[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

The fact is Shanahan has been doing it with smoke and mirrors all season long. When it worked, it appeared as though we had some sleepers [on the roster] who might be keepers. When it didn't, particularly along the offensive line and at wide receiver, those deficiencies were glaring and obvious.

This Redskins team have one legitimate starting caliber lineman along the offensive front, and that's Trent Williams. The rest of the bums are probably back-ups on most, if not all, NFL rosters. Every single one of them.

From a fan's perspective, the question is has Shanahan and Co. done everything in their power to put this team in the best position to compete and win? On most days, the answer is probably yes. But there have been some head scratchers in terms of personnel decisions along the way: The Haynesworth love hate game. Devin Thomas, if not a bona-fide threat, certainly a physical talent being released in favor of a cadre of training camp rejects. Then benching and de-activating Derrick Dockery in favor of Lichensteiger (or whatever the hell is name is), for what appears to be Dockery either not grasping or fitting the system properly. Sure Derrick Dockery is no Pro-Bowler but, really, you don't even suit up Dockery for the game as you watch the Lions pin McNabb to the turf every other play? The coaches obviously knows what's best, but have some of these moves and decisions come at the expense of fielding the best 53? Truth is we may never really know the answer to that question, but it's a question that must be asked nonetheless.

Thus far this season has come down to some gutsy performances by a very inconsistent, and at times struggling, Donovan McNabb and a handful of all star, individual performances. In other words, the coaching staff, while dramitically better than last year's version, has rarely outcoached the other side this year. It's been all left up to the talent on the field.

That is why I didn't think the newbie poster was so whack with questioning the Shanny's coaching. You don't have to know the people personally, to question their job performance. To be fair to the SHanny's though, this is just a case of trying to fit square pegs into round holes. You don't have linemen that are used to or fit the bill for the new blocking schemes and since you really can't get rid of an entire line roster in one season you have to make due with what you have. That is what the best coaches do, they can tinker with the system to fit the talent they have. Yeah our line is a bunch of bums, but you have to find a way to make it work at least for the 2010 season, til you can get a few more linemen in that fit your blocking scheme. This it is my way(system) or the higway crap doesn't work all too well if your talent pool just isn't built for it. Just ask Rich Rod at U of M. He has loads of talent, but his system has created a one man offense. Don't even get me going on the Wolverine D!!!!!!!!!