Washington Redskins: 7 Reasons Mike Shanahan Is the Perfect Fit for D.C.

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After a disappointing 2009 season that saw the Washington Redskins post a 4-12 record, Daniel Snyder hired Mike Shanahan to replace Jim Zorn as the new head coach. With the arrival of Shanahan saw Bruce Allen become the new general manager of the team. For the first time under the reign of Snyder's ownership, he did not control the team's football operations.

Shanahan instantly brought a new sense of life to this once-proud organization that has endured over a decade of mediocrity. What Mike Shanahan brings to the Washington Redskins is why he is the perfect fit for D.C.

1. Mike Shanahan Is a Winner

It has been 20 years since the Washington Redskins last hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Ever since Daniel Snyder took over in 1999, the Redskins have only three playoff appearances.

Mike Shanahan is a proven winner, as he has won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997-98 with the Denver Broncos. Before coming to the Skins, Shanahan's record was 138-86 and has a winning percentage of .620 in the regular season and playoffs.  

2. Mike Shanahan Is a Disciplinarian

Discipline was something that was a missing element in the locker room. Jim Zorn was not a disciplinarian. Under Zorn, no stability existed in the locker room as players would address their issues to the media instead of keeping it in-house.

We all remember Clinton Portis calling out Zorn to the public and sarcastically calling him a "genius" during the 2008 season after being benched against the Baltimore Ravens.

Shanahan expects his players to buy into his system and perform the role that they are given. If you don't play by Shanahan's rules, he will have no problem getting rid of you; it does not matter how much money you make. Just ask Albert Haynesworth.

3. Offensive Guru

Mike Shanahan is to offensive what Bill Belichick is to defense: he is an offensive guru.  Shanahan runs a run-heavy version of the West Coast offense.

While the Redskins have had really good defenses the past few years (with the exception of last season), they have had pretty mediocre offenses as of late. Since 2006, the Redskins have not ranked higher than 15th in total offense.

Mike Shanahan led teams know how to be effective on offense, as during his tenure with the Broncos his offenses ranked in the top five rushing in the NFL during nine of his 14 seasons. There is a reason he is known simply as "The Mastermind" in Denver.

4. A Flair for Talent

As vice president of football operations, Mike Shanahan has control over the personnel for his teams. He loves the ability to be able to draft and acquire the guys he wants. Shanahan has a flair for finding talent. He found a gem in the sixth round of the 1995 draft with Terrell Davis, who went on to have a great career.

Speaking of a knack for talent, here's a few names for you: Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, Clinton Portis and Reuben Droughns. These players have all had at least one 1,000-yard rushing season with the Denver Broncos under Shanahan. I think it's safe to say the Redskins will be fine running the ball this season.

5. Focus

This 2011 Washington Redskins team is a focused and determined group of guys. Mike Shanahan has his team believing they can win. There are no distractions and the only thing that matters to them is winning.

You can see the difference in the demeanor of the Redskins so far this year as compared to last year. There is intensity out of every single snap and the team is playing as a cohesive unit.  

6. Decision-Making

When the tough calls need to be made, Mike Shanahan knows how to make them. A good reference of that is last week's fourth-down call against the Arizona Cardinals that led to a Santana Moss touchdown.

Not until after the last preseason game did he decide that Rex Grossman would start the season over John Beck at quarterback. Two weeks through the season, it seems Shanahan made the right call.

7. 2011 Offseason

In a shortened offseason due to the lockout, the Washington Redskins took a different approach to the 2011 season. For once, the team did not spend unnecessary amounts of money on free agents who did not fit the needs of the team.

Instead, the Redskins traded down multiple times in the 2011 draft to acquire more picks, drafting guys such as Ryan Kerrigan and Roy Helu. The trade for Tim Hightower has become a key acquisition that has led the Redskins to their surprising 2-0 start. With Shanahan calling the shots, this team will continue to get better as the season goes along.

The Washington Redskins and a Promising Season

Mike Shanahan is changing the culture and the identity of the Washington Redskins for the better. Shanahan brings elements to this team that have been lacking recently, such as discipline and an offense.

If the 2-0 start is any indication of a sign of things to come, then the Redskins have a bright and positive future ahead of them. Shanahan is the best fit for the Washington Redskins.

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave your comments. Look out for plenty more articles from me.