The Mike Shanaplan

I found this article to be a little weak actually. I think it states the obvious - at least what's obvious to the intelligent football fan: building through the draft is the smart move.

And saying that we're likely to take a step back doesn't make much sense to me. Consider:

- It will be hard to get QB play much worse that what we had last year. McNabb was awful, look at the numbers. When we put Grossman in we had a great deal more production per game. We also had a lot of turnovers, but McNabb wasn't great in that regard either.

- We haven't even gone through the free agency period yet. There are still plenty of impact players available. It seems silly to assume we're building through the draft now and thus precluding ourselves from building through free agency as well. In the end, the idea is to get Shanahan/Haslett type players, any way you can.

- The offensive line has not been upgraded personnel-wise (yet), but should get better regardless. Trent Williams is likely to grow in his second season and Jamaal Brown is likely to get healthier.

- Last year our only effective runner was Ryan Torain. But as we all know a team must have more than one effective runner (especially considering Torain is hurt so often). The rookies will make an immediate impact in the running game.

- Having a second capable saftety in Atogwe will make a big difference. And having a second pass rush threat will make a big difference.

I think our offense will get very aggressive. We'll be putting up crazy yards, and probably turning it over a lot. I don't think we'll make the playoffs but there's so many sources of potential improvement for the 'Skins.

It's going to be another tough year. Are we going to be worse than last? I don't know. It's difficult to say right now. It's a possibility though. Sometimes you've got to take a step back in order to improve.

Why do so many people think our team will be awful next year? We have pretty much the same team, except improved on defense. We will probably have another 6-10ish year, unless whoever plays quarterback somehow plays worse or better than donovan grossman

Decent read, agree with most of it but I don't see the team taking a big step backwards this year. Let's see how the roster looks after free agency before we consider this a throw away season.

You know, you would think people would UNDERSTAND that but obviously not! I mean come on folks FA hasn't even started yet. :benched:

Lets see what they say when we have 2 new OL, another QB and possibly another WR.

I found this article to be a little weak actually. I think it states the obvious - at least what's obvious to the intelligent football fan: building through the draft is the smart move.

And saying that we're likely to take a step back doesn't make much sense to me. Consider:

- It will be hard to get QB play much worse that what we had last year. McNabb was awful, look at the numbers. When we put Grossman in we had a great deal more production per game. We also had a lot of turnovers, but McNabb wasn't great in that regard either.

- We haven't even gone through the free agency period yet. There are still plenty of impact players available. It seems silly to assume we're building through the draft now and thus precluding ourselves from building through free agency as well. In the end, the idea is to get Shanahan/Haslett type players, any way you can.

- The offensive line has not been upgraded personnel-wise (yet), but should get better regardless. Trent Williams is likely to grow in his second season and Jamaal Brown is likely to get healthier.

- Last year our only effective runner was Ryan Torain. But as we all know a team must have more than one effective runner (especially considering Torain is hurt so often). The rookies will make an immediate impact in the running game.

- Having a second capable saftety in Atogwe will make a big difference. And having a second pass rush threat will make a big difference.

I think our offense will get very aggressive. We'll be putting up crazy yards, and probably turning it over a lot. I don't think we'll make the playoffs but there's so many sources of potential improvement for the 'Skins.

agree completely. not to mention its everyone's second year in the offense as well, second year in the 3-4, etc. as long as we re-sign santana moss, i dont really see why we would be worse than last year. we havent lost anyone, yet, aside from mcnabb and haynesworth which are certain, and have added a good free safety in atogwe and had a good draft.

It's going to be another tough year. Are we going to be worse than last? I don't know. It's difficult to say right now. It's a possibility though. Sometimes you've got to take a step back in order to improve.

How would we be worse? The Defense is already improved and we drafter a WR that will start day 1... Just wait and see my man

How would we be worse? The Defense is already improved and we drafter a WR that will start day 1... Just wait and see my man

I don't think we will be worst I feel we are 2-3 years away from being serious SB contenders. I also agree that we should re-build or re-tool so to speak before getting a franchise QB. I thought Shanny was going to do that last year & keep J.C. I feel ATL, BAL, STL, NYJ success came from that philosophy so NYJ could take there franchise QB to the AFC Championship game twice in a row as a rookie & sophomore. We will be improved but not yet a elite franchise.

I don't think we will be worst I feel we are 2-3 years away from being serious SB contenders. I also agree that we should re-build or re-tool so to speak before getting a franchise QB. I thought Shanny was going to do that last year & keep J.C. I feel ATL, BAL, STL, NYJ success came from that philosophy so NYJ could take there franchise QB to the AFC Championship game twice in a row as a rookie & sophomore. We will be improved but not yet a elite franchise.


To be fair also BAL and ATL had off years, either do to injuries or the lost of Vick, that yeild them the high picks to get Flacco and Ryan. So I would not necessarily say those two teams planned for those QB's.

Also, to be fair even further I don't know how much of a franchise QB Flacco is going to end up being. He is really starting to show some rust on his armor and with the Ravens defense getting even older they will need the offense to step up. Flacco has so many weapons and a great/good line and he is still at best average. I think a lot of folks prematurely anointed him the franchise QB simply becasue like everyone else we are desperate for the next great franchise QB. Honestly you can say the same case about Sanchez, he has not done anything to make me go I wish we had him. Now Bradford makes me cry at night "why why could we not have him!".

To be fair also BAL and ATL had off years, either do to injuries or the lost of Vick, that yeild them the high picks to get Flacco and Ryan. So I would not necessarily say those two teams planned for those QB's.

Also, to be fair even further I don't know how much of a franchise QB Flacco is going to end up being. He is really starting to show some rust on his armor and with the Ravens defense getting even older they will need the offense to step up. Flacco has so many weapons and a great/good line and he is still at best average. I think a lot of folks prematurely anointed him the franchise QB simply becasue like everyone else we are desperate for the next great franchise QB. Honestly you can say the same case about Sanchez, he has not done anything to make me go I wish we had him. Now Bradford makes me cry at night "why why could we not have him!".

I agree on Flacco & Sanchez being average maybe slighty above average. But there franchises can win games in other ways until they fully develop & learn there craft. Whether its the running game or defense I also think BAL can win and will always be able to win with a Trent Dilfer prototype QB. They really focus on defense more than offense for sure. We aren't good on defense or offense no franchise OL other than Trent we got some work to do. Even if they didn't plan on getting Ryan or Flacco they had the supporting cast the take them to the playoffs with them.

Lets wait and see what happens at the QB position and via FA before we start calling this a re-build because imo a rebuild doesn't begin by giving up draft picks to trade for aging short term starters like McNabb and Jamaal Brown.

The Burgundy and Gold are part of the Mike Shanahan plan, and its the same plan Mike Shanahan has always had he's trying to win.

Its more re-tool/re-fit then re-build.

And you know what? It just might work because imo he's that good of coach.

Have you ever thought that maybe Shan thought we had a better team then we did when he came to DC. Then after last year he realized the need to rebuild.