Mike Shanahan: Is He Coaching To Get Fired?
Throughout his first year as head coach and team president of the Washington Redskins, Mike Shanahan has received praise and pickets. At some points he has looked like the successful coach that owner Dan Snyder thought he hired. At other times he appears to be a man with no goal exceeding two years.
Although I stand as a fan that supports the Shanahan hire and the things that he has done this season, even I can't admit that I haven't been left scratching my head at times (more than a handful).
Here's a look at some of Shanahan's more questionable moves...
Training Camp: Veteran Attendees
1 of 6
When training camp began, Redskins Nation was nothing less of stoked for the introduction of a new era. Shanahan was here, Bruce Allen was a credible front office grinder, and the Redskins were destined for great things.
Then the fans see Larry Johnson and Willie Parker at Redskins Park, auditioning for a role at running back in Washington’s latest drama.
In Shanahan’s defense, Johnson’s contract was in favor of the team and Parker’s was close to dirt. However, the fact that either a washed-up former speedster or a problematic has-been even crossed the minds of Shanahan or Allen as potential suitors of the position was comical – and questionable.
Ultimately, Parker never made it to the regular season and Johnson embarrassed himself and was released by the end of September. One could argue that the move by Shanahan wasn’t really a detriment to the team, but it’s two spots in training camp that could have been occupied with young players that were hungry to show their talents.
Hiring Kyle Shanahan
2 of 6
While I personally don’t believe that Redskins Nation should shelve this move as a debauchery, it can most certainly be labeled as questionable through 13 games.
Little Shanahan came to Washington after leading an offense in Houston that made fantasy owners drool. Quarterbacks threw for ridiculous amounts of yards, mistakes seemed to be minimal and receivers were doing work. What’s the worst that could happen with just a simple change of scenery?
At this point in the season, fans are calling for the ousting of Kyle Shanahan and the demise of his offensive scheme. Although I attempt to change the beliefs of my simple-minded peers, the hiring of Shanny Jr. can be argued a questionable one.
Please note–I do not support the firing of Kyle Shanahan, nor do I want a different coordinator next season.
Handling Haynesworth
3 of 6
I swore that I would never mention this tub-o-lard's name again but this is for good reason.
It was widely believed that the relationship between Mike Shanahan and Albert Haynesworth was a battle of egos, that one guy wanted it his way and the other guy wanted it theirs. But, how ever true that may be, the coach is the boss and the player is the employee. Simple as that.
Some questioned Shanahan's handling of Haynesworth and claimed that the coach was going about it all wrong. Although I don't believe that Shanahan did anything that I wouldn't have done, I think the move can be placed in pending status when we talk about its merit and success rate.
Only time will tell if the Haynesworth Saga was a success. Either Shanahan demonstrated to his team that he's an arrogant egotistical maniac, or that there is a new sheriff in town with a new cultural philosophy.
I would like to believe it's the latter.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
McNabb Acquisition and Extension
4 of 6
At this point, many are beginning to question the trade between the Eagles and Redskins that put All-Pro quarterback Donovan McNabb in burgundy and gold. But I can assure you that on Easter Sunday, the day McNabb was acquired, Redskins Nation was jumping up and down with excitement.
Acquiring McNabb gave the Redskins their best quarterback since Joe Theismann and fans had forgotten what that felt like. With the trade completed, Shanahan made a statement that he was looking for a veteran to lead his team and to win now.
Fast forward to today...
The most recent news from Redskins Park is that Mike Shanahan has decided to bench Donovan McNabb this Sunday in favor of Rex Grossman. With that being said, Shanahan's acquisition immediately becomes questionable.
And then, to make matters a little more shaky, the Redskins' contract extension that was offered to and accepted by McNabb earlier this season can only leave us to wonder. Were the 'Skins just looking to shut up the media and get a leg-up in the Monday Night game? Will McNabb be the starter in 2011?
The Redskins will take on the Dallas Cowboys with Sexy Rexy as their starter and McNabb backing him up. After the Dallas game, Shanahan has announced that he will make McNabb his No. 3 quarterback for the team's remaining two games.
Uhhhh....awesome.
Clock and Strategic Management
5 of 6
Even before last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that left Redskins Nation with a nauseous feeling, Shanahan's clock management and in-game strategy was a topic of discussion.
With ridiculous playcalling, awkward clock situations and unnecessary benchings (Donovan 1.0), Shanahan's coaching appeared to be a mirror image of Jim Zorn's.
Shanahan, of course, has a reason for every play and he backs-up his moves, a respectful trait for a coach. But when millions of fans are watching the game and they all feel that they could do a better job from the sidelines, it has to leave you questioning Shanahan's managing touch...or lack thereof.
Conclusion
6 of 6
Not that what I say means anything whatsoever, but I think Redskins Nation needs to cool their jets and take a deep breath.
Every season the Redskins fans create high hopes for a team that never equates to what they should. When Shanahan and Bruce Allen arrived in Washington, it was to rebuild a struggling franchise and resurrect the rich history. This was the idea from jump street.
In the fans' defense, Shanahan's acquisition of McNabb may have implemented some kind of indication that the team was just one quarterback away from contention, and shame on the coach, but we all knew that the Redskins were much much further away than that.
The Redskins' struggles from the past decade and a half are a direct result of poor hires and inconsistency. For once, the owner has brought in credible figures to run the world's second-largest profiting football team and the much-needed culture change is on the cusp.
Shanahan was not a bad hire and the fans must believe...patiently.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
