NFL.com La Canfora: Redskins' makeover taking shape

[HA1LV1CT0RY]

ASHBURN, Va. -- In a matter of months, new coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen have remade the Washington Redskins (http://www.extremeskins.com/teams/washingtonredskins/profile?team=WAS).
Certainly, the roster has changed, including bringing the first true franchise quarterback, Donovan McNabb (http://www.extremeskins.com/players/donovanmcnabb/profile?id=MCN017517), to Washington in decades. But the reshaping goes well beyond that.

The very fiber of how the Redskins operate as an organization is now so drastically different, as is the way they are viewed around the NFL. The front-office dynamics, the message being sent to the locker room and the culture around Redskins Park are healthier and more conducive to winning than they've been in years.

The management team of Shanahan and Allen, though still a work in progress given their brief three months together, really could not have accomplished much more in such a short time. A 4-12 team has been transformed, hope abounds, and the future looks very bright for the Redskins.

"I'm excited for the future," said linebacker Brian Orakpo (http://www.extremeskins.com/players/brianorakpo/profile?id=ORA355963). "We've made some big changes this year, and obviously when you're a team that goes 4-12, everything is subject to change, and that's what we're experiencing here with a new quarterback, a new coaching staff and new personnel. So the sky is the limit for us."

Landing McNabb from a division rival (http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d817558a4&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true) for, at most, draft picks in the second (2010) and third (2011) rounds is a masterstroke. It also exemplifies the changes afoot. In years past, had the Redskins coveted McNabb, it would have become common knowledge around the league well ahead of time, and on the first day of the league year they would have likely begun throwing draft picks Philadelphia's way.

The patience, along with a calm and steady hand required to execute such a transaction, was lacking. The rush of the chase, the need for immediate gratification and the consequences-be-damned mentality to get their guy generally trumped all else.
No longer. Not even close.

Shanahan and Allen both are adept at keeping things in house and playing their cards much closer to the vest. The acumen with which they can interact and influence other executives and agents has been sorely missing.

Their ability to be proactive -- adroitly anticipating the market in trades and free agency, waiting coolly to land their prize, understanding the inherent value in certain players and positions -- is an utter departure for a team that for a decade generally set or obliterated the market in their zest to land players, grossly overpaying them at times.
The Redskins were fleeced in many trades, paid millions to free agents with precious little in return and were played at times by agents, bidding against themselves and being used to drive up the price for others. Give owner Daniel Snyder nothing but kudos for breaking with the past, bucking all of that, and putting together a management team that might truly reward his willingness to invest so heavily.


click for rest of article
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81768be0&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[CMonster]

Hallelujah!!

[Blue Collar Skins]

Ok is this a parallel universe or something? Am I being punked? Or am I in an episode of twilight zone? That is a very good, POSITIVE, article from Jason LaConfora!

[ConnSKINS26]

You know....he manages to, of course, get in digs at Snyder and the old regimes, but those are true. And necessary to show the stark contrast to what we have now.

I actually like this article, JLC. Keep it up.

[HA1LV1CT0RY]

Ok is this a parallel universe or something? Am I being punked? Or am I in an episode of twilight zone? That is a very good, POSITIVE, article from Jason LaConfora!

The best I've ever read from him! Hell has frozen over!

[SkinsFanMania]

Who are his sources??????????????

[jflow78]

Ok is this a parallel universe or something? Am I being punked? Or am I in an episode of twilight zone? That is a very good, POSITIVE, article from Jason LaConfora!

He must've left his computer unlocked before going to the bathroom. Maybe Sapp got to his keyboard while he was gone.

[Blue Collar Skins]

Who are his sources??????????????

TK of course!

[thomasroane]

Oh wow! Even JLC is drinking the koolaide. Welcome aboard JLC!

[gortiz]

good grief ... he knocked that out of the park.

i mean, i was great to see pro redskins opinions, but the piece itself was written real, real well. kudos JLC.

[Old Dominion Monarch 06]

i'm so confused right now

[AllAboutTheU]

Hey JLC not trashing the Redskins way to go

[TheLongshot]

Personally, I found this statement odd:


Landing McNabb from a division rival for, at most, draft picks in the second (2010) and third (2011) rounds is a masterstroke. It also exemplifies the changes afoot. In years past, had the Redskins coveted McNabb, it would have become common knowledge around the league well ahead of time, and on the first day of the league year they would have likely begun throwing draft picks Philadelphia's way.

Well, first off we know Vinny wouldn't be chasing McNabb since we know he's a big fan of Jimmy Clausen. Even so, the Redskins only seem to throw picks at teams who don't want to trade their players. If it was someone who was on the market, like McNabb was, the team would be involved with discussions, like they were with Brunell many years ago.

Second, I don't get the impression that the team was "enamored" of McNabb. If anything, I think the preference was to draft a QB. But, things weren't falling right there and they were with McNabb, since his other options, frankly, sucked and Reid seems to be a big ol softie.

Whether or not this is a "masterstroke" I will have to wait and see. If we don't get the OL fixed, McNabb isn't going to last long back there, and we will be back to either Campbell or Sexy Rexy.

[redskindan07]

Hey this isn't one of those April fools articles is it?

[dwbiggs]

Ok is this a parallel universe or something? Am I being punked? Or am I in an episode of twilight zone? That is a very good, POSITIVE, article from Jason LaConfora!


