Washington Redskins: Why 2012 Season Is Make-or-Break Year for Shanahan Regime

However talented or potentially great Robert Griffin, III may be, there is no questioning that the move to trade three first-round picks and a second-round pick to draft him was a calculated gambit from Mike Shanahan. He had to do something to deserve a reprieve from the seemingly impending end to his tenure as head coach of the Washington Redskins.

The 2012-13 season will dictate whether Shanahan and Co. earn their stay of execution or seal their collective fates.

Since taking over as head coach of the Redskins, Shanahan has done a great deal to change the makeup and the culture of the declining franchise. It wasn't an immediate change, evidenced by Willie Parker's remarks after he spent the 2010 preseason on the team.

Entering the third season of his five-year contract, Shanahan and his staff need to show more than just a culture change to earn their return.

One staff member in particular, Kyle Shanahan, must show that he is capable of running an NFL offense that utilizes the talent available to him rather than the talent he previously had. The lack of interest in running the ball to keep defenses honest was reminiscent of his time in Houston, where he was able to throw the ball 35 to 40 times per game because of Andre Johnson.

The Redskins don't have a receiver the caliber of Johnson, and Shanahan the younger needs to show he can get past that and call the offense the way he believes he can.

Neither Shanahan can afford a misstep this season, especially considering what they gave up to earn their appeal. The Redskins won't have first-round picks in either of the next two drafts, giving them even less room for error with Griffin.

In theory, drafting Griffin bought the Shanahan regime a year to prove their worth, but it also put the weight of the world on one player's shoulders.

It is easy to get caught up in all the positive things Shanahan has brought to Washington, but nothing can distract from the 11-21 record he's mustered thus far. Progress or not, the Redskins need to be better both on the field and in the win column for Shanahan to have a chance at seeing his contract out.

If the Redskins turn in another sub-.500 season, it could be the beginning of the end for the Shanahans in Washington.

The worst part about the prospect of another losing season is that it could lead to an awkward transition for the franchise. Can the Redskins afford to waste Griffin's rookie season by firing Shanahan and bringing in someone else?

Jason Campbell endured numerous coordinator changes in Washington, which one could argue derailed his career.

If Shanahan wants to stick around for at least the next two seasons, he will have to give Dan Snyder a reason beyond the marketing potential Griffin brings to the team. Snyder has let the football minds make the football decisions, but can he afford to see his life-long dream suffer to save face?

The simple fact is that Shanahan's tenure depends on winning, or showing clear direction towards winning.

The Washington Redskins have done a substantial amount of losing in the last 20 years, which is more than enough reason to desire results from Shanahan. More than anyone, Shanahan should desire results because failure likely ends in his firing along with that of his entire staff..