2012 Washington Redskins: Is Mike Shanahan's Rebuilding Effort on Schedule?

Coach Mike Shanahan came to Washington with two Super Bowl wins on his resume and a long-term outlook.

The franchise was in great disrepair and needed a complete rebuild.  Shanahan’s roster rebuilding plan had three steps: Build with younger, character guys; then build depth; and finally, add true playmakers. 

The first two years of his coaching tenure produced a combined 11-21 record.  While this may seem similar to the 4-12 record Jim Zorn put up in his last season as coach in D.C., Coach Shanahan had to clean house. Currently, only 15 Redskins remain who played under Zorn. 

These 15 met Shanahan’s character requirements—they're guys you'd go to war with, as the coach would say.

Last season, character was no longer an issue, but the Skins lacked talent at the quarterback position and, especially, on the offense line, which led to another last place finish in the NFC East. 

The defense, however, was much improved in its second year in Jim Haslett’s 3-4.  The additions of free agents NT Barry Cofield, DE Stephen Bowen (both under 30), as well as rookie first-round pick Ryan Kerrigan added three talented players to the front seven. In addition to excelling on the field, these new defenders also fit Shanahan’s mold as character guys who love the game.

This offseason, the Skins focused on offensive side of the ball, which was the opposite of last seasons defensive-minded focus.

Of course, offense starts with the quarterback position, and what was the weakest position last season has the opportunity to become the team’s strongest.  Robert Griffin III is a Top-10 NFL quarterback waiting to happen. 

Rex Grossman is a great short-term backup, and Kirk Cousins is a very good long-term one.  Griffin and Cousins will push each other on the practice field, in the meeting room and on game days for years to come. If the chance to trade Cousins comes in the future, the team can address it at that point.  For now, it looks like the team has the game’s most important position “on lock” for the next few years.

But the Skins also added depth to more than just the quarterback position.

In fact, during training camp, the Redskins will have competition at every position except punter and long snapper.  Trading down in each of the last two drafts has allowed the Skins to add young depth across the board. 

Look at the secondary:  DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson, DeJon Gomes, Brandon Merriweather,  Cedric Griffin, Tanard Jackson, Reed Doughty, Kevin Barnes, Madieu Williams, Brandyn Thompson, Jordan Bernstine, Richard Crawford, Chase Minnifield.  Any of these guys could start (at nickelback at the very least), or they could be off the opening day roster.

Wide receiver is another position that has been a weakness but has the potential to be a strength this season.  Pierre Garcon seems a step away from becoming a legitimate No. 1 receiver.  If he can continue to cut down on the drops, he can take that step in 2012. 

While the stats of new addition Josh Morgan may not appear to justify his new contract, he's never had a quarterback to deliver him the ball like Griffin will.  Just as Alex Smith was finally coming into his own last season in San Fran, Morgan got hurt.

Now, Morgan and Leonard Hankerson should be one of the more interesting position battles of training camp, although a few others may have the opportunity to compete for the starting WR spot opposite Garcon as well. 

Santana Moss could be a candidate, but he probably is best suited to operate out of the slot at this point, where he can still be deadly.  Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin, Brandon Banks, Lance Lewis, Darius Hanks and Aldrick Robinson should all have a chance to make the roster, contribute and possibly start.  They all also have the chance to be elsewhere come September.

Coach Shanahan has just begun the final step in his rebuilding of the roster, which involves adding serious playmakers on both sides of the ball. 

In today’s NFL, playmakers come at every position and in every sub-package.  Adding RG3 is Shanahan’s first attempt at adding an elite playmaker after trading down in previous drafts to add depth. 

In future drafts, the Skins will be able to focus on adding difference-makers early in draft, while focusing on high-character depth later on. This is what good NFL franchises do. 

Consistent teams stay true to their draft board, do not draft for need and pick the best player available with each selection. Some may think that will be more difficult for this franchise with no first-round picks in 2013 or 2014, but there are plenty of great players available on the draft’s second day in Rounds 2 and 3.

Under Shanahan, the Redskin franchise has taken major steps forward by doing things the previous regime had not: Building primary through the draft and not free agency, signing younger free agents, and adding character to the depth chart. 

Coach Shanahan deserves the chance to see this rebuilding effort through to the end, even if this season ends with a record under .500. This team seems on the edge of competing for a championship, not just for a single season, but year in and year out for many seasons to come.