Should Mike Shanahan Be Canonized?

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by HailGreen28

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the idea of giving a guy a five year contract, swearing to be patient knowing the job may take five years, and then wanting to fire him halfway thru his contract because the job isn't done yet.

I wouldn't mind that if it was someone like Jim Zorn who we were talking about or Spurrier but with Shanahan it's a different story. I mean I'm not ready to give up dime a dozen 1,000 yard rushers and a blocking scheme that makes Offensive Lineman.... overachieve.

On top of that theres the roster turnover which happens with virtually any coaching change but seeing the troubles with Denvers offense after Shanny left makes me more hesitant to pull the plug. As many Denver fans will tell you their offensive line went from being a top 5 unit to a liability with virtually the same personnel in less then a year.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Dare I say Shanahan could get some coach of the year consideration if we win out and take the east.

Even given a seven game winning streak and a 10-6 finish, that's a tough sell. I mean, no matter what, Green Bay is doing something at least as impressive as the Redskins, but against tougher competition. Same with the Seahawks.

Today makes it clear that this team is about more than just Griffin though. For Alfred Morris to be running just as hard against the Browns in the fourth quarter of a December slugfest as he was in the preseason as a rookie trying to make the team: that's ridiculous.

[MTK]

He should at least be mentioned in the conversation, all I'm saying.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

I wouldn't mind that if it was someone like Jim Zorn who we were talking about or Spurrier but with Shanahan it's a different story. I mean I'm not ready to give up dime a dozen 1,000 yard rushers and a blocking scheme that makes Offensive Lineman.... overachieve.

On top of that theres the roster turnover which happens with virtually any coaching change but seeing the troubles with Denvers offense after Shanny left makes me more hesitant to pull the plug. As many Denver fans will tell you their offensive line went from being a top 5 unit to a liability with virtually the same personnel in less then a year.

McDaniels was a disaster, but the talent was there. Denver is a truly elite team today.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

I wouldn't mind that if it was someone like Jim Zorn who we were talking about or Spurrier but with Shanahan it's a different story. I mean I'm not ready to give up dime a dozen 1,000 yard rushers and a blocking scheme that makes Offensive Lineman.... overachieve.

On top of that theres the roster turnover which happens with virtually any coaching change but seeing the troubles with Denvers offense after Shanny left makes me more hesitant to pull the plug. As many Denver fans will tell you their offensive line went from being a top 5 unit to a liability with virtually the same personnel in less then a year.

I really don't think Denver is lamenting the loss of Mike Shanahan right now. They look like a potential super bowl winner.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

He should at least be mentioned in the conversation, all I'm saying.

That would be a long conversation involving at least 12 other names. Including Bruce Arians, who didn't even begin the year as a HC.

[GTripp0012]

Needless, the Shanahan coaching prospectus is clearly a lot different than it was going into the bye week. At this point, the important coaching discussion centers around the best way to retain a staff for next year, not who will coach the team.

The staff overall has been hit and miss this year, and generally bad over the last three years. So it's an obvious spot for the Redskins to address in the offseason. But at least now the discussion about Haslett's future doesn't feel like a mere head coach self-preservation argument.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

That would be a long conversation involving at least 12 other names. Including Bruce Arians, who didn't even begin the year as a HC.

12 names?

I'd probably have a hard time naming more than 6.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Even given a seven game winning streak and a 10-6 finish, that's a tough sell. I mean, no matter what, Green Bay is doing something at least as impressive as the Redskins, but against tougher competition. Same with the Seahawks.

Today makes it clear that this team is about more than just Griffin though. For Alfred Morris to be running just as hard against the Browns in the fourth quarter of a December slugfest as he was in the preseason as a rookie trying to make the team: that's ridiculous.

Mike has to be given credit, for doing what he's supposed to do. Given the RG trade and salary cap situation, we're a win now team. Mike is (finally) winning some games now. It's exactly what should be expected, so no you can't take him serious as COY.

It's like when people try to give/take credit for doing exactly what's reasonably expected..."I work hard at my job." "I take good care of my kids." We're supposed to do that stuff lol.

But yeah if Seattle wins a playoff game you gotta give Pete serious consideration (and I don't even like the guy). Same for McCarthy.

[MTK]

I thought most experts had our expectation at 8-8 (at the very best) or so coming into this year, most fans did too. Going worst to first in the east would be a bit more than expected if you ask me. Add in a potential 7 game streak after being left for dead at 3-6. All with 2 rookie QBs and a rookie RB.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I thought most experts had our expectation at 8-8 (at the very best) or so coming into this year, most fans did too. Going worst to first in the east would be a bit more than expected if you ask me. Add in a potential 7 game streak after being left for dead at 3-6.

Yeah but it's not like we activated Mike and Kyle off IR to save the team after Haslett led us to a disastrous 3-6 start. That was merely the fan perception around the situation at the time.

We're where we are today because the defense has been closer to average than awful in the last four games and the offense stopped the free fall it took into the bye week and has developed a pretty efficient passing game which was not there prior to the bye week.

The one coach that deserves the most credit for that, I believe, is Kyle Shanahan, but it is ultimately a full team effort.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Mike has to be given credit, for doing what he's supposed to do. Given the RG trade and salary cap situation, we're a win now team. Mike is (finally) winning some games now. It's exactly what should be expected, so no you can't take him serious as COY.

It's like when people try to give/take credit for doing exactly what's reasonably expected..."I work hard at my job." "I take good care of my kids." We're supposed to do that stuff lol.

But yeah if Seattle wins a playoff game you gotta give Pete serious consideration (and I don't even like the guy). Same for McCarthy.

horribly weak arguement. Rookie QB, tough division, injuries, and a team that was bad last year and not expected to do shit. Mike is clearly in the convo, give me an effing break.

[saden1]

This game had me worried but it turned out to be an exercise in play calling. Props to Kyle for a magnificent game plan and play calling.

[SmootSmack]

7 wins in a row? Two rookie QBs? Rookie RB? Missing the top WR for most of the year. Davis, Helu, Carriker, Orakpo also gone for much of the year...of course he'd get consideration.

That said I give to Carroll

[GTripp0012]

What happens to that 8-8 expectation when the division-favorite Eagles turn into a full-season disaster who we play twice a season?

We always had the talent for 9-10 wins this year. It looked real dismal at 3-6, but it turns out the team was underachieving at that point. They've overachieved the last five games. And the end result is now a two-game season against Philadelphia and Dallas to determine the NFC East. We're right where we're supposed to be.