Are you buying into the Shanaplan?

I think it will be very interesting to see what we do this off-season...we have some decisions to make regarding current players, as noted, and we'll be coming off a very solid rebuilding year but with some obvious work to be done. The inclination to push all the chips in will be strong but I don't think it'd be the right move. Big off-season coming up in my opinion. It's one reason I'd mainly wait to do an extension with Shanny.

I think it will be very interesting to see what we do this off-season...we have some decisions to make regarding current players, as noted, and we'll be coming off a very solid rebuilding year but with some obvious work to be done. The inclination to push all the chips in will be strong but I don't think it'd be the right move. Big off-season coming up in my opinion. It's one reason I'd mainly wait to do an extension with Shanny.it will be.

very, very exciting times.
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
5th
6th
7th

not counting on getting any cap penalty money back. our last 2 drafts have been rock solid, i expect that to continue. tons of talent on the fa market, too, sizzling

From the Should Shanahan Be Fired thread, 10/28/12 @ 6:09 (Sorry can’t reference quote b/c thread has been closed):

Okay, I'll say it without pulling punches. You'd have to be some kind of moron to give Shanahan five full years.

Rather than rehash much of what others have already pointed out, specifically CRed and his analogy as to what constitutes “buying in, I am simply seeing if you still stand by this unequivocal condemnation of those believing that, even prior to the win streak, MS’s actions warranted a full five years.

Further, I would suggest that some of your statements in the recent discussion belie your previous unequivocal condemnation of myself (and others) who, prior to the recent winning streak, believed that a systemic turnaround had already begun entitling MS to his full five years.

Preliminarily, accepting that you:

see a team not completely dissimilar to the 2005 and 2007 outfits that made aggressive offseason moves, got hot, and paid off an aggressive offseason with a playoff berth. … [Thus, you believe that's] not really a long-term "plan"[.]

You point to several events/transactions that have been evident to me (and, again, others) since MS's first year.

I think it's the results of an aggressive process: i.e. trading for RG3 and finding Morris in the 6th round, as well as developing a strong offensive line.

The current line - which I agree has been critical to the Streak - has been developed since 2010, as you point out, through free agency and the draft. The line as currently assembled shows a clear bias for a particular type of lineman and MS has – except for the RT position – developed and signed lineman who fit that description (Williams, Montgomery, Lichtensteiger, Chester) while discarding those who did not. (Rinehart, Dockery). Have we fully developed the line in year three? No. However, have the “high priced free agents” used to supplement the street free agents and the draft picks prevented us from addressing other areas of need? If you believe so, please cite me some specifics b/c I don't see it. In addition, we have now have a relatively youthful starting five that create the luxury of developing internal replacements (e.g.LeRibeus who received solid reviews for his play along with Mo Hurt who was an adequate replacement when called upon). This simply did not happen in one year and was seen by myself and others as a conscience and necessary step to long term winning.

Similarly, the development of depth, for me (and I believe others), has always been tied to the types of free agents acquired and the contracts given to them. Something you admit
Yeah, the contracts thing is something that improved right away.

For me, the improvement in the "the contracts thing" allows for prolonged success b/c it provides flexibility in both the aquisition and retention of talent. Something not a strength of the Cerrato years (to say the least).

The development of depth and acquiring specific types of supporting talent has been essential to the reformation of the roster in a manner that creates a team in which a talent like RGIII can succeed. It didn’t happen over night, it began in 2010 and has been visible to any who have looked at the depth being developed and the manner in which the roster was constructed. The ability of both rookies (Crawford, LeRibeus) and long term subs (Jackson) to step up, along with the obvious development of talent – both starting and depth - over the last two years (Darrell Young (who BTW, in 2010, MS converted to a FB from a LB), Mo Hurt, A.Robinson, P. Riley, T. Williams, Royster, Kerrigan, Hankerson, Jenkins) to me is a validation of the “Shanaplan”.