Has there been anything positive overall to report on before? Sounds like to me he had it right and didn't drink any of the Kool-Aid poured out by previous regimes.

[Califan007]

Personally, I found this statement odd:



Well, first off we know Vinny wouldn't be chasing McNabb since we know he's a big fan of Jimmy Clausen. Even so, the Redskins only seem to throw picks at teams who don't want to trade their players. If it was someone who was on the market, like McNabb was, the team would be involved with discussions, like they were with Brunell many years ago.

Second, I don't get the impression that the team was "enamored" of McNabb. If anything, I think the preference was to draft a QB. But, things weren't falling right there and they were with McNabb, since his other options, frankly, sucked and Reid seems to be a big ol softie.

Whether or not this is a "masterstroke" I will have to wait and see. If we don't get the OL fixed, McNabb isn't going to last long back there, and we will be back to either Campbell or Sexy Rexy.
Yeah, I tend to agree with you here :yes:...I still think the McNabb pick up will turn out to be a good one for the Skins, but I don't see it as a result of masterful planning and responsible patience lol. And I do think Shanahan and Allen were looking to draft the next franchise QB. But they found themselves with the very real possibility of acquiring McNabb and couldn't turn away from that (obviously).

No way you're gonna convince me that Shanahan thought he'd be able to pry away a franchise QB from a division rival if they just remained patient and kept everything in-house :ols:...in fact, I think I read somewhere that Shanahan himself was somewhat surprised when he realized McNabb could actually be available to them.

However, one of the areas where JLC absolutely nails it is in the way Shanahan and Allen keep EVERY STINKIN' THING close to the vest, and it is damn refreshing :applause:...I also think they have helped transform the reputation of the Redskins around the league, but not necessarily because of the moves they've made so far as much as just the two men's reputations.

[SKIN4WAHOOZ]

This must be the birthplace of homer nation. Im not a big fan of JLC but just because he has criticized this organization in past does not mean it was a bad article. Quite frankly, it was the truth! Now he writes something positive and its "well written". I have not liked some of his past articles myself but I appreciate the honesty.

[SMOSS89]

"We've got a game plan for a lot of different positions," Shanahan said. "We were 4-12 last year with a fairly easy schedule. So we've got a bunch of strides to make."

Ouch.

[Santana_89]

He must've left his computer unlocked before going to the bathroom. Maybe Sapp got to his keyboard while he was gone.




:ols::ols: I wouldn't be shocked if it were true.

[Blue Collar Skins]

Has there been anything positive overall to report on before? Sounds like to me he had it right and didn't drink any of the Kool-Aid poured out by previous regimes. Give it up Jason, we know it's you. Try to get some more inside stories from your sources? :silly:

[heliKCx17]

This means a ton. For a guy who has long trashed the Skins and their organization, there must really be a change for JLa to be making such glowing comments. I like.

[Morneblade]

Whether or not this is a "masterstroke" I will have to wait and see. If we don't get the OL fixed, McNabb isn't going to last long back there, and we will be back to either Campbell or Sexy Rexy.

Bingo. 33 year old injury prone QB's dont last long behind that turnstyle that is our OL. I dont think Campbell will be here, so it we'll probalby see that Dragon unleashed. Then we'll see how many people think this was a amazing trade.

[skinnyfan57]

JLC was never anti-Redskins.

He was right.

[bulldog]

Finally some sense :)

Shanahan and Allen are taking advantage of what is available to them.

Free agency in 2010 is about 30 year old veterans who are looking for new homes, usually because of large contracts signed several years ago.

Many of these players can still be solid contributors and on the new deals they have been signed to here they are relative bargains.

Shanahan is not giving up on bringing younger players to Washington, but few if any have been available via free agency or trade so far.

I am sure we will see the Redskins use some personnel assets to maneuver the 2010 draft to add picks and select players that will fill some of the remaining spots that need an infusion of talent.

[Clark84]

Very good article by Jason. I often agreed with the things he said when he worked for the Post but he always seemed to have an angle. Very well written!

[KingGibbs]

JLC was never anti-Redskins.

He was right.

Bingo! I've never had an issue with him. It looks like the cat got a hold of a lot of peoples tongue (or fingers) because otherwise if this wasn't such a positive article the hate would be splattered all over this thread.

[HigSkin]

The rush of the chase, the need for immediate gratification and the consequences-be-damned mentality to get their guy generally trumped all else.

Perfect description of prior years with Dan and Vinny making business decisions together.

[Wyndorf25]

"Thus far, the upgrades -- in front office personnel, coaching staff and quarterback -- have already returned the Redskins to being a contending team. The days of being the butt of jokes appear to be over. As are the days of coddling prima donnas, over-reaching for players past their primes, and parting with draft picks haphazardly.

The Redskins, this quickly, are better equipped to compete than they've been at any time this decade. For an incredibly-devoted fan base, all of the suffering might finally have a payoff. The times are definitely a changin'." -JLC


This, right there, is why I finally am proud again to be a Redskins fan for the first time in 19 years. Always a fan, but too often an embarrassed fan.

Thank you Snyder for finally understanding what it can mean to have true football professionals running your team for you.

[tshile]

Since when is signing an 11 year vet with 2-5 years max (5 would be extremely lucky) bringing in a 'franchise QB'.

He was the eagle's franchise QB - hence 11 years. He's our short term win now answer.