Dan Graziano (ESPN) article with excerpts from Shanahan interview

[skinsfanindallas88]

I dream of the day that one of these Shanahan statements begins with "And our new Special Teams coach is...."
Hopes dashed yet again!

~Bang

But if we fire danny smith who's going to stand next to Shanny screaming and chewing gum like a horse?

[thesubmittedone]

I really am holding out all hope that Hankerson is the guy. He just started to emerge as that guy and then got hurt. That had to be the most disappointing thing that happened this season for me along with losing Jenkins. Losing is one thing, but to not even get the joy of seeing our rookies (2nd and 3rd rounders at that) grow and become dominant really hurt. They both had the potential to have really good seasons this year.

Hopefully we get both back in full affect. Those two have the potential to be superstars.

[Truant]

I think he's talking FA. He knows how hard it is for a rookie WR to make an impact. Paul, Hankerson... even back to Ashley Lelie. I think we'll look at V Jack and/or Bowe but also pick up a cheaper option, such as Eddie Royal.

[More Complete]

Spurrier and Shanahan go back 30 years...

They do?

[DogofWar1]

Just threw up part 2 of the mailbag series.

From part 1, I'm really interested in seeing what happens with WR this offseason. Smoke or not, when a coach says it's a need, that probably means he has some plan for it.

As for part 2, I found it interesting that Shanahan specifically talked about his potential longevity in Washington. I guess he figures he has two more years tops to turn it around, or his contract is getting cut short. I wonder if his assumption that he has 4 years vs. a lot of people's assumption that he has 3 years will affect his decision making in terms of getting a QB. If he thinks he has a full year after next, does he focus less on QB this offseason, maybe getting a developmental guy or FA, and focusing on the draft? Or is the sense of urgency that might get him to move up for RGIII still there?

[ConnSKINS26]

Honestly, I think that might be smoke and mirrors, all the WR talk.

Would I like Blackmon? Yes

Do I want Grossman throwing him the ball? Hell no.

He doesn't have to be talking about Blackmon. He could be indicating he's ready to open Snyder's wallet for a #1 WR in FA.

Edit: I see that someone else already brought this to your attention. Oops!

[Truant]

Just threw up part 2 of the mailbag series.

From part 1, I'm really interested in seeing what happens with WR this offseason. Smoke or not, when a coach says it's a need, that probably means he has some plan for it.

As for part 2, I found it interesting that Shanahan specifically talked about his potential longevity in Washington. I guess he figures he has two more years tops to turn it around, or his contract is getting cut short. I wonder if his assumption that he has 4 years vs. a lot of people's assumption that he has 3 years will affect his decision making in terms of getting a QB. If he thinks he has a full year after next, does he focus less on QB this offseason, maybe getting a developmental guy or FA, and focusing on the draft? Or is the sense of urgency that might get him to move up for RGIII still there?

That's interesting, but it makes sense. No matter who we get, they are going to be new to the system. Maybe Rex keeps the seat warm for a bit, but Shanny does have history of benching a winning Jake Plummer to get Cutler experience and then crashing out of the playoff race. I think if we get a rookie QB for the future Shanahan should be around for at least two years to see what he can do. It's a lot of pressure for this hypothetical young QB, but in this day and age you simply can't wait as long as you'd like for QBs to pan out.

(edit: not that we'd give up on the QB, but if Shanny can't do anything with him for two years the coach/QB tandem will be broken up)

[authentic]

Honestly, I think that might be smoke and mirrors, all the WR talk.

Would I like Blackmon? Yes.

I don't... If Luck and RG3 are gone and Blackmon is sitting there @ 6 i say they take him. Do i think Blackmon will make it to 6? No.

---------- Post added January-3rd-2012 at 06:33 PM ----------

BTW, last offseason Shanny said publically that a pass rusher would be a priority in the draft. And look at who they got? See Shanny's quote below, during the combine..

I think [outside pass-rusher] ranks right at the top. Obviously when you have any consistent defense, using the 3-4, you've got to have two great outside pass-rushers, a great nose tackle and a great safety.

[daveakl]

Our teams future is so bright you could get a burn unless you wear sunscreen.

Then again, it does take three to get three.

[hail2skins]

As for part 2, I found it interesting that Shanahan specifically talked about his potential longevity in Washington. I guess he figures he has two more years tops to turn it around, or his contract is getting cut short. I wonder if his assumption that he has 4 years vs. a lot of people's assumption that he has 3 years will affect his decision making in terms of getting a QB. If he thinks he has a full year after next, does he focus less on QB this offseason, maybe getting a developmental guy or FA, and focusing on the draft? Or is the sense of urgency that might get him to move up for RGIII still there?

There will be a big focus on QB, make no mistake.

I think Shanahan probably lasts four years no matter what but that is also predicated on getting someone in the draft, and I also think that you still have to throw up at least six wins to definitely stay around.

Now, if Mike goes the Flynn route and we're not at least .500 this year, I think it might be time to move on from Mike.

[FrFan]

With Shanahan I learned to beleive only what I see, I just hope he is going to draft as well as last year.

[jivelikenice]

Having hankerson even if he is healthy doesn't negate the need for a #1 type of wr. Hankerson is the only potential playmaker at wr on this team and if he goes down w/ an injury then we're back to having a limited passing game. Gaffney & Moss are redundant. There's no need to have 2 of them as your top 3 wrs because they both lack deep speed and ability to do much after the catch. Ideally the wr corp will look like FA/ Hankerson/ Gaffney, This way we have depth so that we can withstand an injury to either the FA we bring in or Hankerson. Moss can stick as a #4 but my preference would be to let Niles Paul, Robinson, and another vet WR in the Stallworth mold fill that role....

Depth is key in today's game. All the great passing teams had injuries at the wr position (minus Detroit) and maintained their pace because they're deep at WR & TE....

[Missouri_Skins_Fan]

I've already been told, by my Psychic African Grey
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I asked him, who will be our top 3 Free Agent acquisitions
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#1)WR DeWayne Bowe
#2)DE/LB Mario Williams (I know...I know...I have NO IDEA why "Felix" said his name...or why we would contemplate signing him, but it is..what it is...it's what the damn bird said...lol)
#3)OC Nick Hardwick (Again...I don't know why he said Hardwick, but he did. I personally love Will Montgomery and what he's done for us....I think he's been watching, too many Alfred Hitchcock re-runs)

Anyways...these are the words, from my Psychic African Grey "Felix".
By the way..he hates the Eagles (always freaks out)

[jivelikenice]

Marques Colston plus Blackmon plus Hankerson????

Colston has had too many knee injuries. I'd be extremely hesitant to commit big dollars to him.

[Stricknine]

Missouri Skins Fan, I love that your bird hates the Eagles. But his taste in free agents flat out sucks.