It's funny because I've been told countless times around these parts that it takes multiple years to reshape a roster, and then when the Redskins go and totally take their team in a different direction during their bye week, everybody (including those preaching patience above all) immediately buy in hook, line, and sinker.

Multiple years or two weeks. All the same I guess.

Here, to me, is your supreme arrogance obvious. The “two week” turnaround – excuse me “different direction” - could not have happened but for the two years of ground work done by Shanahan/Allen in assembling a roster capable of ripping off seven wins in a row and, during which, several players obtained and/or retained by MS, not named RGIII or AlMo, contributed and, in fact, were crucial to the sustaining the streak. (Of course, none of this references the ability of MS/KS to modify their existing scheme to maximize the talents of RGIII).

You can choose to believe the Streak is simply a redux of 2005, 2007, I would suggest, based on the way the roster has been constructed, it is something more. I believed this before the Streak occurred and, regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s game, I will continue to believe that this team will reap the benefits of the Shanaplan into next year and beyond.

Finally, you assert

This is the offseason that will determine the success or failure of the Shanaplan (of course, if not for last offseason, he wouldn't have made it to this point). Lots of talent on this roster is available for free agency, and that doesn't even include Orakpo, who is heading into the last year of his contract.

I agree that the handling of the contracts coming due will be of utmost importance in continuing the work of the past three off-seasons. Unlike you, apparently, I am confident that they will be handled appropriately. We may lose some players, but I don’t expect us to see the “Archuletta rather than Ryan Clark” type of missteps characteristic of the Cerrato era. ShanAllen have shown a consistent ability to identify and obtain talent in a manner that does not bust the budget. The fact that we could take a last minute $18M cap hit and still sign the talent we did this past off-season, in my opinion, provides more than reasonable support for that belief. Given their success at identifying and developing the current talent on the roster, I would suggest that they will bring the same budget managing process to the retention of talent.

Simply put, your original statement was incredibly arrogant, short sighted and self-serving. Further, your own subsequent statements demonstrate its falsity.

One thing that is important to remember is that no team has one giant master "plan". There's too much that organizations cannot control. What we're really talking about is the philosophy and approach. Each off-season you devise a plan for player acquisition (among other things like how you conduct scouting and so forth) that fits your philosophy and approach...then once the season rolls around you have a different plan for how you're going to get the product onto the field in a way that reflects your philosophy. Anyone can quibble with the various parts of those plans and how they fit, or don't fit, a sound philosophy. To me it really comes down to: are we aimed at doing things that will give us the best shot to build a solid organization that can win year after year? If so, are the steps we're taking aligned with that strategy. I would say unequivocally we're aimed at that and our basic approach seems sound. Certainly many decisions made have worked while some have not. But to me there are not a lot of decisions that have been made that weren't made in good faith towards building a good organization.

Again, there is doing things the right way and doing the right things, They're not the same.

In the past our strategy was for crap...we're close so make a few big moves to win now. On top of that the decisions made to match that strategy we're bad.

I can't see how ANYTHING about our basic current philosophy that is all that debatable. Particular moves though are another thing.

Well said.

The heart of the matter is that since MS/BA arrived, we have been doing things, as you say, "the right way". Further, to me, of the things that have been done "the right way", significantly more have also been the right decisions as opposed to the wrong decisions. For me, therein lies the faith in the the "Shanaplan".

Joe Redskins, your post addressing GTRIPP seems too long to quote now, but I want to commend your articulation of your position.


I agree with your assertions. We are on the right track. I think we rolled the dice on RGIII this year and hit! Winning and an elite QB have all kinds of intangible benefits too... like receivers wanting to sign to catch from him, other backs that might want to take advantage of the read option run system, and defenders that think they can help get us over the hump.

Happy days!

When have I ever submitted a post that was too long to quote? It is to laugh.

When have I never submitted a post that was too long to quote?

There, all fixed.

You're welcome!

when he is up on ze tail
eeeeeeeee eeeeee eeeeeeeeeee
you can quote him!

There, all fixed.

You're welcome!

Thank you - The irony of your fix is strangely satisfying.