped on by every defensive line we face. Why is the offensive line just about the same as it was last year? Why don't we have capable backups on the line? And last, why don't we put somebody in for Casey Rabach, who can't block anybody?

Also, we had a better defense last year. With last year's defense, we could have been maybe 6-2 at this point, with wins over Houston and Detroit. If you throw in a win over the Rams, we could have been 7-1, with McNabb's best games yet to come. The defense was overwhelmed by the Colts and Manning, so we just lost that game regardless of how well we could have played.

Personally, I would have claimed Moss on waivers, but Moss probably wouldn't have liked to play for Shanahan.

So I give Shanahan a C-, and I think I'm being generous there. I think he deserves a D because he didn't do anything to upgrade the O-line. He thought he did, but bringing in different bodies, two of whom were reserves on other teams, just isn't enough to make a good O-line.

You make it sound easy to replace all 5 people on the OL.

I grade hard but, gave him a C. 4-4 isn't bad but the outlook is dim. As soon as the Haynesworth tirad dies, McNabb's mud-slinging begins. I though Shanahan and Allen would bring in some talent but, not at the expense of making poor decisions while stepping on toes. Bringing in veteran competition for Portis was a joke. Starting Lictensteiger over Dockery is too. Galloway? Come on. And it was such a waste to bring in McNabb with no intention on re-signing him until he showed what he could do